Climbing Kilimanjaro: What You Need to Know

Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest free-standing mountain, is one of the ultimate trekking challenges. Towering at 5,895m, it’s a true test of endurance, resilience, and your ability to function on very little sleep. But the reward? An unforgettable adventure through ever-changing landscapes, a summit sunrise you’ll never forget, and a huge personal achievement.

The Route We Take (And Why)

At Discover Adventure, we climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, and here’s why:

• Better acclimatisation = better chance of success. The Machame Route follows a "climb high, sleep low" rule, meaning your body gets more time to adjust to the altitude. 
• It’s one of the longer routes. More time on the mountain means better preparation, less stress on your body, and higher success rates. Our groups typically see an 85–90% summit success rate - which is a solid stat when you consider how tough the challenge is.
• The descent is quicker. After pushing yourself to the summit, you’ll be pleased to know we take the Mweka Route down—the fastest way off the mountain. Trust us, the last thing you’ll want after days of effort is a slow, drawn-out descent.

The Trekking Terrain & Landscapes

One of the most incredible aspects of climbing Kilimanjaro is how the landscape changes as you gain altitude. On the Machame Route, you’ll experience:

• Dense rainforest at the base, with misty trails and towering trees.
• Heather moorlands, where the vegetation becomes more sparse, and giant lobelias dot the landscape.
• Alpine desert: a barren, rocky expanse that makes you feel like you're trekking on another planet.
• Glacial summit, where ice caps and freezing winds remind you how high you’ve climbed.

Every day brings a new landscape and a completely different experience - just one of the many things that makes this trek so special.

The Role of the Crew

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a solo effort; our guides, porters, and camp crew play an enormous part in getting everyone safely up and down the mountain. Our experienced Leaders keep a close eye on everyone, adjusting the pace and monitoring altitude symptoms. The porters carry the bulk of the kit (including tents, toilets, food, and your main bag), meaning you only need a daypack. When you arrive at camp each day, your tent is set up, and a hot meal awaits. Their support, energy, and encouragement are a huge part of what makes this climb possible.

The Challenge: It’s Not Just the Climb

Summiting Kilimanjaro isn’t just about walking uphill; it’s about managing altitude, weather, and your own body’s response to the challenge. The mountain is the ultimate leveller; no matter how fit you are, altitude doesn’t discriminate.

• Altitude: You can’t predict how your body will react to the altitude until you’re up there. Some days will feel fine; others might be a struggle. 
• Weather: Then there’s the weather—sunshine one minute, freezing winds the next. Pouring rain, limited visibility, snow and ice, humidity, intense sunshine... 
• Group Travel Perks (and Pitfalls): Being part of a team is a huge motivator, but it also means bugs and colds can spread quickly, which is not ideal when you’re pushing for the summit. Good hygiene, rest, and looking after yourself are key.
• Energy & Sleep: Sleeping at altitude isn’t fun—expect broken sleep, weird dreams, and the occasional "why am I doing this again?!" moment. But good pacing, proper hydration, and regular snacks make a massive difference.

The Summit Push: What It’s Really Like

Reaching Uhuru Peak is no small feat. Summit night is tougher than tough - often described by those who have tackled it as the "hardest thing" they've ever done in their lives. You’ll set off around midnight, trekking for hours in the freezing dark, zig-zagging up switchbacks painfully slowly. It’s exhausting, and every step feels like a huge effort. But as the sun rises, you’ll realise why you’ve pushed through—because standing at the top of Africa, watching the sunrise over the vast plains below, is pure magic.

It's also worth mentioning that there are two other recognised summit points on Kilimanjaro: Stella Point and Gilman’s Point. Stella Point is located on the crater rim and is reached just before Uhuru Peak. It’s an incredible achievement to reach this point and still counts as a successful summit in the eyes of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Similarly, Gilman’s Point, located on the opposite side of the crater rim, is also considered a summit. These points are slightly lower than Uhuru but require the same gruelling effort to reach. No matter which point you reach, you've conquered Kilimanjaro’s steep inclines and high altitude, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of.

The Importance of Training

You don’t need to be an elite athlete to climb Kilimanjaro, but a good base level of fitness is essential. Training for this challenge should include:

• Endurance hikes: Long walks over varied terrain, gradually increasing your distance.
• Leg strength: Squats, lunges, and step-ups help build the muscles you’ll rely on.
• Cardio fitness: Running, cycling, or hill walking to improve stamina.
• Back-to-back hikes: Practising walking on consecutive days will prepare you for the multi-day effort.

While fitness won’t eliminate the chances of altitude issues, it will make the trek more enjoyable and improve your chances of a successful summit.

It’s About the Journey, Not Just the Summit

Climbing Kilimanjaro is an extraordinary achievement. Statistically speaking, only about one in every 205,000 people in the world will reach the summit each year. That’s a pretty exclusive club. This rarity, along with the climb's sheer challenge, makes standing at the top of Africa’s highest peak such an unforgettable and meaningful moment.

Let’s be honest: reaching the summit is incredible. But our number one priority isn’t just getting everyone to the top. It’s getting everyone up and down safely. This is a serious challenge, and not everyone will make it to the summit - but that’s part of what makes it such a huge achievement. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be Kilimanjaro! 

We can promise a tough but rewarding adventure, expert support from our crew and leaders, and an experience you’ll never forget. We'd love to take you there if you’re up for the challenge...