Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa, is a life-changing adventure that attracts thousands of trekkers each year. As one of the world’s highest free-standing mountains, it offers an incredible experience for climbers of varying skill levels. However, thorough preparation is key to ensuring a successful and safe ascent. From understanding the best routes and acclimatization to packing the right gear and securing travel insurance, this guide will equip you with essential practical information to help you reach the summit and fully enjoy your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Practical Info for Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

Climate

  • Monthly Average Temperatures

    Kilimanjaro has different climatic zones, so temperatures vary depending on the altitude:

    • Base (Moshi / Arusha Area):

      • Warm, 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)

    • Rainforest Zone:

      • Mild, 12°C to 15°C (53°F to 59°F)

    • Moorland Zone:

      • Cool, 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F)

    • Alpine Desert Zone:

      • Cold, 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F)

    • Summit (Uhuru Peak):

      • Extremely Cold, -7°C to -29°C (19°F to -20°F)

    Best Times to Climb

    Kilimanjaro has two optimal climbing seasons based on weather patterns:

    1. January to Mid-March:

      • Temperature: Warm during the day, cold at night.

      • Why Best: This period is generally dry, with clear skies and excellent visibility.

      • Recommendation: Less crowded compared to the other peak season.

    2. June to October (Late June to early October being the best):

      • Temperature: Warmer, especially in lower altitudes; cooler on the summit.

      • Why Best: This is another dry season, with little rain and clearer skies. It coincides with the European and North American summer holidays, so it’s the most popular time to climb.

      • Recommendation: Can be crowded due to the peak tourist season.

    Month-by-Month Breakdown:

    • January to March:

      • Average Temperature: Daytime warm at lower elevations (25°C to 30°C / 77°F to 86°F).

      • Conditions: Dry, perfect for climbing.

    • April to May:

      • Average Temperature: Mild, 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

      • Conditions: Rainy season, slippery and muddy trails, poor visibility. Not ideal for climbing.

    • June to October:

      • Average Temperature: Similar to January-March, with warm days and colder nights.

      • Conditions: Dry season, ideal for climbing. Clear skies, cool temperatures at higher altitudes.

    • November to December:

      • Average Temperature: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

      • Conditions: Another short rainy season with mixed conditions, though December is often drier and climbing is possible.

    Conclusion:

    • Best Time to Climb: January to mid-March and June to October.

    • Avoid: April to May due to heavy rains.

    Would you like to know more about specific routes or preparation tips for Kilimanjaro?

Important Info About Your Climb

  • It goes without saying that you need to bring your passport with you.

    British & USA citizens need a valid visa to travel to Tanzania. The visa application should be completed online here. 

    Before you proceed with the visa application itself, we recommend that you read the step-by-step application guide carefully. You will find the guide here.

    When you start your visa application, you should have the following to hand:

    • Your passport

    • A digital passport photo in JPEG or PNG format, not exceeding 300 KB

    • A copy of your passport in JPEG or PNG format, not exceeding 300 KB

    • A copy of your itinerary (you’ll need the name and address of your hotel. If you’re staying at several different hotels, simply write the name and address of your first hotel)

    You should apply for an “ordinary visa (single entry visa)”.

    Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Tanzania, and there must be two blank pages in the passport for entry and exit stamps.

    You should expect it to take 14 days for your visa to be approved. We recommend that you regularly check the status on the website above, as you will not always receive an email to inform you of your visa approval. Once your visa is approved, you should print it out and bring it with you to Tanzania.

    It is also possible to apply for a visa upon your arrival in Tanzania, but we recommend you apply for it from home to save time at the airport.

    The visa fee is USD 50, regardless of whether you apply online or on arrival in Tanzania.

    Children travelling alone or with an adult other than their parents must bring the written consent of their parents in the form of a letter of attorney as well as the child’s birth certificate (in English).

    The visa regulations can be checked on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

    We also recommend that you double check the above visa rules, as they may change at short notice. Please contact the Tanzania High Commission in London. 

  • 1. Passport

    • Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date into Tanzania.

    • Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

    2. Visa

    • Most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can either obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or apply for an eVisa online before departure.

    • Single-entry tourist visas are typically valid for 90 days.

    • Visa fees vary by nationality, so check the Tanzanian Embassy website for the latest information.

    3. Vaccination Certificate

    • Yellow Fever Certificate: If you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever, you must provide proof of vaccination.

    • It’s advisable to have other vaccinations up to date, such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus, though these are not usually mandatory.

    4. Travel Insurance

    • Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip cancellations. This is especially important for a Kilimanjaro trek.

    5. Flight Itinerary

    • You might be asked to show a return or onward flight ticket upon entry.

    6. Trekking Permits

    • Your trekking company will usually arrange the necessary permits to climb Kilimanjaro, but it's good to confirm with them in advance.

