KILIMANJARO
We know that a trip to Tanzania is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that's why Afro Divers is offering to organise a package called :
Dive and Climb :
Combine a Kilimanjaro expedition
& a diving holiday in the authentic Pemba Island.
Tanzania is a magnificent country, with its incredible wildlife and its healthy coral reefs.
Don't miss anything, combining the mythic Kilimanjaro expedition and a diving holiday is the best way to discover all the wonders of Tanzania.
The Roof of Africa : 5895m
Unlike popular beach vacations or simple hiking tours, a Kilimanjaro climb is a very special type of adventure, beyond a traditional vacation. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will takes hikers to the highest point of Africa at 5,895 m/19,340 f.
A one of a kind adventure!
This is often the highest altitude many climbers to ever achieve, making this trip a true adventure of a lifetime.
Our partner Altezza Travel is staffed by the professional guides and equipped with proper equipment. With their office on the ground, we have everything necessary to seamlessly sew your tour together: a well-coordinated support team, experienced guides and a large fleet of vehicles.
Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest free-standing mountain in the world - has been enticing adventure-seekers for over a century. Glacier-covered peaks dissolve into alpine meadows, which, in turn, contrast the formidable mass of verdant rainforests and darker gorges that cover the slopes of this volcano. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an unforgettable experience. Here, trekkers enjoy the wonders of African nature through varying climatic zones and the experience culminates as the morning sun gleams off the snow-covered glaciers at the summit of the highest point of the African continent.
For most of the trekkers reaching the summit is a pivotal lifetime achievement. Many of them put a great deal of thought into the decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. After all, it is a long trip to a remote country in Africa. Also, compared to other hiking trips all over the world, Mt Kilimanjaro adventures are more expensive. Together combined, all these things make it necessary to plan your trip carefully.
.
Duration:
7-9 days
Price:
From ~$2100
Season:
Anytime
Difficulty:
Medium
Comfort:
Luxury
Why choose Dive and Climb ?
#1 on TripAdvisor - Exclusively positive feedback from our travellers,
Altezza is doing 15% of all Kilimanjaro expeditions in Tanzania,
Local presence in Tanzania, at the very foot of Mt Kilimanjaro,
Proper gear and equipment from the North Face, Black Diamond, Red Fox, and other respected brands for mountain climbing,
Altezza has the largest tourism employers in the country. There are over 1500 professionals (guides, porters, cooks, etc.) in our Kilimanjaro guiding crew,
Altezza runs two hotels in Kilimanjaro region - Altezza Lodge and Aishi Machame Hotel,
Package 100% personalized and best price in Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project : KPAP
We are a recognized member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP).
What is the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project?
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project or the KPAP is an independent initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection, a US-based organisation promoting responsible trekking culture.
The KPAP certification means that a company pays fair wages, provides daily nutritious meals to the porters and treats them fairly in all respects.
To monitor work of its existing members, the KPAP assigns a member of their team to each climb. It helps to ensure that the working conditions for the porters are consistently satisfactory and there is no mistreatment. At Altezza Travel, porters, guides and cooks are paid above the officially set standard, provided with career advancement opportunities, and their overall health condition is checked and attended to with regularity. We make sure that our mountain crews have good quality gear and get ample nutritious meals to keep their energy levels up.
Membership in KPAP is perhaps one of the most important indicators to check when choosing a mountain company - it ensures that your money goes to a business that gives their employees proper treatment.
Group expeditions
We offer private and group expeditions.
For solo travelers and those traveling in 2s, it’s cheaper to join one of our scheduled group climbs. If you are looking to climb with like-minded travelers from all over the world and also want to spend less, this is the best choice for you.
Our open group expeditions depart every few days, so you can always find the dates that will fit your holiday schedule. Most climbers on our expeditions are from the US, UK, Germany, Canada, France, Brazil, Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine
As you summit Africa’s highest peak, you get a chance to make new friends and see the world through their eyes.
Private expeditions will be ideal for those who want to explore the wild with friends, family or colleagues. For companies of 4 participants and more, it will be an even more cost effective solution than open group climbs. We can schedule your private tour for any dates and through any route of your preference. Besides that, you can freely supplement your trek with any comfort upgrades otherwise unavailable on group climbs, e.g. spacious walk-in tents and camping cots. Contact our team to organize your private climb today!
Your happiness and peacefulness is our primary goal !
