What Happens Before Your Kilimanjaro Climb?
If Iβm flying to Nairobi, how do I reach Arusha and Team Kilimanjaro?
If unable to find affordable flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport an alternative is that you fly to Nairobi, spend the night at a hotel there and transfer to Arusha via a six hour bus journey, crossing the border at Namanga. Youβll need a Kenyan tourist visa for this option which you can purchase at Nairobi airport when you arrive.
If flying in to Nairobi you will need to take the Shuttle Bus across the border to Arusha, which effectively uses up an additional day and may require a night at a hotel in Nairobi. Further information about flights and shuttles is offered on Riverside Shuttle's website. A reliable and centrally situated hotel that is very conveniently located for pickup by the Shuttle Bus service to Arusha is the Best Western Meridian Hotel, just 350 metres from the north side of Jevanjee Gardens, from where the Riverside Shuttle departs outside Parkside Hotel:
There are two Shuttle Bus departures from Nairobi daily, leaving at 0800 (still operating) and 1400 (not operating during COVID), but the Riverside company asks passengers to be there at 0700 and 1300 respectively. The route this shuttle takes enters Tanzania at Namanga border where it is necessary to show or purchase an entry visa for Tanzania and to show a Yellow Fever Certificate of Vaccination.
If you have a conscientious objection to being compelled to being injected with substances on trust, most officials will allow you (unofficially) to purchase a certificate without actually receiving the injection. You can then arrange, at your own risk, to be injected at a time and place that's comfortable to you - should you wish to be vaccinated, and this purchased certificate will suffice to satisfy all future bureaucrats at borders throughout East Africa.
To book this shuttle, you can either use Riversideβs online facility or request us to book this on your behalf. If you wish us to book this we will need to know your movements and timings immediately prior to your proposed shuttle departure.
Do you have a contract for me to sign when I arrive in Moshi?
We donβt operate out of Moshi, but when we collect you we ask you to sign a declaration and conditions of participation. Let us know if you wish us to email this to you.
Do you check client's items the night before to ensure they are well equipped?
Not if their flight comes in at 2045 with KLM, which is very often the case with people being so busy these days and barely squeezing in a climb between their flights, as this means that they will generally get through Immigration at 2120 and reach their hotel at 2200 β 2230, depending on whether there have been any delays arriving at JRO.
But where a climber reaches Arusha with enough time to afford a kit check our standard operating procedure is to meet them at their hotel at 1800 on the evening immediately preceding their climb. The guide then delivers a short brief, all hired gear, and checks the climberβs own gear for suitability. Any deficiencies are then resolved overnight and it is hoped that by 0730 when we collect the climber everything is squared away and we can proceed to the hill without delays.
Are you able to advise where I can hire a good quality down jacket?
Yes, from us! Please use the Team Kilimanjaro equipment hire request form.
Am I able to leave excess luggage at your hotel before and after the trek?
Any of the hotels that we would book on your behalf are happy to look after your luggage while you are on the mountain. They all have lock-rooms and internal safes for small items of especial value.
You should remember that for many years the RGS denied even the existence of snow on Kilimanjaro because snow at such a location was obviously scientifically impossible, and the missionaries who reported seeing it were not scientifically qualified.
I have personally selected all of our chief guides, most of my assistant guides, some of my cooks and a small percentage of my porters. On the last selection course I ran, I started at 0545 in the morning with 220 porters and after beasting ourselves up and down our local training hill (Kivesi), having strength tests on the summit and a race back to TKBase there were only actually around 25 names that were permanently added to my staff list.
Things that are included in the cost of your Kilimanjaro climb are:
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.
On our Advantage Series, we ask that you divide your equipment into two parts: those things that you need to have with you while you trek, such as waterproof jacket and trousers, spare fleece, camera, batteries, personal medications, sun cream, 3 litres of water-carrying capacity, etc, and those things that you will only need to have access to in the evenings and mornings.
If unable to find affordable flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport an alternative is that you fly to Nairobi, spend the night at a hotel there and transfer to Arusha via a six hour bus journey, crossing the border at Namanga. Youβll need a Kenyan tourist visa for this option which you can purchase at Nairobi airport when you arrive.