Kilimanjaro Trekking Guide

This Guide And A Superior Team Will Get You To The Top!

 

How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro? And 'Who' is likely to succeed?

 

They is no 'fixed profile' for those individuals that will succeed.
 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

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• Challenge and Acclimatization:

Kilimanjaro is a high-altitude mountain (19,341 feet), and lack of oxygen is a primary reason why some fail to summit. Adequate acclimatization is crucial, and it is recommended to spend at least 6 days on the mountain to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. 

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• Physical Fitness:

While you don't need to be an extreme athlete, you need to be in reasonable physical shape, with the ability to hike for several hours carrying a 'nap sack' type bag on your bag. Training and practice with hiking terrain and carrying a small bag can prepare you. 

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• Summit Day:

The summit night is the most challenging part, with long hours of walking at high altitude. 

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• Success Rate:

The overall success rate on Kilimanjaro is estimated to be around 80%. 

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• Technical Difficulty:

The trails are mostly easy to moderate, but some routes, like Barranco Wall, have steeper sections requiring scrambling. 

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• Routes and Success:

Shorter routes (5 days and under) can have lower success rates (around 27%) due to insufficient acclimatisation time, while longer routes have higher success rates, with some reaching up to 90%. 

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• Beginner-Friendly:

Kilimanjaro can be climbed by beginners, as it is a trek, not a technical climb, but it still requires preparation and a realistic expectation of the challenge. 

 

 

With good preparation and appropriate clothing and equipment (which can be supplied by SKAS) there is every good reason for you to succeed. 

 

How To Climb Kilimanjaro

Prepare yourself mentally and physically, join forums to ask others of their experiences. Embark with a clear positive mental attitude and always remember if you summit or not, take away the positives of the experience.
 

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Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes
There are seven routes and they vary in length and difficulty (look at our map) Discuss with your chosen tour company about their advantages and disadvantages and ask advice on which route will be more appropriate for you and your expectations.

 

Mount Kilimanjaro Tours
The most important decisions you have to make is to choose a tour operator or trekking agency that you are comfortable with. Ring and ask to talk to the guides you will be trekking with, get to know them ahead of your booking.

 

The Cost Of Climbing
Climbing Kili is not cheap, so you will want to get the most out of it and also you will want to know where the money for your trek ends up. SKAS donate 5% to African children's charities, KPAP standards for wages for porters and guides are required to be adhered to. Money for food, your transfers, your accommodation, good standard of equipment i.e tents, mattress, porta toilets etc and permits/park entries.

 

Training For A Kilimanjaro Climb
You will be the judge of this, you will know your body better than anybody else. We always say to our customers, Kilimanjaro is like a very long walk. No 'mountain climbing' is involved. But we would suggest do as much walking as you possibly can leading up to your trek. Preferably if you can get to hills in your local area to practise on, this would be advantageous. 

 

Altitude Sickness
It is generally not the lack of fitness that prevents people from reaching the summit, it can be sometimes be the altitude sickness. That’s why SKAS are working in partnership with The Altitude Centre, (SKAS customers will receive 50% discount on their services).

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