Here is a great stock photo of Karanga Camp on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Karanga Camp is typically Day 4 or Day 5 on the Machame or Lemosho Route. Sometimes hikers skip Karanga Camp – and hike from Baranco Camp to Barafu Camp to shorten their time on the mountain – and this can be an extremely long day. I, however, recommend including this camp, as it will increase your odds of getting to the summit.

Here is a Kilimanjaro training program that someone sent me as they prepared to climb Africa’s highest mountain.

There are a number of things I like about this program. First, it’s extremely consistent – meaning he is training on a regular basis. Second, it includes elevation gain, which is key for climbing a mountain. Third, in includes weight, which you technically do not need to have on Mt. Kilimanjaro, but will definitely help you your overall stamina. You will carry a day-pack that could have anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds. Fourth, he documents his program, and can look back at it over the months. Often people start planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro 1 year in advance and their work out program can take many twists and turns. It’s easier to think you worked out a lot harder than you did. Read more…

This is the classic picture of Kilimanjaro from Moshi or somewhere in the villages below.  The mountain typically shows itself early in the morning and late the evening. Through much of the year, the mountain is hidden by clouds during the day.

Drinking significant amounts of water while climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the keys to a successful summit. Most people drink 3 to 6 liters of water per day. The trick is making sure that you are drinking clean, safe water.

Ideally the best combination to ensure clean water is water purification tables – such as iodine – and a quality filter/purifier. This way you have double protection.

Typically, you fill up on water 3 times per day. First, you will fill up your nalgene bottles in the morning before leaving camp, then when you arrive in the new camp, and finally at night before you go to sleep. With the exception of the first day when you receive bottled water, the porters bring a bucket of water from steams to camp. One of the porters will use your water filter and pump it into your nalgene bottle, or your water treatment system. You will add your iodine tablet and other mixtures you want to include.

Things to remember with water filtration on Kilimanjaro:

• REI has the best selection of water filters and are extremely knowledgeable on the subject.
• If you have a big group, filtering water can take a long time. Make sure to prepare everyone in advance.
• Not everyone in the group needs a water filter. You should have one water filter for every two people
• Drinking pure water for many days is boring. Make sure to have some mix to add to the water, like Gatorade
• Water can be purchased in almost all of the tourist areas of East Africa.
• You will not need a water filter on safari.