What time of year should I climb Kili?
Why is there a difference in price with tour operators?
What about Covid-19 Coronavirus Kilimanjaro safety?
What personal equipment and gear is needed for the climb and/or safari?
Can I rent/hire personal gear?
What will I need to carry in my day pack?
What safety equipment will be available?
What vaccinations or immunizations do I need before entering Tanzania?
What Airport should I fly into?
What can I do with items I don’t bring on the climb and/or safari?
How do I physically prepare for Kilimanjaro?
Should I use Altitude medication?
Do I need travelers insurance?
What are the Tanzanian Visa requirements to enter the country?
What Currency is used in Tanzania; can I use Credit Cards?
What’s included with Climb Kili?
Can I climb with Special Needs?
Is Mt Kilimanjaro a technical climb?
How much should I tip the staff?
Safari Questions
What time of year should I climb Kili?
Kilimanjaro has been summited every day of the year. We have scheduled climbs every week, year round. If you have a particular event or day you would like to be standing on the summit, we will arrange that. The following provides detail on average monthly temperatures (at the beginning of the climb, not on the upper mountain) and rainfall:
MonthJanuary February March April May June July August September October November December |
Avg. Temp. (F ~ C)78° ~ 26° 78° ~ 26° 78° ~ 26° 76° ~ 24° 72° ~ 22° 70° ~ 21° 69° ~ 21° 70° ~ 21° 71° ~ 22° 75° ~ 24° 76° ~ 24° 77° ~ 25° |
Rainfall (inches ~ cm)1.4 ~ 3.6 2.0 ~ 5.1 4.7 ~ 11.9 13.8 ~ 35.1 9.3 ~ 23.6 1.5 ~ 3.8 1.0 ~ 2.5 .7 ~ 1.8 .6 ~ 1.5 1.0 ~ 2.5 2.5 ~ 6.4 2.1 ~ 5.3 |
What route is best for me?
Climb Kili selects routes that are the most scenic, best for acclimatization and yield the greatest chance of success. Please view our 3D Routes for further detail.
Why is there a difference in price with tour operators ?
You can overpay to climb Kili and you can under pay.
Cheap operators may sacrifice:
- Safety equipment
- Contract out your climb to unknown companies
- Non-certified guides with no medical training
- Neglect proper cooking preparations
- Exclude private sanitary facilities
- Poor group equipment
- Select quick and crowded routes
- the list can go on and on....
Overpriced operators pay a hefty premium for top internet ad space, include unnecessary days on and off the mountain, mail costly promotional material, or simply charge thousands more to illicit an increased sense of security and/or comfort.
Compare Climb Kili to ANY overpriced operator and we Guarantee to offer more services, safety and summit success, all at a better value.
Kilimanjaro is our only peak and our only focus.
Observing any of the group camps on Kilimanjaro, one can quickly see and understand the variance between trekking companies. The quality of staff, food, equipment, sleeping pads, pre-climb preparation, guide to client ratios, safety equipment and emergency priorities are a few of the costs that determine your experience. Climb Kili’s position has never wavered from the highest quality Kili climbs and Tanzanian adventures.
At Climb Kili, our approach is NOT to provide you with a cheap experience, but rather to assist you in achieving your ultimate purpose of why you've chosen to take this adventure of a lifetime.
A Note on Summit Success: The Kilimanjaro National Park service requires each exiting climber to document several pieces of information including their trekking company and if summited. Year after year, the Park reports summit success at less than 50%. Overwhelmingly, these reports continue to indicate the cheapest operators yield the highest unsuccessful summit rates. Year after year, Climb Kili continues to enjoy a near perfect summit success rate.
How far will I trek each day?
Depending upon the selected route, you may trek an average of 4-8 hours per day with the summit day being the longest. Our 3D interactive map shows details on how far you trek and the elevation change each day.
What about Covid-19 Coronavirus Kilimanjaro safety?
Our clients safety has been and always will be our number one priority. In addition to the Center for Disease Control guidelines, we at Climb Kili have the following:
- Hand sanitizer in all transportation vehicles. From the first airport pick up to the last drop off
- Masks on mountain crews
- Masks and gloves for all chefs and mountain kitchen staff
- Personal hot water basin for client face/hand washing at tent morning and evening
- Proper staff distancing during trekking
What personal equipment and gear is needed for the climb and/or safari?
Climb Kili provides a detailed Equipment List in the Welcome Package that ensures every detail and item is in order.
Can I rent personal gear?
Yes. Climb Kili rents anything from sleeping bags to warm jackets down to trekking poles and gaiters. If you currently don't have items on the Equipment List and feel it would be better to rent, simply reserve these items and we'll have them ready for you upon arrival.
