Kilimanjaro Information Pack

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Airport Arrival

If you are flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO):
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01
Your Mountain Team

Mt. Kili is definitely no easy feat, and many of our customers have said how impossible it would have been without a fantastic team behind them. We go out of our way to ensure we send you up with someof the best out there… as they really can make or break your dreams to reach the summit!

For your trek you will be assisted by one main guide, at least one assistant guide (for groups more than 1!), a mountain chef and a team of porters. All guides we use are experienced and qualified mountain guides, having undertaken a vigorous testing by the Kilimanjaro National Park’s headquarters (KINAPA). 

They are also trained in mountain first aid, fauna and flora and mountain rescue. All of our guides and chefs speak English, but many of the porters will have limited English skills (although they will often like to practice!).

The porters are vital to the mountain trip and often can be under-paid (and underappreciated). We ensure all of our porters receive a fair wage and have adequate clothing equipment for their climb up themountain. If you are worried about your weight allowance on the way back, donations of mountain clothing would be gratefully received by your team.

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Your Meals and Drinks

Second only to your mountain team will probably be the food to help you get to the summit! We’ve often had customers remark (with surprise) that the food they had on Kili was some of the best they’ve had in Tanzania. Although our chefs (with the help of the porters) have to carry any equipment up the mountain it’s amazing what they can whip up with a simple gas stove. They ensure to use the freshest locally sourced fruit and veg (thereby helping to support the local economy) but will also use some imported ingredients to bring the comforts of home to you on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Breakfast will generally be eggs (scrambled/ French toast, omelette etc.) with toast and spreads, lunch will mostly be apacked lunch unless hot lunch as stated in itinerary and dinner will be a soup starter followed by main-course and fruits for dessert. Hot drinks such as tea, coffee and hot chocolate will always be on hand forthose cold evenings! If you have any special dietary requests please just let us know in advance so that we can cater for your needs.

Some climbers like to bring their own protein bars (and for the less health conscious, snickers bars!) for snacks… In the end you are the only one that will know what might give you that extra bit of energy (mental or physical!) along the way!

For your water on the mountain we will use either filtered or boiled (and then cooled) water. The park rules state that we cannot take water into the park in disposable bottles so please bring a non-disposable bottle e.g. nalgene or a camelback (don’t worry… you’ll find a handy packing list below!)

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Transport

Vehicles used to get you around in Moshi can range from taxi cars to minivans all the way up to 30 seater ‘coaster’ buses. If any off-roading or four-wheel driving is required a safari land cruiser will be taken.

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Accommodation

Unless you are doing the Marangu route (see below) all nights spent on the mountain will be full-service camping in designated public campsites. We will supply all the camping equipment so that all you need to worry about bringing is your sleeping bag and a comfy pillow. Tents used are all 3-person dome tents, but with a maximum of 2 people sleeping in each tent you’ll have plenty of space to move around.On group tours only members of same sex will share a tent- please contact us if you wish to have your own personal tent.

You also don’t have to worry about pitching your tent after a long day hiking as it will be done by the porters before you reach the camp- easy life right? Your mattress will be a 3-inch foam mattress with removable cover that is washed between each use. The campsites are all basic- you are on Kili after all…many say that the ‘roughing it’ ads to your sense of achievement you’re up the top. We ensure to make you as comfortable as possible- every night when you arrive at camp you will have a basin of warm water for a personal wash. The public toilets at the campsites are all long-drop/latrines but we can bring a portable toilet if you prefer (at extra cost). At some of the campsites there are charging facilities but this is not reliable (and they may be all full once you reach the camp) so please do not rely on this, but bring extra batteries. Marangu Route: All accommodation along the Marangu Route is in simple A-framed wooden huts with several single beds (with mattresses) and shared bathroom/toilet facilities. Please be prepared to have members of the opposite sex sleeping in the same hut.

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Laundry
Quick Laundry is located next door to the Materuni Tours office. With several machines and driers your laundry turn-around time can be as short as 3 hours.
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Money

The local currency used is Tanzanian Schillings (Tosh). There are many ATMs within town that disperse Tsh, normally with the maximum withdrawal amount of 400,000tsh. The easiest currency to bring to use is USD- many tourist activities can be paid for in USD and you will get the best exchange rates at the Bureau de Change’s (of which there are several in Moshi town). Please ensure that any USD notes are post 2006, as many places will not accept them from the years prior due to cases of forgery. You will getthe best exchange rates when changing larger denominations (e.g. $100 or $50 notes).

If you are going to by a visa at any border you will need the exact amount in USD (they will not accept Tsh). Some places will accept other currencies such as the Euro or British Pound but please do not rely on these. Regarding ATMS, Visa cards are the most widely accepted although many in Moshi town will also accept MasterCard. Please ensure to check with your bank prior to leaving that you will be able to use the card overseas. It is also advisable to not rely on visiting an ATM (always have a spare bit of cash on you!) as sometimes there will be power/network problems which result in them not working for several hours. Credit cards are generally not accepted as methods of payment in most places and for those that do there will often be hefty surcharges (5-10%).

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Climate

The climate across Tanzania varies greatly from place to place so make sure to bring a variety of clothing(see packing list). If you are visiting during our rainy seasons between the months of April-June or duringNovember make sure to bring a good rain jacket and shoes you don’t mind getting a little muddy! Towards the coast you will find the climate very humid and hotter, whereas it tends to be cooler in Arusha/Moshi due to the higher altitude.

