Climb Mount Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route 8-Day Climb

INCLUDED
- 4 Nights at Mount Meru Hotel (or similar)
 - 7 Nights Kilimanjaro Camping Tents
 - Meet and greet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
 - On arrival & one departure private transfer per group between Kilimanjaro Airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with a driver
 - Breakfast is included at the hotel
 - Arusha Hotel accommodation
 - Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
 - Return transfers between the hotel to the start/finish point of a climb
 - All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping/hut fees, and climbing permits
 - Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
 - The chief guide carries a Pulse Oximeter, which is used to take clients' blood-oxygen level readings twice a day.
 - Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
 - Complete First Aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
 - Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
 - Salaries paid to the mountain support crew per KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park Authority) guidelines.
 - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
 - Food of premium quality and a bigger variety on the mountain
 - Hot lunch is prepared at the lunch stop and served with a table, chairs (and inside mess tent in case of bad weather), except on day 1 of the hike, where climbers are provided a packed - lunch.
 - Superior quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals)
 - Sleeping mattress
 - Water for washing up daily
 - Porter to carry your duffel bag, with a maximum weight of 15kg / 32 lbs, from one camp to the next camp
 - Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
 - Complimentary mineral water (per hiker) for the first day of your climb and 4 to 5 liters of purified water per person per day from night 1 onwards
 - Complimentary Flying Doctors membership
 - (Emergency Helicopter evacuation in case of emergency – T & C’s apply)

OPTIONAL TO INCLUDE IN PACKAGE - (RECOMMENDED)
- Tips Pre-climb - Bellman, driver, tour guides - $50 per person
 - Tips for Climb - guides, porters and cook  - $400 per person
                       (personal porter gratuities not included)

NOT INCLUDED
 - Airfare
 - Items of a personal nature
 - U.S. Passport Required
 - Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most
nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
 - Vaccination requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel
to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis, & Hepatitis A
remains optional, but comes recommended)
 - Required travel and medical insurance.
 - Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania
 - Live tracking service – depending availability and booking in advance
 - Snacks, personal medicine, and sports drink
 - Meals and drinks not specified
 - Incidentals
 - Laundry
 - Additional Gratuities 
(Personal porters and any additionally requested services)

** Itinerary subject to change
All tours and entrance fees are included / All taxes are included
Maximum two travelers per room

5% REBATE
PAY IN FULL AT THE TIME OF BOOKING

• The offer applies to the Land Package (after any discounts are applied)
• The 5% rebate does not apply to the Booking Fee, Flights, Add-On Purchases, or Donations.
• The rebate will be refunded to the original form of payment used for the Travel Experience purchase.
• Please allow 14 business days for processing.

Located in Arusha, an oasis of tranquility on Tanzania's gateway to major tour tourist destinations regardless of the season, the hotel comprises 178 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, 24-hour In-Room Dining service, an outdoor swimming pool, and a well-equipped gymnasium. Mount Meru Hotel provides the perfect venue for meetings and events with more than 1500 sqm of meeting and banquet space, perfect for seminars, large conferences, cocktail events, and corporate dinners, an ideal mix of categories to meet the needs of corporate and MICE visitors to the country.  

The property offers uninterrupted views of Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro, and pristine landscaped private gardens overlooking the Golf Club. The Mount Meru Hote.  l is located only a 45-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 20 minutes from Arusha Airport (ARK), and a 10-minute walk from the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC), the historical Arusha Clock Tower, the German Boma, and the Maasai Market Curios and Crafts.

Seven main Mount Kilimanjaro routes lead to the summit, Uhuru Peak, one of which starts on the Northern side of the mountain and the rest on the Southern side. The routes are Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Umbwe.          Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro takes between five to nine days to reach the Kilimanjaro Summit and then descend to the finishing point. The more days spent on the mountain, the more likely you will summit successfully because you will become more acclimated to the altitude.

Highest success rate and overall best route to climb Kilimanjaro

You want the highest chance of summiting. In that case, the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro are the Lemosho and Machame routes over 7 or 8 days. Excellent acclimatization and a more leisurely summit night make these winners go a long way. As reaching the top is the most important thing for most of our climbers, we make this our overall winner as the best route to climb Kilimanjaro.

The most scenic route to climb Kilimanjaro

The Lemosho route, approaching from the West, has the best views, with spectacular vistas in all directions.

The quietest route to climb Kilimanjaro

If you prioritize avoiding crowds, the Rongai route is the best for your Kilimanjaro climb. But be warned: the success rate is lower.

The most challenging route to climb Kilimanjaro

If you are looking for an adventure and a unique wilderness experience, the crater camp option is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you- less than 1 % of climbers get to do this, and all our climbers who do it rave about it.

The Lemosho Route is often considered the most beautiful trekking trail up Mount Kilimanjaro. It crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. 

It is one of the newer routes on the mountain and shares a portion of the same path as the Machame route. However, it has a few advantages over that route that make it worth considering, particularly for travelers with extra time.  

Starting on the western flanks of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate, the Lemosho Route wanders its way up one of the more remote mountain sections. 

 The trail takes hikers through a beautiful rainforest where they might have the chance to spot wildlife along the way. Black and white colobus monkeys are routinely seen in the forests, as are blue monkeys, small lizards, and a wide assortment of birds. From there, the path wanders onto the Shira Plateau, crossing it from west to east on relatively flat and easy-to-walk terrain.

The early days on the Lemosho Route provided plenty of solitude, as this trail saw far less traffic than the Machame and Marangu routes. This makes an already great trekking adventure even more spectacular as, at times, it will feel like you have the entire mountain to yourself. 

Eventually, however, the Lemosho route merges with the Machame route, increasing traffic. But if you’re looking for a bit of peace in the early going of the climb, this is a great option.  

Because it follows the Machame Route for most of the climb, much of the same scenery is found on the Lemosho route, including the Lava Tower and Barranco Wall. But, in those first few days, this trail offers some unique views of the surrounding landscapes that aren’t visible from any other place on the mountain.  

Travelers will get the chance to wander through pristine rainforests and hike up to the Shira Plateau, where stunning vistas await once above the tree line.  

Because of its remote nature and lengthier route, Lemosho takes a few extra days to trek. Most people spend seven or eight days on this trail, which causes the success rate to increase pretty dramatically.  

If you’re looking to maximize your chances of reaching the top of the mountain, this is undoubtedly one of the best options, particularly over the Machame and Marangu routes. Despite the higher success rate, it should be noted that the Lemosho route is a more strenuous hike than the “Whiskey” and “Coca-Cola” routes.  

Certain sections of the trail are steeper and more demanding, and trekkers also spend an extra night or two sleeping in tents. Still, the advantages of this route truly make it stand out from the others, making it an increasingly popular choice for adventurous travelers.  

Climbing Kilimanjaro offers Lemosho as 7 day or 8-day climb. The seven-day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.

Lemosho Route Frequently asked questions.

The questions and answers below are specific to the Lemosho route.

How difficult is the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho route is considered one of the easiest routes on Kilimanjaro as its longer itinerary allows for better acclimatization. However, hikers will still need to ascend the Barranco Wall and climb steeply on summit night. No technical climbing is required, but a good fitness level is highly recommended.

What is the distance of the Lemosho Route, and how many days does it take?

The exact trekking distance for the Lemosho Route is 71km or 43 miles. 

The shortest number of days required for the Lemosho Route is 7, but by the time you have added on arrival and departure days, it is 10. However, as it is a much longer approach route, it is best done over 8 or 9 days to increase your chances of success.

Due to its extended length profile, summit success rates on the Lemosho route are among the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90% for the 8-day trek and an 85% success rate for the 7-day trek. However, We have a success rate of over 95% for the 8-day Lemosho route and a 92% success rate for the 7-day option.

What is the Scenery like on the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenically beautiful of all the routes. The route takes trekkers from the west side of the mountain through the lush rainforest before joining up with the Lemosho Route to cross the spectacular Shira Plateau. The route takes in the west and south of the mountain, and the views are incredible, particularly from the southern circuit.

Travelers planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro frequently ask how long it takes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro takes five to nine days, then descending to the finishing point. The more days spent on Mount Kilimanjaro, the more likely you are to summit successfully, as you will become more acclimatized to the altitude and less fatigued.  

Trekkers who spend only 5 days have the lowest Summit success rate.

Trekkers who spend 8 or 9 days have a much better chance of summiting. Read more about the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro and the days they take.

Factors affecting how long it takes to climb Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is a “walk-up” mountain, meaning no technical climbing is involved. How long it takes to reach the summit is primarily dictated by how well you can acclimatize to the lack of oxygen at altitude.

Acclimatization
The main reason climbers fail to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is that they have not acclimatized to the altitude.

How badly do you want to reach the summit? If you’re serious about completing the climb, the main obstacle is acclimatization.

The good news is that going slow and taking your time allows your body to adapt to the lack of oxygen gradually.

The more days you spend on the mountain acclimatizing, the better your chances of reaching the top. Trekkers who spend only 5 days on Kilimanjaro have the lowest success rate, while those who spend 8 or 9 days have a much better chance of standing on the Roof of Africa.

The Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention of Acute Altitude Illness says that controlling the rate of ascent, in terms of the number of meters gained each day is a “highly effective means of preventing altitude illness”. 

A slow and steady ascent gives your body time to adjust to the altitude, and while physical fitness does not seem to affect how well you acclimatize, you’ll build in enough time for rest and recovery after the day’s hiking.

It’s challenging to get up-to-date data from the Kilimanjaro National Park, but in 2006, estimates of the success rate based on the number of days spent on the mountain were precise. At that time:  

• 27% of those who opted for the 5-day trek made it to the summit  
• 85% of trekkers who spent 8 days on their climb were successful.

Those numbers have no doubt improved since then, thanks to better guides, improved gear, and a better understanding of how to successfully hike the trail. But, they give you an indication of the importance of taking your time on the mountain.  

Being very fit does not correlate with increased ability to acclimatize. Being physically fit will make the trekking easier, reduce fatigue and stress, but it won’t help you acclimatize.  

According to Dr. Hackett from the Institute for Altitude Medicine, says physical fitness will give you no protection from altitude sickness. Sometimes, many young, fit people will push through the discomfort, ignoring important symptoms.

How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on each route?

There are a total of six different routes you can use to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. 

