WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

This is a difficult question and a personal one. We usually recommend the Machame, Rongai, or Lemosho routes which offer more beautiful scenery. It is very manageable even for those with little experience, provided an honest effort is put forth in training. As for the Marangu route, it is the quickest route and the one where you sleep in huts instead of campsites. It is very commonly called the ‘Coca-cola route’ because it is the easiest one but acclimatization needs to be done carefully and, if possible you should climb it in 6 days (instead of 5) and sleep one night or two in Arusha/Moshi before the trek. Finally, the Umbwe route is a spectacular and fantastic route as well but only recommended for more experienced climbers.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB IN REGARD TO THE WEATHER?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year with successful summits possible even during the rainy season.  Daytime temperature can range from a bone-chilling five-degree to a merciless 30 degrees Celsius.

Night temperatures drop well below the freezing level.  The higher rainfall occurs between March and May with slightly less falling during November and December.  Generally, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro would be during the dry seasons in January, February, June, July August, September, and October.

Although February and September are the driest and best periods to plan your climb, the other dry months can also have some pretty good weather.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING FOR THE KILIMANJARO TREK?

We have a specific link for these recommendations which you can access by clicking here

WHAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND MECHANISMS DO YOU HAVE?

Safety is the most important consideration in a trek like this and we do everything to make sure that safety is the priority and the trekkers are always looked after. Our teams of guides have long-time experience with first aid medical knowledge on the mountain which guarantees your safety. We carry oxygen tanks on each climb for emergencies on the mountain. We check the clients every morning and evening by using a pulse Oximeter during the climb.  A pulse Oximeter is used to check blood oxygen saturation regularly throughout the climb.  This allows the guide to determine how clients’ body is adapting to the reduced amount of oxygen at the higher altitude. If clients’ oxygen saturation is below an acceptable level, we have emergency oxygen as stated above. Our guides now carry a stretcher in case of emergency for carrying casualty down to the place where there is 4 x 4.

WHERE DO THE TREKS START AND FINISH?

They start and finish in Moshi.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TREK?

1. Transport from JRO airport
2. A night before and after the trek on bed and English
3. Transfer to and from the gate
4. Tents (Four seasons, 3 people mountain tent – double occupancy), chairs, and table
5. Mattress (Sleeping pad foam 1.5 inches thick)
6. First aid kit/Bottled of oxygen/pulse Oximeter
7. Park fees, Camping fees and Rescue fees
8. Forest fees where applicable
9. Guides and porters fees as per government regulations, their food and public liability insurance for the porters/guides
10. Value Added Tax (VAT) and other government taxes

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

1. Transport back to the airport
2. 3 liters of water for the first day
3. Drinks
4. Tips for guides and porters
5. Food for the first and last night at the hotel
6. Personal equipment for mountain climbing

IS ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED BEFORE/AFTER TREK? WHAT ABOUT TRANSFERS TO/FROM THE AIRPORT?

Yes, transfer from Kilimanjaro airport is included; back to the airport is also included in the package. We do offer two nights’ accommodation before/after the trek.

WHAT TIME DOES THE TREK FINISH? CAN I TAKE A FLIGHT ON THE SAME DAY?

Our treks usually finish around 1 pm to 4 pm in Moshi. If the flight is in the evening, it is perfectly ok.

WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESS RATE?

The rate varies between 95% and 99% depending on the routes, with the highest success level being Machame, Lemosho, and Rongai routes, and the lowest being Marangu and Umbwe.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL MEAL DURING THE TREK?

The great menu on Mountain is designed specifically for climbers. A nutrient-rich, carb-heavy dinner consisting of whole grains, beans, and fruits to store glycogen—your fuel source for climbing. For example, whole-wheat pasta with red sauce and veggies or chicken and avocado provide an ideal blend of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Our clients do comment as to how surprised they were able to get such good energy food on the mountain.

For your hygiene, hand washing water treated with Dettol is made available before all meals.

