Month: May 2023

Acclimatization refers to the process by which the body gets used to low levels of oxygen. The higher you climb, the thinner the air becomes, and this means that there are extremely low levels at high altitudes, making it hard to breathe. Mount Kilimanjaro has three altitude zones, and these include:

High altitude: 2500 meters to 3500 meters

Very high altitude: 3500 meters to 5500 meters

Extreme altitude: 5500 meters and above

A good and proper acclimatization strategy usually includes not hiking too fast or too high and also sleeping low when the options are available.

As you prepare for the Kilimanjaro hike, you need to remember that your body needs a lot of oxygen as you hike up the mountain, and the best advice we can give for the best acclimatization is to take more time during the hike. Although it might cost more money, the more days spent on the Kilimanjaro hike, the greater the difference.

Good acclimatization depends on the number of days spent, and we encourage our clients to spend at least 8 days on the hike. This means that you get to spend five nights climbing high and sleeping low to get accustomed to the reduced oxygen levels before hiking to the higher altitudes.

Is acclimatization on Kilimanjaro important?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the answer is a very big yes. All you need to know is that when you get to an altitude that is more than 3000 meters above sea level, you will need to take lots of precautions to make sure that you do not get altitude sickness. We need to ensure that our bodies get used to the ever-changing altitude to make it to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

An acclimatization line: an acclimatization line refers to the time when the symptoms start occurring. For example, each day has an altitude that is hiked, so if you hike for up to 3600 m a day and, after resting, climb to about 3500 m, you will still be asymptomatic, but if you climb to about 400 m, you will start to experience the symptoms of altitude sickness.

Your body will quickly adjust to the different altitudes, and some of the changes that happen as you ascend higher include breathing faster and deeper.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is when our bodies badly react to the reduced levels of oxygen that come with high altitudes. This is the top reason why many hikers do not make it to Uhuru Peak after experiencing severe altitude sickness symptoms.

Altitude sickness varies from mild to severe, and the level will determine whether you can continue with your hike. The lead guide and the entire team, who are fully trained and well-versed in what to do in case of an emergency, will always check with you to make sure that you are not putting yourself in any danger. The team can provide first aid and also call in an evacuation when the need arises.

Some hikers will start experiencing altitude sickness symptoms as soon as they start hiking, especially if they are using the Shira route, but others start the higher they go. Some of the symptoms include erratic sleep, headaches, breathlessness, nausea, and dizziness.

Kilimanjaro tour operators use the Lake Louise Altitude Sickness Board to monitor altitude sickness. The scores of 3 to 7 show mild signs of altitude sickness, and if you have a score that is above 8, that means that you might not be able to continue with your summit ascent and need to descend immediately.

Checkout insights and advice on the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro successfully.

High-altitude Cerebral Edema

This is a condition that is associated with severe altitude sickness, which occurs when the brain tissues start swelling and fluid builds. This is a life-threatening condition, and some of the signs of HACE include hallucinations, comas, loss of consciousness, strong headaches, ataxia, and memory loss. All these are usually experienced at night. In case you start feeling any of the above symptoms, don’t wait until morning; prepare to descend immediately.

Altitude pulmonary edema

This is one of the symptoms that come with acute altitude sickness after a failure to acclimatize properly. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, also known as HAPE, is a severe condition where fluids build up in the lungs, preventing the proper exchange of oxygen, which reduces oxygen levels in the bloodstream. The main cause of HAPE is ascending too fast and too high, and all hikers should note that this is life-threatening. Some of the symptoms include suffocation, especially when sleeping; shortness of breath when you are hiking and resting; hallucinations; extremely tight tests; coughing with frothy fluid; fatigue; weakness; confusion; and irate behavior. In case you start experiencing hallucinations, confusion, and irrational behavior, the pulmonary edema starts affecting the brain, and medication attention should be sought immediately after.

Kilimanjaro routes offer the best acclimatization.

An important aspect of the best acclimatization is choosing the right route leading up to Kilimanjaro Peak. When choosing a route, we recommend that you choose one that will enable you to acclimatize properly. Mount Kilimanjaro has seven routes that are usually used: Lemosho Route, Northern Circuit, Shira, Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, and Rongai. To know more about these routes, check out our website for Kilimanjaro hike routes.

The Machame route, the Northern Circuit, the Rongai route, and the Lemosho Route are the best Kilimanjaro acclimatization routes.

6 Rules to follow to avoid risks while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is risky, but it can still be a joyous adventure as long as you follow a few rules, including the following:

1. Take lots of water during the hike—at least 4 liters a day.
2. Acclimatize properly, and if possible, try acclimatizing before the Kilimanjaro hike (you can use Mount Meru).
3. Go slow while hiking on the mountain.
4. Make sure that you follow the guidelines of climbing high and sleeping low to acclimatize.
5. Avoid taking alcohol, caffeine, or smoking during the hike.
6. Carry some altitude sickness medicine with you, and we recommend Diamox.

