Kilimanjaro Mountain Climbing &Trekking
"" Highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain ""
Kilimanjaro towers at 5,895 m/19,341 ft above sea level. It is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the “Roof of Africa”.
Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular travel attractions on the continent. Over 40,000 people visit it every year. It’s an incredibly beautiful trek where climbers don’t require technical climbing skills. To reach the summit, one needs only a healthy average fitness level.
We wrote this guide to help travelers prepare for their once-in-a-lifetime Kilimanjaro adventure. All the recommendations below are the results of our 11 years of Kilimanjaro experience. Over this time, we have organized climbing Kilimanjaro tours for over 20,000 people.
What to pack for Kilimanjaro?
Can a beginner climb it?
Yes, Kilimanjaro is accessible to beginners with no trekking experience. The key factor isn’t hiking skills but proper acclimatization, which is best achieved on a 7–8-day route. To improve your chances of reaching the summit, choose a reliable outfitter and follow your guides’ safety instructions.
When is the best time to climb it?
Late December to early March and mid-June to late October are the best times for a Kilimanjaro climb. This is when the Kilimanjaro weather is nearly ideal. Although other months have rain, it doesn’t mean there are constant heavy showers. Typically, rains begin in the latter half of the day. This allows trekkers a significant window of clear weather every day during the rainy season. There are also days without any rain. You may read more about the seasons of Kilimanjaro.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
As of 2025, a comfortable and safe 7-day group climb costs about $2900. A shorter 5-6-day adventure or a season-discounted trip comes at $2300-2500. This amount includes the park entrance fees, which make up about 35% of the total trip cost. Any trekking companies offering below this amount should warrant caution.
Low prices always correlate with the mistreatment of porters. The crews of budget operators are often underpaid and poorly fed, putting their and hikers’ safety at risk.
How should I train for the climb?
A moderate fitness level is key to a comfortable and successful Kilimanjaro climb. This means you should be able to run 5 km (3 mi) without difficulty and hike 10 km (6+ mi) in a day. The best ways to train include swimming, cycling, running, and hiking.
What are the dangers of climbing Kilimanjaro?
The biggest risk on Kilimanjaro is acute mountain sickness caused by poor acclimatization. In severe cases, it can lead to cerebral or pulmonary edema, both life-threatening conditions that cause about ten deaths per year on the mountain.
Explore more facts about mortality on the mountain in our Mt. Kilimanjaro death statistics article.
Fortunately, AMS is easy to prevent. Choose a seven-day or longer itinerary, stay hydrated, and walk slowly to allow proper altitude adaptation. Guide expertise is crucial — choose an operator whose Kilimanjaro guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, trained to handle emergencies and evacuations.