Afro Divers will make sure to take care of every single detail and organise the the most memorable trip for you:
The package Dive and Climb is
100% personalized!
All the domestic flights,
The safari departure are from Arusha.We organise all the domestic flights in between Arusha and Pemba, with our partner Auric Airlines.
The Kilimanjaro expedition,
- Choose if you like a private group ou join a pre existing group,
- How many days you like to do,
-Which road you like to take.
- Choose between classic or luxury expedition.
The diving package with accommodation on Pemba Island,
Choose how many days of diving you like to do,
In which hotel you like to sleep (Pemba Paradise or The Aiyana).
All the car transfers
We organise all the car transfers for you entire trip.
Example package
- Domestic Flight with Auric airline
Zanzibar to Pemba
- 6 nights at the Pemba Paradise hotel, bed and breakfast, double room
- 5 days of diving with Afro Divers with equipment rental,
- All the car transfers from airport to hotel,
- Domestic Flight with Auric airline
Pemba to Arusha,
7 days trekking
Lemosho route, private group.
2 nights in a hotel
- Domestic Flight with Auric airline
Arusha to Zanzibar
Package 15 nights,
7 days of trekking - Lemosho route with a private group
5 days diving Pemba island
Classic accommodation
Based on double occupancy
Prepare your expedition
The international flights
Tanzania is the largest East African nation, and has several international airports for arrivals from other countries.These are:
Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam,
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, and
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
When you buy your international flight ticket to Tanzania and want to combine a safari and the diving in Pemba, the best way is to pick the option "Multi City" :
If you want to start with the safari, you have to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and departure have to be Karume International in Zanzibar.
If you want to start with Pemba, you have to land first in Zanzibar and departure will be Kilimanjaro airport.
That way you will win time and avoid to take too many domestic flights.
Afro Divers will take care of all the internal connexions in between Arusha and Pemba.
Choose longer itineraries for your trip
You’ve probably read on the internet that Kilimanjaro itineraries vary from short 5-day treks to longer 7 and 8-day adventures. Some trips with Crater Camping may even take 10 days or more.
It may be tempting to choose a shorter itinerary, because anyway, don’t all of them lead you to the peak of Africa?
So what is the reason for paying more and spending more time on the slopes of Kilimanjaro?
Well, there are two main reasons:
Better acclimatization.
The higher you ascend on your trek, the lower oxygen saturation level in the air becomes. It happens because the atmospheric pressure drops and tiny molecules of oxygen become dispersed. Basically, every breath you take at higher altitudes results in less oxygen getting to your body. However, your body can adapt to this through more intense and deeper breathing, and faster transmission of oxygen through the body by red blood cells and other bodily transformations. However, your body needs time and energy for this transformation. That is why staying longer on the mountain is important. You may read more about acclimatization in this article.
It is also important to note that ‘rushing’ up Kilimanjaro, and not allowing sufficient time for acclimatization (your body’s adaptation to lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes) could result in altitude sickness and risk you needing to return to a lower altitude before successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Basically, a shorter itinerary decreases your chances of successfully climbing Kilimanjaro. You can read more about that in this article.
Better scenic experiences.
When rushing forward to the next camp before sunset, one can easily skip the most picturesque areas of Kilimanjaro. It is certainly a bad idea - Kilimanjaro is one of the most beautiful places on the planet! Why not linger a little on Shira Plateau or Barranco Wall to enjoy a beautiful view and take stunning pictures? Or just make a little siesta with a cup of tea in the company of your friends right in the middle of a hike from one camp to another?
Choose the right time for your adventure
Tanzania is an East African country that lies on the equator and Mount Kilimanjaro is just 205 miles from the equatorial line. Because of this, there are no traditional seasons here, but dry and rainy seasons instead.
The dry seasons are:
From late December to early March - because it is also the Christmas holidays period, this time is especially popular among tourists.
From early June till early October - though it is surprisingly cooler than in the “winter” dry season, the weather is sunny and the sky is clear.
The rainy seasons are:
From mid-March till late May is the “big” rainy season.
It is called like this not because of the intensity, but because it lasts longer than the “small” one, which, in its turn, starts in late October and lasts till mid-December.
Although the majority of climbers prefer the dry season for their Kilimanjaro adventure, the rainy season has several distinct advantages. You may read about them and other interesting facts about seasons in Tanzania in our special article here.