• The shortest possible way to the summit is by the Marangu or the Umbwe Route. These routes can be completed in 5 days (but we don’t recommend it for most hikers)
• The longer treks, Lemosho, Machame, Rongai or Northern Circuit route take 6-10 days.
• The main reason you’d want to take a longer route is to give your body time to acclimatize to the altitude, but there are other considerations as well.
• Unless you are very fit, covering the same amount of ground in a shorter time frame can increase your chances of fatigue and injury – and compromise your enjoyment of the environment.
• Climbing Kilimanjaro recommends that trekkers with a flexible schedule consider a longer route or build in one or two acclimatization days to reach the summit easily.
• Each route varies in the duration of the mountain, the types of accommodation, the level of difficulty, the kind of scenery, and other factors.
• The table below lists each route, sorted by the number of days usually taken on each route.

You can climb Kilimanjaro in 5 or 6 days but is it worth the risk?

You can climb Kilimanjaro in five or six days. Most clients we’ve spoken to are attracted to the shorter routes for these reasons:

• Cost savings
• Lack of vacation time 
• Don’t want to hike for so many days     

In all Climbing Kilimanjaro combined years of experience as mountain guides and trek organizers, we encourage a longer, steadier climb as it’s safer, dramatically increasing our clients’ summit success rate.     

Additionally, giving yourself time to enjoy the unique mountain environment, with adequate rest and recovery, will make for a much more enjoyable experience.   
 
These are the questions we ask and encourage you to ask yourself:     

• How would you feel if you scheduled a route with the minimum days, only to turn back on day 3 because the rate of ascent was too quick and you did not have time to acclimate?     Wouldn’t you rather add a couple of days to your trip to give yourself a better chance of summiting and to take it easier on your body?  
• Were the ‘savings’ you got for not taking additional days worth the cost of cutting your climb short, not making it to the summit, or worse still, putting your health at risk?

When is it a good idea to opt for a shorter Kilimanjaro climb?

• If you’ve recently been to high altitude. If you’ve climbed Mt. Meru or Mt. Kenya successfully, for example, you will have an element of pre-acclimatization and can get away with a shorter route.  
• If you’re a very experienced climber and have been to extreme altitudes before (>18,000ft) and are confident of your ability to acclimatize.

It’s an undeniable fact that longer routes increase summit success rates.  

How long Does it take to descend Kilimanjaro?  

It takes around two days to descend Kilimanjaro from the Uhuru Peak Summit to the Finish point. The descent can take up to 5 hours to reach Camp overnight and the following day 4 hours to 6 hrs, depending on the route and trekkers' experience.  

Quick Facts: Fastest times to the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by elite athletes  

Current record holder:
Karl Egloff, a Swiss climber, made it in 4 hours, 56 minutes. He’s gone on to break records on Aconcagua, Cotopaxi and others. You can read more about his intense training and pre-acclimatization program here.  

Other notable times:  

• Fastest woman Kristina Schoo Madsen (from Denmark): 6 hrs 52 minutes Mweka route    
• Simon Mtuy from Tanzania holds the record of the fastest unaided attempt. He carried all his gear, including food and water, 9 hours 19 minutes on the Umbwe route.     
• Kilian Jornet, the previous record-holder, made it in 7 hours, 14 minutes.     

How long will it take YOU?     
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: you’ve trained for it and paid for it, so don’t compromise your safety or chance of success.

You must bring essential gear and supplies to be safe and comfortable throughout your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. We have compiled a comprehensive Kilimanjaro Packing list to help you prepare for your climb.  

Trekking Kilimanjaro involves five main climate zones, from the warm, humid forest and lower slopes to the bitterly cold summit zone, with glaciers, ice, and snow. You must be prepared for all Kilimanjaro weather conditions: sunny, windy, and rainy. 

We provide tents, camp equipment, food, cooking facilities, and other shared items. You’ll have a duffel bag with all your kit, carried by the porters, and bring your daypack during the trekking day.  

Download your printable Kilimanjaro packing checklist here

KILIMANJARO GEAR LIST

BASIC EQUIPMENT

Daypack: Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 15kg) . You will need to carry your daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey daypacks. Recommended Options	Waterproof duffle bag: To carry your main gear, we recommend using an 80-90L duffle bag. Large rucksacks (>65L) can also work. Recommended Options
Sleeping bag: You will need a 4-season or -20 degrees C  sleeping bag and a compression sack. We recommend Mountain Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags. You can hire sleeping bags from our team in Tanzania Recommended Options	Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond trekking poles Recommended Options
Water bladder / bottles: Capacity to carry 3 litres of water. Options: 2 x 1.5 litre wide mouth nalgene bottles or 2 litre platypus + 1 litre water bottle. Note that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro Recommended Options	Neck gaiter or scarf: It can get dusty on Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear Recommended Options
HEAD
Warm beanie style hat: Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The North Face, Berghaus and Columbia all make good outdoor beanies Recommended Options	Sun hat: Preferably go for a hat that is wide-brimmed for protection, and has a neck cover if you aren’t going to be wearing a neck gaiter Recommended Options
Headlamp: You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps Recommended Options	Sunglasses: Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice Recommended Options
HANDS & FEET
Warm gloves or mittens: For the cold nights and for the summit push we recommend heavyweight, insulated, preferably water resistant gloves. The North Face and Black Diamond are recommended brands Recommended Options	Lightweight Gloves: For lower slopes we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves Recommended Options
Trekking boots: We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell Recommended Options	Training shoes: To wear around camp after a day’s trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals Recommended Options
Socks: 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks Recommended Options	Gaiters: Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions. Recommended Options
UPPER BODY
Thermal base layer: 1 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. Recommended brand is Icebreaker Recommended Options	Short sleeved shirt: 2 x lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts. Recommend brands include Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus Recommended Options
Long sleeve shirt: Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts. Recommended Options	Fleece or soft shell jacket: A mid-weight polartec fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces Recommended Options
Insulated jacket: A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab, Arc’Teryx and Mountain Hardwear Recommended Options	Hard shell outer jacket: A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear Recommended Options
LEGS
Leggings: Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommend brand is Icebreaker. Recommended Options	Trekking trousers: Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Craghoppers and Columbia Recommended Options
Hard shell trousers: To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’Teryx all make good outer trousers Recommended Options
OTHER BITS & BOBS
Plug Adapter: A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the trek. The standard voltage and frequency in Tanzania is 230 V and 50 Hz respectively. The power sockets that are used are of type D / G. Recommended Options	Camera and spare batteries: Unless you are a keen photographer we recommend taking a good quality and lightweight point and shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix. Recommended Options
Sun and lip screen: High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm Recommended Options	Toothbrush and toothpaste: Ideally travel size Recommended Options
Personal snacks: Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good shout. Isotonic drink powder to mix in with your water improves flavour and helps replace electrolytes Recommended Options	Ear plugs: For light sleepers. Snoring travels in quiet high altitude camps! Recommended Options
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Staying clean on Kilimanjaro is a challenge. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help Recommended Options	Pee bottle (optional): Useful for the ladies, but not a requirement  Recommended Options

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain climb, its a hike. A tough, multi-day trek at altitude. It can feel like a long, hard slog in the thin air, especially on summit night. Being physically prepared can mean distinguishing between a safe and comfortable climb, and a miserable, exhausting experience. So, how do I train for Kilimanjaro?

Being in peak physical fitness does not guarantee summit success. Even the fittest athletes can succumb to the effects of altitude. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to tackle Kilimanjaro, as the altitude will be the ultimate deciding factor.

However, it’s possible that the fitter you are, the less of your aerobic capacity you need to utilize to trek, allowing you to handle the additional stress of acclimatizing to the altitude more easily.

Things to bear in mind:

• You’ll be hiking slowly, but ‘slowly’ at altitude can feel more like a run at sea-level 
• You need to be able to hike 6-8 hours a day, then do it all over again the next day, and the day after
• Summit night/day can be 10+ hours on your feet
• The trails can be steep, rocky and uneven.
• Mental stamina and mindset is very important

While fitness alone will not help you acclimatize to the altitude, being in the best shape possible will have the following benefits:

• Ability to recover quickly from the day’s exertion and be energized for the next day’s hiking 
• Improved oxygen delivery to the muscles 
• Strong legs for the steep (both uphill and downhill) sections 
• Improved balance and flexibility to reduce injury 
• Enjoyment of your surroundings.

Don’t forget:

• Wear your hiking boots during practice hikes, at the gym, or around the house. Especially new boots, you want them well broken in. Experiment with different sock combinations.  
• Practice wearing your day pack (put some weight on it) to get your shoulders and back used to hiking.   
• Practice layering your clothes: How do the layers fit, and quickly get them on and off?   
• Hiking poles: if you’re planning to use them on the mountain.

Kilimanjaro has no best fitness program, and the amount of training you’ll need is unique to your situation. If you’re very fit or going to the gym regularly, you might need to add some hiking trails (preferably uphill). If you’re unfit, you may need to start initially.  

Disclaimer: Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional before starting any training program or changing your current routine. Have a medical check-up before you commit to any high-altitude trek. The information in this article is for information purposes only. 

FITNESS AND TRAINING TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO

Any Kilimanjaro fitness program will depend on your exercise routine, injury status, and fitness levels. You don’t need superhuman levels of physical performance, with enough time (and if your doctor agrees) most healthy people can get in shape for Kilimanjaro.  It’s a case of getting your body used to the specific demands of the trek.  The main aspects you’ll need to work on are: 

• Endurance & cardiovascular fitness
• Leg, core & back strength Flexibility and balance (stretching)
• Get out and hike, preferably incorporating rough trails and hills
• Mental stamina

TOP TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FITNESS PROGRAM

Keep it simple & sustainable.”

Pick an exercise you enjoy. If you love biking, then get out on your bike, if running’s your thing, then do that. The important thing is whatever exercise you do, make it progressive, so you build up your stamina and keep pushing yourself. If you’re short of time, consider high-intensity interval training. Anything that improves the work capacity of muscles and your cardiovascular system.

Use daily life events as training opportunities:
In addition to your more formal training program, find other opportunities as you go about your day. Do you have a dog? Put on a daypack with 20lbs when you take Fido for his daily walk. Take the stairs, mow the lawn, anything that gets you moving.

