Kilimanjaro National Park

A typical healthy meal is required for Kilimanjaro trekkers, usually a healthy meal covering a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Daily meal servings, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, are served in a dining tent.

A team of experienced mountain cooks prepare delicious and nutritious meals to help you trek better by supplying essential nutrients and energy and keeping you hydrated. 

Breakfast

Breakfast includes hot drinks, usually tea, coffee, porridge or hot chocolate. A piece of fresh fruit such as a banana, orange, pineapple, banana, avocado, watermelon, or mango. Toast with honey, jam butter, pancakes, sausage, bacon, and varieties of eggs.

Lunch

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, peanuts, popcorn, biscuits, and toast served with honey, jam, or butter. Vegetable Soup, boiled eggs, Chicken curry, rice, Sandwiches and green beans. Juice, fruit, and fresh salad.

Dinner 

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, peanuts, popcorn, pancakes, biscuits, and toast served with honey, jam, or butter. Vegetable soup, vegetable sauce, beef, chicken either stewed, curried or roasted, potatoes, pasta, spaghetti and rice. Fresh fruits including (orange, mango, banana and pineapple) and salad.

Seven routes to trek Mount Kilimanjaro were established and authorised by the Tanzania National Park. Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe route all approach from the southern slopes of the Mountain, whereas Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes approach the mountain’s western slopes. Rongai is the only route that approaches the northern slopes. 

We recommend four routes to the top of Kilimanjaro, each with distinctive features and an option to choose a private departure or a scheduled climb, depending on your needs. We have considered several criteria, including a better chance of flourishing summiting, awe-inspiring scenery, time and money.

Machame Route

Despite being considered steep and challenging due to its shorter itinerary, the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro, also referred to as “Whiskey”, offers a wide diversity of sights, sceneries, and unforgettable trekking experiences. 

The route begins with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. Then, it ascends from the south through the rainforest to Shira Plateau, heading east, crossing underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern ice field towards Barranco via Lava Tower, summiting from Barafu. Finally, the route descends the same way back to Barafu, making your way via the Mweka route. 

You can trek the Machame route on a six or seven-day climb. But seven days is highly preferred and recommended to improve acclimatisation. 

Rongai route

Rongai is the only route commencing and ascending on the northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, nearing the Kenyan border. The route has some more gradual ascents favouring excellent acclimatisation and offers the closest to a wilderness experience. However, the route attracts fewer climbers; thus, we recommend it to those who prefer quieter trails and secluded trekking experiences. 

The route Beginning from the Rongai gate, crosses several diverse climate zones, passing through the Mawenzi tarn and summiting the highest peak from Kibo hut. The descent is made via the Marangu route.

Six and seven-day itineraries are offered, though the extended option is highly recommended to improve acclimatisation.

Lemosho Route

Widely considered the route with awe-inspiring scenery on Mount Kilimanjaro, the route has unspoiled wildlife, low trekkers, and excellent acclimatisation chances. Therefore, the Lemosho route is highly recommended and preferred by our esteemed clients and us for reaching the peak of the African Highest mountain. 

Trekking begins at Londorossi Gate at an altitude of 2,385m passing through the rainforest and approaching from the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Next, it takes you over the spectacular and world-famous Shira Plateau. Finally, the route ascends the Barranco Wall and summits Uhuru Peak 5895m steeply from Barafu, and descent is made through the Mweka route.  

Seven- and eight-day programs are offered; our esteemed clients can choose depending on their budget and available time. An eight-day program is highly recommended, but experienced and already comfortable climbers may opt for the more challenging seven-day ascent along the Lemosho route.

Northern Circuit

The Northern Circuit Route is the newest, most remote and longest but awe-inspiring route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route offers breathtaking scenery of Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes and is excellent for acclimatisation due to the longer itinerary. 

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, commencing with a long drive to Londorossi gate. The trek follows the Lemosho route, trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge across the world-famous and spectacular Shira plateau for the first few days. 

However, unlike other trekking routes following the southern route, the Northern circuit route heads the rarely visited northern slopes and navigates from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp, then to School Hut before summiting Uhuru Peak from the east. Finally, descends are made through the Mweka route. 

The route offers eight and nine days trekking itineraries and is highly recommended to trekkers who enjoy long trekking experiences accompanied by few other trekkers. 

Generally, at the low altitude of Moshi Town and the mountain base, the average temperature is between 20°C to 30°C. Temperature decreases with an increase in elevation as trekkers summiting to the peak. 

At the peak (Uhuru Point – the highest peak on the mountain), the average temperature is between -8°C to -20°C. However, the weather on the mount keeps changing; thus, trekkers must always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

Trekkers may enjoy trekking the mountain throughout the year; dry seasons are more favourable and comfortable than wet seasons. 

