Want to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Here Are Some Things You Should Know

For an avid hiker, climbing beautiful, high mountains all around the world are trophies. But have you ever tried climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

The highest mountain in Africa, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires great preparation and intense planning. This is one hike of a lifetime, so you have to make sure you're ready. Here are some of the things you should know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:

Make sure your hiking gear is complete. This could mean life and death when you're climbing a high mountain such as Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 4 climatic zones in the whole mountain meaning you should be equipped with the right, comfortable clothing that will help you keep warm. Hiking boots and gloves-these are all given, but try bringing a trekking pole so you could have something to lean onto for balance.

Make the trip during the dry season. Try booking your whole trip between the months of January and February or June and October. These are the dry months in Tanzania, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro under favorable weather conditions is a must. You don't want to tread rocky and steep mountain paths, do you? The mountain side trails can be very slippery, so climbing here during the rainy season is a really big gamble.

Set aside a lot of money for the trip. The whole hiking venture itself is really expensive, spending $1000 or higher is normal if you really wish to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But make sure you have a lot of spare cash as well because you need it to tip the guides and porters, or maybe if there's a hiking essential that you forgot to bring you could just purchase it in town. Make sure to convert the money into Tanzanian shillings too.

Do your research. Although Mount Kilimanjaro is a famous hiking spot, it's still a very dangerous feat. Make sure to do a little bit of background research on the whole mountain so that you could be ready for whatever circumstance that may happen. To stand on top of the peak is phenomenal, but some people die climbing the mountain each year because of neglect. Do your research, listen to your guides, and respect the mountain. You'll sure have one hell of a hiking trip.