    7. COVID-19 Documentation (if applicable)

    • Depending on the latest regulations, you may need proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test. Check the latest entry requirements from Tanzanian authorities.

  • We recommend that you contact a medical specialist, your GP or an authorised vaccination clinic for information about vaccinations. You can also read more about the rules regarding travel vaccinations here.

    Please be aware of the rules about yellow fever – especially if you are entering via another country where yellow fever is present. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Your vaccination certificate should therefore always be carried with you in your hand luggage when you travel.

    NB: You are required to present a printed version of your vaccination certificate when entering Tanzania.

  • Item description

  • We always advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when heading off on your dream holiday. It is also highly recommended to acquire cancellation insurance for extra protection. 

    Click here to proceed to our page on insurance, where you can read more about our recommendations.

Before You Travel

  • The Tanzanian currency is called the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).

    Tanzanian currency may not be imported or taken out of the country. We therefore recommend that you exchange to shilling at the airport or withdraw some cash on your arrival in Tanzania.

    Payment can also be made in USD in Tanzania. We recommend that you carry a small amount with you (1–5-dollar bills), as this is most commonly used at markets, or for payment of tips and the like. You can also withdraw cash from cash machines using Visa and MasterCard, and pay by card in some places.

     

    Tips

    In Tanzania, it is customary to tip guides, waiters and other service personnel.
    Tips are therefore expected, but it is, of course, up to you how much you wish to pay.

    As a rule of thumb, you can reckon on the following:

    • 10-15 USD per person per day to the guide

    • 2 USD for luggage which the porter carries for you

    • 10% in bars and restaurants

    • 2 USD a day for maids

    We recommend that you tip your guide/driver at the end of your tour – preferably in a sealed envelope.

    On our Kilimanjaro tour, we have an agreement that our guests pay a fixed amount per person in tips. This is the normal practice on a Kilimanjaro tour – it is counted as part of the guides’ and bearers’ wages, which they receive directly after the end of the trek. The fixed amount has been agreed to ensure an equal distribution of the tips.

    The amount depends on the number of days you are on the mountain:

    • 6 days: USD 250 per person

    • 7 days: USD 275 per person

    • 8 days: USD 300 per person

    We usually collect tips from our guests when you return back to your hotel.

  • At the vast majority of our destinations, we are able to take allergies, as well as allergens or preferences into account when it comes to food, however it is important that you inform us of this when you book the tour.

  • Most hotels and lodges receive electricity from their own generators, which are normally turned off after midnight. So, remember to bring a small torch with you on holiday. The voltage is 240 V and 3-pin plugs are used.

    In the hotel descriptions on our website, you can see whether Wi-Fi is available at the hotels. Please note that the connection may be unstable.

  • Make sure you pack all your important and indispensable things in your hand luggage. This applies to items such as passports, visas, vaccination cards, travel documents, insurance documents, credit cards, money, computers, mobile phones and cameras, as well as information about your health and vital medicines.

    We recommend that you pack your things in soft bags when going on a safari holiday. It’s easier to pack the safari cars with soft bags than suitcases. Hardcase suitcases are particularly difficult to fit in to the safari car. So, if possible, avoid using suitcases with hard edges.

    We recommend that you pack light clothes for the safaris and that you avoid bright colours where possible. Bring long trousers and long sleeved shirts that protect against mosquitoes after sunset and, if necessary, against the sun during the day. Avoid bare feet and legs in the evening due to the mosquitoes.

    Remember to bring a small torch and extra batteries in case of the occasional power cut.

    Click here to see a comprehensive packing list.

  • Visitors are not permitted to bring plants, seeds, fruit and other plant products into the UK from their travels outside the UK, unless they are accompanied by a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. These rules also apply to smaller quantities of plants and plant products.

    Read more about the rules here.

  • Please note that this tour is not generally suitable for people with impaired mobility. Please contact us for information about your options in relation to your specific needs.

The Flight

  • Most airlines have electronic tickets (e-tickets).

    It is important that you check your name for spelling errors, as the name on the reservation must be exactly as it appears on your passport. If your name needs to be corrected, please contact your airline provider as soon as possible. Please note that this may incur a fee from the airline.

  • The airline will assign you a seat on the plane at check-in. If you have specific wishes regarding where you sit on the plane, you can make a seat reservation yourself on the airline’s website or in their app. Please note that most airlines require payment for a seat reservation.

    It varies when airlines open for seat reservations, but as a general rule, you can book seats from the time of booking and up to 48 hours before departure.

    We also point out that the airline has complete control over all seats on the plane and that they are therefore entitled to make changes to the reservation at any time.
    If you do not make a seat reservation before departure, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in.

  • Your passport and your booking reference, which appears on your itinerary, are required to check in.