What will I need to carry in my day pack?
The only items you will carry are the essentials you want while trekking that particular day. Our detailed Kilimanjaro Information Guide will provide gear and suggestions on optimizing your day pack.
What safety equipment will be available?
No other company provides more safety equipment than Climb Kili. From supplemental oxygen, to altitude bags, portable stretchers to pulse oximeters, you are in good hands should the rare occasion arise that these safety devises are needed. Each Lead guide is certified for the usage and handling of all our safety equipment.
What vaccinations or immunizations do I need before entering Tanzania?
While there are no current restrictions for non Africans entering Tanzania, you should however check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations. We highly recommend you are up to date with your Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus.
For current Health information for Travels to Tanzania, visit the Center for Disease Control website.
What can I do with items I don’t bring on the climb and/or safari?
Our hotels have a Safe Room that stores all baggage and equipment not needed for the climb or safari.
How do I physically prepare for Kilimanjaro?
Climb Kili provides a detailed Fitness Program based on your time before departure, the altitude you live, age, and fitness level. Climb Kili offers a comprehensive personal fitness program to ensure your condition prior to taking your first step on the mountain.
Should I use Altitude medication?
The majority of our clients have not been at high altitude before and do not know how their body will react. Diamox (generic name Acetazolamide) is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, which means it forces the kidneys to expel bicarbonate, thus re-acidifying the blood. The drug forces the kidneys to emit bicarbonate. By increasing the amount of bicarbonate removed to the urine, the blood becomes more acidic. Acidifying the blood stimulates ventilation, which increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and has shown to decrease the detrimental effects of altitude on the body.
This is a personal choice and has been known to assist clients with minimizing the effects of altitude.
This should ultimately be a decision between you and your physician.
What Languages are spoken?
Tanzania’s official languages are English and Swahili.
All Climb Kili guides speak English, with some of our guides conversant in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Is the water safe to drink?
You should drink bottled water while in town and on your Safari. While on the mountain, our staff takes careful consideration to purify water each day and provide sufficient water for each client as much as they need. All Climb Kili Safaris come with daily bottled water.
Do I need travelers insurance?
We want you to bring home Kilimanjaro and Safari memories, but no matter how hard you try, there are some things you just can’t plan for. You are welcome to choose the best company policy for you. Many of our adventures have found AIG Travel Guard as a perfect policy as it includes high altitude trekking (Kilimanjaro) and AIG Travel Guard was Ranked #1 travel insurance by Forbes.
What are the Tanzanian Visa requirements to enter the country?
The Visa to enter Tanzania is $100 for US citizens and $50 for all others. These can be purchased upon arrival at Tanzania Airports or at the Kenya/Tanzania boarder. US Cash or Tanzanian Shilling ONLY. Ensure your passport is valid at least 6 months from the entry date into Tanzania.
What Currency is used in Tanzania; can I use Credit Cards?
The Tanzanian Shilling is the national currency. US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Moshi and Arusha and park entrances throughout the Safari. There are also many currency exchange locations and banks to facilitate currency trade throughout Moshi and Arusha.
Credit cards are only accepted at the airlines and major hotels within Tanzania. Plan on traveling with sufficient US Dollars.
What Electricity is used?
The local electricity supply is 220 volts 50 cycles AC, Type G and Type D outlets. You will need to supply your own international standard adapter if you plan to power and recharge your electronic devises.
What is the Menu?
We understand that sufficient caloric intake and purified water are essential to keep the body functioning properly high up on the mountain. Our menu is specific to the activities of that day, and day of trekking ahead. By incorporating the right balance of carbohydrates and proteins, we keep our clients in top health.
We have vegetarian & vegan menus available and accommodate gluten free and do our best with other special dietary situations.
The following are a sample of our menu items:
Breakfast
- Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate
- Toast, Biscuits with Margarine, Jam, Peanut Butter
- Eggs, meat, sausage
- Porridge
- Fresh fruits: Mango, Banana, Avocado, Watermelon, Oranges
Lunch
- Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate
- Chicken or Vegetable Soup
- Bread, Biscuits or Pancakes with Jam, Peanut Butter
- Sandwich with Meat or Cheese, Boiled Egg
- Snack: Peanuts, Popcorn, Cake, Cookies
- Fresh fruits and Fruit Salad: Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Carrots
Dinner
- Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate
- Chicken or Vegetable Soup
- Bread, Biscuits or Pancakes with Jam, Peanut Butter
- Roasted Chicken, Beef or Fish
- Potatoes, Rice, Pasta
- Fresh Vegetables: Carrots, Peas, Tomato, Beans
What’s included with Climb Kili?
