Everything you need to know for Kilimanjaro trip planning and getting to Kilimanjaro, can be found below. From choosing a Kilimanjaro guided hike, booking a Kilimanjaro and safari package, choosing a Kilimanjaro and beach holiday, choosing the best route to climb Kilimanjaro, or determinng the best time to Climb Kilimanjaro, see the guide below.

Getting to Kilimanjaro | What is the closest airport to Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA/JRO) is the closest airport for Kilimanjaro Climb. There is only one flight per day, landing approximately 8 pm at night. The drive to Moshi, Tanzania is 45 minutes to an hour. Your guide should arrange for transportation from the airport to your hotel. What airlines fly to Kilimanjaro?: Three major international airlines land daily, Delta/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and British Airways.

Kilimanjaro Airport: There is a departure tax when leaving Kilimanjaro airport. This should be included in the price of your airline ticket. Check with your airline ahead of time, to confirm. If not, the cost is approximately $40 - $50 U.S. dollars per person to be paid in cash at the airport. Many times, there is confusion at the counter, and they will ask you for a departure tax to be paid in cash, whether or not it has already been included in the ticket. Be prepared to pay in cash. Departures out of Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam will also have similar departure taxes. If you are bringing extra baggage, the baggage fee for the return flight will have to be paid in cash as well. There are no ATM's at the airport.

Baggage Allowance: Check with your airline for baggage allowance and the cost of additional luggage. Average prices run $100 - $200 USD.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

January to March is dry and quiet.
April to May is not a good time to climb Kilimanjaro, as it is the rainy season.
June to October is warm and dry, but busy.
November to December has some rain and is colder.
Summiting on or soon after a full moon is very beautiful and helps illuminate the landscape without using headlamps. However, it is also very bright for sleeping and stars are not as visible.

Kilimanjaro Elevation

Mt Kilimanjaro has the highest peak (Uhuru Peak) in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 metres). There are six different trails for reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak.

Best route for climbing Kilimanjaro

Of all of the possible trails to take to arrive at the summit, two have a higher probability of successful completion than the rest. These are the Lemosho and Machame trails. If your goal is to reach the summit of the mountain, your best route for climbing Kilimanjaro is either Lemosho 8 Day Route or Machame 7 Day Route.

Whichever route you prefer to use, approaching the summit will be a challenging and rewarding experience. The air is very thin and very cold. Oxygen is not necessary, but use of a medication that prevents altitude sickness (such as Diamox) is recommended. Headlamp batteries will freeze, water will freeze, you will freeze, and the view is spectacular.

Lemosho Route Success Rate

Lemosho 8 Day Route covers 42 miles over 8 days, and has the greatest elevation gain of all the trails. However, this gives you more time to adjust to altitude, which gives you the highest chance to successfully reach the summit.

Machame Route Success Rate

The Machame 7 Day Route route covers 37 miles over 7 days, and has a summit success rate second only to Lemosho.

Marangu Route Success Rate

The Marangu route route, nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route, is the most direct and popular way to the summit. It is the only trail with huts along its route, complete with solar lights and bunk beds, which means you do not have to sleep in a tent. Despite its popularity, this is definitely not an easy trail; in fact, it has the lowest summit success rate of all possible routes. You should never attempt this route in 5 days. 5 days does not mean 5 days to summit. It means that you attempt to summit on day 3. You need more time to acclimate. The Marangu route 6 days itinerary gives you an extra day to acclimate. This route would only be recommended to those currently living and hiking in high elevation altitudes.

Kilimanjaro Guides

Choosing a Kilimanjaro guide can be daunting. There are hundreds to choose from. The guide is responsible for so many things. He needs to manage the staff, food, supplies, equipment and everyone's safety. Most clients are unaware of what happens behind the scenes. There are several roads on Kilimanjaro where supplies can be delivered to the team enroute. If additional food, tents, sleeping bags, or additional staff are needed, or a medical evacuation is needed, it's up to the head guide to organize and communicate to staff back at the office. Choosing a Kilimanjaro guide that can manage all the details, but most importantly, keep you safe and ensure that you have fun is not easy. Homeland Adventures is the Kilimanjaro guide that you should choose. Homeland Adventures is a locally owned and managed tour operator. It was founded in 2004 by Muksin Mushi.

