Can we climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?

posted onAuthorMargaux52 Comments

Le Kilimanjaro, also nicknamed the " roof of africa ", is the highest peak in Africa. Indeed, the summit called the " Peak Uhuru " amounts to 5 895 m altitude. 

But where is this Kilimanjaro?

The question is often asked, some think it is in Kenya and others in Tanzania.

La fast ? Well, Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania. However, the confusion arises from the fact that it is possible to leave Kenya or Tanzania to achieve your ascent.

Indeed, eight different routes that take you to the top.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done throughout the year. 

However, certain periods are to be preferred and others to be "avoided".

Tanzania enjoys a equatorial climate therefore with a time as well as a pleasant temperature all year round.

Found two rainy seasons in Tanzania:

  • March to June
  • October to December

As a general rule, we will therefore tend to advise you avoid attempting to climb Kilimanjaro during these two periods.

However, be aware that it depends entirely on the time you have. With climate change, you can have an exceptional week during the rainy season or, conversely, a week of rain during the “best periods”.

For my part, I tried the experiment first week of june, this was not the most recommended period, however, apart from the first day during the first hour of walking, we had no rain. We were lucky to have beautiful sunshine all week long, which is very pleasant when it is cold or when we are tired.

Can we climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?

This question is often asked but we do not find no official response Claire. 

It is true that seasoned mountain dwellers ask themselves the question because this would reduce costs, not without importance, of the ascent of Kilimanjaro. 

Indeed, if we compare this ascent to Mont Blanc where it is possible to do Mont Blanc without a guide, we could imagine that climbing on the roof of Africa without a guide should be largely feasible. 

However, having been there, I was able to discuss it with my guide as well as other people and it is strictly forbidden to embark on the ascent of Kilimanjaro without a guide. 

The ascent of Kilimanjaro is regulated and a number of rules must be observed.

The rules are so written due to the fact that climbing Kilimanjaro is an activity in Tanzania that brings many tourists. It is therefore a way for Tanzania to keep the country's economy going (which relies heavily on tourism).

Can we climb Kilimanjaro without going through an agency?

As explained above, it is compulsory to take a guide when you want to conquer the roof of Africa.

However, is it really necessary to go through an agency to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro?

Indeed, it is not not compulsory to take an agency to embark on this adventure.

However, in order to bypass this intermediary, you must have direct contact with a guide who accepts to work without going through an agency. Something you will have no trouble finding. 

During my ascent I did not meet any tourist who had not gone through an agency, but know that it is possible and it will most likely allow you to lower costs.

Be aware that going through an agency is essentially the agency that will be remunerated because guides and porters are poorly paid by these agencies. Hence the reason why at the end of the trek, the “clients” (ie tourists) gather with guides and porters to give them tips. 

Can we climb Kilimanjaro without a carrier?

Many people ask themselves this question and few official answers are found.

In fact, be aware that as a general rule, travel agencies do not offer this alternative. Indeed, these agencies will tend to offer to make a trek with carriers. 

The controversy »Therefore comes from the fact that indeed, when one embarks on the ascent of Kilimanjaro, porters carry a large part of our stuff (food, tent, mattress, sleeping bag etc ...) whereas we tourists only carry a small bag for the day of 10 kg maximum. In addition, you should know that, despite the high price we pay to climb Kilimanjaro, these porters are only paid very little…. So effectively, the agencies will tell you that by taking porters you are contributing a little to the country's economy by giving a few porters a job, but don't be fooled, most of the money you will pay will go into the pockets of the agency. 

There is a real discussion about these carriers. The carriers are mainly paid by the tips given at the end of the trek. This is the bulk of their income. 

However, if you absolutely want climb without a porter, it is possible to do so by going directly to the local agencies in order to negotiate such a shipment. 


If you want more information or have contacts with local guides, do not hesitate to contact me at this address: [email protected]

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52 Replies to “Can we climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?”

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  4. Bonjour.
    First of all, your explanations are very good. Well done.
    I am asking you because I plan to climb the Kilimanjaro within 2 years. Time to get back in shape. I would like to avoid agencies and go through 1 guide directly. You had written admits a contact. Can I be put in touch if it's possible?

    Reply

    1. Hello,
      A big thank you for this comment, it makes me happy to see that this blog helps some people 🙂
      I send you the guide's contact details on your email 😉

      Reply

          1. Hello,
            Thank you for your article
            Trained, I will also be interested in having a local contact for a sport climb with a local guide and interested in this type of project. Do you have one or more good contacts?

            Thank you in advance for your answer

      2. hello, is it possible please to receive the list of guides: we want to contact them directly to do the kili in 4 days, knowing that we are very trained and that we do not want to go through an agency? Thank you for your help and your blog: my email address: antoine

        Reply

        2. Hello Antoine, have you already or progressed in your project for 4 days? If so I will be interested to have your feddback and experience.
          Yours

          Reply

      3. Hello Margaux.
        Thanks for writing this blog.
        Would you agree to share the guide's contact with me?

        Reply

        1. Hello Vincent,
          Thanks for reading this blog 😉
          Yes, of course, I'll send you an email 😉

          Reply

      4. Potrei ricevere a questo indirizzo mail il contatto diretto di una guida? Grazie in anticipation

        Reply

  5. Hello,

    Great, very informative articles. I would also like to have the coordinates of your guide for an ascent to Kilimanjaro
    Thank you again

    Reply

  7. Hello,

    First of all your articles are very interesting and complete, thank you very much.
    Would it be possible to have the coordinates of your guide please?

    Kind regards.

    Reply

  8. Hello,

    First of all, thank you for the sharing and the ease of the stories.
    please send me the contact of the guide (s) because the kili is a project on my bucket list

    good life to all of us

    Reply

  10. Hello,
    I plan to go to Kenya as soon as possible and would love to try the kili experience without going through an agency. Can I have the guide contact(s)?
    Thank you again for this sharing and these tips!

    Reply

  11. Hello,

    Thanks for your great article. I am also interested in having a guide contact to do the climb without an agency 🙂
    Have you had any feedback from people who have made it through your contact?
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  12. Hello Margaux,
    Is it possible to receive these different addresses from local guides for the kili?
    Thank you very much

    Reply

  13. Hello Margaux,
    Thank you for this very interesting and encouraging article about my idea of ​​doing the Kili.
    Can you share with me the contacts of the local guides that I can find on site?
    cordially
    Lucas

    Reply

  14. Hello Margaux,
    Thank you for the many tips given by this blog.
    I am also very interested in making the ascent live with a local guide, can you share his contact with me?
    Thank you very much and good day,
    Benoît

    Reply

  15. Good day
    Ich wäre also interested, diesen die Sommer der besteigung mit einem localokalen Guide zu machen, kannst du mi seinen Kontakt mitteilen?
    Thank you very much

    Reply

  17. Hello Maragaux,

    Vielen Dank für die ganzen Tipps! If you follow the news, the Blog will be published.

    Wir wollen dies Jahr auch den Kili bezwingen. Please contact us immediately!

    gruß
    Simon

    Reply

  18. Hello Margaux,
    I plan to climb the kili this summer, can you share me the local guide contacts?
    thank you in advance

    Reply

  19. Hello Margaux,

    Thank you for this very complete article, you indeed answer many questions that arise when considering such an ascent.

    I would also be very interested in having your list of guides.

    Thanks in advance !

    Reply

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