Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain (Trailblazer Guide): also includes Mount Meru & guides to Arusha, Moshi, Marangu, Nairobi & Dar es Salaam

by Henry Stedman

For more than 15 years our guidebook has been considered the Bible for climbing Kilimanjaro, used by rangers, guides and agencies as well as tens of thousands of regular trekkers.

It's not difficult to see why, for our guidebook is the only one with:

full descriptions and detailed maps of each of the trekking routes - including altitudes and GPS waypoint readings - by somebody who has climbed them all!
Is the only book with an extensive and unbiased review of the trekking agencies, both in Tanzania (Arusha, Moshi and Marangu) and those tour operators in the UK/US/Europe/Australia/ New Zealand/South Africa.
Is the only book with town and city guides to Arusha, Moshi and Marangu, the three towns and villages that will be your base before and after your climb
Has the most comprehensive guide to preparing for your trek, from what to take, what to wear, how to book your trek and flights, and how much it's all going to cost; everything, in fact, to help you get ready for the biggest adventure of your life!
Provides the most detailed background information on the mountain, including the history, geography, geology and topography of Kilimanjaro, as well as a study of the Chagga tribe that live at the foot of the mountain.
Full run-down of Kilimanjaro's nature including a full-colour flora guide.
A full description with maps of the Mount Meru trek.

We also provide:

A thorough health and fitness section to help you stay healthy in East Africa, increase your chances of making it to the top and ensure you make it back down again.
In-depth study of altitude sickness, or AMS - the number one reason why people fail to make it to the summit - including causes and prevention;
City guides to Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the two cities that you are most likely to fly into, as well as an introduction to Kilimanjaro International Airport;
A thorough practical information guide to travelling around Tanzania, including a look at visa requirements, currency, budgeting, transport, food etc);
Advice on how to look after your porters and crew on the trek;
A look at the culture of the local Chagga people who inhabit Kilimanjaro's lower slopes;
Plenty of photos and illustrations from both contemporary and historical sources, including some wonderful pen-and-ink sketches by the first Europeans to see the mountain, way back in the nineteenth century.
Over thirty maps covering every stage of climbing and descending from the mountain.

Indeed, you'll find everything you need to help you get from the safety of your favourite armchair to the very summit of Africa's highest mountain. And no other guidebook can provide anything like that kind of comprehensive coverage.

But don't take our word for it - check out our reviews on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (all of which, we can promise you, are genuine!)

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Africa, Mountaineering

790 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Henry Stedman is a professional tour leader and a trekker of considerable experience, having hiked in the Himalaya, China, Pakistan, Lebanon, the Philippines, Sumatra and Madagascar.

Reviews

[James Field]

For those foolish enough to imagine they can simply stroll their way to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 5895m, with little more effort needed than to saunter down to their local pub, think again. Henry Stedman leaves no doubt in the reader's mind of what they let themselves in for.
Full of naive dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro, I browsed through this guide–and it put a firm damper on my enthusiasm. In agitated defiance, my frustrated ego pictured Henry Stedman as a man who had discovered paradise, closed the gate behind him, and written this guidebook to dissuade anyone else from following him.
He explains in graphic detail about the agonising effects of altitude sickness; about the view-obliterating fog, rain and snow; about the steep, endless, knee-knackering gradients covered in mud, dust and loose scree; about the sub-zero temperatures on the upper slopes and ferociously carnivorous animals roaming the lower slopes; about the inoculations needed: yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, meningococcal meningitis, rabies and malaria.
Disappointed and a little bitter, I asked myself why so many people, from all walks of life, had willingly faced these hardships and obstacles. High percentages fail to reach the summit, or even get anywhere near it. Perhaps, unprepared like me, they hadn't fully realised the vast struggle that faced them.
I must admit, I had to sit back and ask myself, do I want to spend a fortune for this six or seven day regime of self-torture? Hmm, well, the form of self-torture I detest the most is wasting time on a crowded beach gradually turning into a prune. I've always wanted to visit Africa, I love walking, and Kilimanjaro, at almost six thousand metres high, is one of the highest mountains in the world where you can reach the summit without climbing gear. From bottom to top, you pass through four climate zones–fantastic! So I read on.
This time, I found phrases like: 'This lovely day begins with…'; and, 'views like screen savers'; and 'There may be about 124 higher mountains on the globe but there can't be many that are more beautiful, or more tantalizing'; and 'Standing on the summit, you are now enjoying an unrivalled view of Africa–nobody on this great chaotic, crazy, charismatic continent is currently gazing down from as lofty a vantage-point as you.'
Eventually, rather than put me off, and viewing the prospect with new respect, I realised Henry Stedman's 373-page guide, crammed with humour, information, maps, details, and sound advice, endeavours to see me safe, happy, and pain free to the summit and back. If, like me, you're tinkering with the notion of climbing Kilimanjaro, this guide is a 'must' read. You'll soon discover what climbing the mountain is all about and whether its challenges are too daunting for you. For me, it's an eye-opener, fills me with confidence, and brings the dream even closer.

[M]

Just finished the book sitting poolside at Arumeru River Lodge in Arusha... climb starts tomorrow. I was in turns intimidated and reassured by passages in the book, and amused by the author's cynical wit. I think/hope this book helped me prepare, or at least set my expectations. We'll see.

[Jackie]

Super informative! Must read for those thinking of attempting a trek up Kilimanjaro. Appreciated the author's witty style of writing.

[Evelin Milev]

A very comprehensive guide book about Kili and most of the possible routes to the top. I liked the tips on when it’s best to climb and what to expect at each season. As a cons for the book I would mention that there’s not much to how you can make a connection if you are travelling from anywhere but England. Not all the routes are well explained ( the most popular are tho ). In general, I’m super happy with the content and it definitely helped me make my choice soo … Machame route awaits for me in February 2023!

[Christy Keeler]

This is a great book for those considering and actually trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. It includes great information for preparation as well as detailed information about different segments of the trek itself. Those who used Elizabeth Wenk's guide to the John Muir Trail will find this book to be a similar vein.

[Gavin Whindus]

I really enjoyed the history and facts that this book gives but having completed the climb, I felt the author could have given you more of what you are in for. However if you are going to or are contemplating climbing there is a lot of good information in the book and its well worth the read!!

[Mark Reynolds]

Excellent and complete guide to Kili. Has everything from how to get there, which companies to hire, where to eat, customs to follow, safe trekking practices, etc. Should be read and re-read before you go.

[Nicole]

Very useful book.
Read twice.
First time to get the details. Then do some more research.
Then reread.

Great info on what "drugs" to bring with, just in case.

Also ways to find out which route you actually want to take!

History and stories of stupidity is fun!

[John Sullivan]

Highly recommend for anyone planning to climb Kilimanjaro - must read and keep on hand for reference.

[June]

Hand drawing trail maps are not intuitive to use. Information overload, e.g. agencies, hard to choose.
Background information is sufficient, helpful read before the trip.

[John Leonard Minja]

One of the best Kilimanjaro pre-climb center of her knowledge and awareness.

Thanks Stedman, I'm always here at www.teamkilimanjaro.com waiting to serve all in interest.

[Elizabeth]

excellent preparation. shoulda read it sooner for sure!!!

[Bryan]

Useful to read before heading to Tanzania.

[Alan Maringer]

This was indispensable in my preparation for trekking, climbing, and summiting Kili. The details not just about the mountain, but the local history, towns, people and customs were a great preparation for everything that was my trip. This book is considered "the bible" for climbing this amazing mountain, and I can now see why. Both my climbing partner and I referred to this on a nightly basis for it's detailed maps and tips for the following day. It was also great in helping me parse down which companies to look into further for my trip (hint: use Tusker Trails and ask for Kombe and Pastory as your guides).

[John Matthew IV]

Great book to read to plan a trek up Kilimanjaro.

I have picked the Lemosho Route! Now to pick my agency.

[Alex]

This is an exceptionally comprehensive and objective guide to Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. This book has proven an invaluable aid in planning my trip to Tanzania.

Stedman provides practical information for your trek up the mountain along with the history of the mountain and Tanzania. Included are sections on several of the important cities that you may visit, a blurb for most of the companies that manage treks up the mountain along with price ranges and minimal reviews for many, and detailed potential itineraries for the various routes to the summit.

I feel much better about making my plans for this fairly intimidating trip.

[Jan Dobiáš]

Great guide to Kili. Now i feel like i got a good first idea of what it is I am about to attempt. I probably cannot yet appreciate the richness of detail in this book, but definitely plan on bringing this book up the mountain.

[Mandy France]

Fantastic reference book! I read it cover to cover while in the hotel before our trek. I also liked the local maps of Moshi and Arusha. Although I wish I would have looked at the map before we tried to venture into town...

[Jonathan Gill]

Personally I found this really useful, it helped in choosing my climbing gear, what route to take, what to expect on the mountain, etc, etc.

The perfect book to read in preparation to climb Africa's highest mountain.

[Kelly]

Book was a very good read and gave me a good idea of what our trek will entail

[Alexa]

Trying to plan a trip for next year and this guide has been very handy. Their website is very useful as well.

[Elizabeth]

The ultimate guide to Kilimanjaro- complete with listing of where to get cell service on the mountain!