Homeland Adventures is located in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. They specialize in active adventures and charity events that are focused on active adventures such as trekking and cycling. Their mission is to provide exciting and affordable adventures in East Africa. By keeping things simple and the overhead low, they are able to offer fantastic trips that bring adventures of a life time to those on any budget. Homeland Adventures offers private guiding, corporate challenges, and charity events as well as open challenges for individuals.

In July 2012, Homeland Adventures partnered with Travel Dirty, to guide Tyler Armstrong of Yorba Linda California, an eight year old to the Kilimanjaro summit. Although the official lower age limit set by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) for trekking to Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak is 10 years old, Homeland Adventures and Travel Dirty worked with KINAPA to obtain a special permit for Tyler to climb. Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet was the first and highest mountain in Tyler’s illustrious mountaineering career. Tyler took the Lemosho trail to summit Kilimanjaro on July 1, 2012, making headlines all over the world. After summiting Kilimanjaro, Tyler went on to climb higher mountains. On December 24, 2013, Armstrong reached the top of Aconcagua in Argentina at 22,837 feet and broke the record for being the youngest person to climb Mount Aconcagua, at the age of 9. In May 2016, Tyler Armstrong is setting out to set the new World Record as the Youngest Person to Climb Mt. Everest at 29,029 feet. Tyler will be 12 years and 4 months old. Currently the record is held by a 13 year and 10 month old. Travel Dirty with Homeland Adventures as the Kilimanjaro guide, is honored to have been there and climbed Kilimanjaro with Tyler.

BOOK MT KILIMANJARO CLIMB: LEMOSHO ROUTE
BOOK MT KILIMANJARO CLIMB AND SAFARI PACKAGE
BOOK MT KILIMANJARO CLIMB AND BEACH PACKAGE

What to pack for Kilimanjaro Climb?

From knowing what to wear on Kilimanjaro, choosing pants for Kilimanjaro, and endless other tips, view the Kilimanjaro Packing List.

Kilimanjaro Sleeping Bag Recommendations:

4 Seasons Sleeping bag for 0 to -10 F | Sleeping bags Outlet
Sleeping pad and repair kit (for all routes except Marangu): Mens Womens | Sleeping pads Outlet
Sleeping bag liner | Outlet Sleeping bag liner
Small camp sleeping pillow | Outlet camp pillow

** Note: Temperatures are really cold in the evenings, so dress warm while sleeping, more than one layer if necessary and make sure that your sleeping bag is rated to-10 F. Highest sleeping altitude is 15,000 feet. Night time temperatures while sleeping can range between 33 and -6 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to -21 degrees Celsius). Sleeping with a hat on will keep your body from losing heat. Filling an empty nalgene bottle with hot water and placing in your sleeping bag will help to stay warm. In addition, having an emergency space blanket can help to trap body heat in.

Kilimanjaro Hotel | Moshi Tanzania

Choosing where to stay in Moshi Tanzania can be difficult, as many hotels have poor accommodations, with inadequate mosquito netting or proper window sealing. This is a concern, as Moshi has a lot of mosquitoes, and you can get malaria here. It is important to wear insect repellent at all times and to stay in a hotel where the windows close appropriately, so you do not get bit by mosquitoes while sleeping.

Sal Salinero (pictured below) is a nice hotel / small luxury villa. The hotel blends the simplistic elegance with perfect architectural designs, all combined to entice even the most seasoned traveler. It operates as a 30-room unit, with personalized service around the clock.

Parkview Inn (pictured below) is in a prime location, in central Moshi, on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The rooms are spacious and modern, consisting of personal touches to ensure a pleasant and memorable stay.

Luggage: It is recommended that you bring a couple duffel bags for separating out which items you want to take with you during Kilimanjaro Climb and which items to leave at your hotel for African Safari or Zanzibar tours. The hotel will lock up any items you do not need in luggage storage.

