THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year.
- January to March are very good months with mild temperature and almost no clouds in the morning and late afternoon. During the day
however there might be few short rain showers or little snow on the summit. The main rainy season starts end of March and last until
end of May. For Kilimanjaro climbers, this means that clouds may block visibility and there might be heavy rains on the lower altitudes and
snow on the summit. June, July and August can be cold, but visibility is usually very good. Temperature rises in September and October,
however during this time of the year, there is often a belt of mist on the middle altitudes, leaving the summit peak through the clouds.
November and December usually have perfect visibility in the night and morning, but short rains during the day and thunderstorms at the
late afternoon are common.
- For Kilimanjaro climbers, a factor to take into account is the full moon – it is a unique experience to climb the roof of Africa lit under the
shining moon light only without having the head lights.
- Generally, everyone entering Tanzanian territory must have a tourist visa, the price is $100 for U.S. passport holders, US$75 for Canadians,
and $50 for EU and most other passport holders. The best idea is to obtain the visa from the Tanzanian Embassy at your country of origin.
- Around 80% of climbers choose the Marangu Route (5 or 6 days), which is commonly referred to as the “Tourist” or “Coca Cola” Route. The
rest usually goes for the Umbwe, Rongai or Machame Route (6 or 7 days). The other two routes (Shira and Lemosho) are far less
frequented and therefore allow for a more remote and natural experience.
- Please note that many of the routes meet on a mid-way point and there are only three routes to the summit.
- Please see our route comparison table, read the descriptions of the routes and ask us if you have any question.
- Many texts state that Kilimanjaro is “easily accessible”. However, you should not underestimate this mountain. There are no technical
mountaineering skills required, but general fitness is necessary. However, the biggest problem for climbers are the effects of high altitude,
which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age or gender.
- It is a good idea to start some physical training prior to the trek, which might include aerobic cross training and hiking to familiarise your
body with the rigors or the trek. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination and will power is another important
factor.
- Please use the main menu on the left to browse through our section “Resources health information for Kilimanjaro climbers”
- It is important to keep luggage to the barest minimum when on trek, as this will ease the burden of the drivers, vehicles and porters.
Baggage should be of the round squashy type rather than hard suitcases that are difficult to fit into jeeps. Try to use something that is
both lockable and water proof as luggage can often end up sitting on the roof of the vehicle.
- It is a good idea to bring another smaller bag so that unwanted clothes can be kept in it at the hotel when you go on trek. This also helps
to keep city clothes clean and free from dust. You should also bring a small day pack which can be carried while hiking or riding or can be
readily accessible when you are traveling in the vehicles on long drives.
- On camping trips all equipment will be provided except for a 4-season sleeping bag. You do not need to provide any other camping gear;
only personal belongings. See our Kilimanjaro packing list and Safari packing list.
- It should be noted that the luggage limit per person on domestic flights is 15-20 kg per person (checked-in and hand luggage).
- On your inbound flight, don’t check in items that you absolutely need (such as medicines), as it is not uncommon that checked-in luggage
gets misdirected and arrives in Tanzania a couple of days after you. It is better to have such items in you hand luggage.
- If you have any particular medical problem please consult with your doctor before you come to Tanzania as to the medication that you
should bring on your trip. This also applies to your own personal first aid kit.
- Again we can provide you with a suggested list for your personal first aid kit. All trips will have a basic first-aid kit but it will not contain
any prescription drugs.
- There are Doctors who provide medical services to travelers. These professionals can be contacted in the case of an emergency or
for a general enquiry.
- Make sure that you have a travel health care insurance.
- It should at least cover:
- All groups and individual travellers will be provided with an English speaking Tanzanian guide. Some of the guides also speak Spanish or
German. They are trained and experienced in leading trips and knowledgeable about the fauna, flora and many more aspects of their
country. Often they become life long friends with the travellers. Interactions with staff are often the highlight of people’s trips. It is a great
way to get to know the real life of Tanzania.
- For climbing and safari you can choose the standard of accommodation. The cheapest and simplest option is basic camping.
- Also there are hotels are clean and comfortable which can be found to our Tanzania Natinal Parks.
