How to prepare for the climb
A Kilimanjaro climb is a very special type of adventure, beyond a traditional vacation. Unlike popular beach vacations or simple hiking tours, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires certain preparations. After all, this adventure takes hikers to the highest point of Africa at 5,895 m/19,340 f. This is often the highest altitude many climbers to ever achieve, making this trip a true adventure of a lifetime. In this way, Kilimanjaro adventures are dangerous and unless the trekking party is staffed by the professional guides and equipped with proper equipment, the hikers are exposed to certain high altitude-related risks.
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THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro may be a feature on many traveler’s bucket list (over 30,000 people climb to the summit every year), but it’s no easy feat and it’s essential that you are prepared. Here are a few tips to get you started, but for more information on how to get ready for your mountain adventure, we recommend that you read our beginner’s guide to Kilimanjaro trekking.
FITNESS TRAINING (PRE-CLIMB TRAINING)
The old saying is that ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’ This can hardly be more true than when you are taking on a challenge such as Kilimanjaro. Start your pre-climb training early, then build it up gradually. There are lots to consider here. When should I start, what activities should I be doing? Should I train alone, or get specialist help? What about my diet?
Everyone is different, so there is no single correct answer. But simply ‘doing nothing’ is not an option. The day after you have decided to climb, that’s the day to begin your training!
Here are 4 things you can do to prepare and train for Mt Kilimanjaro.
- Aerobic Training
- Strength Training
- Practice Hiking
- Mental Stamina
- Altitude Training
HIKING GEAR (KILIMANJARO PACKING LIST)
Camping equipment and food is provided and carried by the porters, but it is wise to invest in and bring quality hiking gear (clothing, footwear etc.) In order to be safe and comfortable throughout your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to bring important gear and supplies with you. We have put together a comprehensive Kilimanjaro Packing list to help you prepare for your climb.
Trekking Kilimanjaro involves five main climate zones, from the warm, humid forest and lower slopes, to the bitterly cold summit zone, with glaciers, ice, and snow. You need to be prepared for all Kilimanjaro weather conditions: sunny, windy, and rainy.
VACCINATIONS & TRAVEL INSURANCE
Don’t take any chances with your trip. It is crucial to ensure that you are up-to-date with vaccines when you visit.
And don’t leave your vaccine planning until the last minute – you should be checking your vaccine status and thinking about what you need, well before your departure date. And if you are not sure, do consult your doctor or vaccination clinic.
Also, there are many good reasons for having good travel insurance, but to book a trip with us, it is an absolute requirement.
MEDICAL CHECKS
Climbing Kilimanjaro is tough – not dangerous, but it needs to be treated with respect. And that involves consulting with an expert – your doctor – to make sure that you’re fit and good to go. Medical checks are vital when climbing Kilimanjaro. That’s why we at Oserok Trips recommend undergoing medical checks for all our Kili climbers.
There are no shortcuts with this, you need to know if there’s any condition that might hamper the progress of your journey to the summit. And we at Oserok Trips need to know of any medical conditions you may have.
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro With
Oserok Trips
We are a premier Kilimanjaro trekking Tours company with Years of combined experience on the mountain, we specialize in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. We run our own trekking operations, staffed with expert mountain guides, and do not act as a booking agent for other companies. We will give you comprehensive advice on packing, fitness, expected weather and trail conditions, and be by your side every step of the way – all the way to the Summit of Kilimanjaro! We will also bring you to the airport after the adventure of a lifetime.
Why book with Oserok?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Words From Our Happy Clients
ExcellentBased on 132 reviewsVerifiedBeata O2024-03-07Oserok Trips will guarantee your trip to Tanzania is a magical, once in a lifetime experience! If you have been considering a trip to Tanzania, and are still on the fence, I am here to tell you not to worry and go for it! It is a magical place, not only because of the incredible animal and plant life, or the amazing landscapes, but above all, because of the wonderful and friendly people. The man who will guarantee this trip will be an incredible, once in a lifetime experience, is Alpha and his great team at Oserok Trips. Even if you only have a few hours, Alpha will fill them with activities as best as possible, and if you are on a two-week vacation, your time will be organized in great detail according to your needs and interests. Alpha is a wonderful guide and companion for whatever kind of trip you have envisioned. He will pick you up from the airport, arrange accommodation with local residents, answer your questions, take care of you as best as he can, take care of all your needs, and dispel any concerns. Oserok Trips can also recommend various activities in each area you visit, but beyond that they will also show you the details that could easily go unnoticed by visitor. As I write this, I already want to go back, explore the places I didn’t have enough time to see, and smell grass of the Serengeti again. My husband, daughter and I traveled around Tanzania for two weeks. We spent the first eight days with Alpha and his great team, the next with his wonderful life companion and guide Dominika. We drove through Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area under the care of Alpha, a skilled driver, and a cook who prepared incredible meals for us even in the middle of the wilderness. There was no moment when we did not feel safe, even when a dozen lions were hunting a buffalo a few meters away from us. We joked that even this