FRIQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
This is a difficult question and a personal one. We usually recommend the Machame, Rongai, or Lemosho routes, which offer more beautiful scenery and are very manageable even for those with little experience, provided an honest effort is put forth in training. As for the Marangu route, it is the quickest route, and you sleep in huts instead of campsites. It is very commonly called the 'Coca-Cola route' because it is the easiest one, but acclimatization needs to be done carefully. If possible, you should climb it in 6 days (instead of 5) and spend one night or two in Arusha/Moshi before the trek. Finally, the Umbwe route is a spectacular and fantastic route as well but is only recommended for more experienced climbers.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB IN REGARD OF WEATHER?
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year, with successful summits possible even during the rainy season. Daytime temperatures can range from a bone-chilling 5 degrees to a scorching 30 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures drop well below freezing.
The higher rainfall occurs between March and May, with slightly less rain falling during November and December. Generally, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry seasons in January, February, June, July, August, September, and October.
Although February and September are the driest and best periods to plan your climb, the other dry months can also have pretty good weather for the ascent.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING FOR THE KILIMANJARO TREK?
We have a specific link for these recommendations which you can access by clicking here
WHAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND MECHANISMS DO YOU HAVE?
Safety is the most important consideration in a trek like this, and we take all necessary measures to ensure that safety is the top priority, and trekkers are always well looked after. Our teams of guides have extensive experience and possess first aid and medical knowledge relevant to the mountain, guaranteeing your safety.
We carry oxygen tanks on each climb for emergencies on the mountain, and we check the clients' health every morning and evening using a pulse oximeter throughout the climb. The pulse oximeter is used to regularly monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, allowing the guide to assess how the clients' bodies are adapting to the reduced oxygen levels at higher altitudes. If a client's oxygen saturation falls below an acceptable level, we have emergency oxygen available, as mentioned above.
Our guides now also carry a stretcher for emergency situations, enabling them to transport casualties down to a point where a 4x4 vehicle can provide further assistance.
WHERE DO THE TREKS START AND FINISH?
They start and finish in Moshi.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TREK?
1: A night before and after the trek on bed and English breakfast.
2: All food on the climb.
3: Transfer to and from the gate.
4: Tents (Four season,3 person mountain tent – double occupancy),chairs and table
5: Mattress (Sleeping pad foam 1.5 inches thick)
6: First aid kit/Bottled of oxygen/pulse oximeter
7: Park fees, Camping fees and Rescue fees
8: Forest fees where applicable
9: Guides and porters fees as per government regulations, their food and public
Liability insurance for the porters/guides.
10: Value Added Tax (VAT) and other government taxes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
1: Transport back to the airport.
2: 3 liters of water for the first day.
3: Drinks
4 Tips for guides and porters
5: Food for the first and last night at the hotel
6: Personal equipment for mountain climbing
IS ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED BEFORE/AFTER TREK? WHAT ABOUT TRANSFERS TO/FROM AIRPORT?
No, transfer from Kilimanjaro airport is not included; back to the airport is not included in the package. We do offer two nights’ accommodation at Zion Gates Foundation before/after the trek.
WHAT TIME DOES THE TREK FINISH? CAN I TAKE A FLIGHT ON THE SAME DAY?
Our treks usually finish around 1pm to 4pm in Moshi. If the flight is in the evening, it is perfectly ok.
WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESS RATE?
The rate varies between 95% and 99% depending on the routes, with the highest success level being Machame, Lemosho and Rongai routes, and the lowest being Marangu and Umbwe.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL MEAL DURING THE TREK?
Great menu on Mountain are designed specifically for climbers. A nutrient-rich, carb-heavy dinner consisting of whole grains, beans, and fruits to store glycogen—your fuel source for climbing. For example, whole wheat pasta with red sauce and veggies or chicken and avocado provide an ideal blend of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Our clients do comment as how surprised they were able to get such good energy food on the mountain.
For your hygiene, hand washing water treated with dettol is made available before all meals.
ARE YOU ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FOOD RESTRICTIONS, PREFERENCES OR SPECIFIC DIETS?
