the saddle on grand traverse route

8 Best Reasons to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, is a dream come true for many adventures–but it’s by no means a walk in the park. However, with diligent training, the right equipment and the support of the mountain’s most experienced guides, Kili is an excellent choice for nearly anyone seeking to reach new heights! Here…

hiking near kilimanjaro summit

Why Safety Matters on Kilimanjaro

  Climbing Kilimanjaro may be the toughest thing you ever do. Extreme altitude, tough weather and taxing physical demands create a trifecta of challenges that can pose serious health risks to the unprepared. But with smart planning and adequate safety precautions, you can minimize those risks and join the thousands of trekkers who experience the…

trek to kilimanjaro snowy kibo

How High Did You Just Climb? Visualizing 19,341 Feet

  If you’re trying to explain just how high Kilimanjaro is to someone, here are a few quick comparisons.   Taller than the 16 Tallest Buildings in the US Combined Have you ever visited One World Trade Center or the Empire State Building or The Ledge at Willis Tower? The panoramas from these buildings are…

Kilimanjaro Training : Dos, Don’ts, Misconceptions

  How do I train to summit Kilimanjaro? That’s a question we’re all-too familiar with. Some newer adventurers look at the 19,341-foot peak with doubt, and to be sure, Kili is a formidable challenge. However, summiting may be easier than you think with the correct tactics and moderate but consistent preparation. Moderate is the key…

oxygen to summit kilimanjaro

Do I Need Oxygen to Climb Kilimanjaro?

  It’s a question we’re asked all the time—which makes sense given Kilimanjaro’s epic proportions! On Everest climbs, bringing supplemental oxygen is a matter of course, and some companies tell trekkers they’ll provide it on Kili as an extra “boost” meant to reduce the more unpleasant symptoms of altitude.   Still, the short answer is…

You Can Do It! Part Two: Thomson Staffers Share More Tips for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Thomson Safaris staffers at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.   You asked, and we delivered! The first round of staffers’ unconventional tips for climbing Kili received so much praise that we decided to give you more – and fortunately, our Kili consultants have a seemingly endless supply of helpful trekking advice. Here’s what our staff…

Trekker Kristen with a group of porters

The 2% Club: One Trekker’s Story of Pre-Summit Descent

At Thomson, we’re proud to lead 98% of our trekkers all the way to the summit! But what about the 2% who don’t reach Uhuru Peak? Read David’s story of his early descent with his daughter who suffered from altitude sickness.

Trekker on the snowy path to the peak

The Downside of Altitude

But there’s one part of a Kilimanjaro hike that many people don’t fully prepare for (maybe because it’s not that much fun to talk about it): the ways that altitude can affect you on the mountain. Specifically, the effects it may have on your digestion.

Helichrysum newii’s white flowers on the route

Everlasting Flowers on Kilimanjaro

A climb up Kilimanjaro isn’t just a physical challenge, it’s a botany lesson; as you travel through the various climate zones, the flora changes dramatically, from fields of coffee in the foothills to tiny patches of the hardiest lichens near the top.

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