What time of year is best for climbing?
What route should I climb?
What is your success rate for summiting?
How fit do I need to be in order to climb?
How many hours will I be trekking each day?
Will I be left in the dust if I walk slowly?
What happens if I can't make it to the top?
How qualified are the guides?
What are the overnight accommodations?
What sort of equipment do I need?
How much do I carry up the mountain?
How many people will I be climbing with?
What sort of food should I expect?
What elevation does the climb begin?
Will I see any wildlife?
What route do I descend?

What time of year is best for climbing?
The absolute best months for summiting Kibo (at 19,344' is the tallest of Kili's 3 volcanoes) are January, February, and September, though one could easily succeed throughout the year. Also great are July/August (though colder), and November/December (could be wetter). January-March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds save for a few brief rain showers, followed by the main rainy season during April & May. The temperatures will still be warm, but massive clouds will block visibility, while dropping snow on the summit and heavy rain on the lower slopes. The long dry season follows, and by early July and into August it can be quite cold, yet accompanied by crystal clear skies. It grows steadily warmer throughout September and into October, when daytimes are clear, but a dripping belt of mist usually girdles the mountain at the moorland zone (11,000'-14,000'), leaving the summit and a few other peaks poking through the clouds. Short rains return in November and last into December, when afternoon thunderstorms are common. However, by evening the clouds will vanish, allowing for perfect visibility in the night and mornings.

What route should I climb?
There are six major routes to choose from, 3 of which are offered by Thomson Safaris. We recommend highly the Machame Route for its scenic beauty, varied terrain, and low traffic. We climb this route for six nights and seven days, summiting on the early morning of the fifth night. We also offer an eight night/nine day trek on the Shira Route, which traverses the scenic Shira Ridge westward toward Kibo. We also offer the 4 night/5 day Marangu Route, which is the easiest and most classic climb, but also the most frequented (it has been nicknamed the Coca Cola Route because of its popularity).

What is your success rate for summiting?
Our success rates are impressive compared to the overall success rates for attempts at Kilimanjaro over the past few years. Our success rate (reaching Uhuru Peak) is 90%, which is significantly higher than the average success rate for all climbers on the mountain at 25%. We have recently added an extra day of acclimatization to our Machame Route Itinerary, which will bolster the already high success rate.

How fit do I need to be in order to climb?
Though many have deemed Kili "easily accessible", it seems to be the most underestimated mountain in the world. The trails themselves do not require technical mountaineering skill (though such climbs are available), yet continually, the effects of altitude have turned back many trekkers from Kibo's upper slopes. Altitude sickness is still an ambiguous phenomenon, and it is nearly impossible to predict how and when it will affect you. Putting altitude concerns aside, summiting Kili is still a serious physical and mental challenge. You don't need to be a marathoner or tri-athelete to climb Kili, but you do need to train. Generally, the fitter you are, the more effective your body will be converting oxygen-thin air into power for your muscles. Of course, as with any endurance activity, there are other factors that will either aid you or weaken you, and this is where our experience plays a huge role. From our comprehensive climb-preparation manual to expert mountain guides, we have taken every measure to ensure that you have the best possible chance of safely reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

How many hours will I be trekking each day?
If you climb the Machame Route, your average day trek will be about 6-7 hours. The summit day skews this statistic significantly, as this day poses a 13-15 hour stroll. The two days prior to the summit bid are 4-5 hour treks, allowing acclimatization time and lots of opportunities to rest.

Will I be left in the dust if I walk slowly?
Absolutely No. Our guides from onset of the trek will kindly remind you, "pole pole" (pronounced po-lay po-lay). which means "Go slowly". By walking slowly and taking your time, you'll not only give your body a better chance to acclimatize to the altitude, but be able to take in the marvelous scenery you'll pass along the way. Just like the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, slow and steady wins the race. For those who just can't keep their engines from revving, an extra guide will accompany them, while the "pole-pole" group can hang back. Plenty of time is allotted each day to reach camp, even for those who like to go very slowly.

