To say one “climbs” Mount Kilimanjaro is a bit of a misstatement; the climb to the summit is entirely hiking, and there are no climbing skills or equipment required to summit the mountain. The whole journey up and down the mountain consists of uphill and downhill walking, though the trek contains entire days of strenuous physical activity. A successful completion of this journey is all about endurance.
As such, climbers should begin training for their Kilimanjaro trek at least two full months prior to their arrival at the mountain. Hiking is the preferred method of training, given that Kilimanjaro is a long, high-altitude hike to the summit. Climbers should complete day hikes nearby at least two or three times a week, and they should also complete several of these hikes while carrying their day packs full of their anticipated payloads.
Cardiovascular training is also recommended for climbers. Try hill running or cycling for extended periods to gain some of the cardiovascular fitness you’ll need to climb Kilimanjaro. You may also want to practice some sessions on a Stairmaster to simulate some of the higher-incline sections of the climb toward the top.
Leg exercises are also a great way to train for this climb. Try doing some regular resistance training for your legs as a way to practice for carrying your day pack up the mountain. While heavy weights are not necessary for this training, lighter and longer training sessions would help more. Always remember that climbing Kilimanjaro is all about endurance and stamina rather than strength.