Kilimanjaro FAQ’s
A list of the Kilimanjaro Most frequently asked questions in general.
We have put together this in a short section to show you what it’s really like Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
General Kilimanjaro FAQs
The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.
None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.
Getting to Tanzania and hiking up Kilimanjaro is not cheap. But the once in a lifetime experience is worth every penny. Costs (usually quoted in USD) will depend on the tour operator and what you need. Luxuries such as portable toilets and glassware will cost more. Land costs should include transport to and from Kili, full board, porters, guides, cooks, national park fees and permits. Do not choose the cheapest operator, choose an operator who discloses all costs and who offers value for money.
No. There are no hotels on the mountain and no cable cars to the top. You will most probably sleep in tents, or in basic huts if you take the Marangu route. Tents and sleeping mats are carried and set up by the porters. You do need to bring a very warm sleeping bag or rent it from Kilimanjaro-Experience.
On the first day of your climb, you are likely to lose signal before reaching the gate and will not regain it until day two. From then onwards, for most routes, you will find the signal at some point, and sometimes even in camp. On the Rongai route and Northern, Circuit reception can be more limited and tends to be via Kenyan networks, as the routes pass close to the border.
There are no charging stations on Kilimanjaro. You will need battery packs or solar charges to charge electrical items. Please ensure you bring the right cables and keep electrical items warm whilst on the mountain to preserve battery life.
Our crew all receive fair salaries; however, they also rely on the income they receive from tips. Below are standard tipping recommendations to be split between everyone in your group. We prefer you to distribute tips to crew members individually and directly at a ceremony held at the end of your climb. It is a good idea to bring some notes in lower denominations to assist with splitting funds. We will provide a tipping guide with specific crew numbers at your briefing, with envelopes to help you separate money into individual amounts.
| Head Guide: | USD$20 per day |
| Assistant Guide(s): | USD$12 per day |
| Cook(s): | USD$12 per day |
| Porters: | USD$5-7 per day |
In order to help you calculate a rough total tipping amount, we work with ratios of at least one guide per two clients and approximately four porters per client. Please remember porters carry food, gas, tents, etc. in addition to your personal luggage.
Only the Marangu Route goes up and down the same way, which we don’t recommend. Lemosho, Machame, and the Northern Circuit descend via the Mweka Route, which is used only for descent and food re-supply to the camps. Rongai descends via the Marangu Route. Descent routes are more direct, whereas ascent routes pass over ridges and valleys to allow your body to better acclimatize.
Our cooks prepare three hot, nutritious meals daily, as well as snacks and afternoon tea.
Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other special meals can be provided. Please let us know in advance. If you would like more details or a sample menu, please ask.
No! We use either a Katydyn filter or water purification tablets to treat the water, making it safe for you to drink. You do not need to bring these yourself. Since the tablets are usually chlorine-based, there can be a slight lingering taste in the water. You can bring neutralizing tablets, electrolytes or flavored cordial/squash to cover the taste.
Additional luggage you do not need to take up the mountain can be left safely in storage at your accommodation or our offices. We recommend you ensure any valuables are signed in to the hotel safe, and where possible left at home!
You are unlikely to come into contact with many animals on the mountain. As the number of trekkers has increased over the years, the animals have retreated. You may see Colobus and Blue monkeys in the rainforest along with a variety of birds. Large white-necked ravens and four striped mice scavenge in camps. Malachite Sunbirds are often seen and heard in the heath and moorland zone and the national park is working hard to encourage native rodents around the Shira Plateau.
At the base of the mountain, average temperatures are 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) throughout the year. On the summit, temperatures range from -10 to 23°F (-23 to -5°C) with windchill. Weather is changeable, and you should be prepared for these extremes. Your guide will help you decide on appropriate clothing in a detailed daily briefing.
