Climbing Kilimanjaro | Trekking Adventures

Hike Kilimanjaro with South Africa Adventures
From R31,900 PP

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route has a substantially high success rate and its one of our favorite routes to the Summit
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
11 Days
Hike Kilimajaro Machame route with south africa adventures
From R31,150 PP

Trekking Tour up Kilimanjaro Machame Route

The Kilimanjaro Machame route is one of our most popular routes to the summit. Book your Kilimanjaro Adventure today!
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
10 Days
Rongai Route mount Kilimanjaro trek adventure tour
From R28,100 PP

Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trekking Tour

Trek Mount Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route with South Africa Adventures! The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is a favorite amongst all
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
10 Days
Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro_Climb Kilimanjaro South Africa Adventures
From R29,200 PP

Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Tour

The 9-day Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route hike is one of the most challenging routes to the summit of mount Kilimanjaro!
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
9 Days

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

For centuries, climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa has appealed to mountaineers and trekkers from around the globe. Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world and many hikers attempt to reach its summit of Uhuru peak every year. Sitting at 5895m above sea level, this incredible Kilimanjaro mountain is a must for any traveller looking for a sense of adventure mixed with a truly overpowering sense of accomplishment and perspective.

Mountains are not only about the physical challenge but are primarily about the mental challenge. The late Edmund Hilary had a saying, ‘it’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves’. This statement will personify itself on the slopes of this mighty African mountain.

Kilimanjaro is situated in the exceptionally friendly nation known as Tanzania. The summit of Kilimanjaro is known as Uhuru which means ‘freedom’ in Swahili.  A name given to the highest pint in Africa in commemoration of Tanzania’s independence from the British Empire in 1961.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventures
Climbing Kilimanjaro Trekking Itineraries and Packages

A post card view that has captivated travellers for decades.

One of the most incredible sites to see is the mighty snow-capped Kilimanjaro from the plains of the iconic Serengeti.  Although the mountain is situated in Tanzania and not Kenya as most people think, the views from the Kenyan side are more rewarding.

Kilimanjaro was formed through massive volcanic eruptions nearly 3 million years ago and formed not only the one mountain but three known today as Shira, Mawenzi and Uhuru Shira, Mawenzi and of course the highest of them all-Uhuru.

Trekking up Kilimanjaro is not to be taken lightly. It is still regarded as a high altitude trek and with that comes a few considerations that climbers need to aware of. Altitude sickness being the most common of them. The weather and extreme cold the other. With the proper preparation and following the correct acclimatisation programme on the mountain, the chances of a successful summit attempt is greatly increased.

Why climb Kilimanjaro with us?

Superior Safety standards

Qualified guides trained in First Aid

90% success rate on Climbing & summiting Kilimanjaro

Direct access to our Kilimanjaro guides and experts

Low climber to guide ratio. a Guide for every 3 climbers

Member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Association

Over 15 years’ experience on the Climbing Kilimanjaro

Pre-climb, support in terms of preparation and advice

Climbing Kilimanjaro with us_South Africa adventures

Will the altitude affect us when climbing Kilimanjaro?

The thing with mountains is that the higher you go the less oxygen molecules in the air. In fact, if you live at sea level, the amount of oxygen available is nearly half of what you are used to. The question we get asked the most is, ‘how will I know if my body can handle the altitude?’  A difficult one to answer as everyone is made physiologically and emotionally different.

The only way we can determine your level of acclimatization is the mountain once you have started climbing.  Prevention is better than cure. Our highly trained mountain guides will conduct medical checkups on you twice a day.

We make use of pulse oximeters to measure your blood’s oxygen saturation levels. We have been involved with guiding on Kilimanjaro for over 10 years and have accumulated a vast data base on where we benchmark your saturation levels against where they should be for a certain altitude.

In addition to that we take extra precautions by listening to your lungs with a stethoscope, monitor blood pressure levels and follow a predetermined medical checklist to determine if there any irregularities

What do you eat on Kilimanjaro?

One of the main criteria when climbing Kilimanjaro besides the tons of mental strength that you will need, is energy. You will burning over 6000 calories on most days when climbing Kilimanjaro.

You can imagine what will happen if you do not eat or to take it a step further, eat the right stuff. On all of our treks you will be assigned a cook. He has a crew of porters who support him in terms of making sure only fresh ingredients are carried up for the delicious meals that he prepares.

Most of the dishes are wholesome stews and pastas. Fruit is also available. We also cater for vegetarians and vegans.

What are the conditions like when Climbing kilimanjaro?

Mountains are mountains. They have their own set of rules when it comes to weather. Kilimanjaro is touching nearly 6000m so as you can imagine the conditions are going to get pretty hectic. Not only that, but climbing Kilimanjaro is pretty unique in that it contains various different micro climates.

You will experience humidity and lushness of the rainforest to subzero alpine environments all within a couple of days. The solution? Make sure you come prepared form an equipment point of view.

Like the scouts motto goes, be prepared for the worst case scenario. If that scenario never happens you will be smiling. If it conditions do happen to get pretty hectic at least you will have the right equipment to persevere to the summit.

Is trekking experience necessary?

Although you do not have to be super fit to attempt climbing Kilimanjaro, you are going to have some sort of fitness and conditioning. Although the pace is very slow in order to give your body time to acclimatize, trekkers still need to walk on between 6 and 10 km a day over 7 days.

The best way to prepare for the climb is consistent cardio and strength programs. But you do not need to stress. We have dedicated Kilimanjaro experts that will be assigned to you for the duration of your pre climb preparation to make sure you are ready to make the ‘Roof of Africa’ relatively unscathed.

Do we sleep in tents in the evenings whilst climbing Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is all about the experience and ‘earning’ that summit through a bit of hardship and suffering. Why do it if it’s easy right? All routes, excluding the Marangu route, also known as the Coca -Cola route offers full-service camping.

So basically we provide the tents and sleeping mats. You just need to provide your sleeping bag. The tents are high-quality tents designed for high altitude mountain conditions. And don’t worry about carrying the tents or even pitching them as our dedicated team will take care of that.

Kilimanjaro FAQ

  • Training for Kilimanjaro

    Training for Kilimanjaro

    Training for Kilimanjaro One of the most frequently asked questions that we get asked. ‘What is the best training advice for Kilimanjaro?’ I have spent the last 20 years on all kinds of mountains around the world including many summits of not only the highest mountain in Africa but also the world. I have been through it all. I have experienced the physical and mental challenges of climbing high altitude mountains. There is a saying that it is not how many mountains you climb but how many people you with you. I’m sure there is a deep philosophical meaning in

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  • Equipment for Kilimanjaro

    Equipment Needed for Kilimanjaro

    Equipment for Kilimanjaro Preparing for your Kilimanjaro climb must not be taken lightly. The climb takes trekkers through 5 different climatic zones in just 6 days. These zones include hot humid conditions to possibly snowy and well below freezing conditions. Our motto at South Africa Adventures is ‘ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST!!’ Not only will this advice make our climb way more enjoyable, but will also be crucial from a survival perspective. Hypothermia is a reality on Kilimanjaro and is something that can be prevented with the correct equipment for Kilimanjaro. Can you hire equipment for Kilimanjaro? Yes you can.

