Kilimanjaro FAQ with Kili view and safaris
When should I go?
Kilimanjaro FAQ with Kili view and safaris Kilimanjaro is climbable through the year. The best months to climb are
December-March, and September-October, which are the warmest and driest
months. The next best are June to August, but they are colder. July,
August, and September are the busiest months.
Summiting on or soon after a full moon is very beautiful and helps
illuminate the landscape without using headlamps. However, it is also
very bright for sleeping and stars are not as visible.
What is the weather like on Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Temperatures range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius at the foot of the
mountain and -15 to -20 degrees Celsius on top plus wind chill. Lower
down, it can be wet and humid, but higher up, there can be snow. Rain
and snow may be encountered any time of the year! See our Weather page
for more details.
How difficult is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit
person can summit the mountain. However, for most people, it is the most
difficult thing they have ever done.
Which route should I take?
Your decision will depend on where you want to sleep and the hiking
distance each day and number of days of each route. On the Marangu
Route, you sleep in huts with simple beds, while on all the other
routes, you sleep in tents. There are two main routes on the mountain:
the Marangu and Machame. You may also want to consider the Rongai Route
as it is far less traveled. The Lemosho Route is a good choice if you
want a longer route (8+ days). None of these routes are technical.
How long does it take to reach the summit?
It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 5-8
hours to reach the summit from the high camp.
How do I cope with change of altitude?
Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end.
Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who
start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the
body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending and
extra day on the mountain. Drink lots of water and get lots of sleep.
What kind of climbing gear do I need?
See the Kilimanjaro Packing List >>
What shots should I get?
Talk to your doctor about getting
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever
• Tetanus
• Polio
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Meningococcal Meningitis (Africa/Asia)
Can children climb Kilimanjaro?
The minimum age set by the National park Authorities for summiting Mt.
Kilimanjaro is 12 years old. However, younger children can attempt the
summit with special permission. Younger children can also trek on the
mountain without reaching the summit.
How big will my group be?
Groups are limited to 10 people, but they are typcally around 5 people.
We will combine groups up to this limit if they are starting the same
route on the same day. However, we can also arrange for private groups
at no extra cost. We will try to add single travelers to a group if at
all possible, but we cannot guarantee it. We can also accommodate large
groups of any size.
How many guides, and porters and cooks do we get?
Expect 1 guide per 1 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 2 to 4 hikers, and 1
cook per 8 hikers. Porters as follows:
• 2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route and Mt. Meru (minimum
of 4 porters)
• 3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
• 4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of 6 porters)
Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of the luggage.
Do we meet the managers?
Our managers are guides and ex guides – you’ll meet one of us during the
full climb briefing and you can ask any questions that you need to and
you’ll see one of us post climb too – your feedback is essential to our
business.
Are the guides trained in first aid and altitude sickness?
Kili view and Safaris Kilimanjaro guides are trained in acute
mountain sickness (AMS) and Basic mountain first aid with recognized
institutions as Sentinel Outdoor Institute from USA and Wildness First
Aid Responders (WFR). However, they are not doctors or paramedics.
Climbers are responsible for bringing their own first aid kit and
medical supplies.
Are the guides licensed / certified?
Kili view and Safaris Kilimanjaro guides are trained and
certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park. They start out as porters
and work their way up to assistant guide. When they are ready (after
about 2-4 years), they go through the national park certification
process.
Do guides carry cell phones or radios on the mountain?
Yes, all guides carry cell phones, but reception on the mountain can be
spotty.
What kind of tents do you provide?
Our tents are 3-person 4-season dome-style mountain tents, two people
each.
Does the company have a 24 hour emergency telephone number?
Our 24 hr. emergency phone is +255682718847
Will there be oxygen for our group on the trek?
Oximeters are included on all treks at no charge. Oxygen is available
for $30/group.
Will there be a hyperbaric pressure bag for our group?
We can provide hyperbaric bag for $120/group.
What happens if we one of us gets ill and has to return earlier? Is
there an extra charge or is our money returned in case of illness or
injury?
All climbers pay a rescue fee to the Kilimanjaro National Park (included
in the price). If a client cannot walk because they are injured or
sick, the guides, assistant guides, and porters will assist this climber
down. There is no extra charge for coming down and taken back to the
hotel, but you will not get money back for the mountain days you missed,
and you will be responsible for medical assistance and extra hotel
nights. We highly recommend travel insurance to cover any medical
expenses and further evacuation.
What additional costs can I expect when I travel with you?
Extra expenses include:
• Tips for guides and porters
• Rental equipment (sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.)
• Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel in Kilimanjaro city/Arusha.
• Any personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, etc.).
How much is a good tip?
The typical tip is $20/day for guides, $15/day for assistant guides and
cooks, $10/porter/day for porters. These tips are from the whole group,
not per hiker.
Remember, tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but
rather whether they were professional and had your best interests in
mind. Tipping is discretionary and is in no way compulsory.
What kind of accommodation is provided for the 2 nights before and after
the climb that are included in your climbing prices?
The trek price includes 2 nights at a 3-star hotel like the Bristol
Cottages, which is a comfortable tourist hotel near the center of Moshi.
What kind of accommodation is available during climbing?
On the Marangu Route, the first two huts sleep four people each, and the
last hut is dorm-style with bunk beds. While on the other routes, you
sleep in 3.//.-person 4-season dome-style mountain tents, two people
each.
Do you have luggage (weight/size/number) limitations on your climbs?
The one pack that the porters carry for you is limited to 15 kg (35
pounds). Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at
$20/day plus tips.
What’s the food like during the climb?
The staple foods with kili view and Safaris Kilimanjaro are
meats, starches, vegetables, and fruits with the most memorable
delicious soups at every meal. Most meals will also have a selection of
hot drinks like instant coffee, tea, milo and hot chocolate. We also
switch to your dietary requirement.
Who prepare the food on the mountain?
Your trekking party will be supplied with a cook to prepare your meals
in a safe and hygienic manner.
What about drinking water?
The porters will purify water for you at each camp. But you may decide
to put your personal purification tablet if you prefer them most.
Can we buy drinking water/ soda on the Kilimanjaro?
You will be able to buy any drinks before getting to the gate at local
mini-markets in town. Sometimes there are drinks available at the lower
camps, but that service is unreliable and expensive.
Can we bring something for the porters? Donations are easier to take
with you when you travel to Tanzania rather than mailing them after you
get back from your trip. Porters welcome old hiking boots, warm
clothing, and cash donations.
Is it better to do a safari first….then the trek? Or do the trek first?
Most people start with the trek and end with the safari, so they get
done with the hardest part of their trip and are able to relax on their
safari. However, we can accommodate either order.
Thank you for choosing us as your Trekking and Safari
Partner