Climbing Kilimanjaro solo

Credit: My Life’s A Movie

The main advantages of a solo Kilimanjaro climb are that you have total control over your route and walking pace, and that there is no risk of having to abort a summit because a fellow hiker succumbs to altitude sickness or wants to turn back. Disadvantages are that the price per person will be relatively high, since many of the logistical costs of putting together a Kilimanjaro climb are not significantly dependent on the size of the party. Bearing in mind that many guides and porters speak limited English, it might also be a rather lonely few days.

Our Recommended Itinerary

Two Peak Challenge: Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro (13 days)

day 1

Arusha

at Greenhills of Africa Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania

day 2

Momella Gate (1500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500 m)

day 3

Miriakamba Hut (2 500 m) – Saddle Hut (3 550 m)

day 4

Saddle Hut (3 550 m) – Socialist Peak (4 562 m) –

day 5

Miriakamba Hut (2 500 m) – Momella Gate (1 500 m)

day 6

Arusha

at Greenhills of Africa Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania

day 7

Arusha – Machame Gate (1 790 m) – Machame Camp (3

at Machame Camp

day 8

Machame Camp (3 010 m) – New Shira Camp (3 845 m)

at Shira Camp

day 9

New Shira Camp (3 845 m) – Lava Tower (4 640 m) –

at Barranco Camp

day 10

Barranco Camp (3 960 m) – Barafu Camp (4 640 m)

at Barafu Camp

day 11

Barafu Camp (4 640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mwe

at Barafu Camp

day 12

Mweka Camp (3 080 m) – Mweka Gate (1 630 m) – Arus

at Mweka Camp, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

day 13

Departure

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Climbing Kilimanjaro in September

Credit: Bookmundi Dry and relatively warm weather can be expected, making September ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro in climatic terms, though extreme cold and possibly high winds are normal in the alpine and arctic zones. September coincides with summer holidays in Europe and North America, so the mountain tends to be very busy. Avoid the Marangu or Machame Routes in preference for the…

Climbing Kilimanjaro solo

Credit: My Life’s A Movie The main advantages of a solo Kilimanjaro climb are that you have total control over your route and walking pace, and that there is no risk of having to abort a summit because a fellow hiker succumbs to altitude sickness or wants to turn back. Disadvantages are that the price per person will be relatively high, since many of the logistical costs of putting…

Climbing Kilimanjaro in June

Credit: andBeyond Early June is the tail end of the wet season and even though rainfall is unlikely to be too high, post-rain conditions on Kilimanjaro may be slippery and waterlogged underfoot. It gets dryer towards the end of the month, which is usually a pretty good time to climb Kilimanjaro, before the main high season tourist influx. As is the case throughout the year, be prepared…

Why climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Not only is Kilimanjaro the highest peak in Africa, reaching an elevation of 5,895m (19,340ft) above sea level, but it is also the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, a long-dormant volcano that towers almost 5km (3 mi) above the hot and dusty ash-strewn plains from which it rises. Viewed from the base, Kilimanjaro’s distinctive silhouette is one of Africa’s most breathtaking…

Family hike up Kilimanjaro

A qualified yes. The qualification being that a Kilimanjaro climb is both physically and mentally demanding, and the experience is likely to be enjoyed only by reasonably fit and determined individuals who are genuinely motivated to reach Africa’s tallest summit. If all members of a family or party of friends fit that description, a group hike should go well, and it will have several…

Mount Kilimanjaro facts

The world’s tallest individual mountain and literal highpoint of the African continent, 5,895m-high Mount Kilimanjaro straddles the border of Kenya and Tanzania. For those who just want to admire the view of its snow-capped summit, this can be done from either country, with Kenya’s Amboseli National Park being perhaps the most popular option thanks to its prolific plains wildlife. For…

Climbing Kilimanjaro in February

February is an optimum month for climbing Kilimanjaro. Tourist volumes are lower than during the main hiking season of August to September, and the weather is quite dry and relatively cool, which improves the likelihood of extensive snow on the peaks. That said, it gets extremely cold at higher altitudes throughout the year, and hikers should be prepared for subzero temperatures and…

Climbing Kilimanjaro solo

Our Recommended Itinerary

Two Peak Challenge: Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro (13 days)

Arusha

Momella Gate (1500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2500 m)

Miriakamba Hut (2 500 m) – Saddle Hut (3 550 m)

Saddle Hut (3 550 m) – Socialist Peak (4 562 m) –

Miriakamba Hut (2 500 m) – Momella Gate (1 500 m)

Arusha

Arusha – Machame Gate (1 790 m) – Machame Camp (3

Machame Camp (3 010 m) – New Shira Camp (3 845 m)

New Shira Camp (3 845 m) – Lava Tower (4 640 m) –

Barranco Camp (3 960 m) – Barafu Camp (4 640 m)

Barafu Camp (4 640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mwe

Mweka Camp (3 080 m) – Mweka Gate (1 630 m) – Arus

Departure

Popular Kilimanjaro National Park Safaris

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Climbing Kilimanjaro in September

Climbing Kilimanjaro solo

Climbing Kilimanjaro in June

Why climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Family hike up Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro facts

Climbing Kilimanjaro in February

Climbing Kilimanjaro in June

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