HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Briefly, it does not take spending a fortune for a safe, comfortable and successful climb. However, the price below USD 1600 should alert you, as it is the first signal that your tour operator forsakes basic safety measures and hires semi-qualified (or unqualified altogether) guides and porters, who agreed to work for a pay far below the market average. Some tour operators do not pay their crews at all, who sign up for the expedition relying on tips only.

In addition to that, “budget” means poor diet, second-rate obsolete equipment and no operations in place. Thus, though embarking on a cheap trip may seem attractive financially, in reality, it jeopardizes your safety and perpetuates porters mistreatment.

Toto Africa Adventures offers various packages that differ in pre- and post-climb accommodation and extra services and amenities on the Mount. However, each expedition of Toto Africa Adventures features the same safety standards and the same professionalism of our crews.

BEST KILIMANJARO ROUTE TO CHOOSE?

There are several routes to get the summit.

Those seeking seclusion, scenic value and good acclimatization transition should consider Lemosho or Northern Traverse. A pocket-friendly and picturesque Machame provides good acclimatization transition, though it is a bit crowded during the high season.

Due to a popular misconception of being the easiest, Marangu route is the most popular and cheapest option. It is the only route providing hut accommodation (all other routes are camping only), which are handy during the rainy season. Marangu, however, features poor acclimatization and scenic value, as the trail is used for ascent and descent.

Rongai is one of the least crowded and the only route approaching the Mount from the North. It is a physically challenging option and is ideal for those who value remoteness. This route is recommended during the rainy seasons (Northern side of the Mountain protects the climbers from precipitation).

Umbwe route is the for the real adventurers. The steepest and shortest option, Umbwe is a challenging test of your endurance, stamina and determination. The route offers unique panoramic sceneries. The cost of that is, however, the weakest acclimatization transition.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO WEATHER

Weather in Northern Tanzania is a good illustration of a typical tropical climate with a dry and a rainy season. The temperature rarely falls below C⁰ 25-35 (77- 95 F). March-May is the rainy season with high precipitation. November-beginning of December is the small rainy season. Check your luggage in accordance with our packing list.

Mount Kilimanjaro has a special temperature regime. Traversing five climatic zones, it features different temperatures, ranging from “hot” at the beginning of your trek to “very cold” (especially on the summit night, when the temperature may fall below 15 C⁰) in the summit areas. The closer you are to Uhuru Peak, the colder the air becomes. Rainfall and wildlife decrease progressively.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO?

One of the best times for a Tanzanian trek vacation on Mount Kilimanjaro is in the warm months of January and February when clear skies afford excellent views of superb scenery, especially from the upper slopes; though, expect some snowfall during this period. Choosing your time to climb is a very personal balancing act. You need to weigh your objectives against your personal fitness and climbing or trekking experience.

You are more likely to gain the summit in warm, dry weather, since cold, rain, ice, snow and mud demand a lot from your body. They make tracks and paths slippery and deplete your energy levels.

From mid-March to end of May, the long rainy season increases climbing hazards. Visibility is poor, but you have the slopes to yourselves.

Lightning is every present and chancy. It is colder from June to August but the driest period on the mountains which are also highly favorable trekking months, and perfect again in September, which is warm and dry too, and, not surprisingly, another very popular and busiest time as it meets up with the prime wildebeest migration season in Northern Serengeti. The school holiday season from June to August welcomes many families from North America and Europe for their epic Kili bonding hike with their teenage kids.

End of October and November is the start of the short rainy season when clear skies are the norm at dawn and dusk. By end of December, the short rains dusts off with sporadic showers through January on wards with clear mountainous vistas perfect for photography but humid and advantageously less colder than from June to August. One thoughtful way to avoid the crowds is to stagger your starting dates starting before the weekend starts, so that you are at different stages of the trek rather than going with the crowd on a weekend arrival.

TRAINING & PREPARATION TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a unique adventure because a person with average fitness level has high chances for reaching Peak Uhuru. The slopes of Kilimanjaro is the place where proper high-altitude acclimatization is more important than your endurance, stamina and strength.

However, we do encourage everyone, to take some workout. Not only will it help you to feel more comfortable on the trek (some hikes are 10-14 km long), but also some sport is always good for your health overall.

PRIVATE TOILETS ON MT. KILIMANJARO

Stay healthier and happier on Kilimanjaro. To maintain privacy over Kilimanjaro, we are emphasizing more on Private Toilet Tents On Kilimanjaro. This is one of the most exclusive gear carried out by your kind-hearted porters. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a vastly bonding experience. In time you’ll come to regard your guides, porters and group climbers as honorary brothers and sisters. All the same, they are the real alternative to provide Private Toilet facilities.

To maintain privacy over Kilimanjaro, we are emphasizing more on Private Toilet Tents on Kilimanjaro. Using Wooden Toilets: Chosen by most climbers, this option is probably why so many people complain for no privacy. With a wooden shack, that surrounds a deep hole in the ground. For choosing this option, bring your own toilet paper and it’s very unhygienic although the staffs of Kilimanjaro national parks try to keep its clean.

Kilimanjaro Portable Loo: Portable loos are nifty little devices that come with their own mini tent which you can see while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Carried by a porter and setup at each camp, it costs $150 on rental. Only affordable for trekking groups with more than 3 members.

KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN GUIDES & PORTERS

Imagine waking up on a high on Kilimanjaro on the 6th of your Kilimanjaro Climbing, a friendly man who might hand you a cup of coffee, another might refill your water bottles. Also after climbing up to 15,300 feet over the course of the day, you find camp and dinner waiting for you. Those friendly faces belong to the Kilimanjaro Porters. Their attentive work keeps you hydrated, fed, sheltered and safe during Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.Kilimanjaro Porters have the major role to make your Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro successful. Together, Kilimanjaro Porters carry equipment and supplies up Kilimanjaro and give climbers the support they need to reach the summit. Without them, getting to the Top of Africa would be almost impossible.

Kilimanjaro Porters and Guides have the major role to make your Kilimanjaro summit successful.Kilimanjaro Porters are the real heroes who would be able to help you get to the summit successfully. The porters carry the gear of climbers and make it easy for them to climb Kilimanjaro. Sometimes the porters work in Kilimanjaro Rescue team in case of any mis-happening.

USEFUL CLIMBING TIPS

For all those climbing with us and with other tour operators, we have prepared the following insider tips:

1. It is not about your level of fitness only. Determination, motivation and well-planned acclimatization transition are more important.
2. Do not save up on your personal equipment. Branded high-quality clothes and sleeping bags often have decisive impact on successfulness of your climb. All personal equipment is available for rent in our office.
3. Be ready to have no shower for a week or so. Portable showers are, however, available for extra fee.
4. Public toilets may be uncomfortable, especially for the ladies. Thus, renting a portable toilet makes sense.
5. Taking an mp3 player or an Ipod is a good idea. Enjoy the sceneries on the way and better preserve battery for the summit rush.