ALSO REMEMBER: dry season does not necessarily mean that there are no rains at all - Kilimanjaro is a mountain, after all, and like all significant peaks, the weather may change at any moment. Having a rain poncho in your daypack at all times is essential. Similarly, the rainy season doesn’t mean that it is showering the whole day - normally, it starts drizzling at midday, and the rain grows stronger by evening. Sometimes, there may be no rains at all.
Thus, one shouldn’t expect a clean sky in January and rains in May as something inevitable - the weather will likely be like this, but it is not certain. Because of that, whatever date you chose for your adventure it is essential that you have a full set of Kilimanjaro gear for all types of weather.
Spend some time training for Kilimanjaro
One needs to hike an average of three to five miles every day through a rugged terrain on a Kilimanjaro climb. This requires good stamina, and a strong cardiovascular system. If you currently spend most of your time sitting in an office, there are several things you can do to get ready for your Kilimanjaro adventure:
Running and bike-riding are excellent exercises to prepare for Kilimanjaro. A 3-mile run or a 5-mile bike ride every other day is a good start. Swimming is also an excellent activity to strengthen your heart and blood vessels.
We recommend to start exercising physically for Kilimanjaro 3-4 months before the start of your Kilimanjaro adventure. We also suggest that you take a break from doing workouts and walks the two weeks before you arrive in Tanzania so that your body can fully rest and re-energize before the Kilimanjaro climb.
Pack the right gear
You will traverse several climatic zones as you make your way from the starting trailhead to Kilimanjaro’s summit. In fact, the Kilimanjaro trip is like a journey from the tropics to the Arctic over the course of seven days. The weather, vegetation and environment will change dramatically and a hiker should be ready for this.
Primarily, one needs to take proper clothes and footwear for this trip. The list includes hiking pants, a fleece jacket, membrane pants and jacket, storm pants and jacket, synthetic T-shirts, hiking boots and many other things.
Have a look at our detailed packing guide to understand what is required for this epic adventure.
At the core of proper Kilimanjaro outfitting is the idea of “layering”. This technique helps to keep your bodily temperature well-regulated, while providing good insulation ventilation. There are special types of layering for warm weather in lower camps, and for the colder conditions at the higher elevations. You will read more about this in detail in our guide.
Also, sometimes we see hikers in jeans and training sneakers attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. Either they weren’t instructed properly by their guides or decided to ignore the advice. Either way, hiking in jeans is always a very, very bad idea. Jeans should be left at home, together with everything made of cotton or other fabric with bad wicking for sweat.
Vaccinations for Kilimanjaro
A very popular question we get from tourists is whether there are any mandatory vaccinations for visiting Tanzania. In short, the answer is “no” - one does not need any specific vaccines to enter Tanzania. There is a small reservation though - people arriving from the countries with high risk of Yellow Fever transmission should have a certificate as proof of vaccination against this disease.
The list of countries with high risk of yellow fever can be checked at the WHO website here.
At the same time, there are some vaccines which we recommend having, not because of a visit to Tanzania, but for travel in general. Sadly, certain diseases are still present and can be contracted everywhere, even well-developed countries of the western world are not an exception.
Recommended vaccinations are as follows:
● Tetanus
● Hepatitis of A and B type
● Typhoid
● Poliomyelitis
Prepare documents
You will need a passport valid for international travel to pass immigration and officially arrive in Tanzania. Make sure that your passport is at least six months valid from the day of your scheduled arrival date to Tanzania, and that it has at least two blank pages for visa and an entry stamp.
Our team will also require your passport information to process the entry permits to the National Park. Please be assured that all your personal and identity information is kept in strict confidentiality.
Kilimanjaro Diet
Proper nutrition is very important for a comfortable and safe Kilimanjaro adventure. Your body will need many additional calories for you to reach the peak of Kilimanjaro. Energy consumption on a Kilimanjaro hike is about double one’s usual amount and eating well is very important.
Here at Altezza Travel we’ve designed our special Kilimanjaro menu that is both tasty and energy-rich. Our mountain cooks have been trained by restaurant professionals and they will surprise you with a variety of meals offered every day in the dining tent. We normally serve beef, chicken, salads, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, potatoes, beans, spaghetti and cheese, and other popular continental meals.
Halal, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal plans are available at no extra charge.
Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions before the start of your adventure. Our team will make sure that proper adjustments are made to the supply lists and that the cooks get properly instructed.
Which Kilimanjaro route to choose?
