Help centre
Visas, health, insurance, cash, packing, mountain & safari behaviour. Double-check rules with your embassy and doctor.
Before you travel
Working checklist only—you, your airline, and immigration have final say. We confirm details on your booking.
Entry
Most visitors need a tourist visa unless exempt. Rules change—check the official immigration site for your passport.
Medical
Not medical advice—see a travel-health clinic for vaccines and malaria meds.
Budget
Cash is common outside cities. Kilimanjaro crew tips are a meaningful part of your budget—plan USD before you fly.
USD cash per crew member per day, paid at end of trek. Tips are excluded from climb quotes—budget separately.
Pool tips with your group if you prefer one envelope—the amounts above are per guest contribution guidelines. Your pre-climb briefing confirms crew size and suggested totals for your route length.
Mount Meru treks use the same crew bands. Ol Doinyo Lengai: tip your Maasai guide at the lead-guide rate for the climb day—see travel guide.
Gear
Layering system (base, mid, shell), warm summit mitts, headtorch with spare batteries, trekking poles, water bottles or bladder, sun protection, blister kit, and broken-in boots.
Neutral-toned layers, wide-brim hat, dust buff, binoculars, long sleeves for sun/mosquitoes, and a soft duffel if internal flights have strict weight limits.
Mountain
Longer trips (often 7–8+ days west/south, 8–9 Northern) acclimatize better than short ones. Guides will descend you if ill—summit not guaranteed.
No ropes on standard routes. You need multi-day hiking fitness, stable footing, and cold tolerance.
Camping routes use mountain toilets at camps—standards vary. Operators differ on private toilet tents and washing bowls. Ask what is included before you pay.
National park rules require you to be with registered guides. “Private” means your own group with dedicated crew—not unguided access.
Recommended USD per person per day: lead guide $25–$30; assistant guides $20–$25; cook $15–$20; helping porters $15–$18; porters $10–$13. Full breakdown on Money & tipping and Kilimanjaro routes.
Wildlife
Usually 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roof. Say if photography seating matters.
Good quotes list park fees + VAT + vehicle. Tariffs change—invoice should match your dates.
Many lodges have minimum ages; game drives can be long for young kids. Family-friendly routing exists—tell us ages and attention span early.
Country
Most trips run smoothly. Use common sense in cities, booked transfers, and a registered DMC. Check your government travel advice.
Swahili national; English usual in Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar, and lodges. A few Swahili words help.
Many lodges use UK Type G, 230V. Bring a universal adapter (and a small strip if you charge a lot).
Tanzania runs East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3, year-round—no daylight saving switches.
Still unsure?
Send dates, nationality, trip idea—we reply with options.
Tripadvisor
Incredible team. Summit day was challenging, but our guides made it safe, motivating, and unforgettable.
Kilimanjaro
Best safari we have ever done. The pacing, lodges, and wildlife knowledge were absolutely world class.
Safari
Professional from start to finish. Every transfer, hotel, and activity was perfectly coordinated.
Combined
