Climbing Kilimanjaro Pt.3: My Honest Reflection

Climbing Kilimanjaro was more than just a physical challenge, it was a deeply personal journey that tested my resilience, mindset, and determination in ways that I never imagined. From the very first steps through the scenic rain-forest, to the final push under a blanket of stars on summit night, every moment left its mark.

In this reflection, I share the highs and lows of my experience climbing Kilimanjaro, what I learnt along the way, and why I believe it’s one of the most life-changing adventures a person can undertake. If you’re dreaming of reaching the highest peak in Africa, here’s an honest insight into what it takes to get there🏔️

🌍 A Journey Like No Other: What It Meant to Me

Standing at Uhuru Peak was a feeling I’ll never forget. There’s no way to truly describe the mix of exhaustion, joy, and disbelief that hit me when I saw the summit sign. I’d imagined that moment so many times, but nothing prepared me for how powerful it would be, particularly after a gruelling summit night experience battling fatigue and altitude symptoms.

For me, the climb wasn’t just about ticking something off a bucket list. It became symbolic of pushing through life’s harder moments and proving to myself that I could do something huge (even when it felt impossible). There were moments where I doubted myself, where I questioned why I was doing it. But when I reached the top, it all made sense.

Setting this goal, training for it, showing up each day on the mountain, it reminded me how capable we all are when we stay focused and keep moving forward, one step at a time.

🧠 Lessons Learnt While Climbing Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro taught me more than I ever expected. Yes, it challenged me physically, but it was the mental side that really stayed with me.

Resilience & Mental Strength

Summit night was, without a doubt, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was freezing, I was exhausted, and every step felt like a mountain in itself. But something in me kept saying, just one more step. I learned that I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. I also have to credit my wonderful guides who would constantly remind me that I’m ‘strong like a Simba (lion)’ . This had more of an effect on me than they will ever know and shows how important kindness and support is within vulnerable moments. Which leads me nicely onto the next section…

The Power of Support

I cannot overstate how incredible the guides and porters were. Their encouragement and care made such a difference and they genuinely felt like family by the end. Myself and my fiancé, Chris were the only two members within our group, away from the guides and porters. We have been together for over 8 years and have experienced a lot together but somehow that experience was the closest we have ever been. Sharing a tent and being your most vulnerable around the person you love is an unforgettably powerful feeling. We leaned on each other in ways that only people sharing something this intense experience can.

Letting Go of Control

I’m usually a planner, but on the mountain, you have to surrender a bit. Your body changes daily due to the conditions of the mountain. Altitude messes with your appetite, sleep and mood, which taught me to take each day as it comes. Alongside the body changes, the weather also affects your hiking conditions which meant that I had to embrace not being in control and learn to expect the unexpected. It was an extremely humbling experience, in the best way.

Gratitude for Nature

One of the things I was most excited about before climbing Kilimanjaro was being surrounded by nature, and somehow, it was even more magical than I had imagined. There’s something so humbling and grounding about spending days completely immersed in the natural world, far from the noise of everyday life.

Cloud watching

Some of my favourite memories are the quietest ones, like watching the clouds pass through camp in a slow, rolling motion. At times it felt like we were floating in the sky, especially when we were pitched above the cloud line. I’ll never forget hiking through the clouds one afternoon, getting soaked as the mist wrapped around us, only to emerge out the other side into sunshine. It was like walking between worlds and was a completely surreal experience.

Stargazing

And then there were the nights. Every evening after dinner, I had a little routine of stepping outside my tent to stargaze before bed. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. They were so bright, so clear, and stretched endlessly across the sky. It was the kind of view that makes you stop in your tracks, take a deep breath, and just feel in awe.

Mountain appreciation

Most nights, we could also see the snowy peak of Kilimanjaro glowing faintly under the starlight; A quiet, majestic presence watching over us. Those moments were incredibly special. It felt like a full-circle moment, being so close to the summit, resting under a sky full of stars, feeling small and yet completely connected to everything around me.

Being on the mountain stripped things back to basics, and it reminded me how little we actually need to feel at peace – just open skies, a sense of wonder, and the time to truly take it all in.

Pacing & Patience

“Pole pole” (slowly) is more than just a hiking tip, it’s a life philosophy. You don’t have to rush. In fact, you shouldn’t. Slow progress is still progress, and sometimes it’s the only way forward. I’ve taken this as a life motto since leaving the mountain, alongside Hakuna Matata which is a motivational quote that reminds me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be in life.

⛺ Highlights from the Experience

There are so many moments from my Kilimanjaro climb that still bring a smile to my face. These are memories that pop into my head at random and make me pause, just for a second, to relive the magic.

One of the most unforgettable parts was the feeling of moving through such dramatically different landscapes in just a few days. We began in a lush, green rain-forest, where the air was thick with moisture and birdsong, as well as the humorous sights of monkeys jumping between trees. Then slowly, the environment began to shift: the trees thinned, the colours dulled, and we entered a strange, otherworldly alpine desert. And finally, there was the summit: icy, windswept, and awe-inspiringly beautiful. It honestly felt like trekking across entire continents in a single journey. Each day brought something completely new, and I never stopped marvelling at just how varied and surreal it all was.

