Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent, located in Tanzania, East Africa. The forested slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro are home to some animals, including forest elephants, cape buffalos, dik-diks, duikers, bushbucks, warthogs, zebras, hyenas, leopards, and Kilimanjaro shrew.
Can a Beginner Climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes, beginners can climb Mount Kilimanjaro because it’s a walk-up mountain that even people without experience can climb without any technical equipment required. Although even beginners can successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the main challenge that almost 50% of hikers face is altitude sickness.
As a beginner trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, you should look out for an experienced and knowledgeable tourist guide to help you climb the mountain. Having the right guide will make your climb easier and more memorable.
Beginners planning to hike Mount Kilimanjaro must also choose to use one of the longest routes used to climb the mountain to acclimatize very well and adapt to altitude changes. There are seven main routes established for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro that take between 5 to 9 days to reach the summit and descend. The Kilimanjaro hiking routes include Lemosho route, Machame route, Marangu route, Umbwe route, Rongai route, Northern circuit route, and more.
Beginners hiking Mount Kilimanjaro must also pack the right gear to have a successful climb. If you’re buying new hiking boots, make sure you try using them for a walk or hike before using them on Mount Kilimanjaro. Some of the things you will need include waterproof hiking boots, plenty of drinking water, garden gloves, raincoats, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellents, long-sleeved clothing, energy-giving snacks, trekking poles, socks, and many others. Some companies will provide items like tents and sleeping bags, so make sure you check with the tour company you will be using to know what you can carry.
It’s advisable for beginners to also book a professional and trusted tour operator with summit rates of over 50% if you want to have a successful summit climb. Local tour operators have certified tour guides well-versed with the terrain and environment whose priority is to ensure that you’re safe and enjoying the journey on Mount Kilimanjaro.
One of the things that beginners should look out for is the best time for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Although the mountain can be accessed all year round, the best suitable time for climbing is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February when the trekking conditions are favorable, making it easy to traverse through the trails. The weather is clear, providing breathtaking views during the dry seasons, and the vegetation is also not thick, making it easy to spot wildlife and birds. The rainy seasons can get a bit messy, with trails being muddy and slippery, and rains can fall anytime during the hike, making the climb uncomfortable.
Mount Kilimanjaro can be accessed through Kilimanjaro International Airport, with several direct flights from Europe, or tourists can fly into Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania and then fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport or drive to Moshi or Arusha towns depending on the route they are likely to use.
One of the best ways beginners can prepare to conquer the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is by training themselves to acclimatize before the actual trek. This can be done by hiking any other hills or trekking the nearby Mount Meru, located 60 kilometers from Kilimanjaro. The other important thing to do while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is to hydrate as much as possible during the hike and while resting in the evening.
As a beginner, you not only need to be in good shape and have the right gear to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, but you also need to watch out for any symptoms of altitude sickness, which is the major obstacle that prevents many climbers from reaching the summit. Knowing when your body can’t go on anymore is mandatory to avoid complications of mountain sickness.
While climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you will always hear a local word, “pole pole,” translated to mean “slowly slowly.” You should always move at your own comfortable pace and not get pressured by groups leaving ahead of you or behind. Your guide will always move at your pace to make sure that you’re not fatigued and acclimatizing very well. Always take breaks and rest before you pick again, and this is important especially while approaching the summit when the air gets thinner.
Children, elderly people, and disabled people have been able to trek Kilimanjaro summit, so even a beginner can make it to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain. All you need to do is involve yourself in training, especially hiking hills, walking long distances daily, or climbing Mount Meru before hiking Kilimanjaro. Training prior to your hike will make it easier and more comfortable for you to reach the summit. Always tell your guide if you’re feeling unwell so that they can decide whether you should continue the hike or descend back for medical treatment.