7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

Required documents

A passport is required and must still be valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and costs approximately EUR 50.00 or USD 50.00 per person. The visa can be obtained at the Tanzania Embassy in your country or upon arrival at one of the international airports of Tanzania, although this is not applicable to all nationalities. For a visa application in Tanzania, you do not need a photograph or a copy of a ticket, which are required by the embassies.

Money

The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. You can take cash in Euros, Pounds, or Dollars and exchange these at the airport or in your hotel or lodge for Tanzanian Shillings. In many locations, such as your accommodation or souvenir shops, people prefer payments in U.S. Dollars; you will usually receive your change in U.S. Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings at a normal exchange rate. In most places, payments by credit card are also accepted. In the bigger cities, there are opportunities to withdraw money from an ATM, but when you are on safari there is often no opportunity, so it is better to make arrangements in advance. When buying a souvenir in Tanzania, it is customary to bargain for a good price with the seller.

Vaccinations

When you travel to Tanzania, there are no mandatory vaccinations, but you are strongly advised to get some of them.

DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio): If you were previously vaccinated, such as in childhood, it is sufficient to have one injection every 15 years. If this is not the case, you should get two DTP injections with at least an interval of four weeks before you leave and receive the third one after six months. The duration of the protection is 15 years.

Yellow fever: At least 10 days before departure, the injection must be obtained. The duration of protection is 10 years. When you travel to multiple destinations in Africa, a stamp as proof of vaccination is mandatory.

Hepatitis A: One vaccination gives protection for a year and is best obtained two weeks before departure. When another vaccination is administered half a year after the first one, the protection lasts 10 years.

It is also increasingly advised to include Hepatitis B on your vaccination list. Most of Tanzania is also considered a malaria area, and you can take various types of anti-malarial drugs for prevention. Recommendations may change, and it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you.

By far, the best way to prevent malaria is to make sure mosquitoes simply cannot bite you. We recommend that you bring a good anti-mosquito repellent with a high percentage of DEET. For the tours we organise, it is not necessary to bring a mosquito net with you unless specifically stated otherwise.

Communications

Internet: Tanzania is a country where internet is available in many places, and using the web is integrated into daily life. At various accommodations, you can use a computer with internet access, but the speed may not always be what you are used to. When you are really on safari, keep in mind that you often cannot make use of the internet.

Mobile telephones: In Tanzania, there are 3 different networks (Safaricom, Zain and Orange), which together have created a fairly strong network. It is surprising that even in the Serengeti or in other remote areas you can be reached by mobile phone. However, if you travel to remote areas, do not count on network coverage being available. In and around cities, you usually have excellent opportunities to make a mobile telephone call. When you arrive in Tanzania, you can buy a mobile SIM card at the airport and make calls in East Africa at a good price.

International calls: If you want to make a call abroad during your visit to Tanzania, it can be quite expensive, especially at hotels. It is often a better idea to call using your own mobile phone.

Currency

The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. There are coins for 50, 100, and 1000 shillings, and notes for 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 shillings.

The US Dollar is widely used but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that do accept US currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.

Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject them due to a past counterfeiting problem.

Safety

Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you can never be too careful when you are on the road. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity. Like any other country in the world, there is always some risk of theft.

It is advisable to listen closely to your guide's advice at all times, and that is especially true in some urban areas. Either leave your valuables, such as electronics, credit cards, and documentation, in your hotel room safe or carry them with you in concealed inner pockets.

Do not flaunt your valuables in public, as this may draw unwanted attention. Pickpockets are particularly active in heavily touristed areas, so it pays to be cautious in cities and places popular with tourists.

It is always a good idea to make copies of all your important documents and keep them in your luggage.

Language

Tanzania has two official languages: Swahili and English. Swahili, which has its origins in Zanzibar, is the most commonly spoken language in both Tanzania and Kenya.

English is widely spoken; however, you may wish to bring along a Swahili-to-English phrasebook to help with the basics. Locals are always appreciative if you know a little Swahili.

Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):

• Guides: $20/day/guide

• Cook: $15/day

• Porter: $10/day/porter