5 Reasons why Climbing Kilimanjaro Might Just Change Your Life
We report back on an adventure of a life time in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and why you should be climbing the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
It’ll take you way out of your comfort zone. Everything that would normally underpin your coddled, developed-world life is stripped away. From cars, running water, to showers, to toilets. It’s a difficult experience, that’s for sure and takes a bit of getting used to. But it pays back in spades. Unforgettable, and that’s what life’s about, right?
Being in nature. You won’t step inside a building or a car for 8 days. You’ll barely see any artificial light. You’ll hardly see anything man-made. There’s more and more evidence that a greater connection with nature is beneficial for mental and physical wellbeing, and that a nature deficit in our daily lives in the developed world is causing us harm. Just 8 days out in nature living to more natural rythyms can help get you back in balance. The natural scenery on Kili is so stunning and varied (it incorporates 5 completely different zones from jungle to the summit “desert wasteland”).
It’s a radical change of scene. Unless you are a regular visitor to Africa then Tanzania is unlikely to be like anywhere you have been before. We found it in equal measures eye-opening with respect to the poverty, stunning with respect to the scenery and its variety and touching thanks to the people and their authenticity. Going to new places that feel like a million miles away from your day to day is a fantastic way to rest, recharge and get yourself back in balance, as well as to make you appreciative for what you have, and focus you back on what’s important in life.
An opportunity to push yourself to achieve something. A lot of people have asked how tough it was and that is a tricky one to answer. We were lucky not to suffer too bad with altitude so that is one thing. On the summit day for sure it was a big physical challenge - 7 hours hiking up what seems like a near-vertical gradient with snow coming in sideways and a -10 degree temperature will do that to you. On the other days the hiking was less physical but it was more the difficulty of being in a very alien environment and out of our comfort zone. Either way, you will definitely push yourself on this trip and of course, that is one of the main reasons to take on the challenge.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”
GPS data from our Lemosho route climb
Disconnecting - 8 days without internet, social media, TV, anything. I haven’t done that since ... well since before the internet existed! Hugely beneficial. Lots of time with your thoughts to reflect on what’s really important. To be fully present, able to take in the surroundings and the experience. And to read (don’t forget to bring at least a couple of books). Unexpectedly this was actually one of the aspects we most appreciated.
Connecting - but in a more authentic way. With the people you are doing this with. Friends, partners, mums, dads, sons or strangers. With the guides that are helping you and the porters that are working so hard to help you. You will engage in meaningful conversations and be fully present. It’s incredible rewarding to be able to focus on just that.
We learnt a lot about ourselves during this trip and about our couple too. We loved every minute of it and it made our relationship stronger. We will remember this experience forever and we brought back some learnings we are applying to our everyday lives now we are back home: spending more time outdoors, disconnecting from the web and engaging in meaningful conversation, appreciating the simple things and looking up to see how beautiful life is!
So are you ready to climb? Hakuna Matata!
A few recommendations for when you do decide to book that Kili trip:
We would thoroughly recommend booking through Kandoo adventures. They will take great care of you (and of your porters, which is super important). We did the 8 day Lemosho route which is recommended as more time to acclimatise. Check out our essential Kili kit list.
Asante Sana Kilimanjaro!
