How Do I Prepare Before Climbing Kilimanjaro – overview.

The exercise for fitness level is vital important to be considered especially when someone needs to hike this highest free standing mountain in Africa. And the climbing to reach its peak is also a challenge that should not be disregarded.
With all the information which you will have concerning Kilimanjaro Climb Preparation but added to that information is being physically prepared in order to increase your success rate towards the peak. Normally training for fitness level determines the great extent on whether you can conquer the peak of Africa or not.

When to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

For Kilimanjaro Climbing preparation you should note the fact that most of the months have little rainy days and this make it easy for hiking all the year around.
During the wet season of March and May, cloud tends to cover the sky and over the summit, there is the falling snow on top and at the base. Visibility can be hindered by the cloud cover even when the rain is not falling. The temperature is appeared to be warm.
The best time to trek Kilimanjaro is during the dry season which begins in late June and throughout July can be very cold at night but usually there is clear clouds.
August and September are also cool and can be completely clear days but normally a saturated cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest moorland. The shorter period of October towards December normally is characterized with thunderstorm that passes over the mountain and dropping rains as they go. Naturally the clouds disappear in the evening leaving the nights clear and mornings with good visibility.
January and February are normally dry; warm without clouds cover with short rain falling makes a good trekking condition. January, February and September are the best recommended time for trekking.
Also July, August, November and December are good too. In rain season we advise to trek Kilimanjaro through Rongai route which start in northern Kilimanjaro.

What Travel Documents are Needed for Entry?

A passport and visa are seriously needed to travel to Tanzania for most citizens from different nations like the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union nations, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
The passport must be valid for 6 months after the proposed days of staying in Tanzania. You can get the visas from the Tanzanian embassy in your country before departure or at the point of entry in Tanzania. The visa cost for us citizen is $100 and $50 for the others. The visa must be paid for in USD only.
No any other currency or credit card is accepted. To obtain a visa in Kilimanjaro international airport is normally a simple process, when you arrive you can get a visa there.

What Vaccinations are Required?

There are recommended vaccination for travel in Tanzania. Though there is no compulsory vaccination. The United States canter for diseases control and prevention recommend the below vaccination to be taken for Tanzania safari.

• Hepatitis A
• Rabies
• Hepatitis B
• Malaria
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (required if entering Tanzania from an ‘infected area’)

Additionally this center for diseases control recommends also the routine control for measles, tetanus and polio if you are not up to date. You may also needs to bring Diamox an FDA accepted prescriptions used to avoid and treat altitude sickness.
It is practical for every client to have a medical checkup to observe whether have any medical conditions that increase the dangers of hiking at high altitude. The minimum age of participants of the trek is 16 years of age, though all the clients above 65 years of age are demanded to bring a doctors certificate stating that they are fit to trek Kilimanjaro.

How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

The great number of people has been asked about the number of days it takes to trek Kilimanjaro. The answer for this is it can take 5-11 days regarding on the route you choose to summit the Peak of Kilimanjaro Mountain. But in summary

• For Marangu route it takes 5 to 6 days (for acclimatization)
• Machame Route 6 to 7 days on the mountain
• Lemosho route it takes from 7, 8 to 9 days being on the mountain
• Rongai route takes 6 to 7 days and
• Other like Northern circuit route takes to about 11 days

These days exclude two night stay in Arusha before and after trekking

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Traveling insurance is compulsory as it provides you with coverage against the unpredictable conditions. Remember that the deposits are non-refundable upon trip approval and balance payments are none refundable within 30 days of the trip start date. So having the travel insurance is a practical means to cover your trip even if it was not required.
This may cover your trip cost if you have to cancel your trip due to the following conditions:

• A death in the family
• Flight delays or cancellations
• Loss of employment
• Injury, illness or other medical conditions

Other things which are compensated by the traveling insurance include:

• Hospital costs
• Lost or delayed luggage
• Evacuation
• Traveling expenses

You must have the up to date traveling insurance policy in order to participate on our trek. You’re traveling insurance must cover high altitude trekking up to 6000 meters, medical and deportation cost and the trip cancellation.
Also having travel insurance guarantee you for AMREF’S flying doctors removal insurance which will be included to your trip. These all medical services cannot be granted without having insurance, so it is important to have it.

Which are these gear list to bring for your Kilimanjaro climb?

The list is composed of tools that are necessary on Kilimanjaro trekking, hike to high altitude. These equipment’s are not an option, they are essential for your security and comfort ability. We have the entire list of tools needed for Kilimanjaro climbing, used but in a good condition. Read More from our article

How Do I Train To Climb Kilimanjaro

Training is the other important way step towards Kilimanjaro preparation. How you do your exercise is a significant factor on the way you will be on your Kilimanjaro trek. Most of the climbers have never climb for many consecutive days to such high altitudes, so we recommend you to be in the best body condition.
Although the climbing is at low pace and most of the trekking days end in the mid-afternoon, the combination of the physical activities, poor sleep, loss of appetite, dehydration, weather, and altitude are working against you. Your strength will be tasted as you make the push to the summit.
We recommend 8-12 weeks of doing exercise to reach a solid fitness level. You may need more or less regarding on your current fitness and you’re climbing acumen. You can take a view to our sample trekking training program.

What to pack on Mount Kilimanjaro climb Day pack?

Each and everything you need on the climbing day must be packed on your day pack. When our porters will be hiking to the camp and hence they will be access your day pack in the morning and well as in the evening when you arrive at the camp.

Below is our recommendation on what to carry on your day pack on Kilimanjaro trekking;

• First aid Kit
• Rain wear; Rain coat, Rain trousers, or poncho
• Walking stick
• Watch
• Whistle
• Simple solar power
• Lunch-box on some longer days
• Camera
• Water for drinking
• Sun hut
• Sun glasses
• Sun cream
• Compass
• Toilet paper
• Towel

What clothes to wear on camps?

Remaining at Kilimanjaro camps require some outfit to cover the body and some personal equipment. Below is the recommended list:

• Woolens socks
• Fleece beanie
• Water bottle
• Tracksuit pants
• T-shirts
• Sun cap

How to wear on Summit day?

For your comfortable trekking in Kilimanjaro summit night you are obliged to wear 4 layers on top and three layers on bottom regarding with weather and advisable to be clean and dressed properly.
The temperature at the peak day may drop below -15 centigrade of degree on climbing month. You have to use a wide mouth water bottle for easy drinking of water on summit night walk and put it upside down as normally water freezing starting from the top of the bottle. If you are using camel back on Kilimanjaro peak night you are able to keep covering it at shirt and truck hand warmers. Select those with pipe covers to keep insulation and protect from freezing.
Wind proofs are important and the point you are crossing saddle as well on crater rim where may have the strong winds.

You have to make sure you have and pack the following:

• Fleece gloves (use as inner for Gore-Tex glove)
• Thermal glove inserts Gaiters
• Fleece balaclava
• Thermal balaclava
• Thermal top
• Thermal long johns
• Thermal socks
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Day pack
• Leather or thermal boots
• Gore-Tex, Microtel or K-Tech Trilaminate jacket
• Gore –Tex, Microtel or K-tech pants
• Fleece jacket
• Fleece pants
• Gore-Tex mittens or gloves
• Head torch
• Thermal flask

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