What happens if I can't make it to the top?
Many climbers fall short of Uhuru Peak, but not at the expense of their overall experience. There are many wonders on Kili, and the experience is rewarding even for those who never reach the top. If one or two members of a group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted laterally or downward to meet the most convenient campsite or hut. Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

How qualified are the guides?
Our guides have collectively hiked Kili well over a thousand times. They are loyal to the company and are fully licensed and trained by the National Park. They receive additional training from us on a regular basis. Their communication skills are well developed, and their knowledge of the flora and fauna is remarkable. The most important asset our guides have is their ability to direct a well-organized and safe experience for the climbers. Each group is equipped with a portable radio, and is prepared to quickly mobilize an injured climber to medical assistance.

What are the overnight accommodations?
Each night on the Machame Route is spend under canvas, in rugged mountain tents. These tents hold two people comfortably, and offer an outer fly sheet to protect gear that does not need to be inside the tent. Each campsite is set amongst greatly varied landscapes, offering the spectrum of different ecosystems on Kilimanjaro. The Marangu route is the only route which offers mountain huts, the drawback of course being that you might feel like a sardine.

What sort of equipment do I need?
Because this trek is merely a 7 day mountain hike (for the Machame Route), there is no special mountaineering equipment needed. Kili is however unique, in that there is a great range of weather you may endure on the mountain, as you are basically trekking from tropical heat to arctic cold, experiencing everything in between. The most important items include comfortable, waterproof hiking boots, and highly rated sleeping bag. In our pre-departure booklet, there is a highly detailed packing list which we have prepared.

How much do I carry up the mountain?
A day pack, which should be able to sustain you until you reach camp at the end of the day. Porters will carry anything you want (within reasonable limits), and after breaking down last night's camp, will race ahead of you over the course of the day to reach the next camp. When you arrive, the camp will be set up. What you need during the day will depend upon your priorities, but generally include; your water, camera, waterproof layers, warm layer, and trail snacks.

How many people will I be climbing with?
In addition to your fellow climbers, you will be accompanied by porters, guides, and assistant guides. Generally, there is a ratio of one guide for every three climbers, and two or three porters for every climber. We limit our Kilimanjaro & Wildlife Safari to 15 people, but try to keep climbing groups less than 10. We treat each trip differently, but carefully strive to provide the best possible dynamic to ensure each group can enjoy their experience to the fullest.

What sort of food should I expect?
The food is nutritious and calorific. Considering all the food is carried from the base and prepared incrementally for 7 days, it is remarkably fresh and offers lots of variety. Breakfast and dinner is served in a large mess tent and lunches out in the open, though every meal is served around a wood-slat table with canvas stools as seating. Special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

What elevation does the climb begin?
The Machame and Marangu Routes begin below 6,000 feet. The lower slopes are in cultivation, and populated by the local Wa Chagga people. The beginning of the dense tropical forest belt marks the trail head for both trails . The Shira Route begins above 8,000 feet, and the gate is accessible only during drier periods.

Will I see any wildlife?
Although the elephant, buffalo and rhino have long left the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro, (elephants and buffalo can be found on the northern slopes) wildlife abounds throughout the climb, especially in the tropical forest belt from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. Black & White Colobus Monkeys and Sykes Monkeys rustle in the upper canopy, as you listen to the flute-like song of the Tropical Boubou. You may spot Leopard tracks, and more commonly the tracks of smaller antelopes such as the Bushbuck and Duiker. Around the river gorges in the lower forest grow sycamore figs, whose fruits draw turacos and Hornbills.

Into the heath and moorland, there are not many large animals, though on the Shira Plateau there have been definite sightings of Eland, Buffalo, and Klipspringer, and Lion. Smaller animals are more abundant, such as the Four-Striped Grass Mouse and other rodents. Civets, Serval Cats and Leopard prey on these animals, and you may find their fur-filled droppings along the trail. The more common birds in this zone are the gregarious Alpine Chat and the sparrow-like Streaky Seed-Eater, while Augur and Mountain Buzzards soar overhead.

The highland desert is quite inhospitable to most species, only the hardiest venturing into this zone. The White-Naped Raven can commonly be seen around camp sites in this zone.

The summit is characterized by arctic conditions. This, in combine with high radiation and low oxygen is completely inhospitable to wildlife, though in 1926 a missionary named Reusch found a leopard frozen in the snows of the summit.

What route do I descend?
For the Machame and Shira Route, we descent the Mweka Route, which is the most direct route down the mountain. The Marangu Route descends the same trail.