Topography
 

Mount Kilimanjaro, situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park, is 755sq km (+/- 470 sq miles) and  located in Northern Tanzania.

• The slopes of the National park are populated by local Tanzanians and are mainly used for agricultural purposes.  The climate here is ideal for coffee plantations, for which East Africa is world renowned for.

• The rains forest starts at around 1800 meters and extends to around 3000 meters.  On all hikes up Kilimanjaro you will be overwhelmed by this lush rain forest.

• From 3000 meters until around 4000 meters you find the heath and moorland area.

• 4000 ~ around 4500 meters you find a semi-desert are with no vegetation, the stage is often compared to walking on the moon.

• From here to the summit you finally reach the alpine desert.  On the summit area you will find permanent ice fields, with snow and ice lower.  It is however a possibility to hike up to the summit and not walk on any ice or snow.  For this reason your choice of departure  is very important.

Best time to ascent Kilimanjaro
 

Please note that your Kilimanjaro adventure are not restricted to the below mentioned date, and can start on any day of the week, depending on availability.

Due to Kilimanjaro being only 3 degrees from the equator, warm and humid conditions are mostly found in the lower areas.  In Tanzania you find two distinct rain seasons;

The long rain season from around end March to beginning of June,

The short rain season from around end October until middle of December. 

Taking this into consideration the best month of the year will be January ~ beginning of March, and end June ~ September.  Ascending up Kilimanjaro almost always starts at around midnight, doing so with a full moon can add greatly to the experience.  For 2007 & 2008 the following dates you will find a full moon rising: 

FULL MOON CALENDAR DATE FOR 2009

Full moon on 07/07/09
Travel to Moshi on the 02/07/09 & start your hike on the 03/07/09

Full moon on 06/08/09
Travel to Moshi on the 01/08/09 & start your hike on the 02/08/09

Full moon on 04/09/09
Travel to Moshi on the 30/08/09 & start your hike on the 31/08/09

Full moon on 04/10/09
Travel to Moshi on the 29/09/09 & start your hike on the 30/09/09

Full moon on 02/11/09
Travel to Moshi on the 28/10/09 & start your hike on the 29/10/09

Full moon on 02/12/09
Travel to Moshi on the 27/11/09 & start your hike on the 28/11/09

Full moon on 31/12/09
Travel to Moshi on the 26/12/09 & start your hike on the 27/12/09

Health requirements
 

It is compulsory for travellers to Tanzania to have a Yellow fever inoculation.  This must be done at least 10 days prior to departure, however, if possible, try to have it done timeously to avoid any possible side affects that could negatively affect your climb . It is also highly recommended to take precautions against malaria. (Please check with your nearest travel clinic). Although no mosquitoes are found on Kilimanjaro due to the high altitude, it is still necessary as most Kilimanjaro expeditions will start from Moshi (closest town to Mount Kilimanjaro).  Also, should you take the option of visiting Zanzibar Island, or one of Tanzania’s other National parks, you will be at risk.  It is not compulsory to undergo a full medical check-up, that includes a stress ECG, prior to planning and hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, but it is highly recommended for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
 

High Altitude Sickness / Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
 

Most people that are not acclimatized can be affected by AMS.  Altitude sickness is mainly caused due to a lack of barometric pressure and oxygen concentration in the air.  The most effective way to increase your chances of not being effected by AMS will be to acclimatize adequately on your hike up Kilimanjaro.  This is done by ascending slowly to a higher altitude and to drink enough water to avoid dehydration (around 3 ~ 5 liters per day).  There is medication available from most travel clinics that will be able to also assist you to acclimatize, but unfortunately none that will be 100% effective.  The most common first symptoms of AMS will be lack of appetite, headaches & nausea.

The Tanzania National Park Authorities requires that a person be at least 10 years old for a summit attempt up Kilimanjaro.  Our recommendation however is to rather wait until your child is 15 years or older.   A summit attempt puts a person under enormous physical and mental strain and young children are normally not yet developed to adapt to this challenge.  There is no restriction as far as the maximum age is concerned and many people in their 70’s have in the past successfully summited Kilimanjaro with and without additional support.  Kilimanjaro is a strenuous hike, but there is no climbing with ropes, so no prior experience is needed, meaning that it can be attempted by any fit and healthy person.  We do however recommend that Kilimanjaro is given the respect that it deserves.  Do not take any unnecessary risks and rather ensure that you prepare as best possible and ensure your health status by undergoing a full medical check-up, which includes a stress ECG.
 

