It takes a team to reach summit of Kilimanjaro

Popular route

Odede said that the research they did before traveling to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro came in handy because it alerted them to the fact that the difficulty of the climb depends on the route chosen. For his ascent, Odede chose both the cheapest and what is considered the easiest route, the Marangu Route, which takes five days, and is popular with tourists.

"We arrived in Kilimanjaro to nice warm weather of around 30 C, but 6 days later when we were at the summit, the temperature up there must have been at least -5 C to -10 C, and there was a small snow storm," Odede said.

He said that the air at the summit contains 50 percent less oxygen than at the start of the trip. On summit night, the climb from the final base camp is just over a kilometer, but the trail zigzags up, so it is a 6-km hike that takes around seven hours. The group climbing with the tour company Odede had booked was 20-strong, with an additional 10 support staff from the company.

"As we climbed the mountain, there were areas and days when the terrain could best be described as rocky, sparse and elephant gray in color as far as the eye could see. This gave a prehistoric feel to the mountain, especially when the mist set in across the vast landscapes with little vegetation," Odede said.

He said the stony ground and uneven surface meant it was very important to keep a sharp eye trained on the path ahead to avoid a fall.

Bernard Chaga, a tour guide on the Marangu Route used by Odede's team during their ascent said that there are seven major routes to the summit. These are the Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, Rongai, Shira, Lemosho, and the Northern Circuit routes.

"It is important to choose the right route according to difficulty level. That is why it is a requirement for anyone climbing Kilimanjaro to be in the company of a guide who is licensed by the Kilimanjaro National Park. Most of the visitors who climb the mountain have a team consisting of a lead guide, assistant guide, cook and porters," Chaga said.

Prices for the climb vary according to the route taken. The most popular 8-day Lemosho Route costs around $3,300 per person.

Chaga said that park fees alone account for the biggest portion of the price, on top of which are fees for the tour guides and staff. He added that it is good to research companies as there are those offering the service from as little as $2300, all the way to luxury companies that can charge as much as $5,000.

The guide runs a souvenir shop at the start of the Marangu Route which also hires out climbing gear to visitors, and said that the best operators should be able to provide professional staff, equipment, food, and service. Visitors should also ensure their guides are medically trained to handle emergencies.