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  • Nutrition for Kilimanjaro

    Nutrition Plan for Kilimanjaro

    Nutrition Plan for Kilimanjaro Trekking up Kilimanjaro is going to take a minimum of 6 days and sometime even more depending on the route you have chosen to the summit. This means that fatigue is going to compound over time. And with that comes many changes in your body’s chemistry that can have an effect on your performance especially at altitude.  And yes you are going to need a massive dash of willpower and determination to make the summit (unfortunately we do not have any vitamins to help with that except maybe a beer afterwards), but the key to making

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  • best-time-to-climb-kilimanjaro_South Africa Adventures

    Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

    Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro One of the most frequently asked questions we get from trekkers is the one of the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The highest mountain in Africa although situated in an area subjected to seasonal influences; it remains what it is-a mountain. And mountains pretty much have their own weather patterns, especially Mount Kilimanjaro. We have been involved in guided treks up this African icon for over 15 years and we still firmly believe that you can climb to the summit of Uhuru all year round. No matter what time of the year you decide is
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  • Why climb mountains?

    A idiots guide to what I think and why I climb Mountains. Climbing big mountains basically has the human experience condensed into a very, very small period of time. Maybe it’s a 3-week climb. Maybe it’s just a 3-day hike in the Drakensberg. One thing for sure is that all the core aspects of our personality come forward in a condensed and direct way. Everything is so intense and highlighted that it gives us an opportunity to really practice and shift and change behaviors if we desire to. What was that? If we desire to? Yeah so that’s where the
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  • Kilimanjaro safety tips and effects of high altitude

    Effects of altitude on Kilimanjaro

    Effects of altitude on Kilimanjaro So you are looking at climbing Kilimanjaro but are worried about what will happen to your body at altitude? We have been involved in mountaineering not only on Kilimanjaro but on some of the highest mountains the in the world for over 20 years. We have been in countless situations at altitude and have not only helped people through these situations but have also got to experience some of these effects ourselves.  It is one thing to help a climber with a Pulmonary Edema from an outsider’s perspective, but having suffered one myself I can
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  • Climb Kilimanjaro tips and advice

    9 things to give up in order to be successful on a mountain

    Climbing Kilimanjaro Tips and Advice  Climbing mountains like Kilimanjaro is sometimes going to be the hardest thing you have accomplished in your life. And reaching the summit may not always be about what you have to do but may in reality be what you need to give up!!! We are all for not giving up on a mountain.  You will always hear our guides encouraging you not to give up on the hike but you are going to have to learn to give up on a few things prior to your climb. Yes there are certain obvious things that need
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  • Tips for climbing Kilimanjaro with South Africa Adventures

    Top 10 tips for Climbing Kilimanjaro

    Top 10 tips for Climbing Kilimanjaro   I decided to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with South Africa Adventures last year December and I can say without a doubt that it was not only the hardest thing I have ever done… but was also the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I have ever done!!! Like most trekkers I’m sure, especially the ‘wet behind the ears, couch potato type ‘ like me, the pre climb anxiety consumed me. I was seriously contemplating my chances of successfully summiting the highest mountain in Africa. Had I bitten off more than I can chew?  Did I
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  • Avoiding preclimb panic kilimanjaro

    Pre-Climb Panic – What to do?

    Pre Climb panic and how to manage it  If you have climbed Kilimanjaro or are looking at doing so in the future, chances are you are going to be overwhelmed by pre-climb panic. However, fear not as you are not alone. This nervous state of mind that we’ve christened ‘climbaphobia’ affects trekkers of all shapes, sizes and experience levels.  Take me for example. I have been climbing mountains for 20 years including the Himalayas, Kilimanjaro, Russia and South America and I always get the jitters before a climb. Deidre Angella, a psychologist in the UK explains that “it is a
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  • Safety on Kilimanjaro

    Safety on Kilimanjaro

    Safety on Kilimanjaro Although climbing Kilimanjaro is relatively easy compared to say a Himalayan mountain, trekkers should still respect the fact that it is close to 6000m above sea level. And with that comes many scenarios that a potential summiteer of the highest mountain in Africa would need to take seriously.  Before you embark on your trekking adventure there are a number of things that you should familiarize yourself with. Some of the things may seem obvious like getting sufficient training, but there may be other things that make all the difference in terms of your safety on Kilimanjaro. Let’s

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