Climbing Kilimanjaro

Travelling overland from Nairobi Kenya to Moshi Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro!

Climbing Africa's tallest mountain is no great feat, but for me it was a challenge due to struggling with sickness and a race against time.

Quick Tips:

Don't book your trip from the States... Travel to Moshi and organize your climb from there in Shillings. I try to go once a year to climb Kilimanjaro and usually find companions to climb with in Arusha. Take your time; Kilimanjaro is only 19,000 feet but its a long hike to the summit.

Best Way To Get Around:

I find the best way to travel in East Africa is by car hire. Fly into Nairobi and hire a driver to show you around town. Get a room for the night and the following day ask the hotel to hook you up with reputable transportation to Arusha Tanzania. The cost is minimal. If there are enough people going you can rent a small bus with a driver for little money. Or if you are the lone budget traveler (like myself) hitchhike!

I loved the Mountain Inn and became good friends with its owner. The meals are great and the balconies perfect for reading a book and relaxing after a five-day climb. The rooms are clean, and there is hot water as well.

Kilimanjaro Guide tours are one of the more expensive tour guides, I am listing them because they are very clean and the food is pretty good. They supply porters to carry water and food and are a required guide.

Philip is a little more reasonable as far as prices go. He can organize a nice climb for you solo, or as a group. He also supplies all porters to carry water and food. Tipping is recommended but don’t go overboard! $1.00 per day is sufficient.

I use Shaw tours every time I have climbed. He also owns the Mountain Inn Hotel. Shaw is very professional, his tour has pretty good food and he has experience in climbing Kilimanjaro. If you stay at his Hotel, he can arrange everything including hotel stay. Be sure to haggle over prices.

Urgent medical attention can be found locally at Mawenzi Hospital located at the town center and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) located few kilometers outside of town, although there are other private hospitals and pharmacies in town.