People often ask me, how do you start planning an adventure trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? To them, it seems like such a daunting task, with countless variables and things to consider. Each person has a unique way they go about planning a trip, but I have developed a check list of each important highlights with planning an expedition to climb Africa’s highest mountain. Most of the details are common sense but sometimes go overlooked.
Make A Mental Commitment
It’s too easy to start an enormous life-changing adventure and then easily give up because of logistics, cost, conditioning, family reaction, et. For most people, climbing Kilimanjaro is a once a in a lifetime opportunity. Therefore, if you make the commitment, even if it’s not going to happen until next year, then make sure you will follow through.
Begin Your Training
This is the central and probably most important aspect for climbing any mountain in the world. Start your training early. In fact, the earlier you start, the better. You should TRY to start training at least six months in advance, in order to ensure the highest probability of success.
Save
Traveling half way around the world, and spending seven to ten days climbing a mountain can be expensive. Make sure to start saving as early as possible. Including airfare and a climb up the mountain, it can easily range from $4,000 to $8,000 per person.
Find Others Looking For a Challenge
It’s always exciting to include others in your adventures, as it build strong relationships, it holds you to your word, and it gives you someone to train with. Since climbing Kilimanjaro can be done by just about anyone (those who takes their time), you should consider bringing friends, family, other people interested in an African adventures. Also, the more people you have on a climb, the cheaper the rates can be. Just make sure the people you bring are people you can cope with under sometimes difficult conditions.
Pick Your Outfitter and Guide
Whether you choose to pick your outfitter when you arrive, or in advance, it’s important to establish a relationship with someone early that can get your climb up Kilimanjaro organized. You should start having conversations with the outfitter 6 to 12 months in advance, as it gives them plenty of time to organize guides, logistics, permits, etc. There are times in the year that are busy (Feb & Aug) and sometimes the best guides are booked a year in advance. The earlier you book, the better.
Determine Your Dates/Routes
After you pick your outfitter, you should start to determine the following: dates, number of people, routes, and other important aspects your adventure. You will need to make sure you choose the proper route up Kilimanjaro, as well as the right time of year. For example, you would not want to plan a trip during the rainy season (April & May), unless you don’t mind walking in the rain all day, ever day. Likewise, in terms of the climbing routes, an experienced mountaineer, or someone who likes a little adventure, would most likely do the Lemosho or the Machame Route, with an option up the Western Breach vs. going up the Marangu Route.
Keep Training
Again, the central point for a successful trip is training, training, training. You need to make sure you are consistent with your training program.
Purchase Your Airfare
Once your dates and outfitter is finalized, you should purchase your airfare. It’s best to shop around, as you can find huge price variations. You will want to purchase your airfare 3 to 5 months in advance. Make sure to check alternative non US-based carriers – like Ethiopian Airlines or Qatar Airlines – if you are searching for a cheap flight.
Get Your Immunizations
Talk to you local travel clinic about 3 months prior to your trip. This will be the time you decide which immunizations you should get. Make sure to plan this into your budget, as sometimes these shots can be a significant addition.
Prepare Your Gear
While climbing Kilimanjaro does not take any specialized equipment, you will want to make sure all your gear is order. Do you have warm climbing pants? Do you have a 10-degree bag? Do you have trekking poles? Have you hiked more than 100 miles in your boots? All of these questions should be considered before going up the mountain. And, it’s best that all of your gear is clean and in working condition before you take off. The worst thing to do is try to find all the details in the last week.
Organize Your Visas
As of the time of writing this blog post, you could get your visa upon arrival at the Tanzania airport, or at any border crossing. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of organizing your visas upon arrival, you can get these sorted at the Tanzanian embassy in Washington DC. Expect to take about 3 weeks to get your passport back.
Leave The day has come. Say goodbye to your friends and family, and take off on your adventure!