Kilimanjaro National Park Authority has seven official routes for Mount Kilimanjaro. This guide outlines each one in detail to help climbers choose which best fits their interests and fitness level. Every route differs in its specific draw, from scenic views to difficulty level, and most importantly - acclimatization profiles.
An ideal climbing route is based on each climber’s personal preparedness and preferences. Prior acclimatization and experience on other mountains determines your preparedness, while preferences have to do with your interest in a longer, more scenic route versus tackling a busier trail and meeting other climbers.
There is no “best” route; operators advertising that are providing misleading information.
Which climbing route to use for trekking Kilimanjaro is an individual decision, and our managers are always here to help you make the right choice.
Lemosho route
6 - 8 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
Our FAVORITE, this trail begins on the picturesque western side of the mountain and offer stunning view of Shira Plateau.
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa.
After a 4-hour long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate you'll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That's where you'll embark on your adventure through all climate zones - from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro.
Six, seven and eight-day programs are available, so you can choose depending on the amount of time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over the shorter ones for better acclimatization.
6 and 7-day Lemosho programs start from a high-altitude drop-off: you’ll be transferred to the elevation of 3,500 m/ 11,500 f by an off-road vehicle and start the hike from there. This is meant to maximize acclimatization transition - the higher you start, the easier your adaptation will be.
From 2043$
Rongai route
6-7 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
Approaching Kilimanjaro from the north, is a great way to explore THE LESS TRAVELLED paths of Kilimanjaro.
Rongai is the only route starting on the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. Though this part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers, it is not less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences.
Getting to the trailhead - Nalemuru Gate - usually takes 3-4 hours from Altezza Lodge or Aishi Machame Hotel.
Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain.
Though six and seven-day programs are available for the Rongai route itinerary, a longer option is recommended for better acclimatization transition.
From 2062$
Machame route
6-7 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
THE SECOND IN POPULARITY on Kilimanjaro, excellente acclimation and great views.
The second most popular option among the climbers is the Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route”. This route offers a wide variety of views, landscapes and experiences. The starting point of the route, Machame Gate, is only a 20-minute drive from Aishi Machame Hotel. Located on the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top of Kilimanjaro along the exciting footpath which starts at the tropical forest, then runs through all the climate zones and finishes with the Arctic desert in the summit area.
Camps along the trek are favorably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition process. On the 3rd day Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.
You can choose between a six or seven-day climb for the Kilimanjaro Machame route itinerary. The latter one is highly preferred for better acclimatization transition.
From 1988$
Northern Circuit
8 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
NEWEST route on Kilimanjaro with great on the northern slopes of the mountain.
The longest and the newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Circuit, is known for excellent acclimatization and breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro northern slopes. For the present moment a very limited number of travelers have set foot on this trail, and the route is hardly ever crowded.
It is recommended to those who enjoy long trekking experiences in remote wilderness with a minimal number of other trekkers around.
It takes at least eight days to climb Kilimanjaro through the Northern Circuit which is why the route boasts a very high success rate. A 9-day extended version with crater camping is also available for an incredible wilderness adventure on Africa’s highest volcano.
From 2668$
Umbwe route
6 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
The SHORTEST, STEEPEST, AND MOST CHALLENGING trail. Recommended for
seasoned travellers.
Daring experienced climbers seeking adventure and challenge will find just what they want on Umbwe. A short steep climb traversing all the climate zones - from tropical rainforest to eternal ice - will put your strength and endurance to the test. Like no other route on Kilimanjaro Umbwe gives a sense of achievement to those who reach the summit.
Your first day on the mountain will start from Umbwe Gate and continue with a lengthy trek to the first camp on your way - Umbwe camp. In spite of the challenge that Umbwe poses to hikers, well thought-out location of camps will contribute to proper acclimatization.
The trek through the Umbwe trail is available only as a 6-day program. Recommended only to experienced hikers in good physical shape, as the Umbwe route difficulty is quite high for inexperienced trekkers.
From 2008$
Marangu route
5-6 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
The only route with ACCOMODATION IN HUTS. The most popular option on Kilimanjaro.
Marangu or “Coca-Cola” route is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro today. It is the only route where overnight stays are in huts. This makes Marangu a good option for hiking during the rainy season.
The route takes its start at the south-east of Mt Kilimanjaro. The entrance to the route, Marangu Gate, is quite close to our climbing base at Aishi Machame Hotel. The ride there takes about 1.5 hours.
The Kilimanjaro "Coca-Cola" route features a well-trodden trail running through all the climate zones - from tropical rainforest to eternal ice, and will also will treat you to scenic African landscapes.
