Mount Kilimanjaro rises 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above northern Tanzania — Africa’s highest mountain and the tallest free-standing mountain on earth. A dormant volcano of three cones (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira), it carries its famous glaciers just three degrees south of the equator.
Climbing to Uhuru Peak is a bucket-list trek that needs no technical skill — but the mountain rewards non-climbers too. Its snows float above the acacia plains of Amboseli and the coffee farms of the Chagga homeland, and Kilimanjaro National Park protects everything above the cultivated foothills: a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Highlights of Mount Kilimanjaro
Five climate zones
One climb passes from rainforest through heather, moorland and alpine desert to arctic summit ice.
Uhuru Peak — 5,895m
The roof of Africa, reached at sunrise after a starlit summit night.
Explore Uhuru Peak — 5,895m →The Chagga foothills
Coffee farms, waterfalls and village life on the mountain’s fertile lower slopes — Evance’s home ground.
Explore The Chagga foothills →The classic view
Elephants beneath the snows — photographed best from Amboseli, across the Kenyan border.
Explore The classic view →Best time to visit
Warm, clear and quieter on the routes — with a chance of fresh summit snow.
The long dry season — the most popular and reliable climbing window.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Kilimanjaro Trekking
A Kilimanjaro trek takes you to the roof of Africa — 5,895m above the Tanzanian plains.
Explore → Eastern AfricaTanzania
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Zanzibar.
Explore → KenyaAmboseli National Park
Amboseli — great tuskers beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro.
Explore → RegionEastern Africa
The Great Migration, the Rift Valley and the gorillas — Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Explore →Mount Kilimanjaro FAQs
Getting to Tanzania — flights, visas and health
Current at the time of writing. We re-confirm every requirement for your exact routing before you travel — and we will tell you what to apply for, and when.
Let's design your Mount Kilimanjaro journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
Enquire now