Climbing Kilimanjaro- Choosing the right company?

Majestic Kilimanjaro towers over Africa’s landscape and is one of the most picturesque places on the continent. Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world and requires no technical skills to climb thus making it the most popular climb around the world. You will find that most people have included this on their bucket list of must do’s before they die.

Kilimanjaro will be one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life and should be included on that bucket list if you don’t already have it there. This climb can be done by anyone at any age and is something that is great to do in a group, with a loved one or a family member. Your physical fitness needs to be decent but by no means do you need to be an athlete or in peak conditioning for the climb. Kili doesn’t test your physical fitness like it tests your will. Kili’s challenge is it’s altitude. This is something that you can’t prepare for or train. Either your body will be able to handle the altitudes or it won’t. The physiological changes that your body goes through with the lack of oxygen to combat altitude sickness is very trying and tests your mental ability more then your physical ability.

Deciding to climb Kili should not be taken lightly. There are several reminders when climbing just how dangerous and treacherous the climb can be. You past by several graves of people who have died trying to climb Kili. Each year only about 40% of people actually make it to the summit and on average about 10 people lose their lives trying. We met a large group that lost a fellow hiker the day before as she tragically passed away from a heart attack. You hear your porters and lead mountain guides talk about how many other climbers have been sent down the mountain because of altitude sickness. So my first recommendation is not to do Kili on the cheap. So how do you choose the right company to climb with?

I think four determining factors should be included in your criteria.

First and foremost…..Safety is of utmost importance! Make sure you find a reputable company that has good reviews and has all the proper personnel and gear. Your guides should have plenty of climbs and experience under their belt. They should be Wilderness First Responder Certified as well the porters should be first aid certified. The company should have a first aid kid, two way radios, a pulse oximeter as well a portable altitude chamber during your climb. Your guides need to be able to identify the ones struggling and their symptoms to properly diagnose the degree to which you’re suffering from altitude sickness in order for you to be safe to climb.

Second most important thing is your chef and the meals on your climb. The importance of water and food are critical on your hike. You need to be constantly hydrating yourself and nourishing your body with adequate food. So finding a company that has good reviews for food and meals prepared on your trek is crucial. For those that have never been in high altitudes before you…your mind and body will want nothing to do with food but it is essential you keep eating properly throughout the day. So if you think eating shitty food will be easier at altitudes over 3,000 meters then you have something coming to you. Even having the most gourmet meal can be difficult to eat but having consistently good, healthy, appealing and a variety of meals really helps for your climb! So make sure you choose wisely and know what meal plans are included and what you’ll be eating.

Third most important is the equipment being used for your journey. I can’t emphasize enough that the physical conditioning is not a big concern it’s everything else! Like getting a good nights sleep so having proper tents, portable mats/cushions as well a good below zero sleeping bag. Having a decent portable toilet that is being cleaned. You’ll find yourself in there constantly throughout the night or anytime while in your camp. Otherwise during your climb you’ll be searching for any kind of shelter or bush for a little privacy….guaranteed! The tents being used for your eating facilities, your dinner table and chairs should all be good and comfortable because your body will need proper rest.

And lastly you need to find a company that treats its porters and guides properly! Please find companies that are a part of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. Companies need to follow proper porter treatment guidelines on Kilimanjaro

Porters should be given a daily wage of over 6,000 shillings. There maximum load capacity should not exceed twenty five kilos. Porters should be receiving full amounts of the tips being given to them. Porters should also being wearing proper clothing and equipment for the climb. They should be given proper sleeping equipment and shelter throughout the trek. As well adequate food and water need to be provided. At least two meals per day. All porters should be properly cared for if they become sick or injured during the climb. Without these porters climbing Kilimanjaro would not be possible for most…so please look into this before choosing the right company to climb Kilimanjaro with.

I assure you that your climb will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life….especially if you summit! So choosing the right company that has a an excellent success rate is also important which directly relates to all the criteria above. So choose wisely!