Visa: Visas are required by all visitors except citizens of the Commonwealth, Scandinavian countries and the Republic of Ireland. It is very easy to get a visa at any Tanzanian embassy. The visa fee depends on the type of passport held. It is advisable to get one before you leave home.

Visa Application for U.S. Residents

African Safari Trip Planner

When to go on African Safari

Dry season (July-October) for large mammals;
Wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing.
Lake Manyara National Park provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania's birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans.

Serengeti National Park
It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.

Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is often called Africa's Eden and the 8th Natural Wonder of the World, a visit to the crater is a main draw for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun.

Safari Etiquette
The animals are fairly used to the sound of the jeep engines and will ignore the jeeps as if they are not there. However, you are encouraged to not talk loudly as it is disruptive to the animals. Elephants have been known to charge a vehicle when someone is talking too loudly. That means no screaming when you see an animal. I know, it's very exciting to see so many animals in the wild, but refrain from screaming and talking loudly.

When sleeping in the wildlife lodges, you are advised to keep your bedroom windows locked. If you open your window, always close and lock it. If you forget, the monkeys will come into your room and go through your luggage tossing clothes everywhere looking for food.

View African Safari Packlist

Zanzibar Trip Planning

About Zanizbar
Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania. It is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect for wading; and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists. Tourist activities include: Dolphin tours, snorkelling, spice tours and tours of the World Heritage Site of Stone Town, Zanzibar City’s old quarter.

When to go to Zanzibar:

The June to October spring months offer dry weather and cooler temperatures. This period is often regarded as the best time to visit Zanzibar.

Generally the main rainy season, or the 'long rains', last during March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm, which can be heavy on any of the islands. During November and December there's another rainy season: the 'short rains'. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable. If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months, January and February, which is Tanzania's 'short dry season', before starting to rain again in earnest in March.

Diving in Zanzibar and its outlying islands is possible all year round though most divers avoid the March to May rainy season.

Zanzibar Hotels

Uroa Bay Beach Resort (pictured below) is an excellent resort, priced reasonably, at normal hotel room prices. Resort has their own private beach, pool, and luxurious accommodations. Staff is friendly, eager to please, and will serve you drinks and food expeditiously. Resort is quiet and far away from normal sightseeing activities. Day trip tours are recommended for sightseeing, or you may enjoy just relaxing by the pool or on the beach of the resort.

If you are looking to stay in Stone Town, closer to the action, then you cannot go wrong with Double Tree by Hilton in Stone Town (pictured below). It is a beautifully refurbished historic building near popular Stone Town attractions, the sea, and is close to bustling markets and restaurants, offering a variety of exciting cuisines.

Zanzibar Etiquette:
Since Zanzibar is predominently a Muslim country, it is advisable that tourists dress respectfully when not on the beach. This means covering shoulders and knees. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Taking photos of locals is not recommended unless you have their permission. Greetings are important. If you can learn how to greet and answer someone in Swahili, you will receive a friendlier response.

Language: Tanzanians speak Swahili and English.

What currency is used in Tanzania?

Currency: U.S. dollars, Euros and the Tanzanian shilling are accepted. Most of the high-end hotels and wildlife parks accept US dollars but it can sometimes be a bit cheaper if you pay fees and accommodation in Tanzanian shillings. Major credit cards are only accepted at the more expensive restaurants and hotels.

ATM's are sparse and have long lines. Have plenty of $1 dollar bills for tipping porters and hotel staff. Have enough to cover tip for mountain guides, if you go directly to the mountain without stopping at an ATM. Do not take out too much out of the ATM, as shillings cannot be exchanged back into your local currency.

Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted at some hotels and some expensive restaurants. Some tourist shops with higher-end products also accept credit cards. However, most places do not accept cards, so don't plan on using a credit card, for many expenses. Make sure to notify your bank that you are planning on using your credit card, so that they place an alert on your account and that you are able to use your card.

In case of emergency: Things can happen when you're travelling that are out of your control. It is recommended to bring an extra $200 U.S. dollars and a credit card in case of emergency for all tours.

