Our Hints, Tips, Tricks, & Recommendations
Climb Kilimanjaro With Us!
Our local, expert guides know the routes like the backs of their hands. From the moment you make contact, to the jubilation at the summit, and all the way back to the airport transfer, we’ll be with you all the way. We treat our guests how we would want to be treated and we strive to provide them with life-changing travel experiences. Challenging yourself to summit Kilimanjaro with Roam Wild Adventure will certainly change your outlook on life.
Below, we’ve laid out some of the most important points you need to know before making your way to Tanzania, but any other questions you may have, please feel free to reach out to us!
First and foremost, we love giving back to the places we visit and we love it even more when you do too! Embrace a truly life-changing journey and conquer the roof of Africa while doing some good for your favorite charity. We can help any person or group with their charity Kilimanjaro climbs, just get in touch with us to get started.
One thing we need to highlight before we go any further: Mount Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb and no special mountain climbing experience is needed. In fact, out of all the Seven Summits (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents on earth), Kilimanjaro is the only one that can be said to be truly “walkable”. Below are our recommendations on how to prepare for the climb, as it will be challenging but 100% achievable and preparation is the key.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is truly one of the great trekking experiences on earth. But there are several factors that make this a tough but totally achievable climb. The walk itself is strenuous on your muscles and joints, regardless of the number of days you choose. The higher you go, the thinner the air gets and acclimatization is imperative to a successful climb. Nearing the summit, you’ll have roughly half the amount of oxygen per breath than you normally would have. We deliberately include acclimatization days on our climbs to give us the best possible chance for our bodies to adjust and for us to reach the summit. Lastly, the days leading up to the summit push aren’t overly difficult but the last day before summiting is tough both physically and mentally. A midnight start with an ascent over 1500m and a descent of nearly 3000m totalling 16-18 hours is a challenge.
So, as the saying goes, failure to prepare is preparing to fail. We would recommend a minimum of 2 long hikes a week (we recommend increasing this dramatically to almost daily as you approach your date) leading up to your climb with a weighted backpack to help with leg strength and endurance for the long haul of Kilimanjaro. For more specific training information, reach out to our professional team.
Don’t skimp out on expensive equipment as you will suffer the consequences on the mountain. Our best piece of advice is don’t turn up with brand new walking boots, ensure they have been the same ones you have been training in and you are certain you will be comfortable. Next is your head. For the hot temperatures, ensure you have something that provides solid sun protection. As we near the summit, a woolly hat or even a balaclava is highly recommended. A four-season sleeping bag, trekking poles to assist your knees on the way back down, a comfortable daypack, and sunscreen are also high on the priority list.
Good question. Each route has its pros and cons. We offer 5 options (please see our selection below): Lemosho Route, Northern Circuit, Rongai Route, Machame Route, & the Marangu Route.
Lemosho: The Lemosho route is known to be one of the most scenic routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro. This is an eight-day trek, allowing extra time for acclimatization, in turn, making this a very achievable climb. With an overall success rate of 95%, the Lemosho Route is hailed as one of the least crowded and most accessible routes on Kilimanjaro.
Northern Circuit: This relatively new route ascends the more scenic and tranquil western slope of Kilimanjaro and crosses nearly the entire mountain before the summit. This is easily one of the most picturesque paths and tranquil journeys up Africa’s highest point, as there are almost no other groups on the northern face.
Rongai: The upside is: there are very few climbers on the same path as you, adding to the vast, open wilderness and the incredible scenery. The downside? Because of the route profile, it isn’t as easy to acclimatize BUT, as we mentioned before, we do add an extra day to aid acclimatization.
Machame: Due to its high success rate (90% for a 7-day trek), it is one of the better routes to aid acclimatization. The views on this route are incredible and you also get the added challenge of the Great Barranco Wall. If your goal is solely to reach the summit, this should be your choice.
Marangu: The Marangu Route is considered to be one of the easier paths to the summit, given its gradual slope and direct path. Being only 6 days long, it can be slightly more challenging to acclimatize because the paths are more direct than others.
