Kilimanjaro, Serengeti & Zanzibar

Staff member Jim Eite has led this trip many times over the years and explains about the routes here. One of our clients, Natalie Amos, also gives us her personal viewpoint on making the summit.

The total distance on Kili is approx 57km. We walk variable distances each day, from 6km on Day One to 12km on summit day. There will be plenty of chances to rest and take photos along the way.

Andrew Appleyard - International Sales Manager

On all routes, Exodus have an enviable success record, often enabling full groups to reach the summit together. This is in part down to our excellent guides and the guiding ratios (2:1) we provide, but also to the additional acclimatisation days we build into the standard park recommendations for each route we trek.
 

Rongai Route:

In taking 6 days to complete this beautiful trek we ensure that over 85% of our clients reach Gillman's Point on the crater rim, while two thirds (66%) stand on top of Africa, reaching Uhuru Peak the true summit of Kilimanjaro. Figures based on records since January 2000.

Lemosho Route:

Nearly 99% of our clients on this trip have reached Stella Point on the crater rim, while around 95% have reached Uhuru Peak. The summit day along the Lemosho Route is a lot steeper than that along the Rongai Route, but as the Lemosho Route takes a day longer there is more time to acclimatise, this gives a better chance of success!

It is difficult to comment on success rates on this