Ultimate Guide to Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s Highest Peak Climb Tips & Experience

For six unforgettable days, my trusted guide and I embarked on an epic solo trek, beginning our journey at Lemosho Gate (2,100m) and inching our way toward the roof of Africa.

The final ascent became an unexpected battle against nature’s whims. Fresh snowfall from the previous day had transformed into treacherous half-melted slopes, forcing us to scramble up steep inclines on all fours. When a sudden, searing pain shot through my left calf midway, exhaustion overwhelmed me and tears began to flow.

My wise guide gently stretched my muscles while whispering words that would become my mantra: “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.” Miraculously, by the time we reached Stella Point, the agony had dissolved like morning mist.

Pushing onward to Uhuru Peak, the universe rewarded our perseverance with a celestial spectacle—dawn erupted across the sky in fiery hues, crafting the most magnificent sunrise I’d ever witnessed. Trudging through equatorial snow at nearly 6,000 meters, emotions overwhelmed me once more as tears of joy traced frozen paths down my wind-chapped cheeks.

With profound gratitude, I offer my thanks—to the life-giving sun, to mighty Kilimanjaro. This was no conquest; the mountain, in her infinite wisdom, chose to welcome me to her summit.