Weather on the mountain is fairly consistent year-round, but should you plan on attaching a safari to your trek, it’s worth keeping in mind Tanzania’s seasonal shifts. June through October is cooler and drier. December through March is warmer and a bit wetter, with lush, green landscapes throughout the country.
We wouldn’t recommend climbing in April, early May, or late November, due to heavy rains.
Kilimanjaro Safety
It is imperative you take out appropriate insurance for your climb.
We carry emergency oxygen on all our climbs, for use when someone is suffering from a serious altitude-related illness. In this event the guide would ask you to descend since this is the only way to recover; however, oxygen can help people feel better during the descent, therefore making evacuation easier and safer.
We have at least one guide for every three trekkers, so you can move at your own pace. Guides will remind you to walk slowly as ascending at a slow and steady pace gives your body a chance to acclimatize.
We don’t carry Gamow bags. This is because for altitude the best treatment is descent; either on foot, stretcher or by helicopter; dependent upon the severity of the situation and which means of evacuation is accessible given location and weather. A Gamow bag creates an artificial environment where the air pressure is increased, simulating descent; however, it cannot be moved once a person is inside as pressure must be maintained. This makes it practically impossible to descend. Once removed from the bag the casualty is back in the same situation as before. It is therefore only really useful if a casualty is unable to descend for some reason. In all other cases starting the descent as soon as possible is preferable. Since Kilimanjaro is a freestanding mountain, different from the Himalayas, it is relatively straight forwards to descend without having to climb higher over mountain passes. There are only a few places where any ascent would be necessary to evacuate. If you would still prefer to climb with a Gamow bag this can be arranged at an extra cost.
Kilimanjaro Equipment
Upon inquiry, you’ll receive a detailed equipment checklist and guidance to help you prepare. Many of our guests find they already have some of the items we recommend, for example, hiking boots, base layers, warm hat, fleece sweaters, and gloves.
We will send you a comprehensive equipment checklist, including items available for hire, upon inquiry. Prices are for the duration of the climb, not per day, and costs can be paid in USD$ cash at your briefing. All equipment is of good quality, however, we advise bringing your own walking boots, socks, and base layer clothing, as these will inevitably be a better fit than items you hire.
You will carry a daysack which contains items needed during the hiking day. You will not see your main porter bag until you arrive at camp. Your guide will tell you exactly what you need to carry in this bag. Be careful to keep the weight down where possible, whilst carrying everything necessary. Every small item adds up and water adds considerable weight. Your bag will likely weigh around 7-10kg once full.
A strong pair of supportive, waterproof hiking boots is essential. They must be well broken in. Don’t risk losing them as delayed luggage on your international flight into Tanzania – wear them on your flight or carry them in your hand luggage. Trekking poles are recommended for slippery mud and loose scree. Gaiters can be hired or brought in.
Kilimanjaro Logistics
Our climbs have an arrival and departure day built-in. We recommend arriving at least one day early to give your body time to adjust to any time difference and recuperate from the journey. It also gives you a buffer in case a flight is canceled or delayed, or bags are lost or delayed.
Once you collect your bags at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll exit the building and one of our drivers will be standing outside the doors with a sign for African Scenic Safaris.
Once you are settled in Moshi your head guide will come to meet you for a full mountain briefing. They will check your equipment and help hire anything additional you might need. Whilst we realize some people have a lot of hiking experience, for many of our climbers this is not the case. It’s also a chance to meet other climbers in your group. During the briefing, your guide will discuss plans and logistics for the first day of your climb, amongst other important information to help you prepare.
On the majority of routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days, aside from summit day which will likely be 10-15 hours. There are a few days where treks are longer, extending to as much as 10-11 hours for those trekkers who need to take their time! This is generally only one or two days in addition to the summit and not on the day immediately before your summit attempt.
Distances vary according to the route. Total distances covered range from around 30 to 60 miles (48-97 kilometers) in total, but often feel different at altitude!
It depends on how strong you’re feeling after the summit, but most climbers are back in Moshi around lunchtime.
