Do I need to have special skills to climb Kilimanjaro?

You do not need any special skills to climb Kilimanjaro. Even though it’s commonly called a “climb”, one can literally walk up to the summit – no ropes and harnesses required. Your guide will lead you up the mountain, and porters will carry most of your gear. This is not to say that the climb is easy or doesn’t have its dangers. At 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), the climb provides serious risks for altitude sickness. A medical check is mandatory, and you must be in good physical and mental condition to endure long hours of hiking each day.