Climbing Kilimanjaro: 7 Days on the Roof of Africa to Build a Maternity Ward
Kilimanjaro: 5,895 meters. 7 days of trekking. Burning legs, short nights, plenty of "pole pole"… and one reason that kept us going when every step got a little harder.
In October 2025, we decided to take on Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, with a goal that went far beyond the climb itself: raising funds for Earth Citizen Club to help build a maternity ward in Tanzania.
And here's everything you need to know if you, too, dream of one day taking on Kilimanjaro.
What exactly is Kilimanjaro?
At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa. It is also the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
Despite what its altitude might suggest, Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing. It is a high-altitude trek, accessible to anyone in good physical shape, but it should never be underestimated.
In fact, the real challenge isn't necessarily physical.
It's the altitude.
Near 6,000 meters, the available oxygen is dramatically reduced. Even very fit people can struggle. That is why the number of days you spend on the mountain is one of the most important factors to consider.
The main Kilimanjaro routes
There are several routes to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Which one you choose depends mainly on the level of difficulty you're looking for, the time you have available, and how much importance you place on acclimatization.
Route | Time | Infos |
Machame 🥾 | 6–7 days | Beautiful scenery, fairly challenging, camping. That's the one we chose. |
Lemosho 🌿 | 7–8 days | A more gradual climb, varied scenery, and generally fewer people at the start. |
Marangu 🛖 | 5–6 days | The only route with mountain huts. More comfortable, but less time to acclimate on the shorter routes. |
Rongai 🐘 | 6–7 days | Arrival from the north, which is wilder and generally quieter. |
Northern Circuit 🏔️ | 8–9 days | The longest one, with excellent acclimatization and plenty of time on the mountain. |
Umbwe ⛰️ | 5–6 days | Very direct and steep. Best suited for experienced hikers. |
Our choice: the 7-day Machame route. We picked this itinerary for its balance of scenery, difficulty, and acclimatization. The days are long, but the route lets you climb gradually and descend to sleep at a lower altitude after certain stages.
And whichever route you choose, one piece of advice comes up again and again on Kilimanjaro: "pole pole," which means "slowly, slowly." Acclimatization matters far more than speed.
Our itinerary: Machame in 7 days
Day 1 – Machame Gate → Machame Camp: The rainforest. Humidity, lush vegetation, and the first kilometers.
Day 2 – Machame Camp → Shira Camp: We gradually leave the forest behind and enter the moorland and high-mountain landscapes.
Day 3 – Shira → Lava Tower → Barranco: An important day for acclimatization. We climb to around 4,600 m (15,100 ft) before descending to sleep at Barranco.
Day 4 – Barranco → Karanga: The famous Barranco Wall. Impressive from below, but you don't need to be a climber to get over it.
Day 5 – Karanga → Barafu: We reach base camp. By now, we know the next stage will be the summit.
Day 6 – Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka: The big day. We set off in the middle of the night, climb to the summit at 5,895 m, then face a long descent.
Day 7 – Mweka → Mweka Gate: Back into the forest for one last walk to the park exit.
The full Machame route covers roughly 62 km (about 38 miles).
When to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but some periods generally offer better conditions.
The most popular times of year correspond to the drier seasons: January to early March, and June to October.
The wetter periods can make the trails muddier and conditions less comfortable.
Of course, there is no guarantee when it comes to mountain weather. And that's exactly what makes Kilimanjaro so special: you pass through several climate zones in just a few days.
What level of physical fitness is required?
You don't need to be a pro hiker. But you do need to be in good shape.
On the Machame route, Kilimanjaro isn't technically difficult: you don't need to know how to climb or use technical mountaineering gear.
What you do need is the ability to walk for several hours a day, several days in a row, with elevation gain.
Before you go, I particularly recommend:
hiking with elevation gain
long walks
cardio
leg strengthening
core strengthening
hiking with a backpack
Above all, get ready to walk slowly. You don't need to be the fastest in the group. You just need to be able to keep moving, day after day.
Altitude: the real challenge
This is probably the most important thing to understand before booking your trek.
You can be extremely athletic and still struggle with altitude. You can also be an average hiker and acclimatize very well. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.
Symptoms of acute mountain sickness can include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath. That's why acclimatization is essential.
Climb gradually, drink plenty of water, listen to your body, and above all, report any symptom to your guide immediately.
So what should you pack?
The secret: don't take too much. You don't need to bring your entire wardrobe.
Porters carry part of your gear, while you generally keep a small daypack with your things for the day.