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace and the number of days you will take
Safari FAQ’s
If this is your first time on a safari, you probably have countless questions.
To get you started our safari experts have assembled a list of frequently asked ones.
General Tanzania Safari FAQ's
You will need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
Book your trip early. Ideally, 6 months in advance and 10-12 months in advance if you want to witness the Wildebeest migration in Serengeti
Safaris are costly. Tanzania Wildlife Safaris prices depend on the number of people in the trip, how many days of safari and the level of comfort or luxury.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, lactose-free or if you have any allergies, just give us a heads up and you will be catered to
We use 4×4 safari vehicles with all the safety regulations and have comfortable seating. The vehicles are well-equipped with binoculars, animal and bird guide books and a first aid kit.
Normally we recommend comfortable, casual, lightweight, washable and layered clothes. Cargo pants and capris are a good idea for outdoor safari activities. Bright color clothes should be avoided as it draws the attention of wild animals.
Safari packing list
It is important to keep luggage to the barest minimum on Safari or Climb as possible.
Baggage should be of round squashy type rather than suit cases that are difficult to fit into jeeps, try to use something that is lockable and waterproof as luggage often end up loaded onto the roof of your Safari vehicle.
For budget camping, all camping gear will be provided except only for a 4 season sleeping bag (available for hire).
Please Note: On your inbound flight it is common that your checked in luggage arrives later after you have arrived, for some reasons. Therefore don’t check in items that you absolutely need on arrival. (e.g. Medicine).
Clothes
- Sun hat
- Shirts (golf or t shirts)
- Long sleeved cotton shirts
- Light cotton shorts
- Long trousers (at least 2)
- Sports bra for women as the roads are bumpy
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Swimming costume (If accommodating in Lodges)
- Warm scarf as it can get cold in the evenings
- Safari jacket
- Sleepwear
- Safari hiking and walking shoes
Note: Bright or white colors are not recommended for safaris. Try avoiding blue as it attracts Tsetse flies. Camouflage clothing is strictly illegal in Tanzania try avoiding them so as not to get arrested.
Safari equipments & supplies
- 2 duffle bags (dust & waterproof; 1 for majority of your things and the second one for small and delicate things which you will be carrying on your own and should be as light as possible.
- Camera and video equipment
- If you wear contact lenses it would be safer to bring extra pair of glasses
- A good torch and spare batteries
- Padlocks for your luggage
- Multi-plugs for charging
- A travel towel is light and takes very little space (if camping)
- Deodorant
- Body soap/shower gel (if camping)
- Sunglasses
- Wet wipes, hand sanitizer
- Swiss pocket knife
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss .
- Shampoo & conditioner (if camping)
- Lip balm
- Q-tips & cotton balls
- Razor & shaving cream
- Small mirror (if camping)
- Plastic bags
- Reading books
- Memory cards, extra batteries, camera chargers
- Visa card is most common
- Fanny packs
The migration basically depends on the weather. Triggered by the rain, the annual pilgrimage must search for water and grass to survive. From about December to May with some seasonal variations in time scale the migrating herds are on the short grass plains from lake Ndutu past Naabi hill.
There they give birth and regain their strength. In May as the water becomes the limiting factor on the short grass plains hundreds of thousands of animals strectching over many kilometres heard Northwest , Simba and Moru become the favourite places to watch them. The migration swings Northeast heading into the neighbouring Masaai Mara Game reserve in Kenya during September.Around October the march begins again heading southwards back to Tanzania crossing the Mara and Kirawira rivers in pursuit of the of the nutritious grass in the southern plains where they began their journey 12 months earlier. This phenomenon is sometimes called the Circular Migration.
Tanzania Safari entrails a great range of lodges and tented camps. However, your Tanzania accommodations depend on the type of your packages like luxury safaris, budget safaris, or our Adventure Camping Safari where we will bring our own tents, a safari cook to prepare your meals, food, and all camping equipment.
