Questions About Booking with TK
Can I climb during the rainy months of April, May or November?
If there is heavy snow on the mountain it should be noted that reaching the summit can become more challenging than at other times of year, with your guide being required to cut and kick bucket steps for you.
That said, there is no specialist equipment required and no reason why you should not climb during these months. Indeed there are peculiar advantages gained by doing so, notably that the summit is especially beautiful enveloped in white, and that the mountain is free from the crowding that is experienced during busy months.
It may however be disappointing if some of the amazing views are absent because of rain en route to the high camp, so this should be borne carefully in mind before reaching a decision.
We are thinking of booking a safari with TK. What do you need from me?
In order to propose a suitable safari itinerary it would be helpful to have an idea of the length you intend and what you would like to incorporate, of the following:
Classic game viewing safaris with Team Kilimanjaro:
- Serengeti β suitable for safaris of 5 days or longer
- Lake Manyara β nearly all safaris will incorporate this area as it breaks the transit out or back very conveniently
- Ngorongoro Crater β despite recent substantial fee increases virtually all safaris still include the crater
- Tarangire National Park β famous for its preponderance of elephants and baobab trees
Off the beaten track safaris with Team Kilimanjaro:
Lake Eyasi. We have a rudimentary camp in a beautiful oasis nestled amongst the native hunter-gatherer Hadzabe bushmen tribe. This tribe still subsists by hunting and foraging. Time spent with these people is fascinating.
Described variously by our guests as βlike being inside a National Geographic filmβ and βlife-changingβ, the insight gained into the simple, primitive and inspiring lives of the bushmen usually makes a lasting impression. Our safaris ensure that rather than merely observing the tribe, we interact closely with them while they teach us their skills. In the early morning we join the bushmen for a hunt, when en route or back at camp afterwards, there is an opportunity to learn how to make very effective primitive weapons from local plants; how to make poisons; how to make fire by rotating sticks; how to identify naturally occurring medicines; finding honey and water; and many other skills.
Oldonyo Lengai. The sacred mountain of the famous Maasai tribe and an active effusive volcano. We do a night ascent, aiming to summit a little before sunrise while it is still dark so that we can see the luminous effusions spurting from the volcano. This is a very challenging undertaking on loose scree and sharp rocks and should not be underestimated.
Lodges are not available off the beaten track, so unless opting for only a classic game viewing safari, you would need to be prepared to camp for at least a night, while other nights would be in lodges (availability permitting).
Most of our safaris are arranged on a camping basis. 5 days would be the minimum for a safari that incorporates say, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Eyasi.
As regards the cost of the safari, this would depend on your safari group size and whether you would be camping or would require lodges where available. If you were able to give an indication of these we would be delighted to propose some safari costs and itineraries.
What is Team Kilimanjaroβs policy with regard to cancellations?
Please read our cancellation policy π
If you want to make a significant, positive contribution towards cleaning up Kilimanjaro and help us return its ecology to a pristine wilderness environment, please make use of the following payment facility:
Following Frank John's sad passing away in March 2022, some former climbers have requested the opportunity to contribute towards helping Frank's surviving wife, Clara, cover the costs for the family.
Several years ago, Team Kilimanjaro were approached by representatives of the Maasai community that live close to the Lake Natron region of northern Tanzania, with a request to assist villagers in obtaining clean water.
It is estimated that since the turn of the previous century, the world has lost more than 99% of its rhino population, and that today, only 29,000 of these majestic creatures survive.
Wilderness first aid is the knowledge and ability to effectively address injuries, illnesses, or emergencies outside of modern facilities, out in the wild. Skills include knowing how to dress a wound, treat a burn or bite, or set an injured limb. These are important skills that can save your life or the lives of other outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more and be better prepared for your next hiking or backpacking adventure.
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Many people spend a lot of time and money training and equipping themselves for a Kilimanjaro climb, only to fail in their objective of reaching the summit. Failure is avoidable and we really want trekkers to understand how to prevent it.
As from March 2021, PCR testing (or rather, sample-taking) is now available at Seronera and Ndutu airstrips in the Serengeti. This facility has been implemented to prevent clients having to either curtail their safaris or dissect their safaris with a journey to Arusha or, more recently, Karatu (FAME Hospital), mid-safari - so as to satisfy the "less than 72 hours old" validity rule that most airlines are required to enforce.
Arusha Pedal Series club aims to organise a group ride three times a week - on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, and Saturdays. All keen cyclists are welcome to join.
We read widely divergent estimates of deaths on Kilimanjaro, but how dangerous is it really? In this post we share our own experience of the dangers.
First of all - you can definitely still climb Kilimanjaro during COVID-19! There is absolutely no impediment within Tanzania. Issues only potentially arise with your own country's rules.
Although there is no requirement to have a PCR test for COVID in order to enter Tanzania, many climbers are nonetheless required by their airline to show evidence of a negative COVID test before boarding the flight home.