My preparation for Mt. Kilimanjaro (2 months)
First of all, I do not smoke. I used to be fairly fit for long distance running, but two years ago a break in routine caused all excercise activity to pretty much cease. I only received the news that I am going to Kilimanjaro about two months before departure! This is what I have done :
Click on the trails below to view pictures and details.
Running
7km, twice a week
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch
Swartboskloof trail : 18km (1 day)
Panorama trail (partly) : 10km (1 day)
Limietberg Nature Reserve, Paarl
Limietberg trail (partly) : 18km (1 day)
Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve, Ceres
Matroosberg Peak trail : 13km (1 day)
My fitness level before departure was such that I could hike +-15km, be tired that evening, be slightly stiff the next day, but recovered completely by the second day.
Report
Was it enough? YES. I did not at all feel that my hike to the top of Kilimanjaro was hampered due to lack of prior training. I will tell you that I have never been so tired in my entire life, but that was due to the lack of oxygen and not lack of training. I have lived in coastal areas all my life, so the 5895m above sea level is really a 5.8km vertical climb up in the air. I really shuffled along like a 100-year old man. Baby steps with two trekking poles and after 10 steps I HAD to rest! Absolute lack of energy. No oxygen to the muscles.
Advice
If you live close to sea level like me, try to get some altitude training. A week prior to leaving for Tanzania, stay somewhere that is 2km-3km above sea level and do some training there. Go for a walk or something. It WILL help. The other option is to arrange for your group to stay one extra day at base camp (Barafu), before attempting the summit. If I were to climb Kilimanjaro again, I would really try to arrange another day at base camp.