Kilimanjaro National Park Travel Forum

Hello everybody!

I would like to do the climbing of the Kilimanjaro...one problem: I am afraid of heights! Is this a problem? And which route should I choose best given my height fear: Marangu or Machame?

Thank you Marco Polo's!

Marangu is the popular, so there might be a secreat about it. You don't have to worry of the height, it is not a single day climb. You just get used to the Mountain steps by steps, and the guides are always to take care of you. I don't know much about Machame but I would suggest you do the Machame root.
I lived on the slopes of Mt Kili for 3 year and I can tell it is good to explore it. I am sure by now you think of doing it even twice!
Anyway, ya welcome.I live here in Tanzania and Moshi is my favourite place, you can have a chance to meet me when you come.
Denis

Afraid of heights and climbing a mountain???? You must be mad :-)

We took the Lemosho route up Kilimanjaro. Interestingly enough, our guide was more concerned about the Barranco Wall than the Western Breach for our one group member with a fear of heights. This might not make sense at first (especially if you are familiar with either), but the difference was daylight. We would have climbed over the Barranco Wall during the middle of the day. Instead, we went up the Western Breach in the pitch black (with the weakest headlamp being given to that one hiker). I guess it's harder to fear what you can't see...when it comes to height anyway.

I'm not as familiar with the Marangu or Machame routes, but would say that the same would likely be true. The steepest, scariest part (the summit climb) will be the part you do in the dark.