In the Hills or the Gym: 
Wherever possible, put on your boots and daypack and get outside. Hiking up and down hills, over rough terrain will give you an idea of what it’s like on the mountain. Increasing the duration of your walks will help to prepare you for being on your feet for many hours at a time. No access to hills? Crank the treadmill onto a steep incline, or use the stair master. Wear your daypack and hiking boots, and practice.

Make it Progressive & Listen to your body: 
You want your training to be challenging, preparing your body and mind. But you don’t want to burn yourself out. Prepare your training program to be progressive so you keep making gradual gains in your fitness process. If you’re unsure how to prepare your training program, consider consulting with a personal trainer or an online training program to help you.

The Importance of Rest & Recovery: 
There’s a delicate balance between pushing yourself hard and pushing yourself too hard. Muscle soreness, injury, poor sleep, and fatigue indicate that you are going too hard, too soon. Start training for your Kilimanjaro climb early enough (3-6 months). Good training is not an overnight success, it’s the sustained process over time.

Prevent Plateaus :
Switch up your training every 3-4 weeks and incorporate something different. If you always do the same thing, your body will adapt to it, and you’ll need to go harder for the same benefit. Switching to a different workout routine presents new challenges for your body. Note: This is why it’s important not to “just walk” during your Kilimanjaro preparation. Your body will adapt to walking at sea level quite quickly unless you do multiple hours of hiking daily.

Taper your Training: 
About two weeks from the start of your climb, keep up the training but lower the intensity. You’ll want to be fresh and well-rested at the start of your climb, and you don’t want to risk injury.

ENDURANCE AND CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS

Endurance or stamina refers to the body’s ability to maintain a high work rate for long periods. Endurance training is an organized method to enhance your metabolism, or, in other words, to increase oxygen efficiency and energy production in your muscles. 

• Biking, swimming, jogging, stair master, elliptical – build up to 60-90 minutes of sustained work at around 70% of your maximum heart rate.    
• High-Intensity Interval Training – use if you’re short on time and to provide a different training stimulus.    
• Wear your weighted day pack and hiking boots whenever possible, and try to get out for some strenuous hikes, preferably with some elevation gain.    
• You can also incorporate specific altitude training protocols to help you get accustomed to the lack of oxygen on the mountain.

STRENGTH TRAINING

What is strength? The body can perform the most work with the least effort. Remember, you’ll have the altitude to contend with, so you want your body to be as efficient as possible at performing the “work” (trekking) it’s required to do. Resistance training predominantly trains the anaerobic (without oxygen) energy production systems. 

• Work on your lower body (leg) strength – squats, lunges, anything that targets the large muscles in your legs.
• Build your core strength for good balance on uneven terrain
• Back and upper body strength for carrying your daypack

You’ll need strong legs to power you up the mountain, and the downhill sections can be challenging on your hips, knees, and thighs. A good strength training program will help the larger muscle groups build strength and strengthen the smaller, stabilizing muscles around the joints to reduce injury.  You don’t need to go full-on bodybuilder strength training, but incorporating resistance training 2-4 times a week will pay dividends later on. If you’re not experienced with weight training, we highly recommend consulting a personal trainer.

STRETCHING, FLEXIBILITY & YOGA

It's easy to ignore flexibility when doing a lot of cardio or strength training. Stretching your muscles before and after exercise reduces injury. It makes you more balanced and helps your muscles recover.  Incorporating some yoga into your program helps with your breathing techniques, promotes good posture, and helps you to stay calm and focused on the challenge ahead.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Learning to control your breathing is very important when you hike in thin air. Shallow breathing and hyperventilation don’t allow you to take in enough oxygen and can increase your body’s response to stress. Be mindful of your breathing and learn to take long, slow, deep breaths. Using yoga, meditation, or specific breathing techniques can help with your ability to listen to your body. Tuning into your body’s needs, such as hunger, thirst, heart rate, aches, and pains, means you’ll know quickly if something’s wrong.

INJURY PREVENTION & EXISTING INJURIES
Most of us have an odd sore knee, tight hip, or weak shoulder. Knowing your current limitations (check with your doctor for any injuries you suspect you have) allows you to prepare better.  

• If you’ve got poor knees, ask your doctor or physiotherapist about a knee brace, particularly for downhill sections. 
• Hire a good personal trainer to devise a program to strengthen your weak points. 
• Soft tissue work or sports massage can help free up tight muscles in certain areas. 
• Prevent injury by warming up and cooling down before and after intense exercise.

ON THE MOUNTAIN

• Choose the longest route possible for the best acclimatization protocol 
• Take it slow and steady: conserve your energy; there’s no rush  
• Stay hydrated, and eat regularly. Use hiking poles to help you balance on uneven terrain 
• Treat ‘hotpots’ on your feet to prevent them from turning into blisters

LEARN THE "REST-STEP"

The “rest step” is a hiking technique that lets you drop your heel with every step, straightening your leg. This puts the weight on your skeleton and allows your muscles to relax momentarily.  Most importantly, tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell, have a headache or nausea, or are suffering any kind of pain.

MENTAL STAMINA

Trekking Kili is a mental challenge and requires perseverance and determination. The long hours of hiking, the effects of altitude, and sleeping in a cold tent can all take their toll.  How can you ‘train’ mental stamina?   Remembering your “why”. Why did you choose Kilimanjaro? Are you raising money for charity? Perhaps it’s to push your physical capacity or a lifelong dream. Either way, keep your “why” in mind.  

• Mindfulness and meditation. Many resources explain the benefits of mind and body meditation, including improving your mental resolve.  
• Complex training: pushing yourself through a previous ‘limit’ can show you your capabilities. Perhaps you’ve achieved a personal best of some sort.
• Confidence, but not over-confidence. Achieving milestones that you set for yourself can increase your confidence in your ability to handle challenging situations. Overconfidence can cause laziness and complacency.  
• Draw on your own experiences. Remember some challenging situations you’ve overcome, and remind yourself that you can do this.  
• Be informed: read up as much as possible about the challenge you are undertaking, and build up knowledge about the mountain and yourself. 
• One step, one breath, one activity, one achievement at a time.

NUTRITION

We provide well-balanced, nutritionally dense meals on the mountain and cater to most dietary requirements. During your training, it’s important to follow a healthy nutritional plan for optimal results that aligns with your goals.

 SUMMING UP

Anyone in good health (if your doctor agrees) can get fit enough to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. There’s no “magic bullet” or secret to training for Kilimanjaro, it’s a matter of putting the work in, and gradually building up your capacity.  

Try not to compare yourself to others. Many people in sub-optimal physical condition have achieved the summit, and many athletes have failed. The effects of altitude are a great equalizer. Be your best self, train to be in your best physical shape. If in doubt, seek professional help from a qualified personal trainer or your physician.

Safety on Kilimanjaro – Our Number one priority

One of the Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and at 19,341 ft, the summit falls into the “extreme altitude” mountaineering category. It’s one of the few mountains of this size that requires no technical skill to reach the summit.

It should not be underestimated. Trekking at altitude in a remote location can be dangerous, and every year it’s estimated over 1,000 people are evacuated from the mountain and sadly, some never return to their families.

Key factors affecting your safety on Kilimanjaro:  

• Altitude sickness and altitude-related complications 
• Remote location Experience and training of your guides
• The right equipment for dealing with an emergency 
• Robust monitoring and evacuation processes and protocols

How Our Trekking Team Works to Keep You Safe on Kilimanjaro  

Staying safe on Kilimanjaro starts with understanding the risks and knowing how to mitigate them. We ask all our climbers to fill in a comprehensive medical questionnaire, and in the case of some pre-existing conditions, we may ask for confirmation from your doctor that you are fit to climb. Your guide will need to know any existing medications you are taking (including over the counter) and whether you are taking Diamox to help acclimatization.

Read our guide to Kilimanjaro altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

Guide Training
You need to know that your guide has the proper training to know how to detect the early signs of altitude sickness, and what to do about it. Our guides undergo Wilderness First Responder training, which teaches essential skills for managing medical conditions in remote locations.
Our trekking guides work with the Sentinel Outdoor Institute, a high-altitude medical training organization who run in-depth training courses in Tanzania to ensure all guides are kept up to date with emerging medical protocols.
Carrying emergency equipment is useless if your guide doesn’t know how to use it.

A note on guide-to-climber ratio
It’s our mission to ensure a safe and successful summit for everyone. We have a guide to climber ratio of 1 to 2, so for every two climbers, we have one trained mountain guide. This allows for more careful observation and evaluation of the group’s condition.  

Daily Health Checks & Monitoring    
Communication with your guide is important. If you’re feeling under the weather, have a headache, nausea or any other symptom, you must tell your guide. While hiking, your guide will be keeping a lookout for any early signs of trouble:   

• Are you having difficulty on the trail, stumbling or very tired    
• Are you eating well, or is your appetite diminishing   
• Do you keep stopping to catch your breath, and having difficulty breathing     
• Are you drinking enough water   
• Any signs of erratic behavior or confusion

Daily Health Check 

• Every day, you’ll have a one-to-one meeting with your guide for a comprehensive health check-up
• Using a pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen saturation and resting pulse rate, using this data in combination with
• Symptom picture, using the Lake Louise Scoring System to determine whether you are showing signs of altitude sickness 
• Self-assessment questions to determine how you are feeling

Constant monitoring prevents a mild altitude sickness from escalating into an emergency.

Read more: Pulse Oximeter & Daily Monitoring to Detect Altitude Sickness

Emergency Oxygen & Medical Supplies 
Our team carries a comprehensive medical kit, including bottled oxygen and a portable stretcher.  

• We carry supplemental oxygen for emergency use only.  
• The only cure for acute mountain sickness is immediate descent to a lower elevation.  
• If a climber is injured and unable to descend on foot, we use a portable stretcher provided by the National Park at each campsite.  
• Oxygen can be administered to alleviate AMS in combination with immediate descent.  
• We carry a first aid medical kit to treat minor injuries

Helicopter Evacuation on Kilimanjaro
We use a search and rescue service based in Moshi in an emergency. After a distress call, a helicopter will be dispatched to the nearest landing point, and the patient will be airlifted off the mountain and taken to the local hospital. However, in the event of adverse mountain weather, a helicopter may not be able to land, and if this is the case, a manual evacuation will need to occur via a stretcher provided by the National Park.   

