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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.

One of the most frequently asked questions is where one will poop when hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro, and the question is always directed at us. Before we look at the different options you can choose from, we are going to describe the different types of toilets found on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The first thing you need to note is that every campsite along all routes of Mount Kilimanjaro has long drop toilets. Long drops public toilets on Mount Kilimanjaro are basically, just holes drilled in the ground with a shelter built around them. Also known as latrines, you can either squat or stand, but squatting is more convenient, especially if you are going to do number two. The latrines are under the management of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority when it comes to cleaning, but don’t expect them to be clean all the time. Sometimes the toilets are dilapidated and you might find, the toilets with broken doors.

The portable private toilets offer all the privacy that you need and have a flushing system and toilet cover.

Toilets on Mount Kilimanjaro – Options to choose from

Expect to find a lot of toilets scattered all over the different camp stops along Mount Kilimanjaro, but do not expect to get luxurious washrooms with warm running water and marble sinks, you might find that some do not even have doors. There are three options that you can use while hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro, and these include the following:

The native way

This might sound weird, but we need have the need to go, they use the bushes along the route. If you are to use the bushes to go while trekking before you get to the next camp, do not leave your toilet paper lying around to keep the mountain clean. Instead, carry a plastic bag with you and dispose of it when you get to the camp. You need to carry some biodegradable plastic bags to keep Mount Kilimanjaro clean for other trekkers to safely use. The reason why you should use biodegradable plastic bags is that there is a restriction on the importation of single-use plastic bags.

Use the toilets on Mount Kilimanjaro

Many hikers use this option since it is cheaper, and that is why you will find that sometimes they are dirty or there is no toilet paper to use. Do not raise your standards if you are planning on using public toilets, but we suggest that you carry personal wipes and enough toilet paper. These toilets consist of a deep hole in the ground surrounded by a hut. The toilets are usually smelly, but the guides usually make sure that they are clean enough to use.

Hire a portable toilet:

Portable toilets come with their private tent and fall into the luxury category. A portable toilet is small, fits in a mini tent, and is the best option to use if you have the extra money to spend. They can go for around $150, which comes off as expensive, but if they will make your journey more comfortable, then pay and hike in comfort. The beauty of using these toilets is that you have privacy while taking nature’s call. Unlike the public restrooms, they are usually set up at each camp you go to and exclusively used by those that paid for them. They are also well-maintained and clean.

How do ladies pee in between treks?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the only way to go about it is to use the bushes along the route. To avoid squatting, use a Shewee that allows you to urinate while standing. You can also get a similar gadget that is worn inside your pants, and when the need to urinate arises, you just have to pull it aside and urinate (the urine will drop a few meters from your feet).

Note that due to the high altitude and frequent water intake, peeing will be frequent, and this is the only way to avoid squatting. Read more about

Will I be able to shower while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

No, unfortunately, there are no shower facilities or even bathrooms on Mount Kilimanjaro, and you will have to use other alternatives.

In conclusion, nature’s call can happen anywhere and at any time, so you will need to go at any given time using the different options stated above to be able to continue hiking peacefully without any inconvenience.

There is more to visiting Tanzania than climbing Kilimanjaro. A Mount Kilimanjaro hike is always planned for but why not enjoy other safari destinations within the country that offer unique sights after the hike? A safari to some of the top tourist destinations in Tanzania is a must-do on every tourist’s bucket list and all you need to do is get in touch with our staff to plan your safari after the Kilimanjaro climb. There are so many outdoor activities carried out in Tanzania some of which include cultural visits, exploration of the National Parks, enjoying the beaches, and, hikes to other mountains.

Explore Zanzibar

Zanzibar is one of the best destinations to visit and unwind after the Kilimanjaro Climb. You can spend days exploring the island, relaxing along the beaches, and deciding whether you will just take a dip in the Ocean or sunbathe and enjoy the authentic cuisines prepared by the locals.

Stone Town: known as the oldest town along the coast, Stone Town is a must-see for tourists who would wish to see the town that was constructed by the Oman Arabs after the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1699. Exploring the narrow streets of Stone Town will take you back in time because most of the buildings are still in the same format that they were constructed in.

The beaches in Zanzibar: Zanzibar has several white sand beaches and some of the activities you can carry out while here includes swimming, snorkeling, tasting the spicy coastal dishes, enjoy yachting, getting that tan, enjoying the sunset and any other water activity you can think about.

Spice farm: Zanzibar is a spice town with most of the food prepared using the different spices grown on the farm. If you are not a fan of spiced food, you will need to learn because it is always tasty and good food. Zanzibar is also known as the spice Island and some of the spices grown here include cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg among others.

Climb Mount Meru: Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania with a height of 4566m above sea level. It is a good hike that will maximally take you 4 to five days to complete the hike with stopovers along the way. It is an adventurous hike that is almost similar to the Kilimanjaro climb but at a cheaper cost.

Climbing Mount Meru is however recommended to be done before climbing Kilimanjaro, to serve as a rehearsal and offer acclimatization to to climbers.

Safari to Serengeti: Serengeti National Park is a top safari destination in Tanzania where the wildebeest migration starts before the wildebeests cross into Masai Mara and then back to Serengeti. This heritage Site is home to predators like lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and other species like buffalos, dik-dik, elephants, impalas, zebras, wildebeests, and elephants among others. Best visited during the dry season, your safari to Tanzania will not be complete if you do not visit and explore Serengeti National Park.

Cultural safaris: Tanzania is rich in culture and tourists get to experience it by visiting the villages to get to know more about the traditions and culture of the local people. The Masai people are the most visited locals in Tanzania because of their unique culture.

Enjoy the wildebeest migration: This is an annual event that takes place between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Millions of wildebeests and thousands of gazelles and zebras start their trek in Tanzania to Kenya and then back to Tanzania and it is believed that they move due to a change in weather conditions. Just a glance at these animals crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers infested with crocodiles and surviving is an experience each person should experience.

Ngorongoro Crater: Ngorongoro crater is a top tourist destination in Tanzania and part of the Northern Circuit. Take a guided walk or drive through the Crater where you will be able to see wildlife like zebras, wildebeests, spotted hyenas, Rhinos, Buffalos, elephants, lions, buffalos, and elephants among others.

Visit Lake Manyara National Park: After the Mount Kilimanjaro climb, one of the places that you can visit and relax is Lake Manyara National Park famous for its tree-climbing lions located just half an hour’s drive from Arusha. It is also home to other wildlife species including baboons, over 350 bird species, and many more others. Since the National park mainly consists of water, you can enjoy canoeing, biking, and abseiling once you have a permit.

Visit Tarangire National park: Tarangire National Park is the 6^th largest National Park in Tanzania best known for having a large number of African elephants and other wildlife including wildebeests, leopards, giraffes, and hyenas among others. It was established in 1970 and with the Tarangire River, hundreds of bird species can be seen throughout the year, especially in the wet season.

Gorilla trekking: Mountain gorillas can only be found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Virunga regions. They are endangered species living in families or groups with the silverback as the head of a group. The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the dry season which is June to October and December to February note that you will have to book the gorilla permit in advance since it is a tight activity that many tourists engage in.