Welcome Packet: including Detailed Itinerary, Invoice, Information Guide, Equipment List, Personalized Fitness Training program, Kilimanjaro Journal, warm Summit Cap.
- Personal trekking coordinator to assist throughout your preparation
- Transport to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
- 2 Nights Hotel
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Daily trip reports our office staff emails back home to interested friends and family
- Transportation to and from your selected route
- All personal and group tents
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees
- Government Climbing Taxes
- Climbing permits
- All Meals while on Kilimanjaro and Safari
- Sleeping pads
- Private chemical toilets
- Staff Salaries
- All meals during the duration
- Purified water
- Climb Kili exclusive Guides, Assistant Guides, Chefs and Porters
- Safety Equipment:
- Emergency Oxygen
- Hyperbaric Bag
- Pulse Oximeter
- Hot drinks at every meal
- One tree planted on your behalf
- Free wireless internet at the hotel
- Solo Supplement included (if applicable)
- Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park
- Climb Kili’s exclusive Guarantee
Can I climb with Special Needs?
Absolutely. Climb Kili has led Special Olympians, paraplegics, visually impaired, amputees, and many other clients with special needs to the summit. Please contact us to discuss specific situations and for any questions you may have.
What Airport should I fly into?
The majority of those climbing Kilimanjaro and/or traveling on safari fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (Airport Code: JRO). Some find it more economical flying to Nairobi, Kenya (Airport Code: NBO) and then taking the 6-8 hour shuttle transportation to Arusha or Moshi.
Whether you fly into Tanzania or arrive by shuttle bus, our Climb Kili staff will be there at the airport or bus station to greet you and your adventure will being!
Additional Airport codes of interest: Zanzibar (ZNZ), Arusha (ARK), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Serengeti Airstrip/Airport (SEU)
Is Mt Kilimanjaro a technical climb?
No, in the sense that no prior climbing experience is needed. However, this should not lead to the notion that this is a simple hike. The Climb Kili personal Fitness Program will prepare your body and mind for the daily trekking and rigors of the mountain.
How much should I tip the staff?
On Kilimanjaro and Safari tipping is an expected practice for the crew who assist you.
As a general rule $250 to $300 per person will adequately cover crew tips on the mountain.
For Safari, $15 per person per day is recommended.
Several factors can increase or decrease the per person amounts such as longer expedition will increase the overall amount as well as smaller groups typically will tip more as they will employ a larger number of crew per customer ratio than larger groups. The tip can be given to the Lead Guide the final night or the following day at the end gate. Your Lead Guide will appropriately distribute to your mountain crew.
How do I sign up?
You can confirm your booking via our secure Online Reservation form. We'll send out your Welcome Package soon and you'll be on your way!
Safari Questions:
What Safari is right for me?
We can customize your safari to accommodate your schedule. Our Safari's typically range from 3-7 days.
What vehicles are used?
All our vehicles are Land Rover and Land Cruisers which are serviced after each and every safari. All our vehicles have pop up canopy roofs with personal window seat viewing for each client.
Can I extend my Safari?
Sure. We provide just a few popular itineraries that work well with a typical schedule. If you would like to discuss a longer Safari we would be happy to accommodate and review our additional Safari extension options.
Highly recommend Climb Kili, both 8 day Kilimanjaro climb and 3-4 day Safari. Tiffany made all arrangements, answered our questions and flexed the itinerary when flights got changed last minute due to COVID. Guides Herment Mosha and Godlove provided compassionate leadership in getting us to the summit with endless insights and good humour. They resolved my mild case of altitude sickness, then sent a guide and porter to rapidly and safely descend one of our team whose altitude sickness wouldn’t resolve. Justin the chef prepared an endless supply of nutritious, delicious, food, snacks and hot drinks to keep us going and the entire support team was terrific. Very important that Climb Kili has license for Kosovo Camp at 16,000 feet for 5-6 hour summit night climb which results in a much higher success rate by saving 1.5 hours over Barafu Camp summit climb at 15,400 feet where most of the other tour companies start summit night. This strategy was key to our success. The Safari included a flight over the Serengeti which gave us a bird’s eye view before landing at park centre where our guide Ben picked us up and over the next 4 days was able to show us almost every type of animal in the park as well as a visit to a Maasai village. Tiffany booked us to stay at Summit Lodge while in Arusha, glamping in the Serengeti and Ngorongo Crater Wildlife Lodge while on Safari. We shopped around before landing on Climb Kili whose value can’t be beat. We will never forget Tiffany, Herment, Godlove, the climb team, Ben the Safari guide, and the wonderful hosts and support staff at all our accommodations that gave us the trip of a lifetime!
