How many days do I need to reach the peak of mountain Kilimanjaro

The least number of days to use on a hike to Uhuru Peak on Mountain Kilimanjaro is 7 days and over. Preparations to climb the mountain Kilimanjaro depend on your time on safari, level of fitness, budget, and other factors. Getting to the top of mountain Kilimanjaro faster or later also depends on Route you choose.

Most Popular Safaris

14 Day Uganda birding and wildlife

9 Day mountain Rwenzori hiking

4 Day Gorillas & Sabinyo hiking

20 Days Birding, game and culture

15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari

14 Day Uganda safari via Kigali

3 Day Bwindi double trek via Kigali

4 Days Gorillas & Golden monkeys

5 Day Chimp & Gorilla Habituation

3 Day fly in Safari

Although some tourists have succeeded in getting to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in five to six days, it requires doing more and rest time is very short. Taking such a shorter time to hike Mount Kilimanjaro depends on your reason for attempting it or what you wish to achieve after completing this challenge.

Mountain Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing glacier-topped mountain in the world and Africa’s Tallest mountain. Many adventure seekers have hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro on their bucket list. The highest peak of Mountain Kilimanjaro is Uhuru, which is 5893 meters above sea level.

During the hike on Mountain Kilimanjaro, you can take routes like the Marunga route which is sought after by most hikers, the Machame route, the Rongai route, the Lemosho route, the Shira route Mweka route, the Umbwe route, and others.

As the number of days you take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro depends mainly on the Route you take, below are some details about the different routes on this mountain.

Mountain Kilimanjaro Routes

Marunga Route

The Marunga route, which starts from Marunga gate, is the most popular Route and favors hikers with limited budgets. Taking the Marunga route on Mountain Kilimanjaro may take about five days, with night stops at Mandara route, which is 2700 meters, Horombo Route, 3720 meters, and Kibo hut, 4703 meters.

While taking the Marunga route, you the hike is not so challenging, there are better facilities with bathing facilities. Some of these huts sell some drinks like bottled water just in case you run out of supply. 

This being a popular route attracts many tourists especially during the peak tourism season so because it is over visited, expect to be in company of crowds. The dry season which is usually July, August, September, December and January pull so many crowds.

Shira Route

Those wishing to take more days on a Mountain Kilimanjaro hike can choose to use the Shira route. This Route, which starts at Shira gate at about 3500 meters, is on the western part of Mountain Kilimanjaro but ascends through Afro-alpine moorland with volcanic rock formations until it joins the Machame route up to the peak. At the bottom, there are chances of spotting animals like elands, buffaloes, and others.

Machame Route

The Machame route is also one of the preferred routes while hiking the mountain of Kilimanjaro. The Route has stunning views and not so challenging compared to other routes. While hiking mountain Kilimanjaro, this Route may last 7 days.

You need to camp while taking this Route because there are no more huts along the way.

Lemosho Hut

The Lemosho Route is the northern Route and is one of the still virgin routes that begins from Lemosho. Taking the Lemosho Route is more expensive because it lasts at least nine days. The Route is attempted from the north, loops around the peak, and gets to the peak from the Eastern part.

From the ground, ascending mountain Kilimanjaro may take about an entire week plus two days of descending which makes the cost higer.

Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is less crowded and offers a chance to encounter wild animals like elands, buffaloes, and others. It ascends until it loops with the Marungu route at the Kibo hut. Even during the rainy season, the Rongai route receives less precipitation, providing a conducive environment for hikers.

How to Prepare for Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro

Do Full Body Medical Checkup

Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro requires one in good health so as to prevent chances of having to stop in the middle of the hike. In case you have a heart-related disease like hypertension, it is best not to attempt this adventure. One with flu cough are at high risk of altitude sickness which doesn’t discriminate age, level of fitness, past experiences to mention but a few.

Do Pre Mountain Climbing Exercises 

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro requires some level of fitness to avoid getting stuck before completing the adventure. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, with Uhuru as its Peak, which is 5895 meters above sea level.

Have flexible muscles and use tracking boots during training so that you get accustomed to having some weight on your back. Try practicing hiking for at least 5 hours prior to embarking on the Kilimanjaro hike.

Book the Mountain Kilimanjaro Safari in advance.

It is best to book the Kilimanjaro hiking safari in advance so that you can make advance preparations. This gives you ample time to do your relevant shopping and other necessary preparations. Ensure you purchase your visa in advance so that you do not take long at immigration and get tired, especially if your Kilimanjaro hiking adventure starts on arrival.

Pack the right Mountain Kilimanjaro Hiking Gears.

While packing to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, you need to have a checklist so that you do not run out of supplies while up the mountain. Mountain climbing requires determination, but when your supplies run out, you worry about how to survive.

Some of the hiking gear you must include on your packing list include a sleeping bag, warm clothes, tracking boots, rainproof gear, dry fruits, and much more.