    We recommend that you download the airline’s app on your phone. In the app, there is an option for online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The app also allows you to stay informed of any flight changes and other important information about your flight.

    Please note that the flight times may have changed in relation to those listed on the travel itinerary you received when you booked your holiday. It is always the flight times in the airline’s app or on the airline’s website that apply.

  • We recommend that you arrive at the airport to check in at least two hours before departure. It is a good idea to check the airport’s website for the latest updates.

  • We use many different airlines for our destinations. You can check the exact rules for hand luggage and checked baggage on the airline’s website or in their app.

    If domestic flights are used in your programme, please note that your permitted baggage may be different from your overseas flight. It is usually always possible to buy extra luggage locally.

    Please note that it is not permitted to bring hard-case suitcases for check-in on domestic flights. Your suitcase should be made of a soft material that is easier to pack. Nor are you permitted to bring trolleys as hand luggage on local domestic flights.

    Please note that all use, import and production of plastic bags is prohibited in Tanzania.

    We therefore recommend that you avoid using plastic bags when packing your luggage. Use fabric bags instead, or bags made of a waterproof material other than plastic. If, for example, you are visibly carrying hand luggage in plastic bags upon your arrival in Tanzania, you will be asked to hand them in. This also includes plastic bags from “Duty Free”, etc. One exception, however, is the clear, resealable plastic bags used for liquids in your hand luggage. These are still permitted.

  • If your baggage is delayed, please contact the staff in the baggage reclaim area to report your missing baggage.

    It is important that you have your baggage receipt when completing your PIR (Property Irregularity Report).

    Please note that you must not leave the baggage area at the airport until you have completed the report.

    In the event of delayed baggage, we ask you to contact our partner, who will ensure that your guide/driver waits for you.

  • Should any changes occur in connection with your flight reservation before departure, we will of course contact you to let you know.

    Should your flight be delayed after check-in, the airline is responsible for rebooking your flight. They will typically book the next possible flight and arrange any meals and accommodation if necessary.

    Our partner checks for any changes in arrival times and will naturally still wait for you, even if your flight is delayed.

    If, due to a delay or cancellation, the airline books you on another flight number after you have arrived at the airport, please contact us on Peak Expeditions Whatsapp number.

At The Destination

  • Immigration:

    When you arrive at your final destination, you will go through immigration, where your passport and any entry documents and visas are checked. In many places, you will be required to provide fingerprints, and a photo of your face will also be taken for biometric recognition. You may also be asked questions about your travel plans in the country and possibly where you are staying.

    You will be required to complete arrival and departure forms in Tanzania. Under the section where you have to fill in your address in Tanzania, you should enter the name of the first hotel/lodge where you will be staying.

    Customs:
    Once you’ve cleared immigration and picked up your luggage, you will head through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can go through “nothing to declare”. If, on the other hand, you have something to declare, it is important that you go through “declare”. It’s your own responsibility to check the customs regulations that apply in the country you are travelling to.

  • When you come out into the arrivals hall at the airport, you will be met by a guide/driver holding up a Peak Expeditions Tanzania sign with your name on it, who will make sure you get safely to your hotel.

    In the unexpected event that you cannot find your guide/driver, please contact our partner on the emergency number which appears on the travel documents.

  • Normal check-in is typically from 2 pm, and you cannot therefore count on getting your room earlier. If you’d like to check in early, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

    When you check in, the receptionist will generally register your credit card and may reserve an amount. This is not an additional fee, but customary at hotels to ensure payment of any consumption from the minibar and the like. When you check out, the amount will be automatically released if you have not made use of this.

    It is very normal for hotels to take a copy of your passport. In some places, this is a requirement of the local authorities.

    Check-out is normally by 10 am. If you’re not travelling until the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage stored until it’s time to leave. If you would like a late check-out instead, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

    If you are rounding off your tour in Zanzibar, please be aware that the hotels in Zanzibar charge a tourist tax of USD 5 per person per day. This will be charged to you when you check out.

  • We provide seamless transportation for your Kilimanjaro adventure. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted and transferred from the airport to your hotel in a comfortable Jeep. For the trek, we travel together as a group in a spacious minibus, ensuring everyone arrives at the mountain ready for the journey. After the climb, we'll arrange your return transfers to the hotel and back to the airport, making your experience smooth and stress-free.

  • We have a 24-hour emergency hotline so that you can always get in touch with us should anything unforeseen occur during your tour. You will also be sent the telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers of our guides at the destination. In some cases, it may be easiest and fastest to contact our partners due to time differences, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation where your pick-up for an excursion or transfer is more than 15 minutes delayed.

After The Tour

  • Our livelihood depends on satisfied guests, and we would therefore very much like to hear from you after your return home. Send us an email at info@peak-expeditions-tanzania.com