Another good question to ask. Simply put, the area surrounding Kilimanjaro is under monsoon conditions during April and May, and one shorter season in November. We take this into consideration as our tour availability ranges from January through mid-March, mid-June through October, and then December. Outside the monsoon season, the weather is typically dry and clear.
Tanzania has three major international airports: Dar es Salaam (DAR), Zanzibar (ZNZ) and Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). The latter is the most convenient for Kilimanjaro, sitting only 42 km away from the mountain town of Moshi and 50 km from Arusha. In addition to flights to Tanzania, you may consider flights to Nairobi in Kenya, which is only a 5-hour shuttle bus ride to Arusha or a 1-hour plane ride to JRO. Note, however, that by choosing to fly to Kenya you may need a multiple-entry Kenya visa (if you are flying out of Kenya, too, for example, and spend longer than a fortnight in Tanzania), which can cost as much as $122 USD – thereby reducing or eliminating any saving you may have made in airfares.
In deciding which flights to book, you should take the full trip into consideration. For example, if you would like to spend a couple days in Zanzibar after the climb, it might be best to book one-way tickets from your home to Kilimanjaro Airport for the climb, from Arusha to Zanzibar after the climb, and then from Zanzibar back to your home.
Lemosho Route
8-Day Trek
$2,900 USD
Northern Circuit Route
9-Day Trek
$3,300 USD
Rongai Route
7-Day Trek
$2,600 USD
Our Memberships
The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Projects was established in 2003 and aims to improve the working conditions and lives of porters on Kilimanjaro. They do some amazing things and we are huge supporters of the work that they do.
The ATTA is a vital leadership voice and partner for our industry. With a commitment to sustainable tourism, they believe through research, education, and promotion, they can help businesses and communities thrive in a responsible and profitable future.
Through targeted education, research and outreach, it is their mission, and in turn ours, to ensure the long-term health of our natural world while maintaining sustainable activity in nature.
Our Instagram Gallery
The undeniable look of love between a mama and her baby...precious. This lioness and her sister were nursing 4 cubs in the cool shade of this Serengeti rock outcrop. We had our cameras on burst mode during these amazing moments so stay tuned for more cute cub pics :).
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This is Ana. Her mesmerizing smile captured our attention during our visit to a Masai boma (village).
Masai women don’t have an easy life. They are part of a semi-nomadic group and responsible for building their homes made from mud, sticks, and straw. In the Masai patriarchal society, women like Ana are often among their husband’s many wives, raising their children and tending to the household, while the men attend the cattle. What struck me about Ana was the somewhat shy, yet easy comfort, with which she gifted us her smile. Photographing her (with her permission of course) was one of those special unexpected moments that graced our visit to Ngorongoro. Lovely smile, lovely day, lovely memories.
We would love to share this beautiful cultural experience with you. Every visit to a Masai village directly benefits their community. Our contribution assists the tribe to purchase supplies, maintain their children’s schooling, and sustain their communities. Contact us for information on how you can include a cultural excursion with your Kilimanjaro or safari tour package.
Asante sana 🙏🏼
🌍 www.roamwildadventure.com
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Sunday morning…the sun is shining brightly, there’s a cool breeze in the air, roosters are crowing, the lovely sound of children’s choir is wafting into my sitting room, and I couldn’t be more at peace. There’s something special in the serenity of a simplified life. One realizes what is truly important…love; the thing that binds us to each other, gratitude; what keeps us grounded. Blessings y’all 🙏🏼 #goodlife
Which picture is your favorite?
Truth be told, it’s impossible to take a bad pic on Kilimanjaro. The scenery is spectacular, the sunrise and sunsets breathtaking. Tag someone you would like to be here with.