Read more: Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue  

Other Important Safety Aspects on Kilimanjaro  

You must take responsibility for your safety, including:  

• Don’t ignore symptoms. If you have a headache, loss of appetite, nausea or any unusual symptom, tell your guide immediately  
• Don’t try to “push through”. Mild signs of altitude sickness can often be successfully treated without evacuation, but ignoring them can be dangerous  
• Keep an eye on your team-mates. If you see someone struggling or behaving erratic 
• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.

Equipment & Gear  

Trekking on Kilimanjaro takes you through five major climate zones, from the warmth of the low slopes to the bitterly cold, sub-zero temperatures at the summit.  

In addition to the medical and emergency equipment, the quality of kit used in camp is also an important consideration. Weather on any mountain can be unpredictable, and keeping safe, warm, and dry at night is imperative to the health of any climber.    

• Rugged tents suitable for changing mountain conditions that stay dry even in torrential rain   
• Comfortable waterproof dining tent with table and chairs   
• Sanitary toilet facilities   

Arriving for a Kilimanjaro climb without proper cold-weather clothing, adequate hiking boots or a sleeping bag appropriate for expedition conditions is asking for trouble. We’ve put together a comprehensive packing list for Kilimanjaro explaining what you need and why.    

• If you haven’t got the right boots, you can easily turn an ankle or injure yourself on the rocky trails    
• Without effective rain gear, you’ll get soaking wet and quickly turn hypothermic    
• If you don’t protect yourself from the sun, you can end up with a nasty case of sunburn or sunstroke    
• Never stay in wet clothes    
• Our Kilimanjaro packing list details everything you need to bring to be properly prepared

Hygiene, food & water safety   

There are no showers on Kilimanjaro, and we recommend you bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat. A combination of being tired from hiking, altitude, and dietary changes can make you more susceptible to traveler’s diarrhea or other ‘stomach bugs’.   

During the day:   

• Eat regularly, even if you think you’re not hungry, this keeps your energy levels up    
• Drink plenty of water, dehydration will quickly lead to fatigue and can compromise the acclimatization process   

We go to great lengths to ensure your food is prepared safely, to avoid gastrointestinal problems. We boil, filter and purify all drinking water, including the water used to wash food products.    By providing private toilet tents for our climbers, we avoid the unsanitary conditions found in some of the public facilities at the campsites.  

 Physical Preparation

Safety begins at home, before you arrive in Tanzania.    

• Medical check-up from your doctor, discussing any existing medical conditions or medications you’re taking    
• Kilimanjaro Recommended vaccinations and for the areas you are traveling to    
• Consider taking Diamox to help acclimatization, discuss this with your doctor for any interactions with existing medications    
• Arrange your travel insurance for Kilimanjaro Climb – it’s mandatory to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover emergencies        

You should have a good standard of fitness in order to hike over rugged terrain for multiple days. While it’s not technical, the hiking is tough and exhausting. Start your fitness program well ahead of your climb, follow our complete guide to training for Kilimanjaro.  

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare  
We take your safety very seriously and don’t believe in leaving anything to chance. Emergencies can and do occur, due to the nature of the remote, high-altitude environment. Climbing Kilimanjaro with an operator who has well-trained guides, robust safety procedures, and good quality equipment reduces the incidence and severity of any issues that arise.  

You can prepare yourself by being fit, bringing the right gear, and taking adequate precautions on the trail.

What is the Weather on Kilimanjaro?

The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro can vary from very hot to extremely cold within the same day, although it does not experience broad temperature changes from season to season. Instead, the temperatures are determined more by the altitude and time of day.

At the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 21 to 27 °C, and at the summit, Uhuru Peak, the nighttime temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Like all great mountains, Kilimanjaro creates weather that can be highly variable and difficult to predict.  Hikers must be prepared for warm, sunny conditions, rain, wind, cold, and even snow.  

Even though the best time to climb Kilimanjaro coincides with the “dry” seasons, rain and snow are possible anytime. As you get higher up, the temperatures can vary dramatically. One moment, you can trek in baking sunshine; the next, you’ll lay up against a bitter wind.

Standing 19,341 ft above sea level, Kilimanjaro is big enough to create its weather systems. Being on the equator means the trade winds (sometimes called ‘monsoons’) that move across the ocean, drawing moisture upwards, are interrupted by the mountain. This causes the wind to push up towards the summit, cooling as it goes, bringing rain and snow.

Is there snow on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro? 

The trade winds from the southeast cause the long rainy season between March and May. These southerly winds from the Indian Ocean are laden with moisture, bringing rain to the lower slopes and snow to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. During this season, the southern slopes receive the most rainfall. 

The ‘short rains’ in November are from a dryer wind from the northeast. As it hasn’t traveled across an ocean, the rains are shorter and less intense than during the long rains. Most of the rainfall during this season falls on the more northerly slopes.

Kilimanjaro Temperatures

Mount Kilimanjaro doesn’t experience vast temperature changes from season to season due to its proximity to the equator. Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more by the altitude and the time of day. At the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, where the climb starts, the average temperature is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). From the base, when you ascend, the temperatures will decrease as you go through the mountain’s five ecological zones.  

At the Summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, which lies in the arctic zone, the night temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Therefore, we recommend that you always be prepared for wet and cold nights, so please always bring the necessary gear. Read more about what you need to carry on your day pack on Kilimanjaro.  

Kilimanjaro Weather through the Climate Zones

As you head higher, you’ll notice the weather changing through the climate zones.  

Cultivation Zone:
Altitude: 2,600 to 6,000 ft (800 to 1,800 m)
Precipitation: 20 to 70 in (500 to 1,800 mm)

Surrounding the base of Kilimanjaro is the cultivation zone. Comprising mainly farmland thanks to the fertile volcanic soil, this area gets plenty of annual rainfall. In temperate conditions, you’ll mostly pass through this region on your way to the trailhead.

Forest Zone:  
Altitude: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
Precipitation: 79 to 40 in (2,000 to 1,000 mm)  

We start our climb in the montane forest, a tropical rainforest that absorbs most of the moisture from the mountain, forming underground streams and springs. Conditions are usually warm and humid, with mists forming under the dense canopy. Thick cloud cover is not uncommon, and it can be muddy underfoot.

Heath/Moorland Zone
Altitude: 9,200 to 13,200 ft (2,800 to 4,000 m)
Precipitation: 51 to 21 in (1,300 to 530 mm)

After hiking through the forest, you’ll emerge into the Heath and Moorland Zone from the trees. The dense tropical forest gives way to tall grasses and giant heathers, and you’ll be more exposed to the wind and rain.

Temperatures can remain warm throughout the day but drop significantly at night. The humidity lessens, the trails are dryer, and generally, it’s a more comfortable hiking experience. Rain tends to be minimal, although it can occur pretty much anywhere on the mountain.  

The sun’s rays can be harsh, so you’ll need your sunscreen, and temperatures at night can be bitterly cold.  

Alpine/High Desert Zone:
Altitude: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,000 to 5,000 m)
Precipitation: 10 in (250 mm)

Climbing higher still, we’ll enter the High Desert Zone, arid, with only small, hardy plants surviving at an altitude where wind speeds continue to increase and there is little rainfall. 

Day time temperatures can still be quite warm, but in the evening the mercury drops quickly, with conditions getting much colder. Here, it is not uncommon to be camped well above the clouds, which makes for an enchanting sight on a clear, starlit night.  

The views are far-reaching and dramatic, the trails dustier, and the air much thinner.

Arctic Zone:
Altitude: 16,500+ ft (5,000+ m)
Precipitation: 4 in (100 mm)

Above 16,000 ft is the Arctic or Summit Zone. With very little rainfall (most precipitation falls as snow) this barren desert is characterized by huge rocky outcrops, volcanic scree, and glaciers.

Known as “extreme altitude”, this region has approximately 49% of the oxygen at sea level. It’s a bleak, inhospitable place.

It’s very cold here, with blustery winds and nighttime temperatures well below freezing. As you set off for your summit attempt, there may be ice and snow underfoot, it’s bitterly cold, even at midday and the sun’s radiation is harsh.

Sunscreen is essential on any exposed parts of your body, the dry air will dehydrate you quickly, and you’ll need warm layers to keep your core temperature up. 

Read more about Kilimanjaro altitude here.

Kilimanjaro Weather Variations

The weather varies based on the time of year you visit Kilimanjaro. During the months of April and May, it’s much rainier on the mountain than it is during the dryer season of June to October. January through March tends to be a bit colder.

Kilimanjaro Weather Chart

Kilimanjaro Weather Forecast

Fri 82°F63°F Chance of rain at various times. [details]

Sat 79°F64°F Chance of light rain in the morning. [details]

Sun 84°F63°F Chance of light rain in the morning. [details]

Mon 88°F64°F Mostly cloudy skies. [details]

Tue 90°F66°F Mostly cloudy skies. [details]

Wed 88°F66°F Chance of light rain in the morning. [details]

Thu 88°F64°F Chance of light rain in the morning. [details]

 

Kilimanjaro Weather Month by Month

The Long Dry Season: June to September - The long dry season is a great time of year to climb the mountain. Temperatures are a little colder than in the short dry season (January and February), but overall conditions are excellent, with very little chance of precipitation.  

The Short Wet Season: October, November, and December - The short rains come between October and December. The timing of this season is a bit less predictable than during the long rains. We don’t recommend climbing once the rains have set in. The average temperature is 76°F (24.4°C), with rain slowly increasing in frequency with partly cloudy skies. 

The Short Dry:  January to February is a popular time to trek Kilimanjaro. Especially during late January and into February, temperatures are generally a bit warmer than between June and October. However, this can vary from year to year.  

The Long Wet Season: March to May - Towards the end of March, when the trade winds blowing across the Indian ocean come in contact with the mountain, the long rains begin. We don’t offer climbs during this season as heavy rain makes the trails wet and dangerous. 

Kilimanjaro Weather on the summit - Most trekkers start their climb to the summit at around midnight. It’s bitterly cold, often with snow or ice on the trail. We aim to get to Uhuru Peak at sunrise, as mostly the skies clear and you’ll be treated to vast panoramic views of Mawenzi and out over the African plains. At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain creates it’s own weather.

Read more about the trail conditions, sleeping on the mountain or the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro

The altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro, African continent’s highest peak is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Kilimanjaro presents a unique set of challenges, the most dangerous of which being altitude sickness. A significant proportion of people who climb over 9,000ft develop some symptoms relating to altitude. At Climbing Kilimanjaro, Safety is our Number one priority.

