Trekking on Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Climbing Kilimanjaro is on many people's list of lifetime achievements. Around 22 000 climbers set out each year to conquer Kili, making it the most climbed mountain in the world.

Few things can compete with standing at the top of Kilimanjaro and gazing down at the African continent.

We recommend:

The Machame Route is an 8-day guided hike up Africa's tallest peak - it's a little more demanding than the Marangu Route but there'll be fewer people and the views, according to those who have done both, are better.

The climb requires no special training or equipment, though time must be taken to acclimatise to prevent altitude sickness, which can cause pounding headaches.

That said, climbing Kili is no stroll; it's a seriously tough hike, and you should be fit and ready both mentally and monetarily - be prepared for climatic extremes, from rain in the forest, intense sun in the alpine desert and freezing temperatures at the summit.

There are many routes to the top, which vary in terms of strenuousness, climbing time, physical beauty and wildlife abundance.

When to go:

It is possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro at any time of the year, however, the rainy months of April, May and November are best avoided.

The best months to climb the mountain are January, February and September. July and August are also fine, but somewhat colder.

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