Sorry to disappoint you, but there isn’t a straight answer to this question. It actually depends on a lot of factors: age, fitness level, the route to climb, number of days of the trek, etc.
But don’t allow these factors to intimidate you, either!
Six-year-old Coalton Tanner successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in October 2018, and holds the record for the youngest climber to summit Kilimanjaro.
And consider Anne Lorimor, a great-grandmother who climbed Kilimanjaro at age 85. However, a few years later, the record of oldest person to summit was taken from her by Angela Vorobeva. So, to win her title back she successfully climbed Kilimanjaro again! At 89 years old. How’s that for not letting age hold you back?
The point is to consider all the important factors and determine ways to appropriately manage them. You can train regularly to physically prepare, and book a trek during the dry season for the best chance at sunny weather. Buy or rent quality gear and hike with a seasoned guide.
Mount Kilimanjaro is an awesome feat, and should not be taken lightly — you earn major bragging rights when you summit!
The better question is, ‘how can I best prepare to climb Kilimanjaro?’
Kilimanjaro Hiking Difficulty
Is Kilimanjaro a hike? A climb? Or a trek? The difference in these terms is based on the type of equipment needed and level of technical knowledge required.
A hike is the simplest and least complicated activity: basically, it is walking. You do not need any special equipment, and many people walk in basic running shoes or trainers. Just add a pack with a few snacks, a water bottle and call yourself a hiker!
Of course, there are more strenuous hikes, steep inclines and multi-day adventures. But hiking does not require special equipment or knowledge; you just need to be able to walk.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the “Seven Summits”, or highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
Trekking suggests more difficult terrain in a somewhat remote place, for a longer time. One should have appropriate shoes and some knowledge of equipment, such as trekking poles and a supportive pack, for trekking.
In technical terms, Kilimanjaro is a trek. It takes several days or a week to summit Kilimanjaro and adventurers cover various terrain and should be led by a guide to reach the top. While many trekkers complete the hike unaided, others use trekking poles or are aided with oxygen to reach the summit. Hence, reaching the roof of Africa is termed a trek.
Climbing or mountain climbing is the most difficult category and sometimes requires specialized equipment or skills. Climbing also has an important focus on acclimatization for high altitudes. While Kilimanjaro is not as high as Mount Everest, it is still vital to consider proper altitude acclimatization in order to reach the peak.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the “Seven Summits” – highest peaks on each of the seven continents – and the only one that does not require specialized equipment to reach the top. Mount Kilimanjaro is a mountain, hence it is appropriate to call it a mountain climb.
The first days on any of the Kilimanjaro routes will start off as hikes and can be completed in regular sports training shoes. The following days will present more difficult terrain and higher altitudes, turning into a trek. Therefore, it is acceptable to use all three terms (hike, trek, climb) interchangeably for Kilimanjaro, but if you want to be precise; Kilimanjaro is a trek.
In short, daily hikes contribute to the overall trek of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. All of these terms are appropriate to use for climbing Kilimanjaro.
Can anyone climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Yes! Almost anyone can climb Mount Kilimanjaro, bearing in mind our recommendations. With determination and training, almost anyone can climb Kilimanjaro. Having some doubts? Read about these inspirational climbers:
Angela Vorobeva from Russia, was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro. This feat was achieved in early 2019 at the age of 86 years old, under the guidance of Udzungwa Adventures. Anne Lorimor, an American, challenged Angela Vorobeva for the title of oldest climber to summit Kilimanjaro and a few months later in 2019, at the age of 89 years old, she completed the climb and reclaimed her world-record title. Robert Wheeler, from the United States, still holds the record for oldest man to climb Kilimanjaro, earned in 2014 at the age of 85. Kyle Manard, who was born without arms or legs, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2012 without the aid of prosthetics. Corrine Hutton, quadruple amputee successfully climbed Kilimanjaro while wearing prosthetic limbs in 2018. Montannah Kenney is the record holder for the world’s youngest female climber, who completed the trek in 2017 at the age of seven.
