Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania on the north border near Kenya, and has the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). It is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world! While classified as a mountain, Kilimanjaro is actually made up of three volcanic cones that were formed by the Great Rift Valley. Kilimanjaro is one of the seven summits, but it's not classified as a technical climb, and is sometimes called Everyman's (or Everywoman’s!) Everest because it’s the most attainable of the world’s seven summits. Check out our KILIMANJARO ADVENTURE GUIDE for a trail map and more info on its magnificent and diverse wildlife, climate zones!

Kilimanjaro is extra special to us because WHOA travel was born in 2013 when Co-Founders Allison and Danielle climbed Kili for the first time, and experienced the unstoppable power we all have to conquer challenges when we join forces and put our minds towards achieving something amazing. It was something they knew they needed to share with other women around the world! Summiting Kilimanjaro is the accomplishment of a lifetime, and, we know first hand, it's one that will leave you with a changed perspective of yourself and the world around you. Nothing worth having comes easy, but with dedication, and the support of the WHOA family, you can stand on the roof of Africa! 

Empowering and connecting women through adventure is at the heart of everything we do at WHOA. Our special style of giving back is about sharing experiences with local women and their communities - it’s something that makes our adventures more meaningful for everyone! From our guide teams to the hotels we stay at, we go the distance to find amazing local partners and small businesses that share our values, which in turn creates the most authentic, sustainable and mutually beneficial travel experiences.

For Kilimanjaro, we provide the opportunity for local women in the region to join us on climbs to experience and conquer the mountain that they’ve lived next to their whole lives. The stories and experiences we share with one another over the course of our adventures creates special connections that inspire and transcend the mountain. You can meet some of our fantastic former climbers on our blog, or watch this 360 video featuring, Elizabeth, a local climber from one of our International Women’s Day summits!

While we like to dance and have fun on the trail, safety is the #1 priority at WHOA. Our mountain guides have received extensive training in first aid, mountain rescue, wildlife, and are registered with the Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). We also work closely with The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) to ensure our crew receives ethical treatment and the fair wages that they deserve. Like KPAP, we recognize the value of the demanding labor our porters and guides perform, and we’re dedicated to helping them constantly improve the safety and quality of the Kilimanjaro experience for everyone. It goes without saying, our Tanzanian mountain crew is the best in the business, and you'll quickly become one big family on the mountain!

We’re also dedicated to protecting the places we love to explore, and in 2019 launched our sustainability initiatives that strive to lessen our impact and encourages our community to be responsible travelers!

Above all, at WHOA, we make sure that all our adventures support women, the local community, and fill a need that is of value to our partners. For that reason, the partnerships can and do vary depending on their needs, the season, and the abilities and desires of our group. In each case, we do due diligence to seek out local partners that are doing valuable, sustainable work, and we work closely with them to understand their needs and create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!

One of the great things about Kilimanjaro is that every day is a completely new and exciting adventure with diverse and different landscapes to take in! That said, there are some things that remain constant from day to day. Every morning you and your tent buddy will be woken up bright and early to pack up your things, have coffee, fill your water bladders, eat breakfast, and head out for a full day of hiking! We’ll be walking at a pace that is probably slower than you are used to (pole pole, as they say in Swahili), and this is to help your body properly and safely acclimatize. You’ll always have a certified local mountain guide with you when you’re trekking (we maintain a 1:4 guide/climber ratio), and we'll take breaks for pictures, and snacks along the way. You will carry what you need for the day (layers, snacks, water, sunscreen, etc.) in your daypack, and our crew will carry all the tents, gear and your large duffel from camp to camp for you. They’ll usually have our entire camp set up by the time we reach it in the late afternoon - Did we mention how amazing these guys are!? When we get to our camps in the evening, we encourage you to enjoy the spectacular views and unwind a bit before dinnertime. Dinners are always well-balanced and usually consist of soup, rice or pasta, sauce, a protein and fruit for dessert. Bedtime is usually early, as you'll want to be well rested for the next day of hiking that awaits! 

There's always a great mix of solo travelers, pairs, and groups of friends, but the greatest thing about a WHOA Adventure is that we walk in as strangers and leave as family! If you're traveling solo, we'll pair you up with another solo traveler to room with before the trek and tent buddy with on the trail. You'll be amazed at how quickly bonds are formed between our mountain family! 

Kilimanjaro is a tremendous physical and mental undertaking, so training is essential for your safety and enjoyment! There’s no such thing as being too prepared. Bottom line, the fitter and stronger you are, the better your experience will be. Aerobic fitness allows your body to function more efficiently with less oxygen for consecutive days of high altitude hiking, and being strong and conditioned makes it easier for your body to handle the stress of walking up and downhill.

One of the best ways to train is to get out there and hike as much as possible. After all, that’s what you will be doing on the mountain! Train at least a few days a week walking and/or jogging on inclines and declines to simulate the ups and downs on Kilimanjaro. If you don’t have trails accessible, practice uphill on a treadmill or stair climber, and downhill on a long staircase. Over the course of your training, gradually increase the time and distance, while maintaining a moderate pace. While you’re training, always wear and break in the boots and day pack you plan on bringing! This will help prevent blisters and get your shoulders, back and hips used to the points of contact and weight.

In addition to aerobic training, incorporate a day or two per week of strength training for your core, upper body and legs. This will increase your stamina and help you feel more comfortable lifting and carrying your pack. Do some stretching after each workout too – bonus points for weekly (or more!) yoga sessions.

Before you leave, you need to be able to hike comfortably for a full day (approx. 8-10 hours) for multiple days, with elevation changes, while carrying a full day pack. If you have the opportunity to hike at high altitude, take advantage of it! It’s the best and only way to get used to the feeling of being active with less oxygen. As with all training, you should taper off and rest the last 2 weeks leading up to the big event, so your body has time to recover. 

Investing the time to prepare yourself will make it that much easier to enjoy your time on the mountain. If you currently have a not-so-healthy lifestyle, use the climb as your motivation to change! Eat healthier. Drink less. Don’t smoke. Get more sleep. Don’t worry. Be happy! And remember, physical training is just one part of getting in shape. Having a positive attitude will work wonders for you when you get tired and need that extra boost!

If you’d like a personalized training plan and coaching to support your journey, reach out to our partner personal trainer and adventure coach Becki Rupp of Trailblazer Wellness. She’ll help you build strength and stamina for hiking (and dance parties)! Check out her plans at Trailblazer Wellness and email her at becki@trailblazerwellness.com for a free initial consultation.