- The Twiga-Safari and travel properties provide best value for money in Tanzania and provide reasonable best service.
- If you expect 5-star luxury accommodation, it is best for you to choose by yourself luxury lodges.
- Tipping is not a local custom in Tanzania; it is common only amongst tourists and expatriates who live in the country. Giving monetary
gifts to friends or relatives is common, however, both in the city and in the countryside. As tourism is growing in the country locals who
work in the tourism industry are getting used to the notion of tipping and sometimes even expect a tip from clients.
- Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of staff on the trip and the number of clients on the trip.
Generally groups like to meet together before the end of the trek or safari to discuss how much they would like to tip each staff member based on
their individual experience. See our suggestions for tipping.
- Safari are possible at any time of the year. We adapt the exact locations for game viewing to the yearly migration of wildlife. For instance
in the months of December to March, the animals are rather in the Eastern part of the Serengeti, and in April and May they move to the
Western part. Other National Parks don’t have any migration scheme at all.
- For safaris, there are two rainy seasons: The November rainy season typically starts at the end of October and has short (maybe just an
hour of rain every three days), but strong rains. During the April/May rainy season it is possible to have 1-2 consecutive days of nonstop
rain. Some roads may be impassable during rainy season.
- During peak season (Christmas to middle of January) prices are highest and it might be hard to find hotel rooms.
- Vehicles used are generally Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers, as they are most suitable to the terrain. For larger groups we use 4WD
buses as it is more convenient for our clients to be all together in one vehicle only, and it is also more economic and better for the
environment.
- Most of the drivers have been trained by our tour company in customer relations, tourism-related topics,
environmental issues and vehicle maintenance. They are very familiar with the routes we take.
- The number and variety of restaurants is improving. In cities and towns with some tourism traffic ( Moshi, Arusha, and Karatu,
) you can find good Swahili, African, Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants. Many older restaurants serve typical English
food but the variety is widening and many other influences are appearing in menus.
- The official currency of Tanzania is the Shilling. Smaller amounts of money are usually paid in shilling, where as larger amounts of money
are paid in US$.Money can be exchanged at the Bureau de Change
which can be found at any town and in the airports. Make sure that they change your money at the rate which is written in front of
the bureau.
- Travelers from the US are advised to bring US$ in currency; make sure that the bills you bring are dated 2003 or later, as currency dated
earlier may be rejected by currency exchange places. Also we at TWIGA SAFARI & TRAVEL won’t accept US$ bills which have been issued before 2003. You will
get a better exchange rate for 50 and 100 dollar bills than for smaller bills. There are several banks where you can use ATMs. Visa card is
the most widely accepted credit card.
- Travelers from Europe are advised to bring Euro or (British Pounds, Swiss Francs). They can be changed to Shillings at all Bureau de
Change and you save the costs for changing twice – first from Euro to Dollar at your country of origin, and then from Dollar to Shilling in
Tanzania. You can use international credit cards, preferably VISA card, at the ATMs of most banks. At Barclay’s bank (Moshi or Arusha
) it is even possible to use your EC debit card.
- Only hotels, restaurants and tourist shops of higher category accept international credit cards; when paying small amounts in US$ rather
than Shilling, in most cases you get a worse exchange rate. Local shops accept Shillings only.
- The official and spoken languages of the country are Swahili and English. Many people have English as their second language as they were
taught this at school. All Tanzanian working in the tourism field can communicate in English.
- In the countryside, or when communicating with children, local women or individuals of lower school education, it might, however, be
difficult to speak in English.
- It is appreciated by locals if travelers can speak some words in Swahili. A few words are surprisingly easy to master. It is a good idea to
spend a few dollars to purchase a Swahili phrasebook.
- Interesting art and gifts can be bought at the Art and Craft Shops at the reasonable price.
- There are also many smaller curio shops and local markets in the towns. We want to encourage you to buy at local shops to support local
economies. Be careful when buying antiques that you receive a stamped certificate from the seller in case you are asked to prove your
purchase at the airport. Sometimes in the countryside you will be offered goods from local countryside people for sale. When buying
goods, you should always bargain with people.
ENQUIRY
