![Group of trekkers hiking in moorland zone of Mt Kilmanjaro with Kibo Peak in distance](https://images.followalice.com/4NOgbruw6Ki8UNdM12Dvni/3abcf16f49511e9a29f4436ecf3054f8/Group_of_trekkers_hiking_in_moorland_zone_of_Mt_Kilmanjaro_with_Kibo_Peak_in_distance.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
10 tips for climbing and summiting Mt Kilimanjaro
Folks often underestimate Kilimanjaro. It takes preparation, a good mindset and teamwork to trek Africa's highest mountain. And there are also some things that just make the experience better. Here are 10 tips to help you climb – and summit! – Kilimanjaro.
1. Take your physical training very seriously
![Happy trekkers with trekking poles climbing in the moorland zone of Mt Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/5uwIaPzemPYQFtOPT3ZAC5/171b8479df3032067d8d831a81334ccb/Climbers-an-porters-going-up-on-Kilimanjaro-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
2. When on the trek, take it pole, pole
![Man in cap looking over cloud bank high on Mt Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/29uUEd2SnXQcZpPixkDEG1/45bd885aae3bb20dbcffc18049240900/Barranco-Wall-Kilimanjaro-1.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
3. Expect symptoms of altitude sickness
Taking medication for altitude sickness
![Trekkers hiking above the clouds on Mt Kilimanjaro as the sun rises](https://images.followalice.com/3PaUS3rjlUBSHnSNYs0KS7/bc4d261ba572c0a4daa042ef62e5d099/Kilimanjaro_Tanzania_Tash_Trip_-166-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Your team is there to look after you
![Female hiker in moorland of Umbwe route, Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/2TalnLVM9N37rMjyGd0R4x/d66d3465f659c89e270df6d6977a2d5e/Ours._L._Female_hiker_on_Umbwe_route__moorland_zone__Kilimanjaro__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=537)
4. Don’t think "Oh, it's Africa" and skimp on warm clothing
Hire a down jacket from Follow Alice
![Kilimanjaro_Tanzania_Tash_Trip_-129-1024x768.jpg](https://images.followalice.com/1DAOpwUHn8PnOA0LIa1JT3/1e4685f5534a7ef12b8ba78aaaa1f009/Kilimanjaro_Tanzania_Tash_Trip_-129-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
But still remember the sun …
![Summit of Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/66SnDMfFBrlpuKZGj8nGSo/c28fe487e35b8313692da326bf3f2d81/Kilimanjaro-summit-with-follow-alice-flag-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
5. Break in your boots properly beforehand
![Pairs of trekking boots](https://images.followalice.com/5odSJHdeyXWpAvy9sS8lBg/ccd13c7ff1ba59212e983ee4cf2a0a03/Boots-1024x683.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Also break in your socks
![Hikers celebrating at the summit of Kilimanjaro with a group photo](https://images.followalice.com/2obC3t9xbUPLlBNkVl2jpc/6d7ff10e5d93fead38517520a8044b66/Kilimanjaro-Group-Picture-Summit-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
6. Learn a few Swahili phrases
![Map of Kenya and Tanzania showing their position in East Africa](https://images.followalice.com/BJcGpwIa7uihwkMqCIQaW/8615661378bb2c2098c9857ba35272c7/Kenya_and_Tanzania_Map3-1024x859.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=671)
Basic Swahili phrases
Jambo – Hello Jina langu ni … – My name is ... Nafurahi kukuona – Nice to meet you Habari yako? – How are you? Niko vizuri – I’m well Tafadhali – Please Asante – Thank you Choo – Toilet Nimechoka – I’m tired Kitamu! – Tasty! Lala salama – Goodnight Kwa heri – Goodbye (to one person) Kwa herini – Goodbye (to more than one person)
![Vehicles and people as everyone prepares for a Kilimanjaro trek](https://images.followalice.com/ouaxSdiE8JcgdX1eeQgCm/31a9b747ed69e51029048a50ed91eefd/Kilimanjaro-porter-packing-car-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
7. Bring wet wipes!
![Two climbers navigating down a hill on Mt Kilimanjaro on their way to Mweka Camp](https://images.followalice.com/3jfAxzz2aroRDQKEKf9KLp/b507200fcd15e4fc9f6e3e8bc0a272fa/follow-alice-guide-walking-doen-rainforest-with-climber-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
8. Pack a spare water bottle
![Woman drinking water on Mt Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/TZO6b55LMY6tX78fO2FzD/f0a157b4aabd206ca5b62d9b9c284854/Lady-drinking-of-camel-back-on-kilimanjaro-1024x683.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
9. Bring plenty of your favourite energy snacks
![Rest stop on Mt Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/3HohVJbPDmHwBlZ60JkNDK/8373ef9754ce96cf1ed48525e85c182b/water-break-on-Kilimanjaro-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Snacks to share
![Climbers in the mess tent eating popcorn on Kilimanjaro](https://images.followalice.com/4cnkZUbmsbBXUrhADjnXit/9afb9a59e9d19f4c6ce9488c2a5f0093/IMG_20191010_160944-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
10. Bring enough cash for tips
The tipping ceremony
![Kilimanjaro crew at tipping ceremony](https://images.followalice.com/4VmX9LUnkFUeoPvYThRHg7/726f02b6cd271867e5338b04f1647687/Kilimanjaro-porters-singing-and-dancing-at-tipping-ceremony-1024x570.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=445)
Tips are an important source of income
How much should I tip?
![Kilimanjaro Tipping ceremony](https://images.followalice.com/54jXSw6wdJweszn5M83ULf/32d196d2e0b74a630a877a49ae806d4b/Indoor-Kilimanjaro-tipping-ceremony-1-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Ensure you have the correct currency
![Kilimanjaro camp tents](https://images.followalice.com/7wfQJ1SZB4fUdfLzB18YgE/7883be9493df51f6722f51b971efe056/Stunning-view-over-tent-set-up-on-Kilimanjaro-1024x768.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)