What can I Pack For Hiking on mountain Kilimanjaro?

• Using a camera to take photos while at Mountain Kilimanjaro is a task that is on the bucket list of many adventure seekers worldwide.
• Hiking boots that are comfortable for hiking for a long distance must also be water-proof.
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from getting sunburns.
• Sun glasses to protect your eyes from the direct sun light and buzzing insects.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects you may find along the way.
• Garden gloves to protect your fingers from touching rough surfaces along the way.
• Some extra clothes to change into after the long day on the mountain.
• Energy bites to munch on when hungry because meals are taken from designated points.
• Hiking rods to give you extra support when hiking the mountain.
• Backpack to carry with your belongings so that they do not scatter while you hike.
• A torch to use for lighting.
• Some cash in case you need to do on ground purchases like hiring hiking equipment, even porter hiring before starting your hike, purchasing food, cooking equipment, fuel and others
• Warmers because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
• A pair of binoculars to get better visibility of far ranging features.
• A pair of stockings to protect your feet from getting cold.
• Head gears to cover yourself from getting cold while hiking to get to the top of mountain Kilimanjaro.
• Sleeping bag for your nights on mountain Kilimanjaro.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.
• Rainproof gears protect you from getting wet and cold when it rains up the mountain.

You can hike some of the following hiking gears too.

Ice axes, ropes, harnesses, crampons and others.

When is the best time to hike mountain Kilimanjaro?

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro requires you to book at least in the dry season, although it is an all-year-round activity. The dry season, which is normally June, July, August, September, October, December, January and early February, offers a chance to pass through the dry trail up the mountain.

Expect more people accompanying you while hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro during the dry season any way the more the merrier. Try to accommodate others and accept to share of the hiking logistics like stoves. 

The low season which is usually the wet season attracts a less number of tourists to do Kilimanjaro hiking. The wet season is normally March, April, May and November so in case you wish to have exclusive hiking on Mountain Kilimanjaro, you can use the opportunity of the low season.

How much is the cost of hiking mountain Kilimanjaro?

The cost of a hiking safari on mountain Kilimanjaro varies with the number of days, number of people travelling with, time of booking this adventure and much more. You need to plan the gorilla trekking tour in advance so that all the necessary arrangements can be done in advance.

As a tourist, you need to pack the right gear that will support you for the number of days you spend on the mountain, since the sources of supplies are far from reach.

Include some hard cash to use for on-the-ground purchases like food, porter hire, tipping, and much more. The use of credit cards in Africa is not common because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.

Is Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro safe?

Before ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, you must be in the company of a ranger guide. Never hike Mount Kilimanjaro without a ranger guide. Some wild animals also live close to the bottom of Mount Kilimanjaro and may hurt you if you have no defense weapons. Carry only the bags you can manage and use the assistance of the porters to reduce the weight that might weigh you down.

Choose the best time to hike mountain Kilimanjaro so that you are not disorganized by weather while on up on the mountain. Wear the right hiking gear so that you do not hurt yourself while up on the mountain of Kilimanjaro.

What are the Tips for Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro 

Never start hiking Mount Kilimanjaro without an escorting ranger guide. The journey up this mountain has many obstacles and chances of encountering wild animals, especially while still at the bottom. 

Dumping garbage while hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is prohibited, as this alters the surroundings. If you locate indecomposable materials like plastic, tins collect them to keep the environment clean.

Please use the latrines provided at the stopover points so that waste doesn’t flow into the streams.

Respect each other while hiking mountain Kilimanjaro as during the peak season which is June to October and December to February more people join this challenge. Accept to share even the small space at the stoves and lower your voices in order not to inconvenience those that are tired and resting.

Minimize damage to the trails by following your ranger guide closely to avoid making new paths. The vegetation on the slopes of Kilimanjaro needs to stay intact to prevent future landslides if the soil is left bare.

During bad weather, wait for more than one high at the hut to ease congestion ahead.

What to expect while on Mountain Kilimanjaro Hike

• The weather may be hot, especially during the dry season, so carry a water bottle to quench thirst to continue hiking up mountain Kilimanjaro.
• You may meet some wild animals along the way, like elephants, buffaloes, and others.
• Expect company from other tourists, especially during the dry season when the weather favors other people to climb the mountain of Kilimanjaro. 
• It is best to wake up early to start the hike before the weather gets too hot, as this will make you more tired.
• You cannot expect comfortable beds while up the mountain, which is why you must carry a sleeping bag.
• Expect to share some facilities with other tourists, like the huts, ranger guide services, toilets, and others.
• No power supply while up on the mountain, so expect to use mostly wood and a torch for lighting.
• While hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, expect to encounter some harsh points, such as rocks and grass covering the paths, yet you are not allowed to make another path, and much more.
• You may have no telecommunication signals or internet connection while up the mountain so be ready to be offline for some time.

Contact us to plan your hiking adventure on Mountain Kilimanjaro in advance today.