Yes, you can!! Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and determination, people from all walks of life are able to achieve a successful summited. Individuals from 7 to 89 years old have made it to the top. But the challenge should not be taken lightly. You do need to understand what lies ahead. Rest assured, you will find the answers to all you question here at Nafika tours.

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is an illness caused by exposure to the low air pressure; especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. There are a number of practical steps that you can take to minimize the chances of having to abandon your climb of Kilimanjaro due to the effects of altitude sickness: ACCLIMATIZE PRIOR TO THE CLIMB. This is easier said than done if you live at sea level but if you are able to spend time at high altitude prior to the actual Kilimanjaro climb then this is the very best way to avoid altitude sickness. Start the climb in the best possible health and with an excellent level of physical fitness is imperative. If you are fatigued, unwell or stressed you are more likely to suffer from altitude seconds. If you want some recommendations on how to prepare your body for the climb feel free to reach out to Nafika Tours and we will be happily to help you. SLOW AND STEADY. You need to keep your respiration rate low during the climb you should be able to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. Overworking your heart and lungs substantially increases your chance of becoming ill. ASCEND SLOWLY. Your guides will tell you “polepole polepole (slowly slowly) throughout your climb. Because it takes time to acclimatize, your ascension should be slow. You will make slow and steady progress each day to allow for a successful summit, what we want you to achieve. CLIMB HGH SLEEP LOW. Climbing to higher altitude during the day and then sleeping lower allows for a better acclimatization. Most routes comply with this principle and additional acclimatization hikes can be incorporated into your itinerary. DRINK MUCH WATER AS YOU CAN. Getting up in the middle of the cold night may be an unpleasant thought but altitude dehydrates you and the better you hydrate the quicker your body is able to acclimatize. Even though you may not feel like it, you should eat as much as you possibly can at every meal. This will give you plenty of energy and help you to feel great. I find it also helps me to keep warm and sleep well at night, maybe with an extra layer of clothing. SLEEP WELL. Sleeping well in a tent is an acquired skill. Spend a few nights out in a tent with a sleeping bag prior to your climb so that you are prepared for the routine, and that your body is accustomed to sleeping in a sleeping bag on a hard surface. DIAMOX: Diamox is the prescription name for the generic drug acetazolamide. And, though acetazolamide is prescribed for the medical treatment of glaucoma, sleep apnea, epilepsy and hypertension, it’s also used to prevent altitude sickness. You should consult with your doctor before taking it and let your Nafika representatives know if you are planning on taking it during your climb. RELAX. Relax and think positive. Although not pleasant, the vast majority of people suffer only mild altitude sickness. Do not think that every headache is cerebral edema and that every cough pulmonary edema as this is very unlikely. By relaxing and enjoying the climb you are far more likely to have a trouble-free experience. DAILY HEALTHY CHECKS Our Nafika tours guides are all experienced in identifying altitude sickness and dealing with the problems it causes with climbers. They are continuously watching you and speaking with you throughout the climb. Twice daily, in the morning and evening, our guides will contact health checks. We are safety focused!!! Your health is our first priority!!!

Our knowledgeable and experienced guides have collectively mounted Kilimanjaro well over a thousand times. They are regularly trained in latest guiding techniques, first aid, English language, zoological and geological topics, customer relations, and environmental conservation. They are fully licensed by the National Park authorities and most importantly they really love their job.

You will be amazed at the variety, quality & quantity of the food we serve you whilst you are on your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. As you are trekking for between 6-9 hours a day (before summit night) you will be burning a lot of calories – and as you are at a higher altitude – you are burning even more than at sea level. Ensuring that you are well fed – and fully fueled for climbing Kilimanjaro is paramount – allowing you to have enough energy to get you to the top. On all of our Kilimanjaro climbs you will be fully supported by a team of profession chefs whom will cater for every dietary requirement and who will provide you with 3 hot cooked meals a day – plus plenty of water and hot drinks. Every day you will be served different meals whilst on the mountain. Snacks at camp – on arrival into camp there will be salty snacks & biscuits (we do recommend bringing some of your favorites from home though) At each stop, there will be purified water, hot water for teas, coffee & hot chocolate! DIETRY REQUIREMENT: Remember to inform us if you have any special dietary requirements – Our Nafika tours chefs are also able to accommodate almost any dietary restrictions; vegan, vegetarian, gluten and lactose intolerant and those with restrictions due to their religious beliefs. Just let us know in advance of any dietary restrictions that you may have. If you have any questions or concerns about the food whilst on the climb, feel free to speak to our team and we can give you more information! STAYING HYDRATED Keeping hydrated is crucial in the Kilimanjaro acclimatizing process – and you will get dehydrated easily, not just from the walking each day but by breathing in the air at higher altitudes. We ensure that there is always a plentiful supply of treated and filtered water in the camp each morning/ night and water will also be provided at lunch also. Depending on your physiology you will need to take in between 3-4 liters of water each day. If you are not used to drinking this amount of water, many people find that adding electrolytes or flavoured cordial helps to keep the taste buds excited. There will also be hot drinking water at the camp eat morning/ evening as well as the lunch stop with a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate.

The best times to climb regarding to the weather (avoiding rain) is from January to early March, and June to mid-October. There’s a long, dry winter and a green season with two rainy periods at each end. December, January, February and March are the warmest months, with clear mornings and evenings, and clouds during the day that occlude the summit in the early afternoon hours.

Kilimanjaro is often described as “easily accessible” because of the nice trails, the assistance of porters and guides, and that technical mountaineering skills are not required, but do not underestimate this mountain. A climber’s biggest problem may be the effects of high altitude, which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age, or gender. General fitness is necessary. Prior to your visit, physical training should emphasize leg muscles. Include some aerobics and practice hiking with a light day pack. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination is another important factor.