Wilderness Footprints Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek — no ropes, harnesses or climbing skills are needed. The real challenge is altitude and the slow, steady walk to 5,895 m. If you can walk 5-7 hours a day for several days, you can do this with the right acclimatisation profile and pacing from your guide.

We recommend 7 to 9 days on the mountain. Longer itineraries give your body more time to acclimatise, which is the single biggest factor in reaching Uhuru Peak. Six-day climbs are possible but summit chances drop noticeably.

Lemosho (7-8 days) and the Northern Circuit (9 days) offer the best acclimatisation and scenery. Machame (7 days) is a great value classic, Marangu (6 days) is the only hut route, and Rongai is the driest and quietest approach from the north.

January to mid-March and June to October are the driest, clearest months. We run climbs year-round; April, May and November are wetter but far quieter on the trails and priced lower.

Yes. Aim for 8-12 weeks of hiking with a daypack, plus stair or hill work and some cardio. Long back-to-back walking days matter more than gym strength.

Our guides check your pulse and blood-oxygen saturation twice daily and watch you closely. Mild symptoms are managed by slowing down, hydrating and resting. If symptoms progress, we descend immediately — with emergency oxygen, a portable altitude bag and evacuation support available at all times.

Park and rescue fees, professional guides, cooks and porters, all meals and drinking water on the mountain, quality four-season tents and sleeping mats, camping and kitchen equipment, airport and hotel transfers, and pre-climb briefing with a gear check.

Absolutely — most guests do. A 3-4 day Northern Circuit safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti is the perfect reward after the summit, and we handle the whole trip end to end.

Tipping is customary and shared across the team. As a guideline, budget roughly USD 250-350 per climber for a 7-day climb. We give you a clear breakdown at your briefing so nothing is guesswork.

The classic Northern Circuit is Tarangire (elephants and baobabs), Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. For elephant lovers, Tarangire and Amboseli-style Kilimanjaro views are unmatched. Southern parks like Nyerere and Ruaha suit repeat visitors wanting solitude.

Game viewing is good all year. The wildebeest migration is in the southern Serengeti from December to March (calving), moving north through the western corridor from May to July, with Mara River crossings usually from July to September.

Very likely. Tarangire has some of the largest elephant herds in East Africa, and Ngorongoro and Serengeti both hold resident families. Elephants are our favourite animal and our guides know where the big herds gather in each season.

Custom 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof, window seat guaranteed for every guest, charging points, cooler box with drinking water and binoculars on board.

Yes. We plan shorter driving days, family-friendly lodges and flexible meal times. Private vehicles mean you set the pace, and our guides are great with curious kids.

Yes. You stay in the vehicle during game drives, our guides are licensed and briefed on park rules, and lodges and camps have their own security and escort procedures after dark.

Neutral-coloured light layers, a warm fleece for early Ngorongoro mornings, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with spare batteries and any personal medication.

Most nationalities can get a tourist visa online or on arrival — check your own requirements before travel. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from an endemic country, and malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Always confirm with your travel clinic.