How to prepare for a trek in Kilimanjaro

Travelling to Tanzania means encountering Mount Kilimanjaro, the king of the African continent. This majestic, mysteriously named giant towers at 5,895 metres and overlooks the savannah. Uhuru Peak, its summit, attracts countless hikers each year. Karavaniers offers a unique way to approach Kilimanjaro: an escape from the crowds through the north, where you can touch the stunning peaks of Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. Explore the trails of Mount Meru, the country’s second-highest peak, with their lush vegetation and breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, before making your final ascent! Next, head to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti to admire the incredible Tanzanian wildlife. Let your trekking journey be a complete and unique exploration, blending personal challenge with exceptional natural wonders.

This article was written in collaboration with Karavaniers travel agency.

Hiking gear Travel essentials

What’s the best time of year to trek Kilimanjaro?

Technically, there are two dry seasons in northern Tanzania, and these periods are the best times to trek Kilimanjaro.

The first one, known as the “short dry season,” takes place around January and February, so it is indeed rather short. Note that weather conditions can still vary during this time of year, particularly in January; the rainy season (which occurs in December) has just ended, and a few humid stretches might still happen.

We often send groups to hike Kilimanjaro during the holiday season, for instance, as this is a beautiful time in Tanzania, despite the end of the rainy season and some weather instability. The landscapes are lush and green, especially in the safari portion that typically concludes the trip.

The second one, known as the “long dry season,” runs from June to September and is another great time to travel. In general, we mainly focus on the months of July and August for our trips. When it comes to equipment, there’s no significant difference for travellers between these two dry seasons.

At Karavaniers, we limit our trips to these periods to support and preserve our local teams. While some agencies offer year-round travel, we know that our team members aren’t always as well equipped as Western travellers, which makes trips more challenging for them in the rainy seasons.

Any ideas for a trip with Karavaniers?

Without a doubt, we recommend our “Meru and the three peaks of Kilimanjaro” trip. In short, it’s a super complete adventure for anyone looking to take on the Kili challenge!

Travellers who have Kilimanjaro in mind often think only of this specific peak. But let’s not forget that there’s also Mount Meru (4,566 m), Africa’s fifth-highest peak and Tanzania’s second, which is absolutely stunning and features a superb crater!

This trip involves a total of 11 days of walking, including an initial four-day trek to Mount Meru. This first part of the trip serves as an excellent acclimatization, with Mount Meru rising to 4,566 m and offering an incredibly rich variety of scenery. The landscapes of Mount Meru are almost more breathtaking than those of Kilimanjaro, with the four-day hike offering an extremely varied experience – from hyper-dense old-growth forests filled with monkeys and buffalo to increasingly moonlike horizons! On the crater side, the climb follows a magnificent ridge offering breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, the ultimate goal of the trek.

For hiking Kilimanjaro itself, we have long offered the Machame route, but it has since become very busy, so it no longer aligns with Karavaniers’s DNA. That’s why we’ve decided to take the Northern route, which circles around Kilimanjaro. We tackle the mountain at an altitude of 3,500 m, made possible by our acclimatization on Mount Meru! This route lets us escape crowds of hikers and sleep in the crater, just below Kilimanjaro’s last glaciers!

It’s worth mentioning that, in addition to the stunning scenery and physical challenge, a trip to Kilimanjaro is also about the group experience and our enthusiastic, high-energy local team. Life in the camps is always vibrant and cheerful.

We conclude the trek with a safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, where we encounter lions, hyenas, gazelles, giraffes and elephants.

Who can climb the Kilimanjaro?

Anyone in good physical shape who enjoys hiking and trains properly can consider a trek up Kilimanjaro. There is no “typical profile”; we’re not in the mountaineering or ultramarathon business. The key is mostly to be disciplined and not overestimate your training… while also planning ahead!

How to prepare for a trek in Kilimanjaro?

If it’s your first big trek, we recommend booking at least 8 months in advance so you have time to prepare properly. The best training for a long hike… is simply to go hiking. The more you practise on different types of trails (with rocks, tree roots, etc.), the better you can test your gear and train your body. Ideally, you should also try to hike in various weather conditions, training with rain, wind, snow, heat, etc., to put both your mind and equipment to the test! People living in southern Quebec, for instance, could train in the Montagnes Blanches for a bit of elevation variation.

As for altitude, it’s okay if you can’t experience it before the trip – it can be managed on the spot.

To prepare for camp life, travellers should try and get in shape for camping and practice sleeping in a tent “mummy style” with the hood of their sleeping bag over their head.

And lastly, throughout the preparation process… skip the elevators and take the stairs!

What equipment do you need for a Kilimanjaro trek?

The foundation, of course, is to start with good footwear that fits well and feels comfortable. High-profile, three-season hiking boots are a perfect choice.

As for the backpack, travellers only need to carry the essentials for the day, so a 40-litre pack will suffice for their water, meals, spare equipment, jacket, etc. The rest of their gear should be packed in a duffle bag, without frames or wheels, so that porters can carry it smoothly.

The necessary equipment can be organized based on weather conditions.

Quality gear to keep you dry in case of rain:

• A good Gore-Tex jacket and pants combo
• Gaiters
• A waterproof backpack rain cover

To stay warm:

• A quality sleeping bag (rated for -30 ℃) that covers the head, ideally filled with down
• A thick down jacket (such as Rab’s big expedition puffers); always bring warmer gear than you think you’ll need
• Insulated slippers to stay warm in the evenings at camp
• A warm tuque
• Extra warm mittens and waterproof overmitts

For layering:

• Avoid cotton and choose a merino wool baselayer
• Quick-drying underwear made from comfortable material
• Classic hiking pants
• Long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts
• Thin leggings (merino or synthetic) to use as a base layer on cold days, and at night in your sleeping bag
• A good fleece jacket for insulation
• A mid layer (thin puffer jacket)
• A pair of light gloves
• The thick down jacket mentioned earlier
• Quality merino hiking socks (test them before your trip)
• Equipment:
• Hiking boots
• Sunglasses with a cord
• Travel sheet
• Headlamp
• Telescopic hiking poles
• Powerbank to charge electronics
• Carabiners to hang a water bottle or other items within easy reach
• Water purification tablets

Personal essentials kit:

• Moisturizing lip balm with sun protection
• Sunscreen with SPF 45+
• First aid kit
• Specific medication
• Mosquito repellent
• Quick-drying chamois-type towel
• Toiletry essentials: toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, etc. (prefer biodegradable products)
• Disinfecting gel

For the safari portion of the trip, you will need different gear:

• Lighter, preferably light-coloured clothing to stay cool (like long-sleeved shirts, etc.)
• Hat, cap, etc.
• Buff-type scarf

Gear up for hiking