We are able to accommodate any specific dietary requirement (vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, specific allergies, etc.).
WHAT TYPE OF TOILETS ARE FOUND ON THE TREK?
There are public toilets at each camp site. These are known as 'long drop' toilets. They are wooden permanent buildings. But inside... it's quite different as they are just a deep dug hole in the ground, where essentially you squat or stand. There are no seats as such. These public toilets facilities are provided and maintained by the Kilimanjaro National Park.
We also have an option of providing private portable toilet. This is a simple chemical toilet. But this comes at extra cost of US$234 per toilet for the entire trip (subject to availability)
HOW ARE THE PORTERS TREATED?
Porters, guides and cooks will be very important part of your trek on Kilimanjaro and it is important to us that they are treated fairly. We are a member of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project’s (KPAP)- The project works to ensure the working conditions are improved for porters and also ensure the fair treatment guidelines are met.
WHAT TIP AMOUNT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE KILIMANJARO TREK?
Of course, these are always at your discretion. We recommend an amount of USD250-USD300 per climber, this will be distributes among the group i.e. head guide, assistants guides, cook waiter,dish washer, camping crew and the other porters. PLease let the management know if your guide/porters press you for tips as they have all been forbidden to do this. We recommend you distribute the tips to the crew directly at the end of the climb
WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE PAYMENT METHODS?
When you book your climb we shall also ask you to send us a deposit of $140 per person($85 is non-refundable deposit paid to the national park to secure your booking). In the event of cancellation within 30 days of your arrival, no money will be refunded. However, if you cancel earlier than that, your $55 per person deposit will be returned.
When you arrive, payment may be made in US dollars or £ sterling, (cash) or by credit card (Visa, Master Card.) There is a service charge of 5% for credit cards.
DO I NEED TO TAKE THE VISA FOR TANZANIA IN ADVANCE OR CAN I GET IT UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT OR LAND BORDER?
We recommend getting the visa upon arrival as it is a very straightforward process and just takes a few minutes. We recommend bringing a pen and the money for the visas in cash to make the process faster. The price is $50 USD for all nationalities except citizens from the USA who have to pay $100 USD per person.
All nationalities can get a visa upon arrival except citizens of the following countries: Abkhazia (Republic inside Georgia), Eriterea Republic, Mauritania Republic, Sri Lanka Republic, Turkmanistan, Afghanistan Republic, Ethiopia, Morocco, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh Republic, Kazakhstan Republic, Niger Republic, Somali Land, Wakimbizi (REFUGEES), Chad Repubic, Kyrgyzsten Republic, Palestine State, Stateless People, Djibout Republic, Lebanon Republic, Senegal Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Mali Republic, Sierra Leone Republic and Tajikstan.
WILL MY MOBILE PHONE WORK? WHAT ABOUT INTERNET ACCESS?
There is some mobile or cellular coverage on Kilimanjaro but reception may be inconsistent and network signals weak depending on which route you are on and where on the mountain. If you have a phone call that needs to be made during the trek please speak with your guide and he may be able to arrange. Your cellular/mobile phone will work in Arusha and Moshi.
HOW DO I GET TO JANIBICHI ADVENTURES LTD IF FLYING INTO NAIROBI OR DAR ES SALAAM
When you arrive in Nairobi we can arrange for Impala shuttle to meet you and either brings you
Straight to Janibichi adventures ltd in Moshi. If you arrive later in the day, you will be taken to a hotel in Nairobi. You will then be collected on the following morning and be brought to Janibichi adventures ltd.
The journey takes about 6 or 7 hours and Costs around $35 per person one way.
Otherwise there is an option of flying with Kenya airways or precision from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
If flying into Dar es salaam
There are several coaches (we recommend Kilimanjaro express) comes daily from Dar to Moshi (about $20 per person). We can make arrangement for one of our staff to assist you with both transport and hotel for the night in Dar es Salaam.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A LEGAL REGISTERED COMPANY?
We are a legal registered company with all required licences by the government. The advantage of travelling with Janibichi adventures ltd is that you will never be hassled by the government official
DO YOU HAVE A PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?
Yes, Janibichi adventures ltd obtain a Public Liability Insurance every year.