If you start feeling unwell, it means that you have altitude sickness until proven otherwise. When the symptoms persist, make sure that you do not ascend anymore, and in case you get worse, we advise that you descend immediately

Mount Kilimanjaro is an all-year-round destination. The best time to climb is during the dry months of December, January through March, and June through September, because these months have the best weather conditions with clear skies and good hiking routes that are not slippery and flooded. The wet months, that is, March to May, are a bit dangerous, but since the weather is unpredictable, expect a change at any given time.

Mount Kilimanjaro experiences two seasons, the low and high seasons, and both see a series of hikers planning their hikes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Both seasons have their advantages and disadvantages, and we are going to look at both of them so that you get to choose the best time.

The advantages of the high season on Mount Kilimanjaro include the favorable weather and the fact that you get to explore the rest of Tanzania, especially the National Parks. The disadvantage is that it comes with large crowds, which leads to a hike in the cost of the hike. The low season is of great advantage because of the green season, which brings out the beautiful scenery of the surrounding areas and the low number of people during this period. It becomes stressful to hike when the routes are slippery during the wet season and there is low visibility as well.

Month-by-month overview of the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is never closed and is open throughout the year, although you will need to be well prepared for the climb due to the weather changes that happen in the different months.

January to March: This is the best time for hikers who wish to avoid large crowds during the dry months. The mountain receives occasional rainfall, although it is generally mostly dry, and hikers get to see the summit covered in snow. It can be considered a high season for climbing Kilimanjaro, but with fewer crowds and decent weather.

March to May: March is the start of the rainy season with a clear start, and as the month progresses, the heavy rains set in. The trails become muddy, the heavy rains cause poor visibility, and the clouds that threaten all the time make it hard for hikers to enjoy the hike, although you get to experience some dry months. April and May, on the other hand, have long rains, and we usually don’t recommend anyone climbing during these months. These months are best suited for experienced hikers who don’t mind the weather and would like to avoid the large crowds, and for those willing to hike from March to May, we highly recommend the trek routes on the northern side of the mountain.

June to September: This is the dry season and one of the busiest times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This is the time when Europe and the USA have their summer vacations, hence the large crowds, with July and August being the popular months among tourists. There are occasional showers in September, and if you are not bothered by a little bit of rain, October is the month for you. As you plan your hike in these months, note that the trek routes are extremely busy, and this tends to make the hike more expensive as compared to other months. We recommend the Machame and Marangu routes.

October and November: The short and sparse rains start in October till November and usually last a month. The rains are not as heavy as the April to May rains and are mainly experienced in the afternoon hours. It is the best time for hikers to avoid crowds and tourists who are not deterred by a little bit of rain. The Rongai route is best during this season since it receives less rainfall than the Northern Circuit route.

Factors considered when choosing the best time to climb Kilimanjaro

Altitude is one of the factors that need to be taken into consideration when deciding on the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The four climatic zones that are experienced along the mountain include the following:

The rainforest zone: This is the first zone characterized by rain, warm and humid conditions with temperatures ranging between 12 to 15 degrees Celsius and is between 800m to 3000m. Drizzles and rain are common in this zone, which is experienced at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The low alpine zone: lying between 3000 and 4200 meters, this is the second climatic zone, a semi-arid area experiencing a temperature between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. The temperatures are a bit high during the day but drop to freezing point at night.

The high alpine zone: experiencing a temperature of around 6 degrees Celsius, the high alpine zone is desert-like, lying between 4200m and 5000m.

The glacial zone: experienced at the summit, the glacial zone, which is above 5000 meters, experiences a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius at a freezing point of 4970 meters. Not everyone gets to experience the glacial zone, but it is the best and most rewarding, especially when you get to the summit.

Check out our guide on the best way to acclimatize for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing.

The crowds also determine when one can go mountain climbing on Kilimanjaro. There are a lot of crowds during the popular dry months of June to September and January to February, and these are considered to be the best months for a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. Hikers who wish to avoid the crowds should use the shoulder season, which is from March to May and from October to December.

The full moon climb: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro during the full moon is extremely popular among hikers and nature lovers. The full moon is a good time to hike because your destination is illuminated easily, not to mention the great views around the mountain.

Your choice of the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro should depend on all the above-stated factors and personal reasons. Get in touch with us to help you properly plan for your Kilimanjaro climb to ensure that your trek is gratifying, safe, and fun throughout your hike.