Before the trek be sure your hiking boots are broken in.
Get prescpription for acetazolamide tabs to take to prevent high altitude mountain sickness. Ask your doctor to write the script with extra tabs so you can take it & try it at home first before your trip. You should find out if you have any side effects (and if so, find out what the side effects are) to the med BEFORE taking it on Mt. Kilimanjaro. You are probably paying over $1,000 just to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro, you want all the help you can get to increase your chances of reaching the summit for this once in a lifetime experience. The acetazolamide works in the alveoli of your lung to transfer additional oxygen from the air into your circulatory system. This is important to reduce high altitude symptoms. There's no shame in taking medication to help you reach the summit.
Trekking poles are crucial for support and aid on the trek. The trekking poles become invaluable on the day of the summit, on that last push to the top. The trail is steep and you will be above 15,000 ft. And mind you with the steep trail the trekking poles are useful coming down for support. Trekking poles are available to purchase or to rent through any trekking company that you hire. They are also available at the trailheads.
Even though you are walking slowly, you still sweat and lose important electrolytes. Carry with you some salty snacks or add gatorade powder to your water to replace those lost electrolytes. Also carrying carbohydrates is a good idea for energy boost during the trail.
Once you are at and above ~10,000 feet it gets very cold. You need warm clothing. And as you keep ascending it just keeps getting colder. On the summit day you begin at night and will need to bundle up really well. Consider using hand warmers and foot warmers as well on final ascent. Final ascent will be VERY COLD. Be prepared.
The first day and half of second day will be very wet and moist in the rainforest. Lightweight waterproof gear is useful. Be sure it is lightweight because temperature is moderate on first 2 days and you will be warm hiking.
Ultraviolet rays will be very intense in high altitude. Protect your eyes with proper sunglasses and protect your face with sunblock. Reapply sunblock every few hours during daytime on final ascent. One application is not enough. Everyone comes down the mountain with sunburned faces.
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE, TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS. WALK SLOWLY. WALK A LOT SLOWER THAN YOU WANT TO. WALK SLOWER THAN EVERYONE ELSE IN YOUR GROUP. BE THE LAST PERSON TO ARRIVE AT BREAKS, LUNCH, CAMPSITES. WALKING SLOWLY ALLOWS FOR SLOW AND GRADUAL ALTITUDE ACCLIMITIZATION. DON'T BE MACHO AND SHOW OFF BY WALKING FAST AHEAD OF EVERYONE ELSE. FAST WALKING IS A DISSERVICE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR GOAL OF SUMMITING KILI.
