Getting to Kilimanjaro
By Air - There are daily flights with Air Tanzania from South Africa. KLM also have daily flights via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro airport and continues to Dar es Salaam. Various airline flying to Nairobi (which might offer cheaper fares due to more frequent flights). There are flights 3 times a day between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro. Charter flights between all major towns in Tanzania operate frequently.
By Bus - The most reliable bus connections are between Nairobi (Kenya) and Arusha/Moshi.
Car Hire - There are car hire companies in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.  An international driver’s license is required, and the driving is on the left hand side of the road.

Visas and Entry Requirements
All visitors require a passport, valid for the duration of their stay. Visas are compulsory for most visitors, and cost from $50. Visas can be obtained at the airport on arrival, but it is saver to apply for one before you fly, as this ensure that you won’t experience problems on arrival.

Departure Tax
The departure tax from Kilimanjaro is US$30.00, however most airlines included this in the ticket price. Please check with the airline when you book your ticket.

Customs & Foreign Currencies
Free admission of all personal belongings, including photographic and video cameras. No restriction on currencies. Duty free allowances are 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco plus one bottle of alcoholic beverages. Visitors buying local handcrafts must keep a receipt to present to custom officials on departure.

Health
Until recently, all visitors were required to present an International Yellow Fever Immunisation Card upon arrival. The government has now lifted this requirement but seeing that most African countries require this certificate, it is advisable to always have that with you when travelling in Africa. It is a must have for people entering South Africa from Tanzania. Tanzania is a malaria. It is a good idea to bring a mosquito repellent to use in the evenings. Please consult your local physician on more information regarding the above guidelines.

Travel insurance
It is imperative that you have travel insurance when climbing Kilimanjaro, even though they do not check any certificates when you enter the airports.  For your own peace of mind, make sure that you are adequately covered and that your insurance cover for Kilimanjaro includes evacuation.

Weather & Climate
It is important to understand that weather on Kilimanjaro is as changeable and unpredictable as mountain weather all over the world. The best climbing seasons is January to March and June to October. The only real recommendation to climbers is to avoid the long rainy season (April / May) as the mountain becomes slippery and treacherous. The average day temperature on the lower slopes is around 30°C, while temperatures can range from 5 to 15°C at 3000m in altitude during day time. Night time temperatures on the mountain can be well below freezing – even at you first campsite.

Money
In Tanzania the currency is the Tanzanian shilling. Currently, the exchange rate is approximately 1 US Dollar to 1100 Tanzanian shillings. Major currencies such as US Dollars, Euro and travellers cheques can be converted at major hotels, banks and foreign bureaus in the main towns and tourist areas. There are banks in Moshi where you can exchange your traveller’s checks or your hotel will exchange money for you. If you want to use an ATM, you'll need to have a card that has the VISA symbol (there are 2 ATMs in Moshi). Credit cards are not widely used in Tanzania. It's probably best to assume that you won't be able to use your credit card in many places.

What to Pack
A gear bag (soft waterproof bag) is recommend for your gear. You also need a daypack (35litre) and a bag you can leave at the hotel with clean cloths. Please see our GEAR page for more information on what to pack for Kilimanjaro.

Baggage Allowance
Most airlines allow 20kg luggage. Charter companies might restrict you to 15kg. One gear bag with a maximum of 15kg per hiker is aloud on Kilimanjaro by National Park regulations.

Export of Fauna and Flora
Tanzania is a member of the CITES. To export plants and plant products a phytosanitary certificate is required. For fruits an additional declaration that Xanthomonas citri (Hasse) Dowson does not occur in the country of origin is required.

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