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Plan your climb

Max Lehmann

Awesome Experience!

Bianca H
Day Safari - Tarangire Nationalpark

Outstanding care and support to get you to the summit(s)

My sincerest thanks to Django Tours (Florian and Estella) and our fantastic guides Chacha, Kim, Daudi, the other assistant guides, the amazing porters and all the camp helpers, who organized and executed everything around and during this recent trip to Mt Meru and Mt Kilimaniaro! Before, between, and after the mountains, I stayed at Django’s Adventure Safari Lodge in Machame, a clean and simple quest house with the most beautiful lush valley just behind the property, …

Dickson Emmanuel

The place is so amazing

Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Location: 5/5
Hotel highlights: Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Kid-friendly, Great value

Gallen Gramon

The environment is marvelous

Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 4/5 | Location: 5/5
Hotel highlights: Great view, Quiet

Bernhard Tewes

Amazing operator. Thanks for the amazing exierences!

Great place to start tours & lovely host!

Steffi
Kilimanjaro, Meru, Safari

Freedom

This year I went on Mount Meru, Safari and Kilimanjaro with Django.Tours.One of the first things that comes to mind when I think about the trip is: “Freedom”. A very special form of freedom: freedom from everyday life, the constraints of civilization with all modern achievements.On the hikes you are forced to deal with yourself…

For your Preparation

When getting in shape for Kilimanjaro there are three training aspects that make a huge difference: Endurance, Strength & Acclimatization. Most people think about endurance and aclimatization when they think about summiting Kilimanjaro but I believe strength to be crucial. Because it is almost impossible to acclimatize in Europe without going on extremely difficult high alpine tours you will have to go very slowly and the endurance does not affect you that much. When you have enough strength in your core and your legs you will not get tired as easy. When you go slowly you will have time to acclimatize or you go on Mount Meru before which we offer as a package. By the right gear that you feel comfortable with as possible, train your strength and work on a positive mindset.

Equipment list & trekking preparation

Please have a close look at this as early as you plan your flight. There are some things that we can organize for you in Tanzania, but others are required from you.

How to prepare for summiting mount Kilimanjaro?

This list covers what gear you will need to bring, physical training, Tanzania entry requirements (passport & visa), immunizations and vaccinations, and travel insurance.

The most important thing that you can bring to help you succeed in summing Mt Kilimanjaro though is a positive attitude. Pack as light as possible. You will have a porter carrying most of your items. But even there it is helpful to pack smart and light so they can carry additional items that will be necessary for the climb.

It will also much easier before and after the climb when you only need to carry stuff that you actually use on the mountain.

We will provide at no additional cost communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.). Below is a gear-list of required, recommended and optional items for you to bring on your climb.

Technical clothing

  • 1 light to Medium Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood (It is very likely to rain on one or multiple days of the climb)
  • 1 Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down (to keep you warm when the sun isn’t shining)
  • 1 Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell (use several layers so you can adjust better to changing temperatures)
  • 2 Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
  • Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
  • Waterproof Pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
  • 2 Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended)
  • 1 Fleece Pants
  • 1 Shorts (optional)
  • 1 Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
  • 3 Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
  • 2 Sport Bra (women)

Headwear

  • 1 Brimmed Hat (for sun protection)
  • 1 Knit Hat (for warmth)
  • 1 Balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
  • 1 Bandana (optional)

Handwear

  • 1 Warm Gloves (waterproof recommended)
  • 1 Glove Liners, thin, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)

Footwear

  • Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces (If you purchase new boots please make sure to hike in them at least 5 or 6 times prior to leaving for Tanzania, new boots cause blisters!)
  • Lightweight shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
  • 3 pairs of hiking socks, thick, wool or synthetic
  • 3 Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
  • 1 Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
  • 1 Lightweight ice grips for shoes like yaktrax (You will only need this if it snows and you will NOT NEED crampons)

Accessoiries

  • 1 duffel bag for your equipment that will be carried by your porter
  • 1 comfortable day pack that you will carry yourself with water, lunch pack, clothing etc.
  • 1 pair of sunglasses or goggles (Very Important! – The sun is extremely strong at 14,000+ ft, 4000+ Meters)
  • 1 Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
  • 1 Poncho, during rainy season (optional)
  • 1 Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)
  • 1 Water Bladder (Camel back type, 2-3 liters)
  • 1 Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
  • 1 Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (optional)
  • Stuff Sacks or Plastic Bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate
  • Two Person Tent (Optional! We will provide a high quality 3-season tent for you, however, if you have a tent you love and it is high quality we you can bring it for your personal use.

Equipement

  • 1 Sleeping Bag rated at a minimum of -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees F)
  • 1 Lightweight / travel pillow / inflatable pillow
  • 1 Sleeping Bag Liner, for added warmth (optional)
  • 1 Trekking Poles (recommended)
  • 1 Head lamp, with extra batteries
  • 1 Backpack or Duffl bag, for porters to carry your equipment
  • 1 Small to Medium Day pack, for you to carry your personal gear (The porters will carry most of your gear and clothing, this bag is for water, a camera, snacks, sunscreen, etc.)

