Can A Beginner Hike Mount Kilimanjaro?
Can A Beginner Hike Mount Kilimanjaro? You’re in Arusha, and the atmosphere here makes you wonder what it’s like for beginners to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The reality is that it’s fantastic. Although there are many other routes to reach the Kilimanjaro’s peak summit, the Machame, Lemosho and northern Circuit route are best and mostly recommended for the beginners. Mount Kilimanjaro draws a lot of tourists because it is Africa’s tallest mountain. The Machame, Lemosho and northern Circuit route offers novice climbers the best first-hand experience of Mount Kilimanjaro.
CAN A BEGINNER CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
It is possible for beginners to climb Mount Kilimanjaro; many first-timers always go back for another ascent. However, they must be aware of the weather and what to anticipate while climbing. Kilimanjaro is one of the most well-known high-altitude treks in the world, rising to a height of more than 5,000 meters.
The fame of Kilimanjaro is due to the fact that it is the highest mountain in the world that can be reached by foot. There are no prerequisites, such as the need for ropes, specialized climbing equipment, or prior knowledge.
October and November, during the brief rains, are the best times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Alternatively, you can climb the mountain in the shoulder season, which runs from March to June. You’ll observe that during the dry months of July through September, there are lots of people, and it gets chilly, windy, and dusty.
HOW FIT DO YOU NEED TO BE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
For novice climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro, a certain level of fitness is required. The climb to the summit is difficult, but it is not particularly punishing. Thus, Machame is a well-liked route to climb Kilimanjaro. It passes by Stella Point. This is the best route to take if you want to camp there. For a novice climber, it is also the quickest and simplest. However, you should be equipped with the necessary items, which must include the following:
- Hiking Boots
- 70-liter main rucksack
- -20 Degree Sleeping Bag
- Trekking Poles
- 30-40 Liter Day Pack
- Insulated Trekking Gloves, Pants, and Winter Jacket
- Sleeping Pad
CAN YOU CLIMB KILIMANJARO WITHOUT EXPERIENCE?
Although Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb and is ideal for beginners with little to no experience, you must be physically prepared for the challenge. Success depends on preparation, which means taking your time while climbing (altitude sickness shouldn’t be taken lightly). It also entails preparing beforehand and using the proper tools, such as a pair of well-worn boots.
IS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO HARD?
The routes on Kilimanjaro are not particularly steep, so most days are not particularly difficult. The summit night, however, is particularly challenging because it is the coldest and windiest time of your ascent. Approximately 4,084 feet of ascent and a descent of over 7,000 feet. It might take 12–14 hours on foot. However, for beginners, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can be exhausting.
HOW MANY DAYS DOES IT TAKE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
It takes five to nine days to complete the longer routes to Uhuru on Mount Kilimanjaro. The longer you spend acclimatizing on the mountain, the better your chances are of reaching the summit. Less than five days on the trail results in the lowest success rate at the summit.
However, carrying all of your gear is one of the most challenging aspects of long-distance, multi-day hikes. For novice climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro, the weight on their backs causes them to move more slowly. However, the majority of tour guides prefer to carry the majority of the walking-related gear, including tents, chairs, and tables.
HOW COLD IS IT AT THE TOP OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO?
In the evening, Uhuru Point’s temperature can drop as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro is unique because of its elevation.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
For $2,500 to $6000, you can enjoy a nine- or seven-day ascent to the summit. The price of climbing equipment is just one factor that affects how much it costs to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. However, watch out for both outrageously expensive and absurdly inexpensive packages. Cheap implies a compromise, which you shouldn’t take a chance on. On the other hand, exorbitant prices offer absolutely no value for money.
WHICH IS THE BEST CLIMBING ROUTE FOR KILIMANJARO?
There are seven recognized routes that climb Mount Kilimanjaro, some of which combine with others. Each has pros and cons of its own. The Marangu Route, also known as the Coca-Cola Route, is the quickest—only taking five days—and is generally regarded as the easiest. Ironically, though, because it frequently draws inexperienced and unprepared trekkers, it also has the lowest success rate. Other slightly longer and more difficult Kilimanjaro routes include Machame, Northern Circuit, Lemosho, and Rongai.
In the end, the route you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget, your time constraints, the type of scenery you prefer, and whether you want to avoid the busiest trails.
WHO WILL I BE CLIMBING WITH?
For climbing Kilimanjaro, there are both small-group excursions and custom tours available. An excursion in a small group, where you’ll be joined by 6–14 other walkers, is the traditional way to travel. That’s fantastic company along the way, which is very inspiring.
In addition, our responsible travel partners will have a strong support staff in place, typically consisting of three porters and one highly trained guide for every two to three travelers. No more than a daypack will be required of you. Additionally, you can be sure that the porters are paid fairly for their labor.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
Tanzania is famously tropical, with wet and dry season variations in a hot, muggy climate. It is located 300 kilometers south of the equator. What time of year is ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro? Let’s look at the weather patterns and the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania has two rainy seasons: a brief one from November to the middle of December and a lengthy one from March to May. During these times, the Mount Kilimanjaro trails can be slippery and muddy. You might prefer to climb during these times because there are much fewer people, especially if you care less about monsoonal weather and more about solitude. However, anticipate getting very wet.
The mountain’s busiest season lasts from July to October, especially since it falls during the summer solstice in Europe. Compared to the holiday season, this window of time is dryer and cooler, but be prepared for some chilly nights. Mid-May to June is the best time to go if you want to experience similar weather conditions but with significantly fewer people. Although the holidays are approaching, peak climbing season is still ongoing.
The weather is much warmer and clearer from December to February. However, the brief rainy season can last into December, so it might still be rainy. It can still get busy during these months because they also fall during the Christmas holidays.
COMBINING KILIMANJARO WITH SAFARIS AND BEACHES
It is simple to combine climbing Kilimanjaro with a safari in Tanzania and/or a few days on a beautiful beach in close proximity to Zanzibar. It makes financial sense for you because you’ll be flying to Tanzania anyway, and it also means your vacation will have a greater positive impact on local communities.
The stunning Serengeti National Park, where you might catch a glimpse of the Great Migration if you time it right, and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater are both close to Kilimanjaro. You can also go on a walking safari there.