ARE YOU ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FOOD RESTRICTIONS, PREFERENCES, OR SPECIFIC DIETS?

We are able to accommodate any specific dietary requirement (vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, specific allergies, etc.).

WHAT TYPE OF TOILETS ARE FOUND ON THE TREK?

There are public toilets at each campsite. These are known as ‘long drop’ toilets. They are wooden permanent buildings. But inside… it’s quite different as they are just a deeply dug hole in the ground, where essentially you squat or stand. There are no seats as such. These public toilet facilities are provided and maintained by the Kilimanjaro National Park.

We also have the option of providing a private portable toilet. This is a simple chemical toilet. But this comes at an extra cost of US$250 per toilet for the entire trip (subject to availability)

HOW ARE THE PORTERS TREATED?

Porters, guides, and cooks will be a very important part of your trek on Kilimanjaro and it is important to us that they are treated fairly. We are a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)- The project works to ensure the working conditions are improved for porters and also ensure the fair treatment guidelines are met.

WHAT TIP AMOUNT IS RECOMMENDED FOR KILIMANJARO TREK?

Of course, these are always at your discretion. We recommend an amount of USD250-USD300 per climber, this will be distributed among the group i.e. head guide, assistants guides, cook waiter, dishwasher, camping crew, and the other porters. Please let the management know if your guide/porters press you for tips as they have all been forbidden to do this. We recommend you distribute the tips to the crew directly at the end of the climb

WHAT ARE THE METHOD PAYMENTS AVAILABLE?

When you book your climb we shall also ask you to send us a deposit of $140 per person ($85 is a non-refundable deposit paid to the national park to secure your booking).  In the event of cancellation within 30 days of your arrival, no money will be refunded. However, if you cancel earlier than that, your $55 per person deposit will be returned.

When you arrive, payment may be made in US dollars or £ sterling, (cash) or by credit card (Visa, Master Card). We do not accept Traveler’s Cheques. There is a service charge of 5% for credit cards.

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE VISA FOR TANZANIA IN ADVANCE OR CAN I GET IT UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT OR LAND BORDER?

We recommend getting the visa upon arrival as it is a very straightforward process and just takes a few minutes. We recommend bringing a pen and the money for the visas in cash to make the process faster. The price is $50 USD for all nationalities except citizens from the USA who have to pay $100 USD per person.

All nationalities can get a visa upon arrival except citizens of the following countries: Abkhazia (Republic inside Georgia), Eritrea Republic, Mauritania Republic, Sri Lanka Republic, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan Republic, Ethiopia, Morocco, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh Republic, Kazakhstan Republic, Niger Republic, Somali Land, Wakimbizi (REFUGEES), Chad Republic, Kyrgyzstan Republic, Palestine State, Stateless People, Djibouti Republic, Lebanon Republic, Senegal Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Mali Republic, Sierra Leone Republic, and Tajikistan.

WILL MY MOBILE PHONE WORK? WHAT ABOUT INTERNET ACCESS?

There is some mobile or cellular coverage on Kilimanjaro but reception may be inconsistent and network signals weak depending on which route you are on and were on the mountain. If you have a phone call that needs to be made during the trek please speak with your guide and he may be able to arrange it. Your cellular/mobile phone will work in Arusha and Moshi.

HOW DO I GET TO KEYS HOTEL IF FLYING INTO NAIROBI OR DAR ES SALAAM

When you arrive in Nairobi we can arrange for the Impala shuttle to meet you and either bring you straight to Keys Hotel in Moshi. If you arrive later in the day, you will be taken to a hotel in Nairobi.  You will then be collected on the following morning and be brought to Keys Hotel. The journey takes about 6 or 7 hours and costs around $35 per person one way.

Otherwise, there is an option of flying with Kenya airways or precision from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

If flying into Dar es salaam

There are several coaches (we recommend Kilimanjaro express) who come daily from Dar to Moshi (about $20 per person). We can make arrangements for one of our staff to assist you with both transport and hotel for the night in Dar es Salaam.