Other toiletries

  • Sunscreen (At Least 30 SPF)
  • Prescriptions (Diamox High Altitude Medications, Other Personal Medications)
  • Lip Balm
  • Insect Repellent, containing DEET (You won’t have mosquitos after the first 2 days because they do not live at the higher altitude)
  • First Aid Kit (Antibiotic cream, adhesive bandages)
  • Ibuprofen or Pain Reliever
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Toilet Paper
  • Wet Wipes (recommended)
  • Energy Bars, Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (optional)

Paperwork

  • Trip Receipt
  • Passport
  • Visa (Can be purchased upon available at JRO, Very Important please bring US Dollars!)
  • Immunization Papers (Immunization Papers Will Be Checked Upon Arrival at JRO Airport)
  • Travel Insurance Documents

Most common mistake

The most common mistake that climbers make when climbing Kilimanjaro is that they over pack and bring way too much gear.

Be selective in what you bring with you. Please note that our porters are limited to carrying (15 kg or 33 lbs) of your personal belongings. The porters will carry almost all of your personal gear between campsites. The majority of your personal items should be placed into a backpack or duffel bag for the porter, including the sleeping bag. If the sleeping bag doesn‘t fit you can also pack it separately. If you rent a sleeping bag from us, note that it weighs is 3 kgs. And this weight does count against the 15 Kilos or 33 lbs. Our porters will place your duffel bag with your belongings and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure. You will have access to your belongings at the campsites every night. The porters typically will arrive to the next campsite before you arrive so you will have your access to your belongings except when you are hiking.

If you have excessive weight, you will be required to hire and pay for an additional porter. It is rare to require an extra porter and should happen only in special cases, such as for carrying extensive photography equipment. If you require an additional porter please advise us so we can make additional accommodations and bring additional food for the additional porter. You are expected to come prepared and bring everything you need; however, we do rent warm sleeping bags and trekking poles on location.

We understand you might be coming from a Safari or another part of Africa and will have additional baggage with you. All extra luggage items that you do not need for your climb, such safari clothing, Zanzibar gear and equipment will be securely kept at the hotel.

Please note that plastic, recyclable water bottles are not allowed in the park, due to past problems with litter. Please bring a Nalgene bottle, water bladders, or similar devices.

Please bring enough capacity to be able to carry 3-4 liters of water with you at all times. Please keep in mind that Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,241 ft tall (5895 Meters) and drinking alcohol and high altitude do not mix well.

We will celebrate your successful climb to the top of Kilimanjaro with beer and alcohol at the hotel, after the climb.

Unfortunately checked luggage on airplanes can get lost or delayed on the way to Tanzania. You should prepare for this possibility by wearing or carrying on the items that are most essential to your climb. If your luggage is lost or delayed; most clothing, gear and equipment can be replaced in Tanzania prior to your climb, but there are some things that you might not be able to replace.
We recommends that you wear one complete hiking outfit on the plane, including a long sleeve shirt, hiking pants, underwear, socks, and hiking boots. Your carry-on baggage, you should bring your small backpack, waterproof jacket and pants, insulated jacket, fleece pants, toiletries, medications, camera and all governmental paperwork. Airline regulations do not allow you to carry trekking poles on the plane. Make sure you do wear/carry your hiking boots; wearing a different pair of boots on your climb, will likely cause blistering.
We work with professionals only and we will be prepared to get you to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and back to the bottom safely. We have professional guides that know the mountain very well and most of them have summited Kilimanjaro over 100 times. Everything we do focuses on your safety first and we are excited to share this amazing adventure with you!

Most questions

Max Lehmann

Awesome Experience!

Bianca H
Day Safari - Tarangire Nationalpark

Outstanding care and support to get you to the summit(s)

My sincerest thanks to Django Tours (Florian and Estella) and our fantastic guides Chacha, Kim, Daudi, the other assistant guides, the amazing porters and all the camp helpers, who organized and executed everything around and during this recent trip to Mt Meru and Mt Kilimaniaro! Before, between, and after the mountains, I stayed at Django’s Adventure Safari Lodge in Machame, a clean and simple quest house with the most beautiful lush valley just behind the property, …

Dickson Emmanuel

The place is so amazing

Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Location: 5/5
Hotel highlights: Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Kid-friendly, Great value

Gallen Gramon

The environment is marvelous

Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 4/5 | Location: 5/5
Hotel highlights: Great view, Quiet

Bernhard Tewes

Amazing operator. Thanks for the amazing exierences!

Great place to start tours & lovely host!

Steffi
Kilimanjaro, Meru, Safari

Freedom

This year I went on Mount Meru, Safari and Kilimanjaro with Django.Tours.One of the first things that comes to mind when I think about the trip is: “Freedom”. A very special form of freedom: freedom from everyday life, the constraints of civilization with all modern achievements.On the hikes you are forced to deal with yourself…