Travel insurance
 

We highly recommend for you to be covered while travelling aboard.  While hiking on Kilimanjaro, evacuation from the mountain to the closest town, Moshi, is included in your National Park permit that will be arranged for you on your behalf.  Should you however need any further medical attention etc. it will be very handy to either be covered by your medical aid or by a registered travel insurance company.  In the event of lost personal items a travel insurance package should also cover this loss.  Dream World Adventures are licensed agents of AIG and will be able to assist and with your travel insurances needs.
 

Tips & Guides
 

A tip at the end of your Kilimanjaro hike to the porters and guides in your team is generally expected for good service on the mountain.  The recommended tip will be on average between US$150~ US$200 per hiker and this is dependent on the overall group size, below is a guideline as to how this amount is calculated.

On all our expeditions up Kilimanjaro you will be accompanied by a highly trained, experienced and certified head guide.  Again, depending on your group size, you will also have a varying number of assistant guides and porters included in your logistical team.  They are there to increase your chances of a successful summit bid and add to your overall enjoyment of this adventure.  Should one of the members in your group need to be evacuated from the mountain, one of the assistant guides and several porters will ensure that this happens as smoothly as possible.  Due to the extra guides in your team, the rest of the group will not be affected if one of the members needs to descend and the rest of the group will still be able to summit.  Included in your logistical team are porters that not only are there to make your adventure safer and more enjoyable, but also to make your trip more comfortable.  Each hiker is able to provide a personal soft carry bag / duffel bag that will be carried by the porters. This bag can be filled with personal items that will not be used by the hiker during the day, but may not weigh more than 15 kg in total.  Should a person want to take more personal items than what is needed and thereby exceeding the 15 kg limit, an additional porter will have to be hired by that person and the cost borne by him/her.

Herewith a guideline for tips up Kilimanjaro that are the industry standard:

Head Guide       :  US$15-US$20per day  (ratio of 1 per 8 hikers)
Assistant guide :  US$10-US$12 per day (ratio of 1 per 3 hikers)
Cook                  :  US$5-US$8 per day     (ratio of 1 per 8 hikers)
Porters               :  US$6-US$10 per porter per day (average 3porters/hiker)

In the end budget around US$200-00 per person/hiker for the trip
 

Visas
 

It is necessary for people from most countries to a have valid visa to enter Tanzania.  If you will be extending your mountain adventure by visiting one of Tanzania’s numerous National Parks or Zanzibar Island, only one visa will be required.  A holiday visa will be valid for 3 months from the date of issue.  Dream World Adventures will be happy to assist you in obtaining a visa.  For us to arrange your visa, we will need the following; (1) Your passport with at least 2 open pages and still valid for 6 months after your travel date (2) A completed visa application form (a copy of this form can you e-mailed to you (3) 2 x I.D. photo’s.  The cost for the visa will be US$60-00, which includes our nominal handling fee.  Should it not be possible for you to provide us with the necessary travel documents for us to obtain the visa, you will be able to arrange a visa on arrival in Tanzania at recognized border posts or at one of the International Airports in Tanzania.  We do however strongly recommend that you obtain your visa before departure to avoid possible delays at these points of entry.
 

Currency
 

Tanzania runs on a dual currency economy.  Both Tanzanian Shillings (the local currency) and US$ are accepted.  Before travelling it is best to ensure that you have US$ currency with you and this will also be easier to obtain than Tanzanian Shillings.  It is best to have US$ cash (small denominations) with you, as very few places will accept a credit card or travellers cheques.
 

Sample menu while on Kilimanjaro
 

A Vegetarian menu can also be arrange upon request
 

Getting to Kilimanjaro
 

Most Kilimanjaro expeditions start from Moshi in Tanzania.  The closest World Adventures have inclusive travel packages from Johannesburg International Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport  on Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania.  Flights with Air Tanzania is however currently not available. If you prefer not to travel via South Africa to Tanzania, you will need to book your International flight to KIA.  If your airline ticket has been booked to only fly to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania or Nairobi in Kenya, a charter flight will need to be arranged by yourself for you to get to KIA.  This can be done online though Precision Air, one of Tanzania’s local private charter companies at www.precisionair.com.  Dream world Adventures will also be able to tailor made your itinerary to only include the land arrange part of your tour from KIA.  If planning to drive yourself to Tanzania we will then start your Safari from Moshi.