Peaceful Routines

Waking up early to watch the sunrise became a daily ritual that I came to cherish. There was something so peaceful about standing quietly with a cup of tea, wrapped in layers, watching the sky turn from deep blue to pink to golden orange as the world slowly lit up below us. Being above the clouds gave it all a dreamlike quality, like floating in a place that didn’t quite belong to Earth. The sunsets, too, were breathtaking. We’d often sit together outside the tents, tired but content, soaking in those last warm rays of the day.

The Stunning Peak

And of course, there’s summit morning. The view from the top is hard to describe, not just in its beauty, but in what it represents. Looking out from Uhuru Peak, knowing how far we’d come and how hard we’d worked to get there, made that moment overwhelming. It wasn’t just a view, it was the reward, the release, and the realisation that we’d done it. I don’t think anything will ever quite compare.

The Unsung Heroes

But if I had to pick one highlight above all the rest, it would be the people. The incredible guides and porters are the true heroes of the mountain. Their warmth, encouragement, and constant positivity kept us going on the hardest days. They were the heartbeat of the journey, and I’ll never forget the kindness they showed us. Climbing Kilimanjaro was special because of the mountain, yes – but it was unforgettable because of the people we were fortunate to share it with.

🤕 The Toughest Parts of Climbing Kilimanjaro

It wasn’t all sunrises and group hugs – some parts were genuinely tough.

Physically, the altitude hit me hard, particularly when we began to reach altitudes above 4,000m. I started getting headaches that wouldn’t shift, and summit night brought a level of fatigue that I’ve never experienced before. It felt like walking in a dream (possibly a nightmare at times)! My legs were trembling, my breathing was shallow, but I kept going.

Emotionally, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed: homesick, anxious, or just flat-out emotional for no real reason. Altitude can mess with your head. But oddly enough, those raw moments are part of what made the experience so real. You’re stripped back to the basics: food, water, warmth, movement, all of these things force you to face yourself and be honest with your feelings and emotions.

Would I change any of it? Not a chance. The hard bits made the summit that much sweeter.

🥾 Things I’m Grateful For

There are a few material things that I couldn’t have done this climb without:

• My pee bottle – genuinely a lifesaver during freezing nights!
• My trekking poles – absolute knee-savers, especially on the descent.
• My poncho – keeping me dry through the rainforest downpours and was used as extra protection within the tent to keep our sleeping mats dry.
• Hot water bottles – nothing beats crawling into a warm sleeping bag after a long day.
• The food – hot, hearty meals made such a difference. I don’t know how the cooks managed to whip up so much good food at altitude, but I’ll never stop being impressed.

Personal connections

Some of the more personal things that I couldn’t have done without are, of course, the moments of connection with people, the mountain, and myself. These were the things that truly carried me through. The support from the guides and porters as well as the support from passers-by (particularly on summit night) are some of my favourite memories. Then there were the quiet, personal moments such as pausing to catch my breath and being struck by the view, or taking time to reflect while watching the clouds drift by.

Being so present in nature, with no distractions, gave me a rare space to really connect with myself and how far I’d come, not just on the mountain, but in life. These non-material moments were powerful and grounding. They reminded me why I’d taken on this challenge in the first place and gave me a deeper sense of appreciation for the experience as a whole. Long after the climb, it’s those feelings of connection that I carry with me the most.

💭 Would I Do It Again?

Honestly? In the immediate days after the climb, I would’ve said “never again!” But now, after some distance, I’d do it all over in a heartbeat.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely, but not lightly! It’s tough, and it’s not for everyone. But if you’re even a little curious, if the idea is pulling at you, I say go for it. Train properly, prepare well, and be ready to dig deep.

It’s made me more open to other physical challenges too. Kilimanjaro showed me what’s possible and now I’m wondering, what else can I do?

🙏 Reflecting on Climbing Kilimanjaro: My Final Thoughts

Kilimanjaro changed me. It showed me what I’m made of, it reminded me that discomfort is where growth lives. But most importantly, it connected me with people from all over the world, gave me a fresh perspective, and left me with memories I’ll treasure forever.

If you’re considering climbing it, know this: it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

A huge thank you to my incredible guides and porters and everyone who supported me in preparing for this adventure. And to the mountain itself; Thank you for the lessons, the views, and the unforgettable journey❤️.

FAQs – Reflecting on Climbing Kilimanjaro

Related Posts

Part 1 of my Kilimanjaro Experience looks into the preparation side of the climb and asks all the important questions that you should be thinking about when deciding whether to climb the roof of Africa.

Part 2 of my Kilimanjaro Experience takes a dive into life on the mountain and gives a day to day run-through of each day’s climb so you know exactly what to expect when you’re on the mountain.

You can view more of my blog posts around my whole experience of preparing for and climbing Kilimanjaro on my main Kilimanjaro page. From training plans and my opinions what I did and didn’t need on the climb, you will find lots of helpful advice. Also, make sure to check out my review of the tour company that I used, Adventure Alternative.