amazing event was planned by our guides for 4:06 pm on January 23, 2024. Witnessing such a hunt, of course, can never be guaranteed, but with a team like Oserok Trips, their expert eyes will point out every lion's ear in the waist-deep grass. After some time you too will learn to spot whole groups of animals thanks to their experienced eye! Don’t let the fatigue of travel, the dust and mud, and everything that deviates from the routine of your everyday life, dissuade you from taking this trip. Don’t delay (like us) and the rest will be taken care of by Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips.VerifiedLucy_Anne_Mel2024-01-24Great local community option for those after an authentic experience Communications prompt and accurate - pay attention to the description to ensure it is for you. I had a fantastic day visiting a Maasai tribal village and surrounds but be aware this is not the sort of tour where you "attend a show" of the lifestyle - you join the tribe members for part of their day which I found really interesting and informative despite the language barrier. Employs local staff and supports the community which for me is a bonus. Wouldn't hesitate to book for a longer tour in the area if I get the chance.VerifiedKabi K2023-12-25A nice day to remember Alpha, the manager is very friendly and patient. I had one day for a trip in Arusha with my niece and a small budget and he accommodated my needs. We went to the hotsprings and visited a park that isn't in his offer, but he was able to arrange it. I did not had to take care of anything. In addition, Alpha is.keen to exchange about his rich culture and his full of interesting histories, but he also left us enjoy the activities and understands when you need privacy, I appreciate that. In a nutshell, I really recommend the Oserok trips.VerifiedTriana H2023-10-15Unforgettable experience! Great experience I highly recommend anyone who would like to enjoy a safari in great company! They made the whole experience for me and my family something we’ll never forget and they became part of the family ???? Ashe naleng’ Thanks a lot, the whole family wishes you all the bestVerifiedMary M2023-10-05Waterfalls and coffee My dad and I went on the waterfalls and coffee tour with Alpha and the oserok team this summer. The tour was perfect from start to finish, alpha organized everything better than we could have imagined. He picked us up and took us on a beautiful drive up the mountain and explained/ answered questions about the landscape as we went. On the hike we were with Lebahati, he was a wonderful and charming guide. He was able to keep us going at an enjoyable pace and told us many fun y and interesting facts on the way! The lunch after the hike was great too- many different dishes and we had so much fun learning about local kahawa!! I could’t recommend any other company more!!VerifiedJan M2023-09-22Absolutely wonderful experiences. Highly recommended! We did the Kilimanjaro, 4 days safari and a coffee plantation tour - all with Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips. We are so lucky that we chose his company (based on recommendation from a friend), as our journeys was absolutely wonderful! On Kilimanjaro, they was so helpful making sure that we reach the summit. The food on the mountain was so delicious thanks to Salim - the chef. The whole crew was perfect - always cheering us up, always smiling. And then the safari - Alpha made sure that we get a solid guide/driver who knows everything there is to know about the animals. Always in a good mood, and he spotted animals that we would definitely miss. We saw so many lions, some of them eating their prey and one time we saw the hunt for zebras! We even saw a family of cheetahs. The safari was one of the best experiences of our lives, I'll definitely come back if I ever have children, so they can see it too. And it'll definitely be with Oserok Trips again. Highly recommended, you won't make a mistake!VerifiedNancy G2023-08-26Excellent guide! Nous avons fait deux daytrips avec Alpha : Chemka hotspring et Materuni+Coffee tour. Nous recommandons fortement cette agence locale détenu par un maasai. Nous avons appris énormément sur la culture maasai, les plantes et la vie à Moshi durant ces excursions. Pendant la randonnée pour aller à Materuni, il a pris le temps de nous faire découvrir les différentes plantes sur le chemin. Alpha a été à notre écoute et n’a pas hésité à tout mettre en œuvre pour nous satisfaire. Il nous a fait découvrir la nourriture locale, excellente expérience. La bonne humeur et la zen attitude de Alpha sont tellement contagieuses. Et il est aussi un excellent photographe pour ceux qui aiment les jolies photos pendant les excursions ????Verifiedmarco c2023-08-10Trek con Alpha, la miglior guida masai di Moshi! Alpha è un’ottima guida, nonché un personaggio simpatico e affabile, ci ha portati alle falde del Kilimanjaro in un trek in famiglia molto interessante fino alla cascata Materuni. Abbiamo mangiato un pranzo delizioso preparato per noi dalle donne di un villaggio Chagga dove abbiamo poi assistito alla cerimonia del caffè, partecipando anche. Giornata divertente, con Alfa che è colto e preparato, lo consigliamo a tutti.VerifiedEline E2023-07-22Inoubliable !! C'est la 2éme fois que nous faisons appel à Oserok Alpha a été très convivial et bienveillant avec tous les membres du groupe. Les guides sont disponibles et attentionnés. Nous avons apprécié ce circuit de 2 parcs avec une une nuit au campement Kizumba, tout était impeccable. Belle surprise avec des déjeuners à table tout confort en face du bassin aux hippopotames. Alpha est vraiment précautionneux, il a été très disponible en amont pour la préparation de ce voyage (voyage associatif pour 12 personnes) Rapport qualité prix au top.VerifiedKristina D2023-03-16Materuni waterfall and coffe trip we went to Materuni waterfall and on a coffee tour with Alfi as guide☺️ It was a fantastic experience with beautiful nature! Alfi gave us extensive information along the way about the place and the flora. We later got to make coffee with the local population, which was great fun and educational. The day also included a traditional Swahili lunch which was very good???? Really recommend! not a crazy price either!
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.