What is and is not included on your trips?

What is included in my Kilimanjaro Climb?

  • All Park Fees
  • Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb (breakfast included)(double occupancy)
  • Transport from the hotel to the trailhead
  • Transport from the trailhead back to the hotel
  • Tents (double occupancy)
  • All meals and water on the mountain
  • Support personnel (guides, cooks, and porters)
  • Flying Doctors insurance

NOT Included

What is included in my Tanzanian Safari?

  • All Park Fees
  • Pick up/drop off from any hotel in Arusha
  • Safari vehicle and personal driver/guide
  • All meals during the safari

NOT Included

  • Airfare to Tanzania
  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • Tips for the driver
  • Lodging the final day of the safari

Can I use a drone on Kilimanjaro or on Safari?

Drones are illegal to use in Tanzania without a license and special permit.  In order to get a drone permit, the drone operator needs to have a pilot’s license for aircraft. Once that happens, the request is sent to the defense department for approval. We recommend, due to the cost and length of time it takes to get a drone permit, to just leave yours at home. If you choose to take one anyway and get caught, you and your guide can end up in jail.

What gear do I need for the safari?

  • Binoculars
  • DSLR Camera
  • Extra Batteries
  • Several SD Cards
  • Minimum of 300mm Lens
  • Long Sleeve Shirt
  • Convertible Pants
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Neck Pillow (optional)
  • Snacks (optional)
  • Water (purchased en route)
  • Buff or Neck Gaiter (for dust)

Read more here: What Should I Wear on Safari?

Do you offer group safaris?

No, we do not offer group safaris since it isn’t a good experience. Everyone is loaded on a bus and driven around the parks. They are on a schedule and are not able to deviate from their routes to see animals.

All of our safaris are private in our own safari vehicles. See more here: Tanzanian Safaris

Safari Tarangire National Park

What medications and vaccinations do I need?

vaccinationThere are various recommended vaccinations for travel into Tanzania. However, there are no required vaccinations.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recommends the following vaccinations and medications: Malaria, Yellow Fever (required if entering Tanzania from an ‘infected area’), Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies. Additionally, the CDCP recommends routine vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), and polio, if you are not up-to-date.

You may also want to bring Diamox, an FDA-approved prescription medication used to prevent and treat altitude sickness. Consult with your health care professional. Keep in mind you may be more susceptible to sunburn if you take Diamox.

Though not required, we do recommend having a COVID vaccination.

It is prudent for every client to have a medical check-up to see if they have any medical conditions that put them at increased risk when trekking at a high altitude. The minimum age of participants on our climbs is 16 years old. All clients 65 years of age or older are required to bring a doctor’s certificate stating they are fit to climb Kilimanjaro.

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.