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Electricity

Tanzania operates on 230V, 50 Hz currency. Plug sockets tend to be the 3 pin UK-style. If you forget to bring the appropriate adaptor they can easily be purchased in the larger cities. Although it is definitely getting better, there are often power outages (especially during the drier season) that can last from a couple hours to a couple of days. Many hotels and restaurants will have a back-up generator but make sure to bring a torch with you and keep your electrical items charged when you have the opportunity!

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Language

In Tanzania we have more than 120 tribal languages but the official language spoken everywhere is Swahili. Here are a few useful phrases to get you started:

  • Mambo?(What’s up?)
  • Poa(everything’s cool)
  • Habari?(How are you?)
  • Nzuri(good)
  • Kwaheri(Goodbye)
  • Shin’gapi?(How much?)
  • Ni naomba(Can I please have)
  • Ni naenda(I am going)
  • Asante sana(Thank you very much)

All of your primary guides will be fluent in English however as Tanzanians are often shy people, and with English often being their 3rd or 4th language it may take a little while whilst their relationship builds with you to be confident. Please be patient.

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Tipping

A great area of confusion and unease for many tourists, tipping is a generally expected and highly appreciated part of climbing the mountain. To help you feel at ease we have provided a general guide below but please remember that tipping is a way of you showing your gratitude for your mountain team and is up to you! Tips should be given at the end of your trek and please ensure to give your personal tip to each individual member of staff (rather than giving it to one and asking them to share it out).

Please contact us to find out the exact number of staff you will have on your trip to help you estimate the tipping costs. The guidelines given below are for a group amount, not individually.

  • Chief Guide: 20 USD/ day
  • Assistant Guide: 15USD/day
  • Chef: 12USD/day
  • Waiter: 10USD/ day
  • Porter: 7 USD/day
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Health

Almost as important as booking your flights is a trip to your local travel doctor. They will be able to ensure that you have all the required vaccinations, as well as any other medications (such as anti-malarials) required for your visit to Tanzania. It is also recommended to bring a small first aid kit with you for any unfortunate accidents. Should you get sick during your stay there are several well-equipped clinics within Moshi. Primarily we use Jaffery Charitable Medical Services.

Almost every climber will experience some kind of mountain/altitude sickness during the climb. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, headaches, light-headedness, nausea and tingling in your fingers and toes. Some climbers like to take medications such as Diamox but you will need to ensure you are drinking plenty of water and continue to eat a hearty meal, despite your lack of appetite (a common sideeffect of this drug).

If you have severe symptoms it is best to stay at that altitude or descend until they disappear. Make sure to keep in good communication with your guide as to how you are feeling and don’t be afraid to stop for a while. Your guide will measure your blood oxygen on a regular basis and will be able to advise what is best for your symptoms.

In the event of an emergency evacuation you will be run down the mountain on a wheeled stretcher where there will be an emergency vehicle waiting at the nearest park gate. As for your fitness for the climb itself, the best way to prepare is with long hikes. Any other type of low-impact but stamina-building exercise such as cycling or swimming will be beneficial too. Please ensure that you have taken out adequate travel insurance before commencing your trip (it is advisable to also check with the provider that trekking Kilimanjaro is also covered).

You may wish to takeout extra insurance with AMREF Flying Doctors service (http://www.flydoc.org/products/individual-tourists). This will cover you for emergency evacuation flights wherever you are (whereas many travel insurance organisations will cover your treatment at the nearest hospital only).

Packing List
See List

If you do not have many of these items and don’t feel like going to buy out the contents of your local outdoor shop then it is possible to hire many of the items here. Prices given are for the entire trip.

  • 65-80 ltr hold all/duffel bag/ back pack with waterproof cover (your porters will carry your belongings in this)
    $20
  • Comfortable day pack to carry your personal belongings in.
    $20
  • Sleeping bag with low temperature rating (temperatures can get down to -10celcius)
    $20
  • Lightweight travel pillow
    $3
  • Warm fleece/woollen jumper
    $8
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
    $8 each
  • Down jacket
    $20
  • Ski Trousers
    $20
  • 3 t-shirts (we recommend breathable and quick drying fabrics)
    $8 each
  • 2 long-sleeved shirts.
    $8 each
  • 2 pairs of long, lightweight hiking pants
    $8 each
  • 1 pair of long shorts
    $8 each
  • 2 pairs of thermals (both long sleeved top and leggings)
    $8 per item
  • 6 pairs of hiking socks (2 should be very thick for the last days)
    $3 each
  • Sturdy pair of lightweight and waterproof hiking boots
    $20
  • Pair of gaiters (optional if waterproof trousers cover top of boots)
    $8
  • One pair of comfortable slip on shoes for wearing around camp in evening
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  • Balaclava and/or winter hat and scarf
    $5 per item
  • Thick - 1 pair of warm ski-style gloves and 1 lighter pair.
    $7
  • Liners - 1 pair of warm ski-style gloves and 1 lighter pair.
    $4
  • Sun hat/bandana
    $5
  • Sunglasses
    $8
  • Non-disposable water bottles or camel-baks (to carry 3 litres) – we recommend a mixture as camelbaks can freeze
    $5 each
  • Water purification tablets (suitable for 1 litre)
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  • Head torch
    $8
  • Sunscreen
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  • Personal first aid kit(should contain Lip balm with sunscreen, Ibuprofen , Malaria pills, band aids/plasters, adhesive tape, anti-histamine, Antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhoea, rehydration powder (salt and sugar mix), throat lozenges, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
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  • Camera, memory card and extra batteries (make sure it is not sensitive to cold temperatures or you have adequate protection).
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  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, razor etc.)
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  • Toilet paper
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  • Hand Sanitizer
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  • Walking poles (optional)
    $8 per pair

If you have any questions at all about any part of your trip please do not hesitate to ask us.

Contact us