Rain Season – Wettest Season | April – May

April and May are noticeable seasons with substantial rainfall, whereby Mid-march, End-November and early December received short rains; these wettest seasons are ideally not recommended for trekking. Trekking Kilimanjaro throughout this season means you have to trek through bottomless mud and dirt in the low-altitude areas, especially during the first few days of trekking. 

At higher altitudes, fog and precipitation make trekking more challenging. Generally, trekkers must be well prepared with suitable equipment to help them successfully summiting the peak.

Dry season – January – March | June – October| December – RECOMMENDED 

The main reasons for climbing Kilimanjaro are January to Mid-march; typically, these are short dry seasons. June to October is usually a long dry season, and the end of December. These dry seasons are the best for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, and trekkers are likely to summit the mountain peak successfully.

• Camping equipment (dining and sleeping tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables)
• oxygen cylinder – only for emergency
• Comprehensive medical kits.
• first aid kit and pulse oximeter

Kilimanjaro Mountain trekkers must be well prepared for weather conditions on the mountain regardless of dry or wet seasons. Therefore, Trekkers should bring varieties of personal gear and equipment necessary for Kilimanjaro climbing.  

We offer you the chance to rent it for those without all the gears and equipment needed for mountaineering who don’t want to spend hundreds or even thousands on top-of-the-range trekking and climbing gear. This will save you from investing in resources you may not use again and keep you from packing all your stuff in your suitcase. Hiring all necessary trekking gear and equipment will cost around USD 200-250.

Equipment List:

Clothing 

• 1 – Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood
• 1 – Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down
• 1 – Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell
• 2 – Long Sleeve Shirt, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric 
• 1 – Short Sleeve Shirt, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric 
• 1 – Waterproof Pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended) 
• 2 – Hiking Pants  
• 1 – Fleece Pants 
• 1 – Shorts (optional) 
• 1 – Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) 
• 3 – Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
• 2 – Sports Bra (women) Headwear

Footwear 

• 1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in 
• 1 – Gym Shoes to wear at camp (optional)
•  3 – Socks, wool or synthetic 
• 3 – Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional) 
• 1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)

Headwear 

• 1 – Brimmed Hat for sun protection 
• 1 – Knit Hat for warmth 
• 1 – Balaclava for face coverage (optional)
• 1 – Bandana (optional)

Handwear

• 1 – Warm gloves (waterproof recommended)
• 1 – Gloves, thin

Accessories

• 1 – Sunglasses or Goggles 
• 1 – Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
• 1 – Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.) 
• 1 – Water Bladder (Camelbak type, 3 litres) 
• 1 – Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional) 
• 1 – Pee Bottle to avoid leaving the tent at night (recommended). Stuff Sacks, Dry Bags or Plastic Bags of various sizes to keep gear dry and separate 

Equipment

• 1 – Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons* 
• 1 – Sleeping Mattress
• 1 – Trekking Poles, collapsable (highly recommended) * 
• 1 – Headlamp, with extra batteries 
• 1 – Duffel bag, 50-90L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment 1 – Daypack, 30-35L capacity, for you to carry your gear

Hiking Luggage

The most common mistake climbers make overpacking and bringing too much gear, so be selective in what you take. Also, please note that our porters are limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your belongings. 

Everything the porters will carry for you between campsites should be placed into the duffel bag, including the sleeping bag, but it is OK to pack the sleeping bag separately if necessary. If you rent a sleeping bag from us, note that the bag weighs 5 lbs 6 oz. This weight does count against the 33 lb limit. 

Our porters will place your duffel bag and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure. If you have excess weight, you must hire an additional porter. However, it is rare to require an extra porter and should happen only in exceptional cases, such as carrying extensive photography equipment.

Hola Africa unquestionably requires you to carry valid travel insurance before taking a trip with us. Unfortunately, due to strict health and safety regulations, we cannot accommodate clients who cannot provide valid travel insurance. 

Your policy includes medical cover and ample protection for emergency rescue and repatriation. We also suggest you pick a plan covering trip cancellation, personal liability, and loss of personal effects.

Here at Hola Africa, we can also arrange Flying Doctor Insurance. This insurance is perfect for remote locations as it lets doctors quickly reach you through light aircraft and transport you to the nearest hospital. 

Flying Doctors Insurance is an additional cover and doesn’t replace your typical travel insurance. If you wish to opt for this insurance add-on, please get in touch with us to let us know. We will require a copy of your passport, full details of your travel insurance company, policy number, and a 24-hour contact number for them. In addition, we request that you make your booking for Flying Doctors travel insurance when booking your trip with us.