CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

To summit Kilimanjaro is an expedition of a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned mountaineer or a first-timer, there are key questions to consider before tackling the Tanzanian peak.

- Natalie Berry

A sunrise ascent of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro while taking in panoramic views across the savanna is an unforgettable experience. Soaring upwards from the Tanzania-Kenya border, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 19,340ft, one of the Seven Summits and the world’s highest standalone mountain. Also known as ‘the Roof of Africa’, the dormant volcano’s sheer scale combines with geological intrigue, natural beauty and a rich human history to attract 30,000-plus climbers annually.

In 1887, Chagga tribe member Yohani Lauwo led an expedition that saw Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller become the first Europeans to reach the summit. Lauwo lived to age 125 and became known as ‘The Old Man of Mount Kilimanjaro’. Today, his grandson Joshua Mlay follows in his footsteps as a guide for Intrepid Ventures. “I keep on practising my grandpa’s legacy, because every time I get up there I feel a sense of belonging,” he says.

The trek ascends through five climate zones — bushland, rainforest, heath, alpine desert and finally an icy arctic landscape. A range of wildlife roams the plains, including leopards and elephants, and you trek to a soundtrack of colobus monkey calls and tropical birdsong. At the summit, peer into craters and an ash pit fringed with the ice cliffs of a glacier.

What levels of fitness and climbing experience do I need?

Kilimanjaro is more of a long, high-altitude trek than a technical climb (you don’t need ropes, ice axes or crampons), so it’s suitable for people with no climbing skills. Having a basic level of fitness will make the experience more enjoyable rather than an arduous test of endurance.

If you’re capable of long walks, a few months of regular walks, runs or hikes will build strength and stamina in your legs — plus confidence in your ability. If you lack basic fitness, a longer period of preparation should get you in sufficient shape.