Effects of Altitude on Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro has become a very popular trek as it’s a way for ordinary hikers to experience a high mountain summit with no technical skill. Being what’s known as a “walk-up”, without the need for ropes and climbing gear, some people underestimate the potential for serious, life-threatening situations as a result of the altitude.          

Kilimanjaro’s summit falls into the “extreme altitude” category, along with Aconcagua and Denali (Mt McKinley). Everest and K2 are “ultra” altitude, where acclimatization is impossible.

A Brief Introduction to Altitude

At the summit of Kilimanjaro there is approximately 49% less oxygen than at sea level. However, it’s not the percentage of oxygen in the air that changes, it’s the barometric pressure (air pressure) of the atmosphere that’s reduced.       

The percentage of oxygen in the air is the same 20.9%, but it’s availability is reduced by the reduction in air pressure. What this means, in simple terms is that for any volume of air you breathe in, there are less molecules of oxygen available.            

The reduced air pressure has other problems associated with it as well, allowing fluid to collect outside of the cells, around the brain (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and the lungs (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), both very serious conditions.

Altitude Sickness: What is it?

Mountain sickness has three main forms: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Additionally, AMS can be mild (very common and manageable with the right treatment), moderate, and severe (immediate descent necessary).

Let’s take a closer look at these conditions.

Acute Mountain Sickness

According to Dr. Peter Hackett of the Institute for Altitude Medicine, AMS can affect anyone above 6,000ft. The initial sign is usually a headache, which confusingly can also be a sign of dehydration or over-exertion. If other symptoms develop, then a diagnosis of AMS is probable.

Mild AMS

In it’s mildest form, the symptoms can resemble that of a hangover, with nausea, headache, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. If you experience any of these symptoms it’s important to tell your guide and not simply try to push through. Mild symptoms can often be resolved with rest and adequate hydration.

Moderate AMS  

If the symptoms of mild AMS start to get worse, a headache that you can’t shift, dizziness, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting this is an indication that you are not adapting to the altitude (acclimatizing) and at this point you should descend to the last elevation that you felt “well”.

Treatments such as ibuprofen for the headache or anti-emetics for the nausea can mask worsening symptoms and should not be relied upon for continued ascent.

Severe AMS

If a person suffering with moderate AMS ignores the symptoms pushing through to a higher elevation, there’s a risk that the condition can become severe. Severe AMS can lead to life-threatening complications (HAPE and HACE) and immediate descent is mandatory.

Symptoms can include severe headache, ataxia (lack of co-ordination, inability to walk properly, staggering), increased coughing and shortness of breath. Someone with severe AMS will likely need evacuation from the mountain either by stretcher or helicopter.

Complications resulting from severe mountain sickness are HAPE and HACE.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Basecamp MD explains that HAPE can develop as a result of the lung arteries developing excessive pressure as a result of the low oxygen environment. This pressure causes build up of fluid around the lungs.

Confusingly, it’s possible for a climber to develop HAPE even if they don’t seem to have symptoms of severe AMS.

Look out for:

• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Abnormal lung sounds
• Extreme listlessness
• Difficulty breathing
• Lips going blue
• Confusion, lack of coordination

Anyone at altitude who feels as though they have a respiratory infection should assume it’s HAPE until a medical professional proves it to be otherwise. If HAPE is suspected, oxygen is often administered in conjunction with immediate evacuation to a medical facility.

As oxygen levels in the blood drop, the brain can suffer from lack of oxygen, leading to HACE.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema

HACE is a very dangerous condition that requires immediate medical treatment. As fluid builds up around the brain, the climber comes increasingly confused, lethargic and drowsy, incapable of walking and behaving strangely.

Look out for:

• Disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, talking nonsense
• Lack of coordination, staggering, inability to walk
• Irrational behavior
• Severe headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting

HACE cannot be treated without immediate evacuation to a medical facility.

How is Altitude Sickness Diagnosed?

In our daily health checks, Climbing Kilimanjaro guides will use a pulse oximeter to measure your oxygen saturation and pulse rate and use this data along with any symptoms you are presenting to build up a picture of your situation.

Lake Louise Scoring System

Developed in 1991 and reviewed as recently as 2018, the Lake Louise Scoring System remains the basis for most diagnosis in the field of a climber’s condition. Climbing Kilimanjaro guides use this as a framework when they assess your condition. The ‘score’ attaches a number depending on the severity of your condition.

Headache

0—None at all
1—A mild headache
2—Moderate headache
3—Severe headache, incapacitating

Gastrointestinal symptoms

0—Good appetite
1—Poor appetite or nausea
2—Moderate nausea or vomiting
3—Severe nausea and vomiting, incapacitating

Fatigue and/or weakness

0—Not tired or weak
1—Mild fatigue/weakness
2—Moderate fatigue/weakness
3—Severe fatigue/weakness, incapacitating

Dizziness/light-headedness

0—No dizziness/light-headedness
1—Mild dizziness/light-headedness
2—Moderate dizziness/light-headedness
3—Severe dizziness/light-headedness, incapacitating

AMS Clinical Functional Score

Overall, if you had AMS symptoms, how did they affect your activities?

0—Not at all
1—Symptoms present, but did not force any change in activity or itinerary
2—My symptoms forced me to stop the ascent or to go down on my own power
3—Had to be evacuated to a lower altitude

[Source: High Altitude Medicine and Biology]

Acclimatization: Preventing Altitude Sickness

The term acclimatization or “acclimation” refers to the body’s compensatory processes to adapt to the low-oxygen, low-atmospheric pressure environment. From day one, your body will start to make adaptive changes to compensate.

Things you’ll notice:

• Breathing deeper, sometimes faster
• Elevated resting heart rate
• Potentially higher blood pressure.

As you ascend slowly, your body has certain mechanisms it uses to adapt:

• Producing more of the oxygen carrying hemoglobin
• Higher erythropoietin production, this is a hormone from the kidneys that increases the manufacture of red blood cells
• Lower volume of plasma, which can increase risk of dehydration.
• Higher kidney function as excess bicarbonate ions are excreted as a result of changing acid/alkali balance of blood.

All of these changes are a gradual process, which is why the best and safest summit success rates are had on routes with a good acclimatization protocol. The longer it takes to reach high altitude, the longer your body has to adapt.

By building in acclimatization days “hike high, sleep low” and rest days increases your chances of adequate adaptation, resulting in lower incidence of mountain sickness.

Acclimatization is a complicated process, some people seem to have no problem at all. There are no tricks or hacks, it’s a matter of time, although the medication Diamox has been shown to up regulate the body’s natural acclimatization processes and can help speed it up.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro

• Take a longer route. Instead of choosing the quickest way up Kilimanjaro, opt for a route that builds-in some acclimatization time. Also Kilimanjaro climb training and preparation is very important.
• Hike slowly. You’ll hear your guides reminding you of this “pole pole” (slowly, slowly in Swahili). You don’t want to tire yourself out, always try to be the last person into camp.
• Even if you’re very fit, you need to conserve your energy, avoid over-exertion. Fatigue is believed to be a major contributor to AMS.
• Stay hydrated. Keeping your fluids up prevents dehydration in the dry air which can compromise your ability to acclimatize
• Ask your doctor if Diamox is right for you.
• Don’t climb higher if you are suffering any symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Avoid narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills, alcohol or stimulants
• Always tell your guide if you have a headache, nausea or any other symptom
• Keep eating, particularly carbohydrates. The US Army studies show that carbohydrates increase ventilation, and are the most efficient fuel for high altitude exertion.
• Stay warm. Hypothermia is dangerous, never stay in wet clothes.

Does Altitude Training help Acclimatization?

Altitude Training is becoming increasingly popular among st would-be mountaineers. Some athletes use these training protocols to enhance performance, and studies have shown a “per-acclimatization” process as a result.

The protocols vary from training in a simulated altitude chamber, sleeping in a hypnotic tent, and even intermittent exposure to hypoxic air at rest. You can read our in depth guide to altitude training for more information.

The best pre-acclimatization method would be to climb Mt Meru, or some peaks in your home country prior to traveling to Kilimanjaro. This isn’t possible for everyone, nor is it necessary but if you do have access to some high altitude you’ll get a good idea of how well you acclimatize.

Effects of Altitude on existing Conditions

Your doctor will advise you of whether your medical history prevents you from traveling to altitude. Many people with well-controlled pre-existing conditions are able to climb Kilimanjaro successfully.

Anyone with heart, lung or neurological conditions will need to have a medical sign-off from their doctor before joining one of our climbs. It’s particularly important for your doctor to assess how the altitude may affect your current medications and condition. Be aware that certain medical conditions may make getting adequate travel insurance more difficult.

Effects of Altitude on Sleep: Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

One of the main reasons for sleep disturbance at altitude is periodic breathing. This is not necessarily associated with altitude sickness, but can be uncomfortable and disruptive. The Institute for Altitude Medicine explains that it’s a “battle in the body over control of breathing during sleep”. The oxygen sensors tell the parasympathetic nervous system to breathe more deeply, whilst the carbon dioxide sensors tell it to stop.

The result is usually deep breathing followed by the breathing stopping, and then a deep-breath as it restarts. Diamox often helps with this condition.

Other Health Considerations on Kilimanjaro

While altitude sickness is the main concern, you need to take a pro-active view of your health whilst climbing.

Hypothermia

Never stay in wet clothes. Whether from rainfall or perspiration, once you stop moving, a slight chill can turn to hypothermia in a short time, especially higher up the mountain. Make sure you carry adequate layers in your day pack, as rapid changes in temperature are quite common as you ascend.

The Sun’s Rays

Always wear sunscreen, preferably factor 40+, cover exposed parts of your body, including your head and neck. As you ascend, there is less atmosphere to filter out the harmful UV rays, and the sun’s rays are harsh.

Most importantly, wear sunglasses that block 100% of the UV rays. Wraparound glasses are best, to prevent reflected UV off glaciers and snow from damaging your eyes. Snow blindness is not common, but it’s a definite risk if you don’t protect your eyes.

Gastro-intestinal issues

Any travel to remote places comes with a risk of gastro-intestinal trouble. Different foods, sub-standard hygiene, and exposure to bacteria and viruses can cause stomach problems. Always use anti-bacterial gel or wipes on your hands, especially before eating.

