We offer rental items related to the climb, including baggage, items of clothing, footwear, sleeping gear, and much more. The items below represent gear we suggest bringing for a comfortable trek and include prices to rent such items from us. The dollar amounts (USD) shown are the rental charge for the entire climb, not per day.
If you choose to sell your climbing gear after the climb, Good Earth would be interested in repurchasing it as we may use them for our guides or rental to our climbers.
This training program is intended to give our clients some ideas on preparing themselves for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru based on our experience in these mountains. Please be advised that a person who wants to climb Kilimanjaro is highly recommended to be in good health.
The gym training program shown below can be done along with the hiking program; both are recommended to be started at least 6 weeks before your trek. We highly recommend prospective trekkers/adventurers to watch Kilimanjaro – To the Roof of Africa (Western Breach Route) or Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro | Full Summit Documentary by Alexander Ayling; as they have essential information on climbing Kilimanjaro.
Please remember:
If you want to start an exercise program, consult your doctor first and seek the advice of professionals whenever beginning some form of fitness you are unfamiliar with.
| Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday | |
|---|---|
| Start 8 weeks prior to departure | |
| Week 1 | 3 minutes of stretching; 2.5 miles walk/run; 3 minutes of stretching |
| Week 2 | 3 minutes of stretching; 3.7 miles walk/run; 3 minutes of stretching |
| Week 3 | 5 minutes of stretching; 5.0 miles walk/run; 5 minutes of stretching |
| Week 4 | 5 minutes of stretching; 5.0 miles walk/run; 5 minutes of stretching |
| Week 5 | 5 minutes of stretching; 6.2 miles walk/run; 5 minutes of stretching |
| Week 6 | 3 minutes of stretching; 6.2 miles walk/run; 3 minutes of stretching |
| Week 7 | 5 minutes of stretching; 5.0 miles walk/run; 3 minutes of stretching |
| Week 8 | Rest |
| Monday and Wednesday | |
|---|---|
| For those who do not have access to a gym, they can attempt to do hiking in hilly terrain | |
| Stair master | High speed, low resistance for about 10 minutes (first day); twice a week |
| Stair master | Low speed, high resistance for about 10 minutes (alternate day); twice a week |
| Cycle | 25 minutes; twice a week |
| Leg press | 3 sets of 15; three times a week |
| Knee extensions | 3 sets of 15; three times a week |
| Back extensions | 3 sets of 15; three times a week |
| Sit ups | 3 sets of 10; daily |
| Tread mill | Walking for 30 minutes; four times a week |
A maximum number of 6 visitors may visit a group of gorillas daily. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases. Always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest. Do not leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you. You will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there, you will follow the gorilla trails to find them. Look out for the gorilla nesting sites along the way! When you approach the gorillas, the guides will inform you when to get your cameras ready. Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
Keep a minimum of 15 feet from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases. It would help if you stayed in tight groups near the gorillas. Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions. Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases. Sometimes the gorillas charge. If this rare occurrence happens, follow the guide’s example… crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes, and wait for the animals to pass. Do not take pictures, and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the risk.
Flash photography is not permitted, as the flash may frighten the gorillas, making them agitated and aggressive. Always stay 15 feet away from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be. When taking pictures, move slowly and carefully. Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals. The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early. After the visit, keep your voices down until you are 650 feet from the gorillas.
Remember, gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them:
The mountain gorillas (Gorilla Berengie), the world’s most endangered ape, are found only in small portions of protected afro montane forests in northwest Rwanda, southwest Uganda, and eastern DRC. The mountain gorilla is one of many species unique to these forests. The forests are also home to many beautiful birds, primates, large mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants and also supply continued water and medical plant resources for the local communities.
The mountain gorillas are divided into two populations, and current figures estimate the total population to be about 600 individuals. One population is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in southwest Uganda, covering about 127 square miles, and the ecologically homogenous (Salem flora and fauna), covering three contiguous national parks in three countries; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda; Volcano National Park in Rwanda; and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering an approximate total area of 116 square miles.
Threats to the remaining gorilla populations and their habitats are many. One of these threats is the possibility of disease transmission from humans to gorillas and vice versa. These gorilla rules have been developed to address potential disease transmission to the gorillas and mitigate behavioral disturbances to this fragile population.
By following these rules and purchasing the permit, you are also contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorilla. Uganda Wildlife Authority uses the funds generated from this permit’s sale to manage national parks. A percentage of the funds raised from park entrance fees are also donated to local communities living adjacent to the parks to contribute to their development and improve regional natural resource management.
Reference Source: Uganda Tourist Board
