Herewith a couple of useful tips to increase your chances for a successful summit of Mount Kilimanjaro:
 

EQUIPMENT

Even if you will be hiking up Kilimanjaro in the traditional good months of the year, it is always best to prepare for bad weather conditions.  Rain, strong winds and snow can be encountered all year round on the mountain, which makes planning and ensuring you have the correct equipment  of utmost importance.

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST FOR KILIMANJARO

 For a safe and more comfortable adventure up Kilimanjaro there are a number of things to take into consideration.  Even if planning your adventure in the traditional dry season, you will have a good chance of rain down in the rain forest, at least.  Adequate protection for keeping you dry is important (poncho).  Protection from the sun’s harmful rays, which are intensified on Kilimanjaro due to the thinner atmosphere is also extremely important.  For the summit attempt, the correct layering approach is a must, because having the wrong equipment can put your safety at risk and also decrease your chance of reaching the summit.  When talking about correct layers, there are 3 different layers to plan for.  The first layer will be that which is closest to your body and the correct thermal underwear that does not contain any cotton and wick moisture away from the skin, is the way to go.  The second layer will be your thermal layer that which will keep you warm in cold conditions.  Most people will take a down jacket which will be more than sufficient, but a good thermal jacket (i.e. 300gram Polartec ®, Nordic ®) or similar will also do the job. Remember to also take similar protection for your legs.  Lastly you will have your outer layer or outer shell.  This will make sure that the heat that was created by your body does not escape and that cold wind or moisture does not bring down your core temperature.  The key to the clothing and equipment, including your boots, is that it should be ‘breathable’ – allowing moisture to wick away from the body and vice-versa preventing outside conditions from affecting you adversely.

 The following, provided by Dream World Adventures must be used as a guideline on what you need to take in order to have the best possible chance for a successful summit of Kilimanjaro. 

MEDICAL KIT

TRAINING

Make sure that you will be training correctly for Kilimanjaro.  Due to the altitude you will not be running up Kilimanjaro, but will be walking at a very slow pace.  Extremely fit people tend to battle to walk slowly, however with this we are not saying that you should not be fit!  Rather concentrate your training with a lot of walking exercises.  Swimming is also a very good method for getting fit.  Training hikes will help simulate what you will be doing for 6 or more days on Kilimanjaro.  Make use of a day pack and include around 10kg in the pack, you will most probably not be hiking up Kilimanjaro with 10kg, but by doing this the +/- 5 kg will feel like nothing.

Remember that mental preparation is just as important.  You will be placing yourself in situations that you might never have been in before and you will be very much out of your comfort zone. Your mind will persuade you to continue, especially on the summit evening!  Imagine yourself already standing on the summit!
 

HEALTH

It is compulsory for travellers to Tanzania to have a Yellow fever inoculation.  This must be done at least 10 days prior to departure, however, if possible, try to have it done timeously to avoid any possible side affects that could negatively affect your climb . It is also highly recommended to take precautions against malaria. (Please check with your nearest travel clinic). Although no mosquitoes are found on Kilimanjaro due to the high altitude, it is still necessary as most Kilimanjaro expeditions will start from Moshi (closest town to Mount Kilimanjaro).  Also, should you take the option of visiting Zanzibar Island, or one of Tanzania’s other National parks, you will be at risk.  It is not compulsory to undergo a full medical check-up, that includes a stress ECG, prior to planning and hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, but it is highly recommended for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
 

ALTUTUDE

Most people that are not acclimatized can be affected by AMS.  Altitude sickness is mainly caused due to a lack of barometric pressure and oxygen concentration in the air.  The most effective way to increase your chances of not being effected by AMS will be to acclimatize adequately on your hike up Kilimanjaro.  This is done by ascending slowly to a higher altitude and to drink enough water to avoid dehydration (around 3 ~ 5 liters per day).  There is medication available from most travel clinics that will be able to also assist you to acclimatize, but unfortunately none that will be 100% effective.  The most common first symptoms of AMS will be lack of appetite, headaches & nausea.

The Tanzania National Park Authorities requires that a person be at least 10 years old for a summit attempt up Kilimanjaro.  Our recommendation however is to rather wait until your child is 15 years or older.   A summit attempt puts a person under enormous physical and mental strain and young children are normally not yet developed to adapt to this challenge.  There is no restriction as far as the maximum age is concerned and many people in their 70’s have in the past successfully summited Kilimanjaro with and without additional support.  Kilimanjaro is a strenuous hike, but there is no climbing with ropes, so no prior experience is needed, meaning that it can be attempted by any fit and healthy person.  We do however recommend that Kilimanjaro is given the respect that it deserves.  Do not take any unnecessary risks and rather ensure that you prepare as best possible and ensure your health status by undergoing a full medical check-up, which includes a stress ECG.