Almost anyone can climb Kilimanjaro
Please keep in mind some specific health conditions that are not recommended to attempt Kilimanjaro:
- People with severe forms of cardiovascular disease
- Children before 8. The actual required age by Tanzania law is 10 years old, children who have fought for the World Record have needed special permission from the government and presented evidence of their extraordinary climbing ability.
All other climbers are welcome to sign up! Asthma, diabetes or other disorders are not an impediment to this trip. Please consult with your doctor before beginning training and discuss your plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Train regularly to be physically fit for climbing Kilimanjaro
There are many steps you can take to address challenges for climbing Kilimanjaro. Weather cannot be controlled; instead, ensure to pack quality gear that is waterproof and book your climb during the dry season, January through March or August through September.
Train regularly, following our training schedule to be physically fit for the climb, but also plan to climb a route that suits your fitness level.
The Machame (7-day), Lemosho (7 and 8-day) and Northern Circuit routes are considered easier and recommended for beginner climbers. The Umbwe route, and shorter itineraries of Marangu and Machame (5 and 6 day respectively) while incredibly scenic, is one of the most difficult routes for summiting Kilimanjaro and should be considered only if you feel physically up for the challenge.
You also need to consider the number of days for a trek and the time of year. It is harder to climb Kilimanjaro in five days than it is to climb it in seven days (read more about acclimatization).
If you live at a low elevation, consider giving yourself more time to acclimatize to the altitude, or prepare with altitude simulation devices, which we discuss more in this article.
The quality of equipment and proficiency of your group’s guide are crucial factors in a Kilimanjaro climb. For your own safety, ensure you are investing in quality equipment and joining a team with a good reputation; do not skimp in this area.
Udzungwa Adventures is fully outfitted with top-brand gear and rents a full Kilimanjaro kit for climbers. If you aren’t ready to invest in expensive gear that may only be used one time, feel confident in renting top-brand equipment that is ensured to be of the highest quality. AUdzungwa Adventures also only works with competent guides, with safety as the first priority.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes – Difficulty Levels
1. Lemosho Route This route is incredibly scenic and considered one of the easier routes because the terrain to reach Barranco Camp is rather flat, making the first day easy. The Lemosho Route has been used by many record-holders for age, including the youngest and oldest record holders.
This route usually is attempted over 7 to 8 days.
2. Machame Route – Sought after because of the beautiful trek through a rainforest on the first day, this trek is one of the most scenic approaches up Kilimanjaro. However, its six-day itinerary is one of the most difficult ones, and we recommend a much simpler 7-day itinerary to help reach Uhuru Peak.
3. Marangu Route This tough route has one of the lowest success rates, especially for climbers on the 5-day itinerary. A 6-day trek is much better overall, even better than its friend, the 6-day Machame Route (but not the 7-day). A draw-back is that his route can be quite crowded during high season. Also, the same trail is used both for ascent and descent.
4. Rongai Route – This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. The 7-day trek poses some challenges but is overall a great climb for acclimatization. It is not recommended to attempt this route in under 7 days.
5. Northern Circuit Routeposes an incredible adventure, including crater camping and hiking along a less traveled route. While offering the longest itinerary (8 or 9 days), the scenery around the circuit is incredible and well worth the added days. Also, the longer route provides for excellent acclimatization.
6. Umbwe Route is a very steep ascent and is only suggested for the most experienced climbers. Karl Egloff and other ‘sky runners’ summited Kilimanjaro via this route.
How Hard is it to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Last Stage of the Trek?
The final day of the trek is the most challenging. However, some climbers who trained and prepared in advance find it surprisingly easier than expected.
Keep in mind some highlights of the summit night:
- A midnight start. Your team will be walking in the dark.
- The uphill trek is steep, but completely walkable.
- You will walk 5-7 hours to meet the sunrise at Uhuru Peak.
- You will be provided snacks along the way (tea, biscuits) to help boost your energy and stamina.
Your guide will be with you and your team the entire way, encouraging you and giving support as needed.
