[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1476687283468{background-image: url(https://www.southafricaadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Hike-Mount-Kilimanjaro-with-South-Africa-Adventures.png?id=1506) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]
Climbing Kilimanjaro | Trekking Adventures
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1467995180140{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”1505″ img_size=”600×450″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1506″ img_size=”600×450″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1467995593459{padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1467997653444{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1467995180140{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”1507″ img_size=”600×450″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_circle”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1467998050143{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1473081405209{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1473081416968{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Kilimanjaro FAQ
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_posts_slider type=”flexslider_slide” count=”all” interval=”5″ slides_content=”teaser” slides_title=”1″ posttypes=”post” posts_in=”1980,2165,2167,2169,2171″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_posts_slider type=”flexslider_slide” count=”all” interval=”5″ slides_content=”teaser” slides_title=”1″ posttypes=”post” posts_in=”2232,2355,2362,2392,2411″][/vc_column][/vc_row]