"The uniqueness of climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro."
THE MASIFF KNOWN AS MOUNT KILIMANJARO. (5,895Masl)
In Northern Tanzania rises the frozen silver peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers are trademark of the mountain’s magnificent beauty. The mountain is located in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, by the town of Moshi which is the capital of Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania.
Climbing up Kilimanjaro is to walk through four seasons in four days, nowhere is this phenomenon more apparent than in its flora. The variety of flora found on Kilimanjaro can be ascribed in part to the mountain’s tremendous height and in part to its proximity to both the equator and the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the variations in climate, solar radiation and temperature from the top of the mountain to the bottom summarizes up with the ideal conditions for highly differentiated and distinctive 5 (five) vegetation zones.
Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro is the major draw of most climbers’ experiences in Tanzania, its spectacular breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe, and the Rift Valley as well as Mount Meru peaks can be seen from Kilimanjaro depending on the route undertaken. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ the highest point on the continent at 5896 meters — is the adventure of a lifetime, everyone from professional Alpinists to beginner enthusiasts can climb the snowy peak to the summit. Offering so much more than the traditional fly and flop getaway, adventure holidays in Tanzania can entail a huge range of recreation, outdoor activities, culture experience, personal reflection, Safari tours and excursions. In general, this is a learning adventure that’s only limited by your imagination quest and appetite for adventures.
“What should you expect from an adventure holiday in Tanzania’s wildlife parks and particularly on Africa’s highest, Mount Kilimanjaro in a nutshell?”
Simply, a people to people mix with the local communities – get intrigued, cultural diversity, mystery, excitement and jubilant!
Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, group of friends, volunteer or a family, an adventure holiday is perfect for those looking to add some excitement to their usual travel experience. You can choose any length and level of adventure; get stuck in for a week of mountain trekking (Mount Kilimanjaro or Meru) or take the afternoon off to have a wildlife safari – So if you want an extra ordinary experience, one can’t go wrong by choosing Tanzania as your holiday destination, cast off your inhibitions and escape on an adventure-filled Mount Kilimanjaro climb and Safari with a beach vacation in the mainland cost regions(Dar es Salaam,Tanga-Pangani,Bagamoyo) or the spice Islands of Zanzibar to bring back a picturesque gallery full of African memories.
Best time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry seasons rather than the wet seasons. To be more clear, we at AKE recommend the warmest and driest months. The dry seasons are from the beginning of December through the beginning of March, and then from late June through the end of October. These are considered to be the recommended times to hike Kilimanjaro in terms of weather.
There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania, the long rainy season is from mid-March to early June. The short rainy season is from November to early December.
Even though Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year round, the primary issue is safety, as the risks associated with climbing increase when the weather is foul. The effects of rain, mud, snow, ice and cold can significantly strain the body and mind whilst on the hike. You have greater Kilimanjaro summit success rates with good weather.
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The climate on and around Mount Kilimanjaro?
From base to summit, climbers find themselves weaving through several distinct climate zones. Hiking from the gate to the peak is like traveling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days! Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and flora/fauna as the altitude increases.
January and February are the warmest months, April and May are the wettest months, June and July are the coolest months, and August and September are the driest months. These generalities about the weather in Moshi hold true for Mount Kilimanjaro as well.
Due to its proximity to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro does not experience wide temperature changes from season to season. Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more so by the altitude and time of day. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro's ecological zones. On the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 20- and -20-degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.
How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro has different routes and each route has variations in number of days to ascend and descend. Their variations take between five to nine days to complete.
There are minimum number of days and recommended number of days for each Kilimanjaro main climbing route. It is often advised adding an extra day or two to your hike to help you acclimatize to the altitude, 7-9 day routes are recommended for lowest risk of altitude sickness and a successful summit attempt.
Selecting a Kilimanjaro Route?
There are seven established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro:
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Northern Circuit
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Lemosho
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Rongai
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Machame
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Shira
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Marangu
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Umbwe.
The perfect route for you should be determined by considerations such as for the route's difficulty, scenery, foot traffic and its altitude acclimatization characteristics, as shown in the image below.
The difference between climbing with a Safari or without?
Add-on safari: wildlife safaris, cycling and other packages are designed to offer visitors, with a free day or more on hand, a choice between day and multi-day options and some tours even combined.
Do you have a free day, maybe before a Kilimanjaro trekking adventure, or are you waiting for a flight to your next destination?
These add-on options provide just the answer for you, to get a brief but unforgettable African experience in locations in and around the Kilimanjaro region. Packages for add-on wildlife safaris, tours, cycling, and treks to any of the locations are arranged to start from Moshi town (unless otherwise specified).
Daily Departure Dates:
The departure dates for all add-on tours are totally flexible according to your own personal needs.
Please contact Above Kilimanjaro Expedition for further and more detailed information.
Selecting the best Kilimanjaro tour company?
How to find the best Kilimanjaro company so you get one that is inexpensive, eco-friendly, provides local guides, and gives back to the local community based upon my experience of over 10 years in the industry and my professional opinion:
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Research the costs – compare packages with more than one operator, by this you will get an idea of the general average cost to climb Kilimanjaro. Do not select a company strictly based on price! Price should be only one component in your overall decision. Prices vary significantly between operators, however high prices and low prices should both be viewed with caution. A recommended operator is required to satisfy all park fees, pay real wages to staff, supply good food and equipment, while still providing great service to their clients.
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Local guides – Guides can make or break your trip. They are going to explain everything to you and keep the flow of the tour going, whom better to explain than a local whom speaks the native languages.
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Kilimanjaro Rescue options, services and procedures – Make sure the company follows all the proper safety requirements; Ensure the operator is carrying an oxygen cylinder, oxy-meter, has signed you up with the Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue (helicopter evacuation), guides are medically trained and certified.
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Ask your operator about Environmental impact – There’s a growing trend among travelers called ecotourism. It’s about more responsible travel, not only toward the environment but also toward the locals in an area.
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Group size – Group climbs should be limited to 12-16 people. The head guide to climber ratio (1:4) ensures individualized attention, added flexibility and increased safety. Private climbs are available for parties of any size who want to climb certain route variations and want to be with only friends and family. Tour companies that have smaller groups tend to be much more mindful of the environment and the impact they are leaving.
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Check their reputation – How have other travelers enjoyed their time? Look for online reviews to see what a company’s reputation is on tripadvisor or facebook (the good thing about this, you may message the person whom wrote the review to get clarification)
What you should expect from your Kilimanjaro guide?
a) Knowledgeable and informative about the mountain
b) Intrepidity
c) Perfervid and skillful
d) Focused with a keen sense of direction
e) Audaciousness
f) Polite and humorist
g) Time conscious and punctuality
h) Passion for their job
What is the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro?