Your main risk for stomach trouble is before your climb. Avoid eating at street stalls, stay away from tap water, salads, and fruit you can’t peel. On the mountain we adhere to strict food hygiene protocols and provide safe purified water at all times.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Safety Procedures

At climbing Kilimanjaro we take your safety very seriously. Climbing Kilimanjaro trained  guides will monitor you closely, but to do that, they also need your help. If you feel in any way unwell, you should inform your guide immediately. Keep an eye on other members of your group, if you see someone behaving strangely or they appear to be suffering, tell your guide.

Every day your guide will check your oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter, question you about how you are feeling, and listen to your chest for unusual lung sounds. Catching it early is the best way to prevent mild altitude sickness escalating.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Team carries emergency oxygen and there are portable stretcher provided by the National Park on every climb. If a climber is suffering and cannot proceed, we have partnered with Kilimanjaro helicopter rescue for emergency evacuation.

When hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, you can opt for either a mountain hut or a tent as your accommodation. The Marangu Route is the only path which offers huts, while all other seven routes require camping in a tent.

Camping on the mountain is part of the adventure, and after a long day on the trail, your tent will become your own private sanctuary to rest and recover.

Tents & Mattresses on Kilimanjaro

On all our climbs, we use Mountain Hardwear’s rugged, 4-season tents, designed specifically for mountain conditions. Built to accommodate three people, we only ever have two people in a tent, leavingenough room for your duffel bag containing all your gear. A vestibule at the front provides a sheltered spot for you to stow muddy boots and gaiters.

These tents are manufactured to withstand high winds, heavy rain and snow cover, making them ideal for the environment on Kilimanjaro.

When you arrive at camp, your tent will be already set up for you by our team, and your gear safely inside. The campsites are flat, not subject to any water accumulation, and our team will make sure there are no stray rocks underneath.

You’ll be provided with a rugged foam mattress, though if you have a particular sleeping mat you prefer, you are welcome to bring it with you.

Sleeping Bags On Kilimanjaro

You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one through us. If you are bringing your own, make sure it’s rated down to -18 Celsius (0 F). You need an ‘expedition’ sleeping bag, not one you’d use for kid’s sleepovers or car camping in the summer.

Rent or Buy?

A good quality winter sleeping bag is quite a substantial investment, and if you’re not traveling regularly to high-altitude or very cold climates it can seem like a lot of money to spend for one trip. Check out our Kilimanjaro rental gear pricing

We can arrange for you to rent a sleeping bag suitable for the mountain conditions. Unlike some operators, we have our sleeping bags professionally cleaned after each climb, and replace them frequently.

Regardless of whether you rent or buy, we recommend bringing a good quality sleeping bag liner, preferably fleece. This keeps the sleeping bag clean as oils from your body and dust can damage the lining, and compromise insulation. It also adds much-needed warmth as you climb higher. The Sea to Summit Reactor Fleece is a good option.

Features of a Sleeping Bag suitable for Kilimanjaro

Make sure your Kilimanjaro sleeping bag is rated to -18C, 0F as a minimum. A 3-season sleeping bag won’t be warm enough, make sure you’ve got a 4-season bag, which can be either down or synthetic filled, as you prefer.

Mummy-shaped sleeping bags are recommended, as the closer fit provides better insulation and prevents cold spots from developing around your body. Make sure it’s got an insulated hood and neck baffle, and the zipper doesn’t allow cold air to get in.

Down or Synthetic?

For the best warmth-to-weight ratio, down wins every time. More expensive than synthetically insulated sleeping bags, down bags are superior in terms of warmth, but they don’t perform well if they get wet.

Synthetic sleeping bags are often a bit heavier than down-fill, but they repel water better, and dry out much quicker. Either work well on Kilimanjaro, but if you choose a down bag, make sure you’ve got a rugged waterproof compression sack to stow it in between camps.

If you rent a sleeping bag, you’ll have a choice between down and synthetic, as some people are allergic to duck and goose down.

Fatigue, Cold & Altitude Considerations on Kilimanjaro

As explained in our Kilimanjaro guide to altitude sickness, as you get to higher elevations, the altitude can affect your respiration, resulting in periodic breathing at night. Known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing, if you have no other symptoms, it’s not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, making sleep more difficult at higher elevations.

Fatigue can make you feel the cold more acutely. You’ll be tired after a day on the trail, and even if you are in the best physical shape possible, staying warm at night is a priority.

Aches and pains do not make for a happy camper. A good level of fitness will mean you’ll recover well from the day’s hiking, which will in turn help you sleep better.

Top Tips for a Warm & Comfortable Night in Your Tent

Between us, we’ve spent hundreds of hours asleep on Kilimanjaro and here are our top tips to keep comfortable:

Sleep System

As soon as you arrive at camp, get your sleeping bag out of it’s compression sack and lay it out on your sleeping mat. This allows the insulation or “loft” to fluff up, as it’s the air between the synthetic fibers or down feathers that traps warmth.

Keep your sleeping bag away from the sides of the tent, as condensation may build up, and cause dampness, compromising the insulation.

Use a fleece sleeping bag liner for added warmth.

Sleeping Clothes

Have a set of clothes that you use for sleeping. A warm base layer (top and bottom) and a clean pair of socks can make all the difference to your comfort. At the higher camps you’ll most likely be wearing more than one layer. Sleep in a warm hat, as much of your body heat is lost through your head.

Other ways to stay warm and comfortable on Kilimanjaro

• Do not wear wet clothes in your sleeping bag. Anything that causes damp and moisture will compromise the insulation properties of your sleeping bag
• Before retiring to your tent, fill your water bottle with hot water, (make sure the lid is well-secured) and use it in your sleeping bag as a foot warmer or body warmer
• Make sure you’ve eaten enough. Appetites can decrease at altitude, but your body needs the calories to generate heat as well as recover from the day’s exertions.
• Put the clothes you’re wearing the next day in your sleeping bag, this’ll keep them warm for when you dress in the frosty morning air.
• If you’re a light sleeper, bring ear plugs. The wind can be noisy, especially at Barafu camp, and noise from other climbers (or your tent mate’s snoring) can keep you awake.
• Visit the toilet before bedtime. There’s nothing worse than waking up all warm and cosy in your sleeping bag needing a call of nature in the middle of the night!
• If you know you have problems sleeping, work on fixing these at home, don’t wait until you’re on the side of the mountain! Avoid sleeping pills as they can have a bad effect on your ability to acclimatize.

Camping is all part of the mountain experience, and there’s no reason for it to be uncomfortable. If you absolutely hate the idea of sleeping in a tent, the Marangu route provides dorm-style accommodation in huts.

For the camp staff, the day begins well before sun-up. The team prepares hot water for your washbasin, tea, and other hot beverages and breakfast. Your day will start bright and early, with a friendly wake-up call as the sun peeks over the horizon. 

A team member will bring you a basin of warm water to wash your face and brush your teeth, and a hot beverage, to warm you up before breakfast.

You’ll need to re-pack your duffel bag and daypack, taking only what you’ll need for the day’s hiking. Roll up your sleeping bag, (make sure you’ve packed any loose bits and pieces) before you leave your tent, dressed and ready for the day’s trek.

Breakfast is served in the mess tent, and we’ll all gather here for the day’s briefing, followed by a hearty breakfast, and daily medical checks. Take this opportunity to refill your water bottles or hydration reservoirs. 

Once everyone’s pronounced fit and healthy, we’ll hit the trail, usually at around 8 am. Trekking poles in hand, we’ll be hiking at a slow-to-moderate pace, with plenty of rest stops for you to catch your breath, eat a snack, and appreciate the dramatic scenery of this unique mountain.

The team will stay behind to break camp, and will most likely overtake you during the course of the morning, moving quickly to establish our next camp.

Your guides will hike with you, making sure the group stays together, giving frequent reminders of “pole pole” (slowly, slowly). Keeping the pace slow helps with acclimatization and prevents anyone from getting unnecessarily fatigued.

Be sure to let your guide know if you have a headache, nausea, disorientation, or any other unusual symptoms.

We’ll stop for lunch along the way, some days this will be a hot lunch served in a mess tent; on other days we’ll have a picnic lunch, depending on the weather conditions, route or schedule. We aim to do most of the hiking in the morning so that after lunch it’s a shorter trek to our campsite.

On arrival at camp, you’ll find your tent ready for you, and your duffel bag inside. It’s important to change out of any damp clothing (whether from rain or perspiration), roll out your sleeping bag so it has a chance to “fluff up” (a compressed sleeping bag doesn’t insulate well), before heading over to the mess tent for a tea time snack and hot beverage. 

Some afternoons we’ll do an acclimatization hike, up to a higher elevation, as part of the “hike high, sleep low” protocol, others we’ll rest and relax in preparation for the following day. 

An early dinner will be served, after another medical check and briefing. Most trekkers crawl into their sleeping bag for an early night, others prefer to stay up talking. The mess tent is comfortable and well-lit, a good place to catch up on your diary or a bit of reading.

When you arrive at Barafu Camp, you’ll need to get as much rest as possible. Prepare your daypack as soon as you arrive, as you’ll be woken at around 11 pm to start your summit trek.

After an early dinner, we retire to our tents, though sleep can be hard to come by at this altitude and the excitement of what’s ahead.

At 11 pm, your team will bring a hot drink, there will be some snacks in the mess tent before we start our climb at around midnight. You’ll need your head torch, water, snacks and any other essentials in your daypack.

There are several things that you can do to prepare yourself for your summit ascent.

Get your temperature right. 
Conserving energy by ensuring that you always have the right body temperature will mean that your body is not working overtime to either cool down or heat up.

When you set off walking you need to be slightly cool, so just before you start remove your down jacket or over jacket. When you stop moving for your “maintenance stop” then you immediately need to put on your down jacket or over jacket to keep warm. This will help you conserve energy.

Eat and drink plenty

To ensure you have enough energy to summit and descend you need to “feed your climb “. You will be trekking for 13-15 hours on summit day and could easily consume approx. 4000 calories during this time. We suggest that you bring with you a selection of things you like, and find easy, to eat such as candy bars, crisp, cookies, trail mix, fruits, nuts, energy bars, and hard sweets for summit day.

Use stops effectively
During your summit ascent we will have “maintenance stops” not rest stops- you need to use this time effectively to make sure that you are ready for the next stage. Plan in advance what you need to do: adjust your clothing, have a loo visit, eat and drink and most importantly before you stop put on something warm to prevent heat loss.