Being the most popular and the least expensive, the route may be crowded in July-September and December - March.
A 6-day option is strongly recommended over the 5-day one for better acclimatization.
From 1627$
Northern Circuit
Kilimanjaro climb via Northern Circuit Route (with Crater Camping)
10 days climbing
+ 2 days in a hotel
An extended version of Northern circuit with overnight camping at the HIGHEST POINT AT EQUATOR.
The extended version of Northern Circuit route includes two extra days to get proper acclimatization before overnighting at Crater Camp. Situated close to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro at the altitude of 5790 m, this is the highest overnight possible at the equator, so we will do our utmost to make your Kilimanjaro climb comfortable, as well as unforgettable. Only a lucky few can lay claim to having seen the night skies at this altitude and they are indeed a sight to behold: Kilimanjaro Glaciers against the backdrop of the Milky Way! While such ascents are never without their risks, the Altezza Travel Team has both the expertise and equipment to ensure your safety at Kilimanjaro Crater Camp.
From 3946$
Scenic views
Barranco Wall
After acclimatization profile and experience level, the next biggest factor to consider for a Kilimanjaro route is often scenery. While it may seem trivial at first, this aspect has a huge influence on the full climbing experience: the overall trek, photographs, and day-to-day hikes on the mountain are all influenced by scenery. The first days of a Lemosho trek are spent climbing the famous Shira Plateau with its splendid panoramas. Machame route, on the other hand, starts in a dense rainforest with unique flora and fauna and ascends to an alpine climate, with trekkers climbing the Barranco Wall. Each route offers a unique viewpoint of the beauty of Africa to climbers.
Apart from the epic summit, landmark features on Mount Kilimanjaro are:
Barranco Wall is an iconic destination on Kilimanjaro. Though at first sight it looks formidable and unconquerable, getting closer will allay all fears - there is a well-trodden path leading up to the summit.
Hikers scale Barranco Wall when doing a Kilimanjaro climb through Lemosho, Machame, or Umbwe Route.
Shira Plateau
Shira Plateau treats hikers to the epic panoramic views of the ancient (now-collapsed) caldera of one of the Kilimanjaro volcanoes. The area is rich in flora, with many endemic flowers and plants found only on Kilimanjaro. Shira Plateau borders Amboseli National Park (in Kenya), and wild animals used to roam freely in between the two ecosystems, and an armed ranger was always assigned to accompany hikers going through Shira. However, today one is unlikely to spot any wild animals on the Shira Plateau, and there is no company of an armed ranger any longer. Nonetheless, the views there are breathtaking!
You will enjoy the hike through Shira Plateau when choosing the Lemosho route for your adventure.
Tropical rainforest
Mount Kilimanjaro has rich flora, fauna and incredibly fresh air along the trail that passes through the tropical rainforest. This is exactly the place to see some of the animals which live on Mount Kilimanjaro, especially blue monkeys and white colobuses.
You will go through a tropical rainforest when hiking Kilimanjaro through Marangu and Machame routes.
Coniferous rainforest grows on the Northern side of Kilimanjaro and the only place to go through it is the Rongai route.
Crowdiness
Some routes are more popular than others. It is not for the reason that these routes are better - it is simply because their trailheads are closer to the tourist hub of Moshi, and many tour operators prefer starting their treks from there. Hikers who love to be in the middle of a motley crowd will certainly enjoy them, but those who want a quieter experience are advised to opt for a more remote trek.
The busiest routes on Kilimanjaro are:
Marangu Route - the busiest of all, it receives about a half of all Kilimanjaro trekkers.
Machame Route - the second most popular, it is chosen by about a third of all tourists.
NOTE: this applies to the busy season only (see below). Together with others, these routes are nearly free from the trekking groups during the rainy season.
Accommodation style
On all Kilimanjaro routes, except for Marangu, hikers sleep in mountain tents, carried by a team of porters and pitched by camp masters. On Marangu, however, hikers sleep in special wooden huts with dormitory-style bunk beds.
Cons:
1) Because the huts are collective, one has to share them with other travellers, often from other (non-Altezza) trekking groups. Some people may stay up later, chatting or snore at night, disturbing your sleep as a result.
Depending on the camp, each hut on Marangu sleeps from eight (at Mandara and Hormbo) to sixteen hikers (at Kibo)
2) here is no way comfort extras can be added at the huts. While our team can deploy soft camp cots inside our spacious tents, on the Marangu route the hikers have no other option but to sleep on the wooden bunks.
Pros:
1) Huts provide somewhat better experience during the rainy season. Our tents are well-insulated, safeguarding the climbers from precipitation, but there is nothing we can do about the puddles, which may form around the tent at night. On the other hand, the Marangu huts are constructed upon strong concrete bars.
2) Some people believe huts to be warmer, but we find this questionable. Having measured the temperature inside a hut and inside one of our tents, we concluded that the tents are, in fact, warmer.
Please note that unlike the huts on other popular mountain destinations, e.g. Mount Elbrus, the Marangu huts are not heated, and good sleeping bags are mandatory.
3) Power sockets are available in the huts. Electricity is, however, generated by the solar batteries and when it is cloudy availability may be limited. Most hikers prefer taking power banks, anyway.
Comfort extras
We try to make our trips not merely safe, but also comfortable. Our comfort additions include:
Use of special, well-insulated tents manufactured by the North Face (VE-25 type, normally used in the Everest expeditions). By default these tents sleep three climbers, but in our expeditions we provide one tent to two people. Single accommodation is also available.
We also have a special, custom-ordered variation of Kilimanjaro tents which are spacious enough to walk in and deploy a camp-cot inside. These tents are excellent for those wanting extra comfort on Kilimanjaro.
Expanded mountain menu - our mountain cooks are regularly trained by restaurant chefs, and we are proud to have one of the most nutritious and varied diets on Kilimanjaro. Halal, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free plans are available.
We have portable private toilets and showers for our expeditions, which the hikers may hire and many other interesting features that make us special. You are welcome to read more about them here.
PLEASE NOTE that under the regulations of Kilimanjaro National Park, it is not allowed to use tents, a private toilet or a private shower on the Marangu route, where the hikers sleep in tents and dine in shared canteens.
So, how to choose Mt Kilimanjaro climbing route?
An ideal climbing route is based on each climber’s personal preparedness and preferences. Prior acclimatization and experience on other mountains determines your preparedness, while preferences have to do with your interest in a longer, more scenic route versus tackling a busier trail and meeting other climbers.
There is no “best” route; operators advertising that are providing misleading information. Which climbing route to use for trekking Kilimanjaro is an individual decision, and our managers are always here to help you make the right choice.
At the same time, judging by the experience of our previous trekkers, we can confidently say that our most recommended routes are:
For the dry season climbs (late December - early March and early June - early October) we recommend the following:
Scenic, least crowded and with excellent acclimatization
- Lemosho route 8-day and 7-day trips
- Rongai route 7-day trip
Scenic, popular among the hikers, and featuring excellent acclimatization profile:
- Machame route 7-day trip (please note that 6-day Machame variation has a much worse acclimatization profile)
The Northern Circuit is also a great choice, but only if you are ready to walk more miles than on the other routes and spend more time on Kilimanjaro- it is about 19 miles (or 30 km) longer than Lemosho, and for this reason it takes one more day.
For rainy season climbs we recommend the Marangu 6-day route because the huts provide better protection against rain, and also because Marangu is not as busy with other hikers during the rainy season.
One of the most beautiful islands in Africa,
Far away from busy tourist sites,
Safe and very friendly,
Biggest coral reefs in East Africa,
Rich and variety of sight seeing,
Karibu to the pristine Pemba island !
Pemba island
Most of the travel packages combine a Safari with diving in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar has the fame, but the mass tourism and the big architectural development give you the feeling of a crowded island.
Afro Divers choose to established its dive center on Pemba and we are among the first one to believe in the magic of island. Pemba remained extremely authentic and untouched despite the fact it is very close to Zanzibar.
Good for us.
Our dive center is located in a middle of a rich nature. The reefs are pristine and no other tourist boat around.
We offer you to live a one of a kind adventure.
Choose for natural beauty and authenticity.
Let yourself innovate, explore, dare to travel off the beaten path..
Your diving package with Afro Divers:
We are doing a double dive every morning, with a beautiful surface interval on a different beach every day.
Full day of diving and night dives available.
We are a fully equipped dive center and can provide the complete diving gear.
Choose how many days you want to dive with us.
The category of accommodation:
Choose your accommodation between :
Classic accommodation
The Pemba Paradise hotel
Luxury accommodation
The Aiyana Spa and Resort
Book your Climbing expedition and Diving package with us !