Frequently Asked Questions

Going on a Kilimanjaro Trek is unique once in a lifetime experience, the challenging ascent of the mountain is physically and mentally demanding. To ensure best results make sure you read through the information before you begin your Journey.

Have a Question About Our Kilimanjaro Climbs?

Planning your Kilimanjaro climb? Get the answers you need about difficulty, acclimatization, and what’s included in our trekking packages.

How Do I Get There?

There are a few things you will need to know before you start your trek, please read through the below information before you book.

Tanzania has three major international airports:

  • Dar es Salaam (DAR)
  • Zanzibar (ZNZ)
  • Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)

JRO is the most convenient for Kilimanjaro, at only 42 km away from the mountain town of Moshi and 50 km from Arusha.

In addition to flights to Tanzania, you may consider flights to Nairobi in Kenya, which is only a five-hour shuttle bus ride to Arusha or a one-hour plane ride to JRO.

Note, however, that by choosing to fly to Kenya you may need a multiple-entry Kenya visa (if you’re flying out of Kenya, too, for example, and spend longer than a fortnight in Tanzania), which can cost as much as $122. This would reduce or even eliminate any saving you may have made in airfares.

In deciding which flights to book, you should take the full trip into consideration. For example, if you’d like to spend a couple of days in Zanzibar after the climb, it might be best to book one-way tickets from your home to Kilimanjaro Airport for the climb, from there to Zanzibar after the climb, and then from Zanzibar back home.

We recommend arriving atleast one day early. This will give you time to relax, overcome any jetlag, meet your fellow trekkers, and get a proper briefing before the climb starts. More importantly, if there’s any delay to your flight or your luggage goes missing, there’s enough wiggle room so that this delay doesn’t derail your climb. In the worst case if that does happen, then we are extremely flexible with your start date and you shoud not have anything to worry about!

All that said, we understand that travelling to Kilimanjaro can be a challenge. So even if you only arrive late at night the day before the climb starts, we’ll still organize your climb seamlessly!

Most foreigners need a Tanzanian visa to visit the country. However, citizens of USA, Canada, UK, Australia, UAE, India and most of Europe can simply obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport. The cost is $100 for US passport holders and $50 for others. US citizens do get a longer visa, however.

If you’re a citizen of a different country, please check with your embassy if you can obtain a visa upon arrival – of if you even need one. Certain African nationals, for instance, can enter Tanzania without a visa.

Note that you will need a passport that’s valid for at least six months after your departure date.

There are no specific vaccine requirements for entry into Tanzania. However, be aware that the Government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are travelling from a country (like Kenya) with risk of yellow fever.

While it’s not mandatory by any means, we suggest you talk to your doctor about getting the following vaccinations (which are standard in developed countries):

  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Typhoid
  • Yellow fever
  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
  • Meningococcal meningitis (Africa and Asia)

Yes, you will need to bring several pieces of equipment, including warm clothing, a sleeping bag, hiking boots, and a daypack.

The two most critical pieces of equipment that you might consider buying are:

  • hiking boots
  • a winter jacket

Most of the other clothing that you need is part of many people’s winter or skiing wardrobe already (like long underwear and a fleece jacket).

We provide a detailed equipment list upon inquiry to ensure you have everything you need for the trek. Anything that you do not want to buy and still need can be rented from our stock in Tanzania.

If you prefer more comfort and luxury, it may be worthwhile to get a walk-in tent and sleeping cot by upgrading your kilimanjaro climb.

Crawling in and out of standard sized tents multiple times a day can become quite tedious for some people. The space may also feel very confined with not much room to spread out your gear or get changed, especially when shared between two climbers. A larger tent will feel more spacious and give you more room to move. On the flip side, larger tents will also feel colder because they don’t trap the heat as well.

Whether you feel more comfortable sleeping on a cot compared to standard foam sleeping mats used on the mountain is very individual. Cots can feel more comfortable to sleep on for some people, as they’re softer and give the feeling of a familiar frame bed. For others, however, the relatively narrow width of cots may feel less comfortable compared to sleeping closer to the ground, where you can simply rest your arms or legs on the floor if you need more space.

What you need to know About The Climb

This is by far the most important part of your Kilimanjaro climb, Altitude sickness is by far the biggest factor for why summit attempts fail. You can be very physically healthy, but if your body is not used to rapid ascent then you have a much higher chance of failing.

We recommend the following routes to give your body the time necessary to adapt to the ascent.

  • Machame: good acclimatization, it is scenic but quite a bit steeper  then the next routes.
  • Lemosho: excellent acclimatization, it is a very popular route and also has a very high chance of success
  • Northern Circuit: The longest route and also the best route for acclimitization with the ascent spread over a longer distance.

Some of our routes are much more challenging and are not for beginners.

  • Marangu: Features a shorter distance but at a steeper pace with a faster ascent.
  • Umbwe: Only for experienced climbers, it features some of the steepest ascents of all the routes.

For the best chance of success we recommend choosing a longer route of around 7 – 9 days.

A rule of thumb is that the longer your stay the safer and more enjoyable the experience will be, with the ascent spread over a longer distance your body will be given more time to adapt and prevent altitude sickness.

  • 5 – 6 days has a much higher risk of altitude issues.
  • 7 days is a good balance for most people.
  • 8-9 days give you the best chance of success.

Your time is important so please factor in how much time you can spend, if possible we recommend choosing a 7 – 9 day climb.

How much hiking experience you have will greatly effect how well you handle the climb. Here are some routes we recommend based on experience.

  • Beginner: Lemosho (8 days) or Marangu (7 days) .
  • Moderate: Machame (7 days) or Lemosho.
  • Difficult: Northern Circuit or Umbwe (With caution)

Technical climbing is not required but your physical endurance matters a lot.

Making the most out of your resting time is important, higher levels of comfort allow your body to recover better then sleeping on rough terrain. Take into consideration the resting experience you want on your climb.

  • Huts instead of tents: Marangu is the only route with huts for you to rest in.
  • Camping & Wilderness feel: Lemosho, Machame and the Northern Circuit offer a more raw and natural experience.
  • Less Crowded: Northern Circuit and Rongai are less crowded then other routes.
  • Most Scenic: Lemosho and Machame are the most visually stunning routes.

The weather of Kilimanjaro varies throughout the year, our seasons offer unique challenges and different experiences as you climb from rainy season to dry season.

  • Best Months: January – March, June – October.

Rainy season April – May.

  • Rongai Route: is drier during the rainy season.
  • Machame & Lemosho can get very muddy but are still popular routes to take.

Physical Preparation & What You Should Pack for the Journey

For the best experience make sure that you are physically and meantally healthy and ready to go. We Recommend training yourself before you start with regular cardio exercises, strength training exercises and hiking with a weighted bag to prepare yourself for your adventure.

The Journey to Kilimanjaro is very physically demanding, we recommend that you get used to regular exercise activities to prepare yourself for the best experience.

  • Cardiovascular Fitness: Engage in aerobic activities such as hiking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise, 4-5 times a week.
  • Strength Training: Focus on building leg muscles through squats, lunges, and stair climbing. Core and upper body strength are also important.
  • Hiking Practice: Go on hikes with a weighted backpack to simulate what you will experience on Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro climbs reach about 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). The atmasphere at this level is very different to what people usually experience daily. It is best to allow your body time to adjust to higher elevations. We recommend that you consider short local climbs or day hikes at higher altitude before your trip.

  • Clothing: Layering is key. Include base layers, insulating layers (fleece or down), and a waterproof, breathable outer layer.
  • Footwear: Invest in quality hiking boots. They should be broken in and provide good ankle support.
  • Accessories: Don’t forget hats, gloves, and thermal underwear. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential for high UV exposure at altitude.

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water during training and bring water purification methods (tablets, filters).
  • Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats leading up to your climb; practice eating energy-dense snacks like nuts, energy bars, and dried fruits.

  • Research: Familiarize yourself with the routes, challenges, and potential risks associated with climbing Kilimanjaro.
  • Stay Positive: Mental toughness can be just as important as physical preparation. Prepare for the emotional and mental challenges of the trek.

  • Get Insurance: Ensure your travel insurance covers high-altitude climbing, including emergency evacuation which cover 6000 metres from the sea level.

  • Vaccinations: Check for required vaccinations and preventative medications (e.g., for malaria).
  • Altitude Sickness: Be aware of the symptoms and how to manage them. Ascend slowly and consider carrying medication like Diamox if recommended by a healthcare professional.

  • Best Seasons: The ideal times to climb are during the dry seasons, typically January-February and June-October.

  • List Essentials: Create a packing list that includes all necessary gear, food, documents (passport, permits), and personal items.

What Is The Weather Like?

The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro can vary significantly depending on the season and the altitude. Weather on Kilimanjaro can be unpredictable so it is important to be prepared for all kinds of conditions. The closer you get to the summit the colder it will be so make sure to bring a variety of clothes to accommodate temperature changes as you ascend and descend the mountain. Make sure to keep up to date with the weather forecast before climbing.

Base (1,800 – 2,500 meters / 5,900 – 8,200 feet):

  • Daytime: 20-30°C (68-86°F).
  • Nighttime: 10°C (50°F).

Midway (3,000 – 4,000 meters / 9,800 – 13,100 feet):

  • Daytime: 15-20°C (59-68°F).
  • Night Time: 0-5°C (32-41°F).

Summit (5,895 meters / 19,341 feet):

  • Day & Night: -10 (14°F) to -20°C (-4°F) or lower.

Dry Seasons:

  • December to February: These months typically experience hot days and cooler nights, with clear skies and less rainfall.
  • June to October: The dry season also sees stable weather, making it one of the most popular times for treks.

Rainy Seasons:

  • Mid March to May (long rains): Expect heavy rainfall, particularly in April. The weather can be wet and muddy, making trails more challenging.
  • November to early December (short rains): Although less intense than the long rains, you can still expect occasional downpours. At this time is still possible to climb.

Humidity: It tends to be high in the lower regions, especially during the rainy seasons. As you ascend, the humidity decreases.

Wind: Higher altitudes can experience strong winds, particularly near the summit, which can exacerbate the cold.

If you are planning a 7days climb and want to summit on during Full moon, you must start 5days before the full moon date. Also summiting one day before or after full moon is also beneficial.Below you can find the dates for full moons and new moons for 2026 to 2028.

New Moons:

2026 2027 2028
January 18 7 26
Feburary 17 6 25
March 19 8 25
April 17 7 24
May 16 6 24
June 15 4 22
July 14 4 21
August 12 2, 31 20
September 11 30 18
October 10 29 17
November 9 28 16
December 9 27 15

Full Moons:

2026 2027 2028
January 3 22 11
Feburary 3 21 10
March 3 22 10
April 2 21 9
May 1, 31 20 8
June 30 19 7
July 29 18 6
August 28 17 5
September 26 16 3
October 26 15 3
November 24 14 2
December 24 13 1

What’s Included In Our Trek Prices?

  • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
  • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Accommodation at 3* hotel in Moshi (WeruWeru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)
  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
  • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
  • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
  • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
  • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
  • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
  • If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters • GPS-tracking service
  • Complete medical kits including Diamox.
  • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
  • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
  • International flights
  • Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
  • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
  • Personal gear rentals, lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
  • Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
  • Mountaineering insurance (special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m)