When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the months of January, February, June, July, August, September, October, and December. All of the above months tend to be the busiest times on Kilimanjaro. It is the high season for tourism.

Because Tanzania lies near the equator, the area does not have four seasons like most other countries. Instead, there are two seasons – wet and dry. The temperature does vary but does not have the large swings that most people are accustomed to.

The only times that should be avoided are during Tanzania’s two rainy seasons. The long rainy season is from the end of March to the beginning of June and the short rainy season is from November to the beginning of December. Even during the “dry” seasons, climbers may still experience heavy rains. The mountain’s weather is unpredictable. Always be prepared for cold and rain.

Read more here: https://kilimanjarosunrise.com/when-to-climb-kilimanjaro/

What’s the weather like on Kilimanjaro?

The weather on Kilimanjaro is divided into two seasons. The two wet seasons (November and Mid-March through the end of May) and the dry season (Mid December-Mid March, and June through October). The dry season is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Read More

Do I need to bring a water filter or anything to purify water?

No, all water is provided by us. Water is taken from nearby streams, boiled, and filtered at lower elevations. At higher elevations, water is purified.

The water tastes great. However, you can bring flavored powders such as Gatorade or Nuun tablets to flavor the water.

Do you rent any gear?

Yes, we rent out sleeping bags, duffel bags, jackets, and trekking poles. More information about our rental gear can be found here: Rental Gear

Please note: You will pay for the rental equipment with US Dollars, 2009 and newer bills at the trip briefing. It is not included in your booking form payments and we do not accept Credit Cards in Tanzania. Cash only. 

How does the tipping process work?

TIPPING GUIDELINES

At the trip briefing, you will be given instructions on how the tipping process works. The tips will be for the guides, cooks, and porters. Most groups discuss their tipping amounts collectively. The tips will be distributed to the crew. The table below shows the amount per person.

GROUP SIZE 6 DAYS 7 DAYS 8 DAYS 9 DAYS
1 570 665 760 855
2 495 578 660 743
3 390 455 520 585
4 338 394 450 506
5 354 413 472 531
6+ 325 379 433 488

This tipping procedure conforms to the guidelines set forth by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. We have found this to be the most practical and transparent method for tipping.

  • Guide / Assistant Guide: $25 per day / per group
  • Cook: $15 per day / per group
  • Summit Porter $15 per day / per group
  • Porter: $10 per day / per group

Please note: The number of guides, cooks, and porters varies depending on the number of people in your group, whether or not you rented private toilets, and if you bring too much gear and the Park dictates that you need additional porters.

TIPPING ON SAFARI

The general guideline for tipping during the safari is $25-$30 per day for the guide. For example, on a 5-day safari, a good tip for the guide is $125-$150 regardless of the number of passengers.

MOUNTAIN STAFF

Furthermore, our mountain staff-to-client ratio is one of the best on Kilimanjaro. For instance, you’ll have your own porter alongside you as well as all the guide and assistant guides on summit night. The graph below gives you an idea of how many guides and porters will be on your climb.

CLIENTS GUIDE ASSISTANT GUIDE(S) COOK(S) PORTERS SUMMIT PORTERS
1 1 0 1 4 1
2 1 1 1 7 2
3 1 1 1 2 2
4 1 1 1 13 2
5 1 2 1 16 3
6 1 2 1 19 3
7 1 2 1 21 4
8 1 3 1 24 4
9 1 3 1 27 4
10 1 3 2 30 4

TIPPING IN TANZANIA

Likewise, people will carry your bags at various times throughout the trip. For example, a person will carry your bag at the lodge from the taxi to the lobby or your room. You can tip each person $1 USD if you like.

What are the lodge accommodations like before and after the climb, or on the safari?

We have chosen small, quiet, clean, and comfortable lodges to serve as a relaxing complement to your climb. We will let you know which ones you’ll be staying in once you have made your deposit and we have booked them for you. The locations shown on the itineraries are fixed and part of the trip. We do offer two levels of accommodations. Included in the climb rice is the basic lodging. We also offer an upgraded lodge/hotel. The upgraded lodging costs extra.

On safari, we have our own tented camps. We recommend booking safaris at least six months in advance to make sure they are available. If they are not, we will find comparable lodging and let you know if there is any pricing difference.

Is there a minimum number of climbers needed for a trip to depart?

No. However, our group climbs are based on double occupancy. If you are a solo climber and the only person on a group climb, we may cancel the climb and move you to another climb free of charge. We will try and fill the spots first by running sales. However, if you prefer to climb on your original dates, we can still run the climb with an additional $500 single supplement charge.

Can I join a group climb as a single climber?

Yes, a single climber can join any group climb. Or they may book their own private climb. With two or more climbers, our climbs are guaranteed to proceed.

However, our group climbs are based on double occupancy. If you are a solo climber and the only person on a group climb, we may cancel the climb. If this happens we will move you to another climb of your choosing free of charge.

We will try and fill the spots first by running sales. If you prefer to climb on your original dates, we can still run the climb for an additional $500 single supplement charge.