FAQs

How to get to Tanzania? The most convenient way to arrive in Tanzania is to fly direct to Kilimanjaro airport on KLM (which belongs to the SkyTeam alliance with Delta Airlines) from Amsterdam. An alternative is to fly Qatar Airways via Doha which will be cheaper, but will take longer if your traveling from the U.S. or Europe. Qatar Airways belongs to the Oneworld alliance which includes Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Another option is to arrive in Nairobi (which offers more flights then Kilimanjaro airport) and take a shuttle bus to Arusha which takes about 4 hours.
What is the climate like in Tanzania? Tanzania lies just South of the equator so there is little seasonal variation in temperature, but it is cooler in June/ July and warmer in January/ February. There is much more variation between the coastal and low lying regions versus the high plains and mountain regions. The Northern game parks lie at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet and have a pleasant climate with warm days and cooler evenings year round.
While the rainy seasons (typically October to December and March to May) are suitable for safaris, it is not the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. We would recommend January to February or June through September, but temperatures and weather can be unpredictable so check our equipment list on our climbing page to make sure your prepared.
What is the currency of Tanzania? The local unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling which these days is freely convertible within Tanzania for the U.S. dollar and other currencies. There are numerous banks and bureau de change in towns, and most lodges and hotels will exchange currency or travellers cheques at reasonable rates.
What is the difference between the Shira and Machame Routes?
The Shira is used less frequently than the Machame so you may not see see any other climbers until you reach the summit. Another reason some climbers prefer the Shira is the gradual ascent it makes crossing the Shira plateau. The Machame crosses several valleys so you will spend more than one day hiking up and down steep grades. Both routes meet at Arrow glacier and ascend a feature called the Western Breach. The Breach is the steepest part of both routes and is a mixture of 1st, 2nd and 3rd class climbing which at its hardest will consist of scrambling over small boulders. No crampons or technical expertise is required. The Arrow glacier has shrunk considerably exposing large scree fields on the lower portion of this segment while the upper portion is a boulder field. The Machame is closer to the town of Arusha so the distance to transport clients and porters is shorter and that makes a difference in cost. We offer 7 and 8 day climbs of both routes, but do not offer anything less than 7 days in order to assure proper acclimatization.
Where do you get drinking water while on the climbs? There are many water sources on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro which we boil and provide to theclients and crew. We also recommend that you treat the water before using. On the upper slopeswe melt snow, so water isn't a problem.
What toilet provisions do you provide on the climbs? There are no permanent facilities on the Shira or Machame routes so we provide chemical toilets which are contained within a seperate tent for privacy.
Where is personal gear stored that is not needed for the climb? Your personal gear will be stored at our office location then moved to your accomodations when you come off the mountain.
Do you meet and pick up at the airport and drop off there when the trip is over? Yes, we provide all transporation when you are in Tanzania.
What do you do if someone cancels at the last minute due to illness or other conflicts? By than, the hotels, guides and porters have been paid so we can offer no refund for last minute cancellations. We would recommend trip insurance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
© Copyright 2024 Tanganyika Outdoor Expeditions All rights reserved. All registered trademarks herein are the property of their respective owners.