Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is on the bucket list of many active South Africans. Who wouldn’t want to stand on the ‘Roof of Africa’ and look out over the vast plain far below? Or gaze at a beautiful glacier near the summit while knowing that the Equator is just a stone’s throw away? This a mountain of striking contrasts, incomparable views, and unmatched adventure.
At Follow Alice, we lead folks of all ages and from all walks of life on Kilimanjaro climbs throughout the year. Those who end up loving the experience and generally manage to reach the summit have these five things in common …
1. They trained hard beforehand
We see it time and time again: climbers don’t manage to reach the top of Kilimanjaro because the many days of upward hiking are just too tough.
At 5,895 m above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. The world’s.
So just because you don’t need mountaineering skills to climb Kilimanjaro, doesn’t mean it’s going to be ‘just another trek’. It’s longer, steeper and harder than many imagine.
Those who do well on Kilimanjaro have a deep respect for the challenge ahead. They know it will be one of the hardest things they ever do. And so they put in the hard work in the months leading up to it. This means building your strength, cardio and endurance, and doing training treks.
2. They prepared themselves mentally
Around sixty to seventy percent of people who start climbing Kilimanjaro turn back before the summit. Fit people. People who aren’t quitters. Why? Often it’s because they didn’t prepare mentally for the challenge.
We always recommend having a very clear motivation for why you’re signing up for a Kilimanjaro climb. Is it because you feel highly motivated to say you’ve climbed Africa’s tallest mountain? Or you want to prove something to yourself? Whatever it is, have a very clear and compelling ‘why’ that you can refer to on the mountain when you feel weak or discouraged. This could well be the difference between pushing through and giving up.
And speaking of pushing through, please know that you’re likely going to feel at least a little iffy when you start climbing above 3,000 m. Maybe even downright vrot for a day. Extremely high altitude can make you feel nauseous, headachy, or a little dizzy. It can also make it hard to sleep. So you need to mentally prep yourself that you’re going to push through and keep hiking even when you don’t feel your best.
If your favourite smart device is like a third arm, consider if you can go without it for a week without undue stress or anxiety.
Whilst there is usually some signal and even Wi-Fi in parts of Kilimanjaro, you can’t rely on it. Rather anticipate spending most of your days on the mountain disconnected from the internet and the rest of the world.
For many, leaving their phones and the online world behind is part of the allure of a Kilimanjaro adventure. These are the people who really love the experience. They relish stepping away from busyness, from routine communication, and from online noise.
During your Kilimanjaro trek, you have a chance to reconnect with nature and with yourself. And you are in a situation that promotes deeper conversations and connections with those around you.
And yes, speaking of other people …
4. They love people
Kilimanjaro is never a solo adventure.
Firstly, it takes a small village to stage every Kilimanjaro climb. This is because you need guides, a cook or two, and several porters (who carry all of the camping equipment, food, sleeping bags, clothes, and more).
Then there are your fellow trekkers. Group sizes vary by tour operator, but usually you trek with at least three to a dozen others. And if you join an organised departure date, you may only meet your fellow trekkers the day before the climb.
So please don’t come to Kilimanjaro looking for solitude. Rather, know that you’re going to hang with new people throughout your time on the mountain. But the chances are high that you’ll walk away from the trip with some bonds that remain precious to you throughout your life. This is because the intense and all-encompassing nature of the Kilimanjaro challenge strips away conventional barriers and helps people really get to know one another in meaningful ways. It’s a beautiful thing.
5. They don’t mind roughing it
On a Kilimanjaro climb you either stay in communal huts or tented campsites. Either way, you’re going to be roughing it. Notably, you’ll spend several days and nights using chemical toilets or long drops, not showering, and climbing into a sleeping bag that usually rests only on a sleeping mat.
On the first day or two, you could find yourself sweating a lot, as you hike through a rainforest that’s not far from the Equator. When you get higher on the mountain, however, the temperatures will plummet, and night-times will often be well below freezing point.
Also, know that you’re going to start your summit attempt at around midnight. It will be brutally cold, pitch black (unless there’s a full moon), and you’ll spend around 14 hours on your feet that day.
Does this all sound like a thrilling challenge to you? If yes, then Kilimanjaro is the right adventure for you!
Let Follow Alice be your Kilimanjaro partner
We at Follow Alice can help to make your Kilimanjaro wish come true!
There are many tour operators offering Kilimanjaro climbs. So it can be hard to know which to choose. But it’s an important choice to get right.
Here are a few great reasons to entrust your Kilimanjaro adventure to us:
- Your safety is our number one priority. Our highly experienced guides are certified wilderness first aiders who have many years of experience leading groups up and down Kilimanjaro. In other words, they are experts at keeping you safe on the mountain.
- We don’t outsource anything. The people you speak to about booking a climb and the people who actually lead you up the mountain are all part of Follow Alice. We manage and care greatly about every aspect of your journey.
- We include practically everything. When you book with us, almost everything is sorted for you, except for your flights. We provide lovely mid-range accommodation before and after the trek, all camping equipment, all meals, all ground transport, and much more. So you don’t need to worry about hidden costs.
- We’re a registered KPAP partner. The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) is an NGO that ensures mountain crews are paid fairly and treated well. Only the most ethical tour operators are allowed to become KPAP partners.
- Most of your money stays in Tanzania. It’s important that the community benefits from the tourism taking place on its doorstep. Follow Alice Tanzania is locally owned and employs over a hundred locals, so you can feel good that a trip with us is boosting the local economy.
- We have a great track record. Our client reviews often tell the story better than we can. Please check out what past climbers have to say about climbing Kilimanjaro with Follow Alice.
Learn more about the different Kilimanjaro tour packages we offer and invest in the biggest adventure of your life!
Written by: Megan White
