Kilimandjaro can be climbed at any time during the year throughout all the routes. The ecosystem of Kilimanjaro benefits from two dry seasons often recommanded for the ascent. The short dry season from end december / january till end february and the long dry season from mid-june to early october.

 

During short dry season temperatures are relatively warm but you will have more clouds and rain. You could have more heavy showers in the rain forest and frequent dropping snow on the summit. During the long dry season, nights are generally refreshing or cold but you will have less clouds and snow on the summit.

 

The Machame is one of the most beautiful route, unspoiled and wild. You spend overnight in comfortable tented campsite. The trail winds along the Kilimanjaro slopes starting from the South-West part of the volcanoe underneath the altitude glaciers.

 

 

Our climbing team is native from the Kilimanjaro region and know the climbing routes perfectly. They are very experienced and they speak fluent english and swahili. Each of them have the passion of climbing and will always make your trip enjoyable and agreeable. They will be pleased to share their experience and their knowledge about the flora, the tribes and the local customs. For your safety, our teams are also close to you at any time to assist you during your climb.
 

 

The cook is the key point to make your trip enjoyable. We provide experienced cooks who are able to prepare tasty and balanced meals in altitude kitchens. They are very concerned about hygiene, clients requirements about food and do their best to always provide fresh food during your climb. You will have to inform us about any allergy or diatery. With extra acclimatization days, you will have plenty of time to enjoy proper lunches and dinners everyday and avoid snack-meals or sandwich lunches.

Soup, vegetable, chicken, french fries, rice or pasta are provided for lunch and dinner and served with tea or coffea. For breakfast, the team will lay the table outside for an outstanding « breakfast under the sun » at the feets of Kilimanjaro slopes with eggs, toasts, pancakes, fruit juice and jam. Enough tea and coffea will be served to rehydrate yourself before your long walking day.

As you climb, water will be less and less available. At lower camps, porters will climb up to provide enough clean water for the group. In high altitude camps, water will be filtered or boild. It is also advisable that you use Micropur as a precaution to eliminate bacteria. Pills reaction time is approximately 30 minutes to clear your water.

 

The Machame Route is one of the most scenic route with 5 strates of vegetation. The trail starts
from Machame village through the rain dense and lush rain forest with long moss hanging from the branches. At 3000m the route meets the heather covered with profuse daisy bushes and abundant alpine tusocks. You cross splendid moorland as you gradually reach Shira Camp for a stunning view of the valley and Meru peak over the Shira plateau. The route follows the Kibo's slopes through the alpine desert where only groundsel (Senecio), giant lobelia and lichens growing on rocks are surviving.

 

Up to Barafu Camp the volcanic rocky ground of the alpine desert covered is covering the landscape with scattered vegetation. At the rim of the caldeira and all the way to Uhuru peak you encounter vast ice fields and spectacular glaciers surrounding the crater. You descent through the Mweka route on a rocky steep trail that slowly leads you greener valleys. 

Kilimandjaro is a non-technical ascent that requires no mountaineering skills. However, climbing in altitude to 5,895m altitude is very challenging. You should prepare yourself physically, especially for the summit attempt. The climb starts at night and you walk approx. 6 / 7 hours in the dark before you reach the rim of the caldeira at Stella Point. Another hour is needed to get to the top and admire the splendid 360° view of Africa. The walk is easy but can be very strenuous on the last parts.

Walking, climbing, running, cycling or/and swimming several times a week before your climb is recommended to be in an excellent physical condition. Altitude has to be considered seriously as you can suffer from AMS.

The REACH SUMMIT correspondant welcomes you at Kilimanjaro Airport. If you come from Nairobi - Kenya, you can either take the Airport Shuttle or fly to Kilimanjaro Airport directly from Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam.

 

The Shuttle timetable is at 8:00am and 12:00pm (noon) for about 5 hours drive to Arusha. A bus picks you up at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and drives to the Impala Hotel in Arusha where your guide will be waiting for you. To ease the transfer, we book your place on the Shuttle on your arrival date. The fee is USD 50$ to be paid directly to the driver. While booking your international flight, please make sure your arrival time is before 7:00am or 11:00am in Nairobi. Please don't be late, the shuttle always depart on time.

 

You can also book your place in a domestic flight from Jomo Kenyatta Airport  to Kilimanjaro Airport . We recommend KLM or Precision air for the transfer  to Tanzania.  It will cost you approx. USD 200$ for a 3/4 hour flight, giving you the opportunity to enjoy extra time to relax ! The REACH SUMMIT correspondant will be waiting for you at Kilimanjaro Airport.

 

For all groups up to 8 pers. we provide a private and confortable 4X4 vehicule that picks you up at Joma Kenyatta Airport and drive you to Arusha. The cost of the transfert is USD 90$ per person. The REACH SUMMIT driver will welcome at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

 

For all arrivals on LATE AFTERNOON or AT NIGHT the day before your trip, we welcome you at the airport and organise the transfer to your hotel (less than 15km from the airport). The next day, we pick you up at your hotel to take the 8:00am Shuttle to Tanzania. For security matter, this service is MANDATORY. The cost of the service is from Euro 95€ for a 2 person group.

 

We assist you in booking your flight. Booking with us gives you the opportunity to arrange your flight directly with our advisers.

 

REACH SUMMIT feels very concerned about environmental matters. Glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro are retreating rapidly due to climate change and less snowfalls in altitude. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to pollute or leave your garbage in the Kilimanjaro National Park.

 

Your guide will collect your rabbish every morning to be brought back at the end of the trip. Ask your guide to pick up your small plastic bags, bottles or litter. We use chemical toilets to reduce the impact of pollution in streams during the trek. In camps, use the toilets facilities provided to respect this splendid valley.