Our ClimbKili team was exceptional. Competent and friendly. The food was excellent. This was a wonderful experience I will never forget. It was great to share the experience with my son. For a 62 year old, I think I did okay. The summit at sunrise was amazing. I enjoyed every step and every view the entire trip. The ClimbKili staff was excellent both on and off the mountain. A special thanks to Emanuel, Johhny and Singa
Outstanding in every way and exceeded all expectations. I can’t rate our lead guide Veda and assistant guide Steve enough. Their competence, patience, humour and kindness made the trip one of the best adventures I’ve ever had. Our porters and chef were also incredible; setting up our camps, always looking after us and feeding us so much delicious food. How they do this on a mountain is unbelievable! I have so much respect for all these guys.
The hiking itself is such an experience, through stunning and constantly changing environments. Even though summit night is tough, it is also quite magical as you summit with a moonlit sky ahead and a deep red sunrise behind.
Thank you so much team ClimbKili for an unforgettable trip, I hope to come back with my children one day.
Once in a lifetime experience!!! Climb Kili was an exceptional company from the very first interaction. They’re very easy to get in contact with and were willing to answer any questions or concerns leading up to booking and preparing for the trip. Everything was seamless! Once we booked our trip for this past September, the company immediately sent us a welcome packet with a packing guide and information about the climb. When we arrived in Arusha, a team member picked us up and took us to the hotel. There, we were welcomed by extremely friendly staff that really made our stay comfortable! Before leaving for the hike, we had a debriefing meeting to be sure we had all the gear we needed. The next day we headed out for Mt Kilimanjaro and were welcomed by our team of 15 guides for our group of 4 hikers. We were so lucky to have such an amazing crew to get us to the summit (which all 4 of us did!). Meckson and Evance were our lead guides and went above and beyond to be sure that we were comfortable, healthy, and ultimately having a good time. On summit day, Evance even carried my backpack to be sure I was able to make it to summit. The lead guides were very knowledgeable about all of the fauna and flora and really just became our friends over the course of the 7 day hike. Although we did not interact as much with the entire team, they were all so nice and helpful! One of the guys would even bring us coffee or tea to the tent in the morning! After our 7 day hike, my husband and I did a 3 day Safari which was absolutely amazing!! I would also recommend booking this if you have time. Overall, I would highly recommend Climb Kili and I would highly recommend visiting Tanzania to meet the wonderful people of this country. To note, at the end of the hike there is a donation ceremony, so if there is anything you can spare it is much appreciated by the team. Most of the guides wear clothes and shoes from previous donations 🙂 I only regret that I didn’t bring more to give.
Sensational from start to finish. I cannot fault anything – in fact, my only fault would be that there was too much food each day, which sounds a strange complaint, but im not used to eating 3 x 3-4 course meals per day.
From the organisation and flexibility, to the hotel, the guide, the ridiculously good hike itself, I would highly recommend Climb Kili.
I did the Machame route from 5th-13th September 2020. Mrope was our guide and Felix co guide. A porter team of 10 more staff including chef supported our small group (2 persons only – 2 solo climbers). The whole thing blew my mind- the organisation, the positivity, the energy and efficiency of the porters. It meant you could focus on getting up the mountain.
I am now a 60 year old physician. Went with a team of 4 to Climb Kilimanjaro and go on Safari. Led by Uberguide Herment Mosha, along with Godlove, Amani and chef Justin we had a superb trip. It was well organized, putting us in great position to succeed. Much care spent on our well being along the way. Well fed, resourceful when the need arose. The trip moved along beautifully along the Lemosho route. Each afternoon an additional ascent of 200 meters after reaching camp to aid in the acclimation process . Afternoon tea and cards. Large team of 11 porters to keep weight management down. The experience of our team was noteworthy. In current clime, crowding is not an issue, neither on the mountain or on safari. Regular contact with the management team so transfers, hotels all in lockstep. Tiffany took care of arrangements in that regard. Hats off to the Tanzanians who provided excellent services along the way.
I could not have imagined a more impressive group of porters/guides as well as hotel staff throughout the 8-9 days or so. The attention to detail, friendliness, and overall organization really blew me away. I couldn’t have pictured a better experience.
The porters consistently went over the top to make sure we were comfortable and feeling well, as well as the guides who were incredibly kind and professional. They also made sure to check our heart rate and oxygen levels frequently to ensure safety.
It would be hard to find a better operator with as affordable pricing and flexible dates as Climb Kili
Climb Kili provided an outstanding experience from start to finish, and doing the climb during Covid-19 made for a very special experience.
