If you’ve seen our gear list, you know there are lots of things on it. The list contains optional, recommended and required items. Though the required items are all mandatory, there are things that are more significant than others when it comes…
On your Kilimanjaro climb, the mountain crews will sing songs, dance and cheer to celebrate the accomplishments of their guests. You might witness these events when you arrive at a campsite, after a successful summit, during the tipping ceremony, or before you…
Kilimanjaro National Park was established in 1973. It initially comprised the parts of the mountain above the tree line as well as six trails descending through the rainforest. Now, the park covers the mountain in its entirety from 6,000 feet high to the…
The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro lies at 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level. It is called Uhuru Peak. In Swahili, uhuru means “freedom.” However, to truly understand the meaning behind the name, we have to go back in history. German Colonization…
You mention to someone that you’re climbing or have climbed Kilimanjaro. And the usual question is, “Where is Kilimanjaro?” Not, “What is Kilimanjaro?” Most people have heard of Kilimanjaro. They know it is a mountain. They know it is tall. And they…
More than 30 million tourists visit Africa every year. The continent is home to the world’s top destination for safaris. There are few things in the world more exhilarating than observing wild animals in their natural habitats, making a safari a solid bucket list…
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the seven summits – the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. In fact, it is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, meaning that it is not part of a mountain range. But what are…
The origin of the name “Kilimanjaro” is a little bit of a mystery. Several theories exist about how the mountain got its name and what the word means. Any number of possible explanations, which we will discuss below, could have some truth…
One of the most common questions we receive when it comes to planning a Kilimanjaro climb is what route to take. We definitely have our favorites. Of the seven established paths to the top, we highly recommend two – the 9 day…
The term “Big Five” refers to five animals that early big game hunters considered most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Today, the phrase represents the core animals that first time safari goers want to see. Whether you are touring…
Ultimate Kilimanjaro® group climbs are usually filled to capacity, 16 participants in total. On any given climb, most if not all of the 16 team members will make it to the top without issue. However, it is pretty common that one or…
It’s tempting to think that Kilimanjaro guide services are a commodity. Aren’t all operators the same? No, they’re not. There are drastic differences between the best and the worst Kilimanjaro operators. Ultimate Kilimanjaro®, the #1 guide service on Kilimanjaro, is one of…
Most of our clients do not need a yellow fever certificate to enter Tanzania. According to Tanzania’s entry requirements, if you are traveling from a place where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, or if you are simply transiting through…
The Machame route is the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It can be done as a 6 day or 7 day itinerary. If you’re interested in climbing the Machame Route, we highly recommend opting for the 7-day variation. Attempting the Machame…
We often get booking inquiries for the popular Marangu route. This classic route up Kilimanjaro is also known also as the “Coca-Cola” route. It mimics the original path Hans Meyer trekked to become the first European to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. The Marangu…
Many people rely on prescription glasses or contact lenses on a daily in everyday life. But when climbing Kilimanjaro, is it better to wear one over the other? Glasses are the Easy Option If you wear glasses regularly in everyday life, then…