The best approach? The 3-layer system.
1. The breathable base layer, closest to the skin
Its job is to wick away sweat and keep your body dry.
Technical T-shirt, short or long sleeves
Thermal underwear for cold days
Avoid cotton, which stays damp and cools you down quickly
2. The insulating layer to keep you warm
This is the layer that traps your body heat.
Fleece
Light or warm down jacket, depending on the temperatures
For summit night, a good warm down jacket is absolutely essential
3. The protective layer against the elements
It shields you from wind, rain, and moisture.
Waterproof, breathable jacket
Waterproof pants
Windbreaker if needed
The advantage of this system is that you can add or remove a layer very easily. On Kilimanjaro, you can be hot while climbing, cold during breaks, and freezing once the sun goes down.
The essentials
Clothing
2 breathable base layers
1 fleece
1 warm down jacket
1 waterproof, windproof jacket
1 pair of hiking pants
1 pair of warm pants for the summit
1 pair of warm gloves
1 beanie
1 cap or buff
4 pairs of technical socks
Footwear
Good hiking boots, already worn in and tested
A pair of flip-flops
Equipment
Daypack
Trekking poles (can be rented)
Headlamp + spare batteries/power bank
Water bottle or hydration bladder
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Power bank
Camera, if you still have room!
For the night
Sleeping bag rated for below-freezing temperatures (provided)
Small inflatable pillow or cushion
Dry clothes reserved for sleeping only
Tip: plan your summit night outfit in advance. At 5,000–6,000 meters (16,400–19,700 ft), in the middle of the night, with wind and several hours of walking ahead of you, the last thing you'll want to do is dig through your bag.
The Summit: The Famous Night at 5,895 Meters
Summit day isn't really a day. It usually starts around midnight, after a few hours of sleep (if you manage to sleep at all).
You put on every layer you own, switch on your headlamp, and start walking in the dark. For several hours, with the cold growing more and more intense.
The intermediate goal is Stella Point, on the crater rim. From there, it's still about an hour to Uhuru Peak. 5,895 meters. The roof of Africa.
And in that moment, everything takes on a different meaning. Because you realize what you've just done.
But for us, there was something even more powerful. We weren't there just for ourselves. Every person who had contributed to our fundraiser had helped bring us here. And beyond this summit, there was another goal: to build a maternity ward so that women could give birth in better conditions.
Why climb Kilimanjaro for Earth Citizen Club?
Earth Citizen Club is a family-run association we founded more than ten years ago. Over the years, we have developed various projects in Africa, Asia, and South America, focusing on education, sport, the environment, and supporting local communities.
This time, our project was in Tanzania.
The goal of our climb was to raise funds to help build a maternity ward. Because a climb like this can become so much more than a personal challenge.
It can also be a way to mobilize people, raise awareness, and turn an individual adventure into a collective project. So we asked our friends and family, our community, and everyone who wanted to support us to take part in the fundraiser.
Every kilometer had a reason.Every step brought us closer to the summit.But above all, every donation brought us a little closer to our real goal.A maternity ward.
And that is probably what gave us extra motivation when our legs started to refuse to keep going.
Choosing the agency and the porters
This is probably one of the things I'd advise you to pay the most attention to. You'll spend several days with your team. Your guide will be the person making the important decisions about your safety, your pace, and your acclimatization. So choose a reputable operator, with experienced guides and a real policy regarding porters. Kilimanjaro provides a livelihood for a huge number of people in the region, and tourism should benefit local communities too. The park also states that climbs must be done with a licensed operator and guide.
Ask questions before you book:
How many people are in the group?
How many guides?
How many porters?
What equipment is provided?
What is the protocol in case of a medical problem?
How are porters paid?
What happens if I have to turn back?
What fees are actually included?
We chose Monkey Travel and we were really happy with them.
Kilimanjaro: the essential info to remember
Altitude: 5,895 m (19,341 ft)
Summit: Uhuru Peak
Recommended duration: at least 6 days, ideally 7 or more to support acclimatization
Route we chose: Machame
Length of our trek: 7 days
Difficulty: a challenging trek, mainly because of the altitude, but with no technical climbing on the Machame
Best times to go: January to early March and June to October
Accommodation on Machame: tents
Machame starting point: Machame GateDescent: Mweka
Motto: Pole pole, "slowly, slowly."
And if you're thinking of taking the plunge: don't underestimate the mountain, take the time to prepare properly, and choose an itinerary that gives you enough time to acclimatize.
The summit isn't a race. It's a journey :)
Comments