FAQ'S
Home > MT.KILIMANJARO FAQ
Most of Questions asked about Kilimanjaro
You can expect equatorial to arctic conditions on Mt Kilimanjaro. Depending on the route chosen, you will begin your trek in dry plains or tropical forests with average temperatures between 25⁰C and 30⁰C. You will then hike up through various terrains and weather zones to arrive at the permanently snow-capped summit. Expect rainfalls and sub-zero temperatures on your trek.
This is based on the route you selected, most hikers take 4-6 days to reach the summit. The longer you spend on the mountain, the more time your body gets to acclimatize, the higher the chance you will succeed in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February and September
The hike up Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. You do not require any mountaineering equipment to reach the summit. In fact, anyone in good physical condition can reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You should be able to run for at least half an hour without feeling shortness of breath. You should also be able to walk for at least 2 hours in hilly terrains without feeling overly exhausted. No one with a sore throat, cold or breathing problems should go beyond 3000m. Anyone with heart or lung problems should consult his/her physician before attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
Yes, all Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) fees are included in our Kilimanjaro price. Currently, the conservation fees at Kilimanjaro National Park are: US$70 per person per day and US$50 per person per night for camping. Crew entry fees and Tanzanian Forest Services Agency (TFS) fees (applicable for Rongai, Shira and Lemosho routes) are also included in our Kilimanjaro price.
Yes! The minimum age limit set by Kilimanjaro National Park for children climbing to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is 10 years old
Each porter can carry up to 20kg of luggage.
Our typical food on the mountain includes:
– BREAKFAST: Coffee,Tea, Porridge, Fruits, Fruit juice, Scrambled eggs/omelet, Sausage, Toast, Margarine, Honey and jam, etc.
– LUNCH: Tea, Coffee, Chips, Sandwiches, Biscuits, Pancakes with honey or jam, and fruits, other nutritious Tanzanian-styled meals, etc.
– DINNER: Soup, well-cooked meat or vegetarian meal (these include chicken/beef with rice, sliced fresh carrots and green beans, mashed potatoes, and salads), etc, fruits, and fruit juice, and a variety of hot drinks.
Of course! We can cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, or any other special diets. Kindly let us know at the time of booking.
Since Giraffe Safari private guided climbs, you will not be trekking with any strangers :
Yes, 100%! Because we do not join groups together, you can choose to start your climb on any day you choose.
Before obtaining their license, all guides need to attend training provided by Kilimanjaro National Park – on both theory and practical components as well as First Aid. They will need to pass an exam before they can get their license. We would never consider anyone who is not certified. We always interview potential candidates before we would hire them. We would only use someone who is knowledgeable, has a good attitude and good English as an assistant guide.
We always boil and filter drinking water for our clients. Cooks always make sure the food is well cooked and the utensils are sterilized with clean hot water before they are used. The mess tent is cleaned on a daily basis. Mess tents are solely reserved for clients use and we do not allow porters to sleep in them.
Yes. The price also includes the salary of a porter to carry the oxygen tanks during your summit attempt.
Yes, portable toilets is available for rental at US$150/trip
You will have one lead guide and an assistant guide for 2-3 climbers.
- For 4-6 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 2 assistant guides.
- For 7-8 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 3 assistant guides
- For 9-10 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 4 assistant guides.
- We provide 3-4 porters per one client.
The porters will carry all the tents, food, and the luggage that you do not require while hiking so you will only need to carry a day pack during the day.
All of our lead guides are trained and certified in the following areas: altitude sickness and recognizing symptoms in the early stages, emergency use of oxygen, wilderness first responded and performing CPR. Each guide carries a first aid kit which includes: paracetamol, Imodium, ibuprofen, re-hydration salts, paraffin gauze, sterile swabs, bandages, plasters, cotton wool, latex gloves & tongs, antiseptic disinfectant, antimicrobial cream, antihistamine, Diam-ox, etc.
We check in with the clients and crew daily at camp as they are equipped with mobile phones. Each ranger post also has radio communication.
Because you will have many guides and assistant guides, an assistant will take the ill person down while the rest of the group goes on. If the person is extremely sick then we call for a dispatch for stretcher – the rescue fee is included in your quote. But before reaching that point, our guides are very careful and they will monitor the health of everyone every day on the mountain to make sure that the sickness does not get to that point.
We would recommend that you carry no more than 10kg. The average is 7kg. You only need to carry the essentials (3L drinking water, valuables, camera, lunch/snacks, rain layer. The rest of the items you can leave with porters to carry
Tipping is always a difficult issue to cover for Kilimanjaro. Some say that tips are mandatory which has been as culture to mountain climbers, others say different. As Giraffe Safari Company would like to stress that a tip should only be given when someone feels they have received an service accordingly. It is not mandatory to give a tip, and though our guides and porters work very hard on the mountain to ensure your safety and success, they are all doing their job.
Not discuss the tips with the guides or porters until the end of the trip
- To tip if you enjoyed your trip
- To tip if the service was good
- To tip if you enjoyed the people with you
- Never to feel pressured to give more for tips
To hand out the tips to each porter and guide individually if possible, or to the head guide and have him disperse it to the team.
Note that; the below is just a guideline for tipping, the final amount you give is your decision, you can always give more or less than the amounts stated below based on received service.
Each Guide USD $150 for the entire trip per group
Each Assistant Guide $120 for the entire trip per group
Each Porter USD $65 for the entire trip per group
Each Cook USD $100 for the entire trip per group
