KILIMANJARO
TANZANIA
5,895 m
Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones, “Kibo“, “Mawenzi“ and “Shira“. This mountain is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It's the highest mountain in Africa and highest free standing mountain in the world, at about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) from its base. 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level. The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination. There are two distinct seasons which make up the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. They are January to March and June to October. The season January to March is generally colder than June to October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit.
Hiking it
There are several routes by which to reach Kibo or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Machame route, nicknamed the "whiskey"route, is one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and scenery. It takes 6-7 days from start to finish. It is great for acclimatization with many walk high and sleep low opportunities. There is a good opportunity to split the pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting.
HIKING KILIMANJARO
It is a challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones.
1. FOREST ZONE
2. HEATHER ZONE
3. MOORLAND ZONE
4. HIGHLAND DESERT ZONE
5. THE SUMMIT ZONE (SCREE)
PACKING
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Sleeping bag
With a temperature range of - 8 to + 25 degrees celsius
2. Sleeping bag liner
3. Self inflation sleeping mattress
4. Self inflating pillow
5. Termal underwear
2 sets.
6. Trekking poles
With moister absorbing (cork) grips.
7. Thermal gloves + inners
8. Water proof poncho
9. Rain jacket
10. Thermal summit jacket
11. Back pack + big duffel bag
Take some large plastic bags to waterproof your clothes inside. Porters will carry your duffel bag up the mountain each day.
12. Hiking boots
Make sure they have ankle support, are waterproof & are worn in.
13. Polarised sun glasses
14. Two insulated 750 ml water bottles
On summit night store the bottles in your hiking socks, upside down so that the openings of the bottles do not freeze over.
15. Three litre camelbak bladder
On summit night blow warm air back into the pipe after each sip to prevent the pipes form icing up. Make sure the pipe is insulated
16. One insulated 1 litre bottle
17. Broad rim hat & plain cap
18. Polar buff
19. Normal head buff
20. Polar beanie
21. Rain proof trousers
22. Medium fleece trousers
23. Large micro fibre towel
24. Small micro fibre towel
25. Thin fleece sleeping trousers
26. Thin, medium + large fleece jumper
27. Inner socks
7 pairs.
28. Medium socks
7 pairs.
29. Thermal summit socks
1 pair.
30. Hiking shirts
31. Hydration tablets
Makes the mountain water taste better.
32. Comfortable pair of shoes
For the camp.
33. Bio-degradable toilet paper
Look after the environment.
34. Spare batteries
Insulate batteries in your socks on summit night.
35. Thermal hand warmers
Use on summit night. Place into your glove inserts.
36. Sachets of GU + trail munchies
37. Tissues
38. Deet spray
For Hotel stay at Moshi.
39. Sun cream
With high SPF rating.
40. Dettol hand wash
41. Ear plugs
Help to get a better night's sleep.
42. Eye shades
Sleep before summit night
43. Disinfect wipes + normal wet wipes
Helps to clean as there is no showering facilities.
44. Duct tape
For repair work.
45. Toiletries
46. Deodorant stick
47. Head lamp
48. Small LED light
For the tent at night.
49. Swiss Army knife
50. Waterproof passport holder
Keep your documents safe.
51. Mirror
52. First aid kit
Buscopan, imodium, brufen, broad based antibiotic, motilium, voltaren gel & antiseptic cream.
53. Diamox tablets
Take 1/2 a pill in the morning & 1/2 at midday. Helps to ease the altitude sickness.
54. Small sewing kit
55. Lip balm
56. Vaseline
Prevent any friction
57. Spare boot laces
58. Water purification + neutraliser tablets
59. Small flask
For coffee on summit day. Take some coffee sachets.
60. Waterproof camera
61. Small disposable bags
For your garbage.
62. Small duffel bag
To leave a spare set of travel clothes and some shoe cleaner for your boots behind at the hotel. Take a small padlock for your bag.
63. Tips
USD 600 - 1,000 for he guides & porters
64. Special travel insurance
I used Bupa Travel.
65. Immunisation papers
Yellow fever.
66. Paper work
Passports, wallet, trip vouchers & airline tickets
Recommendation
I would seriously recommend renting a portable tent loo. I did not take this option, but if I was to do it all over again, I would. The porters will carry it up the mountain and set it up for you at each camp site. I know it sounds crazy, but you will never regret the extra cost of hiring the portable loo, after you see the terrible state of the long drop toilets in the camps sites.
"Pole-pole"
Do not forget: "Pole-pole"...start & continue to hike very slowly to offset the altitude sickness.
THE JAMBO SONG
Anyone who has successfully summited Kilimanjaro has one experience in common. Not the mental struggle of pushing yourself harder than you thought possible. Not the unforgettable moment when you finally take in the view from the “Roof of Africa.” It’s the Jambo song. Sung by your guides and porters after a successful trek, it’s an exuberant, joyful song, accompanied by clapping and the voices of the entire crew.
The song begins with a few tips useful for any trekker: walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and don’t worry too much about it! But by the end, the mountain seems menacing, enormously high and doing its best to chew you up and spit you out. No wonder they sing this after you’ve made it to the top and back again… Semi-sinister lyrics aside, singing the Kilimanjaro song is a joyous occasion, filled with laughter, dancing (from porters and guests alike), and celebration.
SWAHILI
Jambo! Jambo bwana! Habari gani? Mzuri sana! Wageni, mwakaribishwa! Kilimanjaro? Hakuna matata! Tembea pole pole. Hakuna matata! Utafika salama. Hakuna matata! Kunywa maji mengi. Hakuna matata! Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, mlima mrefu sana. Na Mawenzi, na Mawenzi, Na Mawenzi, mlima mrefu sana. Ewe nyoka, ewe nyoka! Ewe nyoka, mbona waninzunguka. Wanizunguka, wanizunguka Wanizunguka wataka kunila nyama
ENGLISH
Hello! Hello sir! How are you? Very well! Guests, you are welcome! Kilimanjaro? No trouble! Walk slowly, slowly. No trouble! You’ll get there safe. No trouble! Drink plenty of water. No trouble! Kilimanjaro! Kilimanjaro! Kilimanjaro, such a high mountain. Also Mawenzi, also Mawenzi! Also Mawenzi such a high mountain. Like a snake, like a snake! Like a snake you wrap around me You wrap around me, you wrap around me Trying to eat me like a piece of meat
