Frequently Asked Questions - Kilimanjaro

We would recommend that you carry no more than 10kg. The average is 7kg. You only need to carry the essentials (3 L drinking water, valuables, camera, lunch/snacks, rain layer…). The rest of the items you can leave with porters to carry.

Soft kit bag (for porters to carry), small daypack (for you to carry), rain cover for backpack/bags, dry sacs for packing inside, sun hat/cap, woolly hat/toque, scarf, balaclava, sunglasses, waterproof jacket and trousers, four-season duvet jacket, warm upper body layers, thermal under layers, trekking trousers, shorts (optional), underwear/sports bra, waterproof gloves, thin gloves, gaiters, thick socks, thin socks, waterproof hiking boots, spare laces, jogging shoes or flip flops for around camp, walking poles, sleeping bag, water bottles or hydration bladder, water purification tablets (optional), water flavoring or rehydration salts, favorite snacks, knee support (optional), eye protection goggles (for wind/dust/glare on summit), head torch, spare bulb, camera, memory cards, spare batteries, towel, toiletries, lip balm, sunscreen, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, personal first aid kit, medication (Diamox optional), insect repellent, pen/paper/playing cards

Depending on the route chosen, most trekkers take 4-6 days to reach the summit. The longer you spend on the mountain, the more time your body gets to acclimatise, the higher the chance you will succeed in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

You can expect equatorial to arctic conditions on Mt Kilimanjaro. Depending on the route chosen, you will begin your trek in dry plains or tropical forests with average temperatures between 25⁰C and 30⁰C. You will then ascend through various terrains and weather zones to arrive at the permanently snow-capped summit. Expect rainfalls and sub-zero temperatures on your trek

Yes, all Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) fees are included in our Kilimanjaro price. Currently, the conservation fees at Kilimanjaro National Park are: US$70 per person per day and US$50 per person per night for camping. Crew entry fees and Tanzanian Forest Services Agency (TFS) fees (applicable for Rongai, Shira and Lemosho routes) are also included in our Kilimanjaro price.

The trek up Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. You do not require any mountaineering equipment to reach the summit. In fact, anyone in good physical condition can reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You should be able to run for at least half an hour without feeling shortness of breath. You should also be able to walk for at least 2 hours in hilly terrains without feeling overly exhausted. No one with a sore throat, cold of breathing problems should go beyond 3000m. Anyone with heart or lung problems should consult his/her physician before attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travellers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February and September.

Most guidebooks recommend that climbers spend an extra day during the Marangu route climb especially. This is very much a personal decision, but our statistics do not indicate any greater success rate amongst 6 day Marangu route climbers over 5 day climbers. More important for success is the overall approach to the climb, right from the start. That said, many people like an extra day spent on the ascent because it makes the whole climb more relaxed and gives an opportunity to go on some pleasant walks on the slopes of Mawenzi.

The support from our mountaineering expert team is the really important part in getting you there, you can’t really train for altitude but with the right determination and passionate to do it then you can make it.

The signal is almost everywhere on the mountain, depends on your provider, Airtel ,Vodacom or Tigo. Some places you can get full reception of all providers. Where there is a signal, you should always be able to make a voice call, use internet or send a text message.

There is no single best Mt. Kilimanjaro climb route. Which route up Kilimanjaro is the best for you depends on several factors. The time and money you have available, previous experience the time of the year, personal preference etc.

Although there are one or two metal shelters at each of the Machame route camps (and these shelters were referred to as “huts” by the Kilimanjaro Mountain Club which built them long ago), they are now used by national park rangers. Both you and your crew sleep in tents.

A strong pair of supportive, waterproof hiking boots is essential. They must be well broken in. Don’t risk losing them as delayed luggage on your international flight into Tanzania – wear them on your flight or carry them in your hand luggage. Trekking poles are recommended for slippery mud and loose scree. Gaiters can be hired or brought in. Read More On Kilimanjaro  climbing Preparation guide

Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. Kalahari Hiking Expeditions will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace and the number of days you will take.

The cheaper operators often cut costs in a variety of ways, such as:

• Not paying their crew properly.  Marangu Hotel is one of a handful of companies paying top rates to guides and porters.  A recent Kilimanjaro Porters’ Assistance Project study indicates that the greater number of climb companies are paying less than 50% of what Marangu Hotel is paying.  We also provide food, fuel and essential warm and waterproof clothing to our crews, and they are not charged for that.
• Overloading porters to cut down on numbers.
• Not providing a sufficient number of guides to accompany a group to the summit.
• Not providing sufficient tents for their guides and porters to sleep in on the mountain, forcing them all to cram together in tents.
• Charging you extra for any equipment or clothing you lack and which you need to borrow.
• Providing sub-standard or insufficient food and equipment.
• Being unlicensed to conduct mountain climbs, and being part of the underground economy.
• Cheating the national park by not paying the full amount of park entrance and camping fees.

Indeed, any overabundance gear you don’t have to convey with you on Mount Kilimanjaro can be left at our office. You should keep significant things with you consistently.