Africa Tipping:

Porterage: US $ 1.00 per bag.
Dining Room Staff: US $ 1.00 per person.
Driver Guide: US $ 15.00 per day.
For outstanding personal service, you may decide to give a higher tip.

Kilimanjaro Tipping Guidelines

An APPROXIMATE AVERAGE Total tip for Kilimanjaro guides, porters and cooks per hiker for the
Kilimanjaro Climb is: $250 - $300 USD
Many hikers will also tip more, for special/outstanding customer service, such as carrying your backpack to the summit.

Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance: International travellers are strongly advised to take out full health insurance and should be prepared to pay up front for medical services.

Things can happen when you're travelling that are out of your control, so insurance comes in handy. Considering the unpredictable nature, remote destinations and conditions encountered on many tours it is REQUIRED to have travel medical insurance on ALL hiking trips, and trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. If you're going to spend your hard-earned money to enjoy your holiday - why not spend a bit more to safeguard it?

Travel Guard offers competitive plans. You’ll want to get the standard basic medical, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation/delay, baggage delay, etc. These options come with most packages. However, you’ll want to add on the adventure sports waiver though, for high-altitude hiking. All hiking trips are at high altitude, and any claims to your insurance could be denied, if you do not sign up for the adventure sports waiver.

Before you go:
Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage.
Notify your bank and your credit card company fraud division where you will be, so that you have access to your cash.

Health: It is recommended that you bring the following medications: Cipro (for travellers diarrhea), Diamox (for high-altitude), anti-nausea medication for car/boat sickness, pain medication for headaches, cough lozenges, allergy / cold medication and any other personal medications/prescriptions. Vaccine recommendations are based on the best available risk information. Please note that the level of risk for vaccine-preventable diseases can change at any time. Generally, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Malaria pills are recommended. However, please refer to the CDC complete list before booking your trip.

Malaria in Tanzania

Malaria is a serious disease. You will need to take anti-malarials prior to your flight, and prior to your Kilimanjaro climb. You will be at risk for malaria, as soon as you step off the plane at Kilimanjaro airport. Arriving flights exit on the tarmac, and not in the terminal. Expect to get bitten by mosquitoes as you exit the plane, if you have not put on bug spray. You can also expect to stand around outside for a bit, at prime mosquito biting time, while luggage is being loaded into jeep or bus for transport to the hotel.

Mosquitos: Use insect repellent with 30%-50% DEET. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat outdoors. Remain indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak biting period for malaria (dusk and dawn). Use mosquito nets in hotel rooms. Mosquitos will come thru the windows and bite you while sleeping.

As you climb Kilimanjaro and getting higher in elevation, the mosquitos will go away and you will no longer need to take anti-malarials. However, if you booked a Kilimanjaro and Beach holiday package, or if you booked a Kilimanjaro and safari package you should continue taking the anti-malarials as you will need them at lower elevations while in Tanzania.

Fore more information on malaria in Tanzania, see the CDC guide for malaria, specific to Tanzania.

Can I drink the water in Tanzania?

Food / Water: It is recommended that you drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. Avoid fresh fruits, vegetables and ice.

If you feel that you may be experiencing travellers diarrhea, it is best that you avoid: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, cheese, chocolate, fried foods, pizza and fat. The recommended foods are: soups, rice, boiled chicken, jelly, potato, and steamed meats.

Special Dietary concerns: Vegetarian, lactose intolerant, or gluten concerns can be addressed on most tours, just let us know when scheduling.

Feeling Sick: If you are experiencing any health issues, make sure to let your guides know.

Toilets: Not all toilets have toilet paper. It is recommended that you bring toilet paper and hand-sanitizer everywhere you go.

What are the toilets like in Africa?

Toilets at hotels and lodges: Toilets at the hotel and lodges are standard, sit-down toilets, with toilet paper. Many places that cater to tourists have sit-down toilets. However, places that are for locals, such as gas stations, will have squat toilets. Public toilets on the Kilimanjaro trail are squat toilets. If you book your Kilimanjaro Climb with Homeland Adventures, then you will be provided with private sit-down toilets on the Kilimanjaro trail of your choice.

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