great introductory trekking

The Journey

The Roof of Africa

At 5896m, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and the thin air around the top provides a stout challenge. We use the Machame route because it combines diverse and interesting scenery, an enjoyable trek and, most importantly for you, an achievable acclimatisation schedule. One of the highlights of the trek is exploring the small valleys around our camp 3 where East African Giant Lobelias and Giant Senecios make the landscape seem prehistoric. We have built in two shorter days to give you the best chance to acclimatise, and climb in safety.

The climb to the summit – Uhuru peak - is quite steep walking, and tough due to the thin air. However it is non-technical and achievable for fit healthy trekkers. The descent through the thick jungles that halo Kilimanjaro to the Mweka gate and our waiting jeep provide a balm for our eyes after so much time above the treeline. We use a camping trek for maximum flexibility, and porters carry our camping gear, food and personal kit.

The climbing season in East Africa covers most of the year. The two dry seasons generally run from December to March, when you would expect dry and warm conditions, and June to October, which is usually also dry, but cooler.




Brief Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha hotel
Day 2	Trip briefing and preparation for trek
Day 3-8	Trek and climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route from our high camp
Day 9	Final day of trek and transfer to hotel
Day 10	Either a final rest day, departure, or commencement of an optional safari
Options:	Private jeep safari in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti game parks or relaxing at Zanzibar

dawn from Shira camp sunrise on Mt Meru

Is it right for me?
 
To achieve the major challenge of this climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need to be fit and healthy. Our staff carry everything but your day pack, prepare the meals and set up camps, so you’ll just have to take care of enjoying your adventure. We stay in good quality mountain tents on Kilimanjaro, good hotels in towns and a very nice lodge to enjoy a post summit rest.

Experience required

Despite Kilimanjaro’s height, our strategic route involves hiking, not technical climbing. You will not need rope, rock-climbing or mountaineering skills, but a background in trekking and camping or overnight hiking will be an advantage.  

Fitness required

You will need a reasonable level of fitness in order to best enjoy your experience of Africa, and to have a good chance of success. You will need to be able to trek on sometimes rough tracks for 6 or more hours a day with a daypack. The trekking days are not especially long, as your body needs time to acclimatise, and there is time for a leisurely lunch, and photography stops.

An extra effort will be required on summit day to take you above the glaciers to Uhuru peak. This is a tough day.

We suggest that because people have a wide variety of lifestyles, you may benefit from a training program to prepare for your trek. We suggest you start well ahead and work up slowly to get yourself ready for the ascent.