Personal experience climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro | Get prepared for epic!
Kilimanjaro blog - Our experience climbing Kili via the Machame to the roof of Africa. Everything you need to know to prepare yourself
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Mount Kilimanjaro
My legs felt wobbly and my chest tight, I couldn't feel my hands because they were numb from the cold but in an instant all those feelings were outstripped by intense jubilation, caused by the sight in front of me. The sign that bore the oh so welcome words "Congratulations, you are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895m". We had made it! After 5 incredible days to base camp, 8 pretty tough hours from there, lots of laughter, some tears and thousands of pole, pole steps we had reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
If climbing Kilimanjaro is something you are considering I honestly can't encourage you enough to do it! It was the most amazing experience.
Life-changing sounds very dramatic but I honestly believe that a small part of you comes away from an adventure like this, changed. You may come away more confident, more ambitious, with more drive, purpose & self-belief. Or you may simply walk away satisfied, feeling proud, content and immensely grateful for your health and the capabilities of your body.
Mount Kilimanjaro Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro, which is actually a dormant volcano, sits on the border between Kenya & Tanzania in East Africa.
How high is Kilimanjaro?
At 5,895m above sea level it is the highest free-standing mountain in the world & the highest mountain in Africa.
Why is Mount Kilimanjaro so famous?
The fact that Kilimanjaro is the word's highest free-standing mountain in the world make it famous amongst mountain climbers, with around 30,000 people every year attempting to reach the summit.
How hard it is to climb Kilimanjaro?
It is difficult to say how hard it is as everyone's experience is different but with the right amount of training and appropriate hiking gear it is possible for the average person, even a hiking beginner to climb Kili.
What is the success rate?
Successfully summitting Kilimanjaro has around 80% success rate, this all depends on which route you take. As you would expect the shortest route, Marangu has the lowest success rate which is often below 60%. The reason for the success rate being so low is lack of acclimatisation time. The route with the highest success rate is northern circuit which has a success rate of around 95%.
How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
There 7 main routes to the summit, depending on which you choose, it takes between 5-9 days to complete the journey.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
It costs in the region of $2,500 to climb the mountain so it certainly isn't a trip you go on on a whim!
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