Given the difficulties with flying during Covid-19, and the fact that I was solo, I needed a company that offered flexibility and the reassurance of being able to reschedule if necessary. Climb Kili provided this. When my flights were cancelled (twice), and I had to shift my schedule by a day or two, Climb Kili adjusted my trip without any problem and ran it even though I ended up being the only client on the trip. I also chose Climb Kili because they appeared to be an ethical organisation, and my various discussions with their crew in Tanzania supported this being the case.
The head office (Tiffany) was extremely efficient in organising my trip, the information provided prior to my trip was useful, and my family very much appreciated the updates and photos Climb Kili sent them each day during the trip. The staff who took me/from to the airport and met me at the hotel were great, and the hotel was also good.
My crew on the mountain were all simply wonderful. My guide (Amani) was everything you would want a guide to be, competent, friendly, helpful, knowledgable, and set a good pace for me during each stage of the trek. Cook and porters were all friendly, very helpful and genuinely happy for me when I made it to the summit. Food was brilliant (and far more than I could eat). They took great care over food preparation and ensuring I was provided with ample clean drinking water to keep me healthy. Everybody made frequent use of hand sanitiser as well as the water and soap that was provided at each camp for washing. I had an excellent Mountain Hardwear tent to sleep in, a mess tent and a private toilet tent, which made for a comfortable stay at each camp.
The trek itself was brilliant and everything I had hoped for. The Machame Route lived up to its reputation for providing a good experience of the different habitats while moving up and down the mountain. As well as the remarkable flora, we had good sightings of black-and-white colobus, driver ants, duikers, and even painted dog spoor. Climb Kili include several important modifications to the standard Machame itinerary. At both Shira and Karanga camps we arrived by lunchtime and took short walks in the afternoon to aid acclimatisation. At Lava Tower, we had a full, hot lunch to ensure we spent a couple of hours there for acclimatisation. And on Day 5, Climb Kili stay at Kosovo Camp (4800m) instead of Barafu Camp (4600m) where most companies stay, which meant that we had got the scrambling section from Barafu to Kosovo out of the way, and the summit climb on Day 6 was an hour shorter.
Doing the trip during Covid-19 provided a pretty unique experience and I’m very glad I persevered through various flight cancellations. Instead of the normal couple of hundred tourists and more than a thousand porters and crew at each camp, there was never more than just my group and one other group with 1-2 tourists, meaning 19 people in total. On the day I summited, there was one other tourist who summited a bit after me, and the day before I think three tourists summited from Barafu, so we were all in the privileged position of having the summit to ourselves for as long as we wanted. Yes, dealing with all the flight cancellations was challenging, but it was well worth it for the experience.
I was never concerned about the risk of catching Covid-19. Everyone was masked up during the flights, and my time in Tanzania was spent outside trekking up a mountain and sleeping in my own tent. Given that the virus doesn’t transmit well outdoors, I was quite possibly safer than in normal life back in the UK.
One final thing to consider if you’re unsure about tourism during Covid-19 is that the people out there really need us tourists. There are no furlough schemes, redundancy pay and unemployment benefits in Tanzania. For all the people out there whose livelihoods depend upon tourism, no tourists means no income to pay for food, kids education etc. They need tourists to come back.
I climbed Mount Meru, did a three day safari and then climbed Mount Kilimanjaro via a 6 day Machame Route with a summit date of 07/14/2020.
My lead guide for Kilimanjaro was James Lyimo and for my Meru climb was Vegamato. Both guides were excellent in every way and highly attentive. James in particular has summited Kilimanjaro over 150 times and will certainly get you to the top!
The staff of Climbkili exceeded my expectations in every category and the hotel has excellent food and a nice bar area.
The entire staff has had training for COVID suppression and hand sanitizers we’re always present.
I may have been most impressed with the quality and variety of food on the mountain. It was very tasty and varied and always presented well.
The owner of Climbkili is a former porter and guide himself and the business in family run which makes the personal attention they give first rate.
This is the best guide operator in Tanzania but they are also one of the most affordable.
Climb kili were fantastic. Small groups and great staff. We had Herment, Goodlove and Florian as guides. They were superb and their characters actually complimented each other quite well so it made the trip really fun and dynamic. Big shout out to the rest of the crew too… Innocent AKA Bokelo was a key player, id definitely want him on my future trips. Anyway have a lot of good things to say about climbkili all the way from booking and communications to taking care of logistics on and off the mountain. Oh and being allowed to camp in Kosovo is a HUGE plus and not many guides offer that.