Go slowly but not too slowly
Our guides will set a pace that they think is best for you and you should try and maintain this pace. Going too fast puts you at risk of altitude sickness, going too slow will mean your walking day becomes impossibly long. Just keep plodding and you will get there.

One foot in front of the other.
By daybreak, we reach the crater rim. You’ll see the sun rising over Mawenzi and spectacular, 360-degree views. Looking down into the crater you’ll see the glacial icefields, the famous “snows of Kilimanjaro”.

From the crater rim, it’s another 1-2 hour hike to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa, the highest free-standing mountain in the world: 19,341ft above sea level.

How cold is the summit of Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak?
The temperatures decreases as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones. At the Mount Kilimanjaro summit, Uhuru Peak, the night time temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain creates it’s own weather patterns.

It’s Not Over Yet: the Descent From The Summit Uhuru Peak

After we’ve taken our photos and congratulated each other on our achievement, it’s time to head back down to Barafu Camp. Descending can be tough. If you’ve got knee problems, this is a good time to put on your knee brace. Use your poles for balance, and take it slowly. The extra oxygen in the atmosphere as you get to lower elevations will be a welcome relief from the thin air at the summit.

We’ll have lunch at Barafu Camp before descending to our final camp on the mountain. Tired and exhilarated, you should get a good night’s sleep.

The following morning, you’ll have a 3-4 hour trek, mostly downhill through the forest and back to the trailhead where you’ll be transported to your post-climb hotel accommodation. 

“Pole, pole” you will hear our guides tell you, which is Swahili for “slowly, slowly”. Even if you feel you can go faster, the best way to acclimatise is to walk slowly and stay within your fitness zone so that you do not put your body under too much strain.           

Hydration is vital in acclimatizing well, you should carry 2 litres of water with you each day with the aim of drinking all of this during your day’s trek. Drinking plenty of fluid at breakfast and evening meals is also important. You will understand why we suggest a “pee bottle” as a “must have” piece of kit to save you having to de-tent during the night and do a toilet visit when it’s cold and pitch black outside!               

Be as physically fit as you can before you start to ensure you enjoy the adventure rather than it being a hard slog. Also, the fitter you are the less likely you are to put your body under pressure and stress.              

Make sure you have the right Kilimanjaro gear and that you have tried and tested it before the trek to ensure that it works and functions and that you are as comfortable and confident as you can be. Don’t leave it till summit day to find out whether your head torch works or day one of the trek to try out your new walking boots.

Please consult with your Travel Concierge prior to booking your flight or if you require assistance booking your flight

Be prepared with travel insurance coverage through Travel Guard. Plans can include coverage for medical expenses, trip interruption, and more, as well as emergency travel services, so you can be sure that Travel Guard has an insurance plan that meets your traveling needs. Travel Guard is available to assist 24 hours a day. 

Travel Guard's Trip Insurance Plans provide valuable coverage at an affordable price and include an early purchase benefit of a waiver of Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion and Cancel for Any Reason option if purchased within 15 days of the initial trip payment.

Your travel insurance will need to cover medical expenses that could arise while traveling abroad. In the case of a Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to ensure it covers you for medical evacuation, too.  

Unexpected injuries and doctor visits need to be covered, as well as emergency evacuation expenses should you need to be airlifted off the mountain. Those situations are rare but occur, and you need the proper insurance.  

When purchasing travel insurance, you must understand precisely what the insurance does and doesn’t cover. Most basic plans protect trip cancellation, lost bags, and delayed flights.

However, if you need coverage beyond that (medical expenses, evacuation, etc.), you’ll likely have to purchase a higher-tier policy.  

It’s essential that whatever policy you choose also covers high-altitude activities. That isn’t the case with every insurance plan, so ask for it specifically.  

For climbing Kilimanjaro, please note that you are not taking part in technical mountaineering but are trekking at high altitudes up to 6,000m.  

We highly recommend you add the Adventure Sports Bundle to your insurance package.  

A Valid Passport
All visitors to Tanzania planning to climb Kilimanjaro are required to carry and show a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into the country. Your passport should have at least one empty page for official stamps.

Check your passport well in advance of travel, in case you need to renew it.

Tanzania Visitor Visa  

Most foreign visitors are required to obtain a visa for entry into Tanzania, there are some exceptions. The visa doesn’t always need to be obtained prior to arrival as they can be issued at the port of entry.

Generally, all visitors from non-Commonwealth countries need a visa for entry, unless your country has an agreement with Tanzania under which this requirement has been waived.

Visitors from some Commonwealth countries don’t need a visa for entry, but citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, United States, Canada, and most EU countries are not exempt.

Some travelers prefer to arrange their visas in advance, and this can be done by contacting the Tanzanian embassy in your home country. They normally require you to send in your passport, an application form and passport photos for processing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you Get a Tanzania visa on Arrival?

In order to avoid lost passports or delays in obtaining the visa, it’s often a good idea to simply purchase a visa on arrival. Depending on the time of year, the queues can be quite long for visa issuance, but often it’s quick and trouble-free.

So how do you get a Tanzania visa?

Visas can be obtained at the following entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania:

• Dar Es Salaam International Airport
• Zanzibar International Airport
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
• Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya boarder point)
• Tunduma
• Sirari
• Horohoro
• Kigoma port

At the time of writing, the current Tanzania visa fees (purchased upon arrival) are:

• US Citizens: $100 (Multiple entry) for one year
• Non-US Citizens: $50 (Single entry) for six months
• Non-US Citizens: $100 (Double entry) for six months
• These fees will need to be paid in cash, and you’ll need a clean page in your passport for the stamp.

Can you apply for Tanzania visa online?

You can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). You are required to fill in the online form, make payment, and submit your application online. Your form will be internally reviewed and processed.

Applicants will be notified through their e-mails whether their applications have been accepted or rejected. They may also TRACK their application statuses through the online system. Applicants may as well be required to visit the nearest Tanzanian Embassies or Consular Offices for interviews. Follow this link for online visa application : https://visa.immigration.go.tz/

Keynote before you start your online visa Process.

Please consider the following information beforehand.

• Types of Visa
• Required documents
• Countries whose citizens do not require visa on entry
• Countries whose citizens require approval by the Tanzania Commissioner General of Immigration.

What are the  Tanzania Entry Requirements ?
 

• Yellow Fever Vaccination Card - If you are arriving from a country at risk of yellow fever (even if you’ve had a layover), you’ll need to show your Yellow Fever Vaccination card.
• Proof of Return or Onward Journey - As a visitor you will likely be asked to show proof of your onward or return ticket out of Tanzania, so be sure to have that information handy (a printout is best) once you land.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds - You will have to have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Tanzania, and carry proof should you be asked. It’s not often that an immigration official asks for this, but it can happen.

We strongly recommend that you check your visa requirements well in advance of your trip to avoid unnecessary delays.

Don’t forget any visa requirements for other countries you are visiting or transiting through.

Additional Resources:

You can obtain a tourist visa to Tanzania upon arrival, however, the US government encourages you to apply one in advance by post. For information, see www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org.

Validity - Single-entry (business and tourist) visa is valid for three months from the date of issue. A multiple-entry visa is valid for either six or 12 months from the date of issue.

Transit -Transit visas costing US$30 are available for those traveling through Tanzania to other destinations within a 14-day period. An onward ticket or tour itinerary/confirmation and sufficient funds for transit are required.

Please note that you can only obtain a transit visa to Tanzania at the point of entry.

Temporary residence - Residence permits are granted to foreign nationals if they are employed by a Tanzanian company, or working long-term as missionaries or volunteers. You must apply for these through the Immigration Services Department (www.immigration.go.tz).

Working days - Allow three working days (applications in person) or 10 days (postal applications) for visa processing if applying in advance. You can pay an additional fee for a 24-hour or same-day service.

Who Doesn’t Require a Visa? A list of Countries

As of August 2018, citizens from 66 countries can enter Tanzania without a visa. These countries are: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ashmore & Certie Island, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Island, Brunei, Cayman Island, Channel Island, Christmas Island, Cocoas Island, Cook Island, Cyprus, Dominica, Falkland Island, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Heard Island, Hong Kong, Isle of man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Naue Island, Nauru, Papua new Guinea, Romania, Ross Dependency, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South African Republic, Solomon Island, Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,

We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.

A month or two before you travel to Tanzania, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local travel clinic, or with your GP to discuss vaccinations. It’s a good idea to do this early so that any side-effects you might suffer are finished before you travel.

There are no mandatory vaccinations needed for climbing Kilimanjaro, with the exception of Yellow Fever which is compulsory for any traveler entering Tanzania from any country that is considered a risk zone for Yellow Fever.

You’ll need to consider what areas you’ll be traveling to before and after your climb.

Important Information about Yellow Fever

You may be asked for your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate upon entry to Tanzania if you arrive from a flight departing in a Yellow Fever zone. A list of these countries can be found below.

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda.

• Even if you are only transiting through one of these countries, and do not intend to leave the airport, the rules state that if you’ve been there for more than 12 hours, you’ll need proof of vaccination. In the case of flight delays, this can become a problem.
•  
• You need to be vaccinated 10 days before your scheduled date of travel, and some travelers report side-effects from the vaccine, so we’d recommend doing this as early as possible. Travelers flying into Tanzania direct from Europe or the US do not need a certificate.

What vaccinations do I need for Kilimanjaro? Recommended Vaccinations

The Center for Disease Control recommends the following immunizations for travelers to Tanzania. It is up to you and your healthcare professional to decide which, if any, are right for you:
Be aware of current health issues in Tanzania. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 2 Practice Enhanced Precautions

Global Polio August 20, 2024 Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines.

Destination List: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, including Zanzibar, The Gambia, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enroll HERE → https://step.state.gov/

The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. In tourist areas, US Dollars are also accepted and sometimes preferred. It’s best to carry both currencies. If bringing US Dollars, ensure they are in good condition and dated after 2006. You can exchange currency only at banks, so bring your passport and avoid street exchanges.

Tanzanian banknotes come in these amounts: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 Shillings. The coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Shillings. Currently, the exchange rate is about 1 US Dollar for 2,250 Tanzanian Shillings. For the most accurate rates, use a currency calculator.

