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Kilimanjaro Challenge Program 2025
Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge program is a training plan to prepare someone to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. These programs typically include strength training, endurance training, and hill training.
Most people will need to train specifically for climbing Kilimanjaro for at least three to four months. During your training, you will need to progressively ramp up your hike time, distance, and elevation gain (at roughly 10% per week) to carefully and effectively build your trekking-specific conditioning.
How fit do you have to be to Climb Kilimanjaro?
The type of fitness is more important than the degree of fitness. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a hike, therefore the best preparation one can do is to hike, preferably under simulated conditions. Although jogging could be beneficial to your fitness level, it does not fully prepare your muscles for a strenuous 6-day hike.
For the best results, plan for 8 weeks+ of training before your Kilimanjaro Trek. This will allow you to build your endurance and strength. In addition to regular gym workouts, make sure you also go for walks in order to stimulate relevant muscle development.
Try to do a one or two day hiking trials in your area. This will not only be an excellent way for physical preparation, but also an enjoyable means to prepare yourself mentally.
We have furthermore developed a practical (in terms of time and costs) fitness preparation guideline to assist you in getting your body ready for a Mt. Kilimanjaro summit attempt. This guide contains a gym and a hiking program that should be followed simultaneously over an 6 weeks period.
Itinerary
Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route(7 Days)
Key points about a 7-day Machame route from Nairobi:
- 14th Oct)Day 1.Nairobi-Moshi
- 15th Oct)Day 2: Moshi- Machame Gate to Machame hut camp
- 16th Oct)Day 3: Machame hut camp to Shira Camp
- 17th Oct)Day 4: Shira camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
- 18th Oct)DAY 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- 19th Oct)Day 6• Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- 20th Oct)Day 7• Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
- 21st Oct)Day 8• Mweka Camp to Moshi
- 22nd Oct)Day 9.Moshi-Nairobi
What are Included on the Trek
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary.
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Gate Transfers
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
- Portable Private Toilet and Porter
- Quality Imported Equipment’s
EXCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- Gamow Bag
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Extra hotel nights if early arrival or descent from the mountain$120 per room
Relive ‘Mt Kilimanjaro-Machame Route’
Important considerations:
- Fitness level:This route is considered challenging and requires a good level of physical fitness.
- Acclimatization:The 7-day itinerary allows for proper acclimatization with “walk high, sleep low” strategy.
- Scenery:The Machame route offers diverse landscapes, including rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial areas.
- Gear:Proper hiking gear is essential, including appropriate clothing for changing weather conditions, sturdy boots, and a backpack.
Required Travel Documents
- Passport or temporary permit
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
What to Wear & Carry?
Click this button to view and download the Mount Kilimanjaro Gear Checklist
Charges Per Person
- East African Citizens – $850
- Non East African Citizens -$2050
USD bank account will be provided.
WE HAVE AVAILABLE GROUPS EVERY MONTH Mount Kilimanjaro Group Joining
Our reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 106 reviews Hikers Afrique - Call to Adventure!2024-09-09Verified Fantastic They were wonderful facilitators and guides. We had an excellent adventure. We had a wonderful time with the incredible team, and it was well worth it. Fantastic views and great photos. There is adventure out there. We recommend this experience Elise F2024-05-28Verified Exceeded expectations We had an amazing experience climbing Mt Kenya thanks to Africa Outdoors. Willy was easy to communicate with during planning, our guide James was very knowledgable, kind, and patient, the cook was wonderful, and the porters were friendly and helpful. Every aspect of the trip was carefully thought out, and the team worked seamlessly together. Highly recommend this trip! Jeremy S2024-01-21Verified Mount Kenya Amazing trip and beautifully organised. Outdoor Africa were very efficient, very friendly and our guide James Mwangi was excellent. We felt very safe in his hands. Lucy A2024-01-19Verified Amazing way to start the year I can't recommend Africa Outdoors highly enough. From first contact, Willy was helpful, clear and responsive so we felt confident about what we were taking on. The team he put together for our climb was brilliant. James Mwangi, with his decades experience as a guide and in mountain rescue, made me relax, trust the pace he set and his judgement about how to summit. With his expertise, we summited early, missing the clouds, and we didn't suffer from the altitude. The amazing meals by Kim our cook were tailored to hiking at altitude and gave us the energy we needed. The cheerful porters (Anna, James, Paul, Nelson and Geoffrey) removed all the usual hard work of camping, while small touches, like hot water, soap and flannels brought to us and our 'dining' tent, complete with table and chairs, made us feel so well-cared for. Above all, I'll remember the endless, contagious laughter of the Africa Outdoors team as we lay exhausted in our tent after a hard day. Thank you so much everyone. What a fantastic start to 2024! Lucy A. JC882023-12-28Verified Kenya Lake Bogoria Flamingo Tour This was my first time in Africa, and I chose Kenya as the starting and ending point of my trip. After climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and watching wildlife in Tanzania, I decided to come to Kenya to see flamingos as a perfect ending to this African trip. In Tanzania, I met William, the owner of Africa Outdoors, through the recommendation of Adidas, the owner of the travel agency Chief’s Tours. He was very good. He not only picked me up from Moshi and drove to Nairobi, but also took me to Lake Bogoria to see flamingos. We camped on the equator, and William shared a lot of information about Kenya’s culture, economy, education, and tourism. He is a very responsible and enthusiastic tour guide. Although I spent nearly 20 days in Kenya and Tanzania, I felt that there were still many unknown places in Africa waiting to be explored. Knowing that William’s company also offers other tour routes, I look forward to coming to Africa again next time for a deeper exploration. Brenda M2023-09-22Verified A Memorable Climb I had such a great experience hiking with Africa Outdoors. I was particularly impressed by how dedicated they are in ensuring the comfort and safety of hikers. Jason M2023-09-06Verified Amazing hike in Mt Kenya to Lenana Point I recommend this hike 100%. It was the perfect combination of beautiful scenery and a challenging summit. Willy from African Outdoors was always available on what’s app to answer any of my questions and my guide James was spectacular providing lots of laughs and motivation when needed. His level of fitness was almost unnatural. A true super hero.!! The food provided was filling and tasted great and the rest of the the porters and chef did a great job. emma k2023-09-03Verified Best climb ever Willy and his team were just superb with us! My friend and I had an amazing time on Mt. Kenya. Our guide James was kind and encouraging especially to me whose first time it was to climb such a high mountain. The food was delicious and more enough, the porters were great! I would recommend African Outdoors to anyone who wants to climb Mt. Kenya. Emily L2023-03-24Verified Great Communication and Organization Let me start off by saying that Willy is fantastic with communication! He anticipated needs and was very responsive to requests. My group was made up of (ahem) older adults and one teenager. Our guides James and Joseph were fabulous. My group could not praise them enough. They kept us motivated and took real care with our health all the way up to Point Lenana and back down to Old Moses camp. I highly recommend Africa Outdoors for value and customer service. Shae2023-03-15Verified Mt. Kenya Trek (Chogoria- Sirimon Route) We had a incredible experience hiking Mt Kenya with Africa Outdoors from the Chogoria Gate, down the Sirimon Route. Would definitely recommend!! Willy was so accommodating and helpful in preparation, and James is a trustworthy guide who set a steady pace and helped our team stay healthy and safe and enjoy summiting the mountain. Beautiful views every day, delicious meals and snacks, and wonderful company. I would love to go again sometime!