Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing with locals

Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is our core business here at Kilimanjaro Climbing! We welcome you tour our website; kilimanjaroclimbing.com, your number 1 resource for information about summiting the roof top of Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro (pronounced; Ki-li-man-ja-ro) is the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free standing Volcano in the world, due to its nature of standing alone on a flat area as opposed to other peaks in the world that rise above from a range of mountains. Mount Kilimanjaro has 3 main peaks. The highest is Kibo peak where Uhuru Peak (the summit) sits. Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 meters equivalent to 19,341 feet above sea level. Kibo Peak carries the most of the remaining glaciers which are currently under immense threat of disappearance climate change. The glaciers are estimated to disappear between the year 2025 and 2035. The others are Mawenzi peak to the East ad Shira peak to the West of the mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and it’s located in Tanzania at the eastern border with Kenya. The mountain makes up the biggest park of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro is the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best time for Kilimanjaro climbing is from December to mid-March, and again from June to end of October; which are the warmest and driest times of the year. Being the best months to hike up Mt Kilimanjaro, also means that they are the busiest months so you expect to meet many climbers along the trails and at the mountain camps.

Mount Kilimanjaro can however be hiked throughout the year and you can therefore hike during the other months, but you will do it in wetter conditions from the above-mentioned periods.

Locally owned Kilimanjaro Climbing Company

Kilimanjaro Climbing, we are a fully locally owned and operated hiking outfitter, based in Tanzania. With the main office in Arusha and an operation office in Moshi at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, we arrange and execute the best and most affordable hikes, using our own local guides and porters. We are also a member and supporter of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KIPAP).

How hard is it to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro climbing is a hike so no specialist climbing skills are necessary to get to the Uhuru summit. To prepare for the Kili climb, you must have done extensive hill-walking or aerobic exercise as you get into shape for your Kilimanjaro Climb. If you do not currently enjoy a good level of fitness it may take many months of training to reach a suitable level of fitness to enjoy the walk.

You want to be in good physical shape to climb Kilimanjaro, but there’s no need to be super-fit to do it. This is a trek, not a climb after all. If you can manage to run for 30 minutes two to three times a week, and enjoy an all day hike at weekends, you should be ready for the Kilimanjaro climb through any route. That said, many people do underestimate Kilimanjaro, but you should not.

How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

A hike to the Uhuru Summit, Mt Kilimanjaro takes between 5 days and 9 days from the starting point to down to the finishing point. Starting and finishing points depend on which route you choose. The more the days you spend on the mountain the higher the chance of going to the top, due to less fatigue and acclimatization that basically means hiking high and sleeping low.

The shorter hikes of 5 days have the lowest success rates than the longer treks that take from 8 to 9 days on the mountain. The shortest hikes normally follow the Marangu Route and Rongai Route. Longer routes follow the Machame Route, Lemosho and The Northern Circuit. Read more about Mount Kilimanjaro Routes.