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A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti should be on everyone’s #bucketlist. Wouldn’t you agree? #safari #savanna #adventuretravel #africansafari #hotairballoon #sunrise #visittanzania #serengeti #serengetinationalpark #roamwildadventure #bucketlistadventures
Seeing these magnificent animals up close never ceases to inspire awe. We spotted this mama and baby giraffe grazing on the low bushes in the late afternoon on our way out of Ngorongoro Crater on the second day of our safari. It was truly the capstone to a fantastic day. Thank you to @thetravelization for letting us be your guides 😍.
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And so the journey begins…we don’t even know where to begin recounting the incredible adventure spent with @thetravelization on our 5 day safari tour. Thanks to our amazing guide, Andrew, we saw all the Big Five game animals and so much more than we ever expected. We took so many pictures and videos and made so many wonderful memories. To say this was special would be a huge understatement. We are so full of excitement and gratitude and totally in love with Tanzania. We’ll be posting a lot more of our safari adventure in the coming days. Be prepared for spectacular sunrises, sunsets, lion cubs and more…but I won’t spoil the surprise 😁 #safari #safariadventure #africa #tanzania #wildlife #wildafrica #explore #exploremore #roamwildadventure #bigfive #amazingdestination
Cheetahs are such graceful beautiful animals. Seeing them in their natural habitat in the savanna is an experience like no other 🥰. Come explore the Serengeti with us. #serengeti #wildanimals #travellife #adventure #safari #africatravel #savanna #roamwildadventure #explore #tanzania #wildlife #lovetotravel #travelworld #wildlifeprotection
Franconia Ridge Loop hike - one of the most challenging hikes in the Northeast, tested me physically and mentally without a doubt. Hiking up the Falling Rivers trail was spectacular and kept my mind engaged on the beautiful surroundings; birch trees with pretty orange-pink bark, green pines giving off their lovely fragrance, the calming sound of water rushing over rocks, and finally breaking through into the alpine zone to crest the ridge at over 5,000ft. It was glorious and brutal and amazing at the same time. #lifeofahiker #hikingmountains #newhampshire #whitemountains #hikingadventures #campinglife #hikersofinstagram #womenwhohike #roamwildadventure #bestrong #believeinyourself #overcomefear #wanderlust
Happy 4th of July from the rooftop of Africa! #kilimanjaro #climbingmountains #kili #tanzania #mountainpeaks #glorious #wanderlust #adventures #travel #exploretheworld #womenwhowander #bucketlist #happy #4thofjuly #earthfervor
Experience a amazing Safari in the Serengeti. Greatest wildlife on earth!
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Mesmerized by the beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein
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What’s your best caption for this adorable little guy? Go! #Repost from @africansafariconservation using repost_now_app - Power 💪🏽 is on my shoulders
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Photographer: @laurierubinphotography
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We need to preserve our nature. Please follow @africansafariconservation to support the movement
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What better way then to spend your Friday climbing mountains! Happy Friday everyone!⛰🥾
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“There will never be a photograph of the Grand Canyon that can adequately describe its depth, breadth, and true beauty”- Stefanie Payne
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It was so sweet to be welcomed by the eager smiles and waves of local schoolchildren as we made our way in our 4x4 Land Cruiser towards Ngorongoro Crater.
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Glorious mountains 🏔. These views always inspire; Mirror Lake, Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, all breathtakingly beautiful. On the last day in Yosemite our group drove up Glacier Point Road to start our trek to Sentinel Dome. It is a 3.2 mile strenuous hike, but the 360 degree views of the Sierra Mountains are absolutely incredible and so worth it. I could have spent the entire day gazing at those gorgeous vistas.
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“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing” ~ Barry Finley.
No matter what challenges you face in life, keep pushing through them, keep moving forward. Only you can overcome what you set out to do. Find that inner power and keep believing in yourself. You got this! These are the moments to live for 💕
When we climb Kilimanjaro, the sense of empowerment among the group is so strong. It binds us. We are kings and queens as we’re making our way to the top. Each one of us depends on and supports each other 💯.
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Beautiful day for trekking!
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Good morning, sunshine! The sun and I decided to rise to the occasion.
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