5 DAYS
50 km (driving)
1,000m - 1,200m
1 hour (driving)
Town
9 km
1,750m - 2,750m
3 hours
Montane Forest
13 km
2,750m - 3,807m
5-6 hours
Moorland
13 km
3,807m - 4,725m
5-6 hours
Alpine Desert
4 km up / 14 km down
4,695m - 5,895m - 3,690m
10-15 hours
Alpine Desert
18 km
3,690m - 1,830m
5-7 hours
Montane Forest
50 km (driving)
1,200m - 1,000m
1 hour (driving)
Town
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
8-9
Moderate
Every safari and trek we plan is built around you — your timeline, your group, and what you most want to experience in Tanzania. Tell us a little about what you have in mind and Philip will personally put together an itinerary just for you.