ATM and credit cards in Tanzania

Make sure to bring enough cash for your safari. You’ll find ATMs at airports and big cities like Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Moshi. In smaller places, there might not be any ATMs. If you go to northern Tanzania, look for ATMs in Karatu and Mto wa Mbu on your way to the parks. You can take out money up to 400,000 TSH, but it might be less in smaller areas. It’s also a good idea to bring a credit card so you don’t have to carry too much cash.

XE-perience currencies on the go.   The XE Currency app - Everything you need for international currencies. Download Xe Currency Converter: for Android HERE  and for iOS HERE

Tanzania has 126 languages, with Swahili and English as the official ones. Swahili, or Kiswahili, is spoken by about 90% of the population and is the main language for social, political, and educational contexts. English, while the second official language, is often learned as a second or third language, with many people able to read it but struggling with spoken comprehension.

The Black Onyx Group Travel stands firmly committed to social responsibility and sustainability. The places we visit are more than just tourist attractions. They are homes to vibrant communities with rich traditions and cultures. We take it as our duty to respect and support these communities, ensuring that our travel choices positively impact them.

Our unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and social responsibility reflects our deep care for the world we share. We passionately engage with residents and communities in the places we visit, valuing their input in shaping the course of tourism in their region. Deliberately selected local suppliers in our destinations have received comprehensive training in sustainable tourism practices. By fostering strong partnerships with local businesses, we enable them to thrive through tourism while safeguarding against exploitation. This approach effectively preserves their culture, traditions, and way of life, thereby honoring and uplifting their community.

At The Black Onyx Group Travel, we understand the crucial role of education, especially in rural areas where resources can be limited. As part of our mission, we work with our clients, business associates, partners, and donors to provide financial and essential resources such as books and clothes for children in remote areas, investing in their education and the future of their communities. Your support is vital in this effort.

At The Black Onyx Group Travel, we recognize that achieving cultural and social sustainability requires cooperation with local communities, travel companies worldwide, and the visitors we welcome. We are committed to preserving local cultures and communities and ensuring visitors have meaningful and authentic experiences. This commitment is a vital part of our mission and something we are deeply passionate about, and we will continue to uphold it in all our endeavors.

US Embassy
686 Old Bagamoyo Road,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 
+255 22 229 4000

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THIS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IS NON-REFUNDABLE

Cancellations must be received by email. 

Cancellations 60 days before departure will receive travel credit. Cancellation fees include deposit, booking fees, donations, late fees, reinstatement, and other specified fees. Additional non-refundable fees may apply from service providers such as hotels, airlines, and transportation, potentially totaling 100% of the booking cost. Cancellations within 60 days of departure are non-refundable and do not qualify for travel credit.

If TBOG Travel cancels the trip, a travel credit equivalent to the full amount paid will be provided without any cancellation fees deducted.   
Reservations 91 days in arrears will be automatically canceled. Any amounts already paid will not be refunded. If TBOG Travel incurs any additional cancellation fees or charges due, you agree to indemnify us for those fees or charges.

Travel Credits can be used to purchase specific TBOG Tour the World travel experiences.  Travel credits issued from travel booked in: 

• Credits from 2024 bookings: valid until December 31, 2025. 
• Credits from 2025 bookings: valid until December 31, 2026.
• Credits from 2026 bookings: valid until December 31, 2027.

If the cost of your TBOG “Tour the World” travel experience exceeds your travel credit, you must pay the difference. The remaining balance will be issued as a future travel credit if it is less than the credit.

TBOG Travel reserves the right to restrict reservation changes, subject to availability. Changes in party size, date, or location may affect rates. We recommend purchasing travel insurance through our partner, Travel Guard, underwritten by AIG.

These policies are subject to change at any time.

December 2024

By booking with The Black Onyx Group, you acknowledge and accept the following terms and conditions: 

Agent  
- The Black Onyx Group, LLC (or any affiliated entities) acts solely as a travel agent. We sell travel-related products from various transport and accommodation service providers, including airlines, coaches, rail and cruise line operators, and hotels. 
- The Black Onyx Group's obligations to you include booking travel on your behalf and arranging relevant contracts between you and the travel service providers. 
- We are not responsible for these services and do not have the authority to make any warranties or representations regarding their quality. A request cannot be guaranteed. 
- All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability these service providers impose. 
- You understand that your legal recourse lies against the specific provider, not The Black Onyx Group LLC.

Liability
- We constantly strive to ensure your arrangements are satisfactory. However, we cannot accept any liability of any kind, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, for the actions, omissions, or defaults, whether negligent or not, of these service providers over whom we have no direct or indirect control.
- In situations where liability cannot be excluded, such liability is limited to the value of the purchased travel arrangements. We are not liable for any consequential losses or damage.
- We do not accept any liability in contract, tort, or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense, or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or any other event beyond our control or not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part.
- We cannot control and will not be responsible for bodily injury, property damage, or other loss caused by factors beyond our control, including but not limited to flight delays, airline turbulence, transportation accidents, war, terrorism, weather, quarantine, illness, government restrictions, regulations or actions, mechanical failures, acts of God, fires, earthquakes, floods, climate anomalies, civil unrest, strikes, riots, theft, disease, pandemics, epidemics, accidents, or failures related to public internet, telecommunications lines or facilities, or third-party technology systems, other unforeseen circumstances, or any other causes beyond our control, including your physical, medical, or mental disabilities, failure to obtain valid travel documents, or failure to follow travel instructions. Under no circumstances shall The Black Onyx Group, LLC, be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damage arising from the above.

Deposits
- A deposit will be required at the time of booking.  All deposits are non-refundable for changes of mind or cancellations.

Passport
- All individuals leaving the United States must possess a valid passport. You are responsible for ensuring that you have valid travel documents, including, but not limited to, passports and visas that comply with the requirements of immigration and other government authorities at every destination. 
- Any fines, penalties, payments, or costs incurred due to documents that do not meet those authorities' requirements will be your sole responsibility.

Non-Transferable
- Documents issued are non-transferable. These documents may include, but are not limited to, airline tickets, hotel vouchers, tour vouchers, or any other document that confirms an arrangement with a service provider.
- These documents may also be subject to conditions such as, but not limited to, being nonrefundable, non-date-changeable, and subject to cancellation or amendment fees.

Payment & Credit Card Transactions
- If, for any reason, a travel service provider cannot deliver the services you contracted for, your remedy lies with the provider and not with The Black Onyx Group, LLC.
- If you paid The Black Onyx Group, LLC by credit card, you agree not to seek a chargeback for your payment to The Black Onyx Group, LLC.
- If your credit card or check is declined, you are responsible for promptly settling any amounts owed to The Black Onyx Group, LLC, via money order or another credit card.

Price Variations
- We reserve the right to change published fares in response to fluctuations in exchange rates or price increases by service providers.  All prices are subject to availability and may be withdrawn or altered at any time.

Taxes and Baggage Fees
- Baggage allowance and restrictions apply to all airlines. These can vary, so you should contact the airline you are traveling with for specific restrictions. Some airlines may charge fees for checked baggage.

Cancellation
- Please be aware that travel bookings are non-refundable and non-reroutable.
- Cancelled bookings will incur charges. These charges can be up to 100% of the booking cost, regardless of whether the travel has commenced.
- Where we incur any liability for a cancellation fee or charge for any booking you cancel, you agree to indemnify us for that fee or charge.

Travel Insurance
- We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance through our insurance partner, Travel Guard, to protect your travel investment.  

Health and Special Requirements
- Please advise your consultant of any special requirements you may have, such as special meals, medical requirements, and so on.

Refusal of Service
- Service providers reserve the right to refuse service to travelers for the following reasons: The traveler:
- Lacks proper documentation for the country of destination
- Has a contagious disease
- Is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics
- Manifests disruptive and/or unruly behavior

December 2024

THE BLACK ONYX GROUP, LLC PRIVACY POLICY
We will only collect personal information that is relevant for the purposes for which it is to be used. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that data is reliable for its intended use, accurate, complete, and current. We may use personally identifiable information in several ways, such as:

• To communicate with you about your account, or to communicate information about the Website.
• To build higher quality, more useful services such as by analyzing usage trends, and by measuring demographics and interests regarding specific areas of the Website.
• To provide you with prompt and effective customer service.
• To support the operation of the Website (such as account maintenance and record keeping), troubleshoot problems, resolve disputes, and to enforce our terms and conditions.
• To inform you about our services.
• Ancillary purpose such as any one or more of the following purposes:
  • Identification of fraud or error;
  • Regulatory reporting and compliance;
    • Developing, improving and marketing our products and services;
    • Servicing our relationship with you by, among other things, providing updates on promotions and services we think may interest you;
    • Involving you in market research gauging customer satisfaction and seeking feedback regarding our relationship with you;
    • To facilitate your participation in loyalty programs;
    • To analyze trends in sales and travel destinations;
    • For marketing activities; and
    • Internal accounting and administration.

Disclosure of personal information to Third Parties

We may disclose personally identifiable information about you to Third Parties as follows:

• With your consent.
• To facilitate a transaction or communication with a Third Party that you have initiated. 
• To our agents and advisors (such as our accountants or attorneys). We only disclose the personal information necessary for them to provide their services to you or to us, and only under strict confidentiality restrictions. 
• As we believe necessary to: (1) comply with law (including court and government orders, and civil subpoenas); (2) enforce or apply our terms and conditions and rules and regulations and other agreements; or (3) protect the rights, property, or safety of our users, or others.
• If you partake (or we reasonably suspect that you are partaking) in any illegal or potentially illegal activity. We may disclose personal information even without a subpoena, warrant, or other court order, to the extent we feel is necessary to inform and cooperate with law enforcement agencies or other appropriate authorities.
• In aggregated form, i.e., information about multiple users collectively without identifying any individual user, such as the total number of visitors to the Website each week.
  • Due to circumstances beyond our control. We shall take reasonable steps to protect the Information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. We have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Despite the precautions we take to protect your personal information, the unfortunate fact is that there is simply no such thing as a perfect security system. Also, we have no control over the security of the internet in general. As a result, we cannot guarantee that unauthorized persons will never gain access to your transmissions or information, or that personal information will never be disclosed in ways not covered by this Policy.
• In connection with a transfer, reorganization or otherwise, to a successor-ininterest to our organization or its other material assets. When a Third-Party acts as our agent, we will ensure that the Third Party is willing to enter into a written agreement requiring the Third Party to provide at least the same level of privacy

December 2024