Kilimanjaro Rwenzori - Expert Trekking Adventures in East Africa

Yes. A Kilimanjaro or Rwenzori trek can be combined with an East African safari for experiences like the big five safari in Uganda, wildebeest migration. balloon safaris in Masai Mara and more. After climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, popular combinations include safaris in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

After trekking the Rwenzori Mountains, you can combine your trip with destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi, Kibale or Murchison Falls, depending on your interests and available time. In conclusion, we can arrange the trekking and safari as one itinerary, including transportation, accommodation and activities. Combining the two experiences is a practical way to make better use of your time in East Africa.

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the trekking seasons, from January to mid-March and from June to October, when conditions are generally drier and trails are more suitable for climbing.

You can climb Kilimanjaro at any time of the year, although the wet seasons can lead to wetter trails, cloud cover, and more challenging trekking conditions. April and May are the rainiest months of the year, and November can be a little wetter too.

The main drier periods best for trekking the Rwenzori Mountains are June to August and December to February. Also, the Rwenzori Mountains are known for their wet and changeable mountain weather, so even during the drier seasons, trekkers should be prepared for rain. Conditions can vary considerably with altitude.

For the best experience, plan your trek around the drier periods and bring waterproof clothing, appropriate hiking boots and warm layers.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a physically challenging climb but does not require technical mountaineering skills on the regular trekking routes, unlike for mountain Rwenzori in Uganda. Additionally, the main difficulties are long walking days, steep sections, cold conditions, and altitude. Summit night is particularly demanding because you climb for several hours in darkness before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.

Fitness, pacing, and acclimatization are important. We recommend regular walking on the lower slopes, hiking, and some cardio training before your Kilimanjaro hike. A longer hiking itinerary on Kilimanjaro also gives your body more time to acclimatise.

Our experienced guides at Kilimanjaro Rwenzori Experts keep an eye on trekkers throughout the climb and advise on pacing, hydration and altitude related symptoms.

The Marangu Route is often considered one of the more straightforward Kilimanjaro climbing options for beginners. So, this is because it uses mountain huts rather than tents and follows a relatively direct trail to the summit.

But the shortest path isn’t always the one that’ll get you to the top. We suggest the Lemosho or Machame Route for most first time climbers, as the longer itineraries allow for better acclimatisation to altitude and more scenery.

Your choice for the Kilimanjaro hiking route should depend on your fitness, available time, preferred accommodation, and previous hiking experience. Our Kilimanjaro Rwenzori Trekking team can help you choose a route based on these factors.

Rwenzori trekking is physically strenuous and often more difficult than a typical mountain hike. The terrain can be wet, muddy, and steep with rocks, roots, bogs and uneven ground in parts. The higher you go, the colder it gets, and there is less oxygen available.

The difficulty varies with the route and the itinerary. The routes through the Central Circuit and Kilembe take several days of strenuous trekking, and the ascent to Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley requires some additional preparations and technical sections. Lastly, good physical preparation, suitable footwear, and proper mountain clothing are important. Our guides from Kilimanjaro Rwenzori assess the conditions and adjust the pace where necessary to keep the trek safe and manageable.

The Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori packing list depends on the mountain, the route, and the season. However, essential equipment generally includes a waterproof hiking jacket and trousers, strong, comfortable hiking boots, warm base layers, an insulated jacket, basic first-aid supplies, and trekking poles. If you are going for higher altitude routes, you may need some more equipment. Nevertheless, we provide route-specific packing guidance before departure so you can prepare for the actual conditions you are likely to encounter.