top 10 tips for hiking mt. kilimanjaro

A view of the summit from Karanga camp.

Like many folks, I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro because it was (and still is) very accessible compared to other hikes in the so-called "Seven Summits" (also known as the tallest peak in each of the seven continents). I didn't need any technical climbing experience, I didn't need to use a harness, and I didn't need to hike with crampons. Plus, Ernest Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" would likely (and sadly) soon be gone.

While its 5,895 meters (or 19,340 feet) height is not as impressive as, say, Mt. Everest, it is still pretty high up there and altitude sickness is a common affliction among hikers.  It may be an "easy" hike but the altitude could prevent you from reaching the summit.

If you plan on hiking Kili, these are my tips: