01 Booking Information
When you get an idea what activities you desire for your African dream holiday, contact us. You do not need to wait until you have all details in place before contacting us. Together we will discuss all the options and arrange the ideal itinerary for you. We never will add people to your group unless you specifically ask us to find others to join you. But even then, if someone is interested in joining, you would be informed first with general information about the person(s) and you would have the final say whether they can join you. Once an itinerary is agreed on, we request a deposit of 15% for mountain treks or camping safaris, 50% for lodge/tented camp safaris or Zanzibar holidays, and 100% of any flight costs ( We can book domestic flights to Zanzibar or to safari destinations). There is no time limit for this but we will not set aside your dates or reserve accommodations until we have received the deposit. The remaining balance will not be due until your arrival in Tanzania.
At the present time, payment for the deposit will be requested by wire transfer into our Tanzanian Bank Account (USD account). PayPal has limited services in East Africa so it cannot be used but services such as World Remit are good options. Your bank can also wire money to ours directly. All prices quoted are in United States Dollars per person.
Cancellations/Postponements
We realize that plans may change at any time. Best Tanzania Safari has no interest in making a profit on trips that do not occur. But we also cannot lose money from cancellations either. For a postponement, 100% of any recoverable amount of payments made will be applied toward your new date. By recoverable amount, we mean that third parties such as airlines and safari accommodations may have policies that will not allow a refund in which case that amount would be forfeited.
For complete trip cancellations, we will refund via bank wire transfer all recoverable amounts minus a service fee of $100/person and less any money transfer fee. There can be no refunds once any part of your itinerary has started.
If for some reason your itinerary is shortened – either completing a Kilimanjaro trek faster than scheduled or aborted for any reason for instance, no part of the climb fee would be refundable and you would be responsible for additional nights accommodation in Moshi if needed.
We highly recommend the purchase of travelers’ insurance. If only a portion of people in your group cancel, we will need to recalculate the tour amount for the entire group based on the number of participants. As an example, if in a group of four, two people cancel out of the trip, the price for the remaining participants would be recalculated based on the price of a two person group. Again, we strongly recommend travelers’ insurance be purchased to cover these scenarios. For complete cancellations, we will return the recoverable amount, less $100/person fee, and less bank wire transfer fees.
02 Know Before You Go
Several routes are available on Kilimanjaro, each offering a different experience. We generally recommend choosing the longest itinerary your time and budget allow, as slower ascents improve acclimatization and summit success rates. The Marangu Route is unique for its dormitory-style huts with solar lighting, while all other routes are camping routes. Climbs are possible year-round, though March to May and November to early December are typically the wettest months. During these periods, the drier northern routes such as Rongai and the Northern Circuit are often good options.
What to Pack
Packing efficiently and bringing proper gear is vital as you will pass through several climate zones..
All items can be rented locally of good quality. There will be an equipment check before your trek starts to insure you are properly prepared.
Bags/Packs
- 80-90L Waterproof duffle bag
- 20-30L Day Pack
- Day Pack Rain-cover
Clothing
- 4-5 Pairs of underwear
- Top and bottom base layer
- 3-4 Short sleeve and 1-2 long sleeve trekking shirts
- 1-2 Pairs of hiking trousers
- 1 Fleece jacket
- 1 Insulated winter jacket
- 1 Insulated trekking trousers
- 1 Hard-shell jacket
- Lightweight rain-gear
Headgear
- Sun hat, ideally with a neck cover
- Warm knit/fleece cap
- Bandanna or neck gaiter
- Headlamp (with extra batteries)
- Sunglasses – Polarized (Glacier Glasses are ideal)
Hands and Walking
- Lightweight inner gloves
- Warm outer gloves/mitts
- Adjustable trekking poles
Footwear
- Mid-weight hiking boots
- Sandals/Trainers (for use at the camps)
- 4-5 Pairs of trekking socks
- 1 Pair of warm/thick trekking socks
- Gaiters
Sleeping Accessories
- 4-Season Sleeping Bag (temperature rating of 0°C or lower)
- Sleeping Bag Liner
General Accessories
- Water Bottles (enough to carry 3L) – note if bringing a camelbak instead, it is a good idea to have at least 1 water bottle since at times the camelbak tubes can freeze shut.
- Water Purification Tablets- optional since we will treat all water for you
- Baby Wipes
- Sweat-Resistant Sunblock
- Blister Plasters (Band-aids)
- Insect Repellent
- General medications (Paracetamol, Imodium)
- Diamox (optional – see Mountain Safety Article for advice)
- Pee bottle (optional)
Electronics
- Camera (optional) – Note: Drones are not allowed
- Solar Backpack Charger (optional)
- Power Bank (optional)
- Spare Memory Card (optional)
Misc.
- Energy Bars
- Energy Drink Supplement
- Zip-lock Bags (note: single use plastic bags are not allowed in the country)
- Trekking towel
- Toiletries, including one roll of toilet paper
- Small lock for your duffle bag (optional)
Mountain Sample Diet
It takes a lot of energy to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Your success may depend on the meals that are prepared for you.
This is one area where budget companies cut corners, but Best Tanzania Safari knows that this is unwise to make reaching the summit even harder just to save a few dollars. Unfortunately, one of the effects of high altitude is loss of appetite and nausea. That means the your meals need to be easy to digest and appealing. Best Tanzania Safari can accommodate nearly any special diet if we are informed in advance of the trek.
What is typically served is:
Breakfasts
- pancakes/chapati,
- porridge,
- fruits,
- eggs,
- sausages,
- bread with jam/honey,
- coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
Lunches
- sandwiches,
- soup,
- chicken,
- fried bananas,
- peanuts,
- fruit,
- boiled eggs,
- chocolate bar,
- coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
Dinners
- Peanuts/popcorn,
- stew/soup,
- pasta/potatoes/rice,
- vegetables,
- beef/chicken,
- coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
Tipping Etiquette
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is very much a team effort, and many clients come away with great respect for the mountain crew after seeing the hard work involved in helping trekkers safely reach the summit — and, when needed, assisting climbers back down the mountain safely.
Tipping is always optional and entirely at your discretion. Best Tanzania Safari pays its staff wages at the higher end of local industry standards, but tips still provide meaningful support for guides, cooks, and porters and their families. The suggested amounts below are based on the cost of living in Tanzania and feedback from past climbers.
We also maintain a strict no-pressure tipping policy. Our staff are not permitted to ask for tips directly or share personal hardship stories in hopes of receiving larger tips. If you experience this, or if any aspect of the service does not meet expectations, please let us know.
Tips can be given in any currency accepted by local banks. Please note that we cannot accept tips by credit or debit card, as card payments would be subject to company taxation. Useful trekking equipment that you no longer need is also appreciated.
The final number of porters depends on the total expedition weight, including client gear, camping equipment, food, staff supplies, and optional items such as portable toilets.
Suggested Tip Amounts (Per Group / Per Day)
Head Guide: $25 USD/day
Assistant Guides: $20 USD/day
Cook: $15 USD/day
Porters: $10 USD/day
These amounts are per group, not per person. For example, on an 8-day trek, the suggested tip for the head guide would total $200 USD. In a group of 4 trekkers, each person would contribute $50 USD toward that amount.
03 Preparing Physically for the Trek
Kilimanjaro does not require mountaineering skills, but it does demand that you arrive in good physical condition. The trek itself is not technically difficult – what wears people down is the cumulative effort of walking for six to nine consecutive days at altitude. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy the experience rather than simply endure it.
Start Early
Ideally, begin training at least three months before your trek. Two months is workable if you’re already reasonably active. One month is not enough time to build meaningful fitness from scratch.
The Best Training You Can Do
Hiking is the most relevant preparation, full stop. If you can get out on trails regularly – especially hilly or mountainous terrain – do it. Walk with a loaded daypack to simulate the real thing. Long days on your feet are more useful than short intense workouts.
If access to trails is limited, walking on an inclined treadmill, cycling, and stair climbing are all solid alternatives. The goal is building cardiovascular endurance and getting your legs accustomed to sustained effort over several hours.
Frequency and Progression
Aim for at least three to four sessions per week. One of those should be a longer outing each weekend – start at two to three hours and build toward five to six hours as your departure approaches. Gradually increase the weight in your pack and the elevation gain in your routes.
Strength and Stability
Strong legs and a stable core will serve you well, particularly on the descent, which is harder on the knees than most people anticipate. Squats, lunges, step-ups, and single-leg exercises are worth including in your routine. They don’t need to dominate your training – two sessions a week is plenty.
Don’t Neglect the Descent
Most training focuses on going up. But coming down from Kilimanjaro – often several thousand metres of descent in a single day – puts significant strain on the knees and quads. Training downhill specifically, and strengthening the muscles around the knee, will make the final day considerably more comfortable.
Your Boots Matter More Than You Think
Whatever boots you plan to trek in, wear them during your training. New boots on a long mountain trek are a recipe for blisters and misery. Your footwear should feel completely natural by the time you arrive in Tanzania.
Altitude Cannot Be Fully Simulated
No amount of training at sea level fully prepares your body for the thin air above 5,000 metres. Physical fitness improves your odds and your enjoyment, but acclimatization on the mountain is a separate process. This is why choosing a route with adequate acclimatization days matters as much as how fit you are when you arrive.
A Simple 12-Week Framework
- Weeks 1-4: Build a base. Three to four sessions per week, 45-60 minutes each. One longer hike or walk on weekends.
- Weeks 5-8: Increase duration and add elevation. Weekend outings of three to four hours. Add pack weight gradually.
- Weeks 9-11: Peak training. One long day hike per week of five or more hours with a loaded pack. Maintain midweek sessions.
- Week 12: Taper down. Shorter, easier sessions to arrive rested rather than fatigued.
Listen to Your Body
Rest and recovery are part of training. Arriving on the mountain tired or nursing an injury helps no one. If something doesn’t feel right during your preparation, address it before you travel.