The Roof of Africa

A Kilimanjaro climb is a walk through climate zones. You start in farmland and montane rainforest, pass through heath and giant-heather moorland, cross a high alpine desert of rock and dust, and finish in an arctic zone of ice and thin air. Few places on earth compress so much change into a few days on foot.

Several established routes lead to the summit and each has its own character. Longer routes such as Lemosho and the Northern Circuit give more time to acclimatise and generally see better summit success; Machame is scenic and popular; Marangu is the only route with hut accommodation; Rongai approaches from the quieter northern side. Most treks take between six and nine days, and on nearly every route the extra day is worth more than any piece of equipment.

The realistic part: summit night usually begins around midnight, is very cold, and involves several hours of slow walking in the dark to reach the crater rim near sunrise. Altitude — not fitness alone — is the main obstacle, and even strong walkers can be affected. Climbs are led by licensed guides supported by porters and cooks, and how that crew is paid and equipped says a great deal about an operator.