Mount Kilimanjaro

The best times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro are in between the rainy seasons from late June to mid-September and mid-December through February.

For more information read our blog “When is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?“

Even though it is only about three degrees south of the equator, Northern Tanzania has surprisingly variable temperatures through different times of the year. July and August are generally referred to as “winter” by the locals, and it is the coolest time of the year in Nairobi and Arusha. Nighttime lows are typically about 48 degrees F, and daytime highs might only be in the high 60’s or 70’s. You are probably thinking these sound like very pleasant temperatures, and you are right. We tell people, “if you leave the US in the summer months and travel to East Africa, you are going to a cooler climate.” This is surprising to most people, but very true. Safari, and the time you spend in Arusha during these months, can be wonderful in terms of weather – never as hot and steamy as you probably imagine tropical Africa to be. Similarly, if you are on a trip during our winter, you will find the weather to be as much influenced by altitude as latitude. It is warmer in December or February, but it is still not extremely humid or hot.

The above description is for the lower elevations. It gets very different on the upper reaches of the mountain. Talk to anyone who has climbed Kilimanjaro at any time of the year, and they will probably comment about how cold they got on summit day. This has more to do with the mild hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and the exertion that climbers experience, than it has to do with temperatures, or even wind. When you go to 19,000 ft., anywhere on the earth, at any time of year, you need to have very efficient insulation and be prepared to conserve your body’s energy effectively. There is little difference in the degree of “warm” that can be experienced on a summit day on Kilimanjaro at any given time of year.

Most trips run with between 6 and 10 people – though we will run smaller groups if a certain date has fewer sign ups. We also run Private Climbs year round.

Both the Machame and Lemosho are the preferred routes on Mount Kilimanjaro – noting that the routes merge on the lower part of the mountain. Both routes have the same success rate of around 95%.

We currently use three-person tents on our Kilimanjaro program. Two climbers per tent.

Yes, we have a large dining tent and tables and chairs that are used at all camps. (OK, sometimes we forgo the table and chairs at High Camp) These are especially nice if it happens to rain. Often people will go inside to get their food and then eat outdoors in beautiful evening light. We also provide toilet tents with commodes.

You will need a medium-sized backpack (say 2,500 to 3,500 cubic inches) that can hold your layers of clothing for changing temperatures and activity levels through the day. One thing that many people do not expect is the porters who carry your large bags will probably move slower that you do. It is not uncommon to get to camp as the afternoon and evening temperatures cool off, ahead of the porters, but with lots of photographs to be taken and relaxing to be done. You need to be prepared to be inactive through part of each day, as well as to hike. Most people carry packs that weigh about 20 lbs. You could pare this down to perhaps 15 if you were careful, but with a lot of camera equipment, or other personal preference-type items, it might be more.

We offer carefully planned, highly nutritious meals prepared by trained chefs on the mountain; food quality is one of the highest praises we receive. It is not just about the great food, but getting the right food during such a demanding climb. As a climbing company (as opposed to a safari or light trekking company), we understand what and how people need to eat while in the mountains. We are happy to give you an outline of our menu plan. The quality of our expedition food is well known for all our expeditions, but is something special on Kilimanjaro climbs.

Resupplying during our trip allows us to provide lots of fresh and whole grain cooked foods. We have the best chefs and food on the mountain, hands down.

We have private male and female flushing toilet tents set up at every camp. These are clean, sit down, commode-type toilets with water.

Yes, all hotels for the scheduled trip, meals on the mountain and on safari, airport transfers, and shuttle to Arusha are included. A full list of inclusions and additional costs can be found on our Mount Kilimanjaro Price & Policies page.

We stay in high-standard safari lodges run by the renowned Sopa chain. We use these places to relax and reward ourselves after a rigorous climb. They really are beautiful in terms of setting and amenities. The safari drives have their own demands, long dusty days, and a lot of excitement and adventure with all the wildlife. One of the greatest feelings is to go into your room at the end of one of these days, get a shower and some clean clothes on, and go have a nice dinner with your friends who you recently climbed Kilimanjaro with. The sun will be setting on the African landscape and the large glass windows will scarcely separate you from this. Pretty civilized. We currently stay at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Tarangire Sopa Lodge, and Serengeti Sopa Lodge on our four-day, three-night Safari.

You will be in a Land Cruiser, with a maximum of five or six per vehicle. An experienced guide will drive your vehicle. He is the only person who ever drives his vehicle and is responsible for its complete safe operation and maintenance for the two to three years it sees service after it is purchased new by our agent in Arusha. The only seat that sometimes becomes undesirable if the vehicle is full is the front seat with the driver. Everyone in the back is under a canopy that extends up so that you can stand for wildlife viewing and photography while you are in the parks.

On the mountain, we will provide you with a large three- to four-gallon cooler of water at each camp, and during our sit down lunches. This water is boiled and then cartridge filtered by the staff using a large, commercial Katydyn filter.

For the past few seasons, we have relied on the satellite phone for possible emergency communication while we are on the mountain. Things change from season to season, however. We also carry a cell phone and radio phone on the mountain and safari. All our Kilimanjaro trips are run in our normal, self-contained expedition style. That is to say, complete medical kits and equipment to deal with emergencies travel with us.

As the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro is an ideal introduction to high-altitude climbing. This nontechnical ascent is an opportunity to experience climbing one of the Seven Summits in relative comfort and style and requires no prior mountaineering experience.

Kilimanjaro, at 19,340 ft., is a high-altitude climb and perhaps the most underestimated of the Seven Summits. Individuals should be comfortable hiking four to eight hours per day, with summit day requiring roughly eight hours for the ascent and six to seven hours for the descent.

Strength and endurance are essential. Sound physical condition is the single most important factor in climber success. The better prepared you are, the more likely you’ll perform well and enjoy the climb. We recommend reading our comprehensive training information.

Most climbers arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

At Alpine Ascents, we are deeply committed to maintaining ecosystems at home and around the world. With each expedition, trek, and course, we attempt to leave the environment as we found it and strive to assist the local population with protecting the land and people of the region.

We also aspire to meet the highest ethical business practices at home and abroad. Our staff members are dedicated to leading environmentally sound expeditions. On Kilimanjaro, we hire at least one porter per trip whose sole purpose is to oversee waste removal and clean up.

In Tanzania with trips operating out of the town of Arusha.