Author: TranquilKilimanjaro

It is a great idea to bring dry bags on your Mount Kilimanjaro hike, and they are pretty cheap as you can borrow them from friends or buy them on your own. In addition to keeping the packing dry, it also gives the contents of the various bags structure and makes the packaging thinner when all the air has been removed. After that, you use freezer tape to mark the bags with the contents, and you hike blindly along with them. This way, you know exactly what's in each bag and you don't have to search through each one to find a hat or socks. So, plastic bags? No. Perhaps a ziplock bag, of which you can carry a handful of toilet paper and personal hygiene items. Since plastic bags were banned in Kenya and Tanzania, the best alternative would be ziplocks. When you're gearing up for an adventure like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Rwenzori, Ol Doinyo lengai or Mount Meru, the last thing you want to worry about is your gear getting ruined by the elements. Kilimanjaro isn't just a walk in the park; it's a journey through various climates, from lush rainforests to icy alpine deserts. Here's where dry bags become not just useful, but essential. The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear Recommendations Checklist At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we often get asked which is the better option for carrying gear on trails: stuff sacks or dry bags? The truth is, it's largely a matter of personal choice. For items like clothing and quilts, we lean towards stuff sacks. They compress better within your pack because, unlike dry bags, they don't trap air but there's logic behind choosing dry bags too, especially for items that you absolutely must keep dry like electronics or toiletries. While dry bags might not compress

Breathing difficulty on Kilimanjaro does not affect everyone as long as you acclimatize properly. Yes, oxygen gets thinner as you climb up to the summit of Kilimanjaro but you are ok on the lower slopes and some people start feeling mild symptoms of altitude sickness past halfway the mountain. For day hikes, we have never heard of any complaints because we always hike below the elevation where altitude sickness becomes an issue for some climbers. Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest freestanding mountain, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. It attracts 30,000 to 50,000 climbers annually from around the globe. While many dream of reaching the summit, one common question arises: Is it hard to breathe on Kilimanjaro? Just like in the Marathons, maintain a slow and steady pace, and control your breathing to avoid stressing your heart and lungs, drink a lot of water and watch for the symptoms, our mountain guides will be with you all the way of course. We always carry an emergency supplemental oxygen bottle, when the symptoms become severe we will do all we can to get you to come down from the mountain. This not only applies to climbing Kilimanjaro but also Mount Kenya, Rwenzori and Mount Meru. As the air gets dry as you ascend to the higher camps, you might have some trouble sleeping (for some people) due to oxygenation and the diagram below shows the oxygen levels for the different elevations on the mountain. This article will explain how high altitude affects breathing and how you can manage these challenges when climbing Kilimanjaro. What is High Altitude? To understand how Kilimanjaro affects breathing, it’s important to know what high altitude means. High altitude is defined as any elevation

Yes, Africa does get snow, although it's not a common occurrence in many parts of the continent due to its mostly tropical climate. Many people are surprised to learn that some parts of Africa do get snow! Since Africa is a huge continent with different climates, whether or not it snows depends on where you are and the time of year. Many people especially in Kenya, places like Limuru often confuse hailstones and snow. Sometimes, you might come across snow where you least expect it, on mountains that are not that high like Mount Meru in Arusha, Tanzania as seen in this video that I took a few months ago. For example on Atlas Mountain in North Africa, it is one of the very few places in Africa where you can actually ski.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Tranquil Kilimanjaro (@tranquilkilimanjaro) In most African countries, especially in the cities where people live and work, there is little to no snow. However, several countries have high mountains that do get snow regularly. If you want to see snow in Africa, you’ll likely need to head to these mountain ranges. For example, South Africa and Lesotho get more snow than other African countries because they have higher altitudes. In some cases, even cities in countries like Algeria and Morocco have experienced snow during especially cold winters, although this doesn’t happen every year. Here are some areas in Africa where you might see snow: High Mountain Ranges: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania: Despite being near the equator, Kilimanjaro's summit, at over 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), often has snow and glaciers, although they have been shrinking due to climate change. Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia: These mountains can receive significant snowfall during the winter months, and there

Recovering from a recent Kilimanjaro trek can be gradual and doesn't have a time frame as it may vary from person to person. Since climbing Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding and strenuous activity, many climbers wonder how long it will take to fully recover afterwards. Recovery time is important, especially for those planning additional activities in Tanzania, such as safaris or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar, after the trek. The length of the recovery process varies significantly from person to person. Some people may feel fully recovered within just a few days, while others may experience lingering effects for a couple of weeks. While many can jump into other activities relatively soon after Kilimanjaro, allowing your body 2-3 days of lighter activity or rest can significantly improve your overall recovery experience. This approach ensures you can enjoy the rest of your trip in Tanzania or elsewhere without the shadow of fatigue or health concerns from your climb. Factors That Affect Recovery Time Several factors influence how quickly someone recovers from climbing Kilimanjaro. Understanding these factors can help you prepare for the recovery process: Pre-Climb Fitness: If you were physically fit and well-prepared for the trek, recovery is generally quicker. People who regularly exercise or hike are less likely to experience prolonged soreness or fatigue. Preparation and Training: If you spent months preparing for the climb by building endurance, strength, and flexibility, your body will be better equipped to handle the physical strain of Kilimanjaro, reducing recovery time. Altitude Sickness: Some climbers experience mild altitude sickness symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea during and after the climb. The extent of these symptoms can affect how long it takes to recover. Hydration: Staying well-hydrated during the climb and after the descent can significantly aid recovery. Dehydration can worsen fatigue and prolong

"How fit do I need to be to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?" this is a question that pops up regularly from concerned would-be climbers before they climb the mountain. It's a valid concern because you want to make sure that your fitness level is adequate to handle the demands of the trek, allowing you to enjoy the experience and ultimately reach the summit without significant physical issues. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require you to be an elite athlete, but a good level of physical fitness will certainly make the experience more enjoyable and increase your chances of reaching the summit. Remember, Kilimanjaro has different routes varying in difficulty, length, and acclimatization profile. The Marangu route, for example, is considered one of the easier routes technically but has a lower success rate due to poor acclimatization opportunities, while routes like Lemosho or Northern Circuit offer better acclimatization but are longer and might require better fitness. Lastly, even with great fitness, altitude sickness can affect anyone, so listen to your body, hydrate well, eat adequately, and ascend slowly (pole pole in Swahili) to increase your chances of a successful summit. You can see the training regime and download a program for pre-Kilimanjaro trek training and fitness here. Do You Need to Be Super Fit? The good news is, while you do need to be in decent physical shape, you don’t need to be an elite athlete to climb Kilimanjaro. It's important to remember that this is a trek, not a technical climb. Kilimanjaro is often described as a long, slow ascent rather than a steep and difficult mountain climb that requires specialized skills. However, the altitude, daily walking distances, and changing weather conditions can make the trek physically challenging, so preparing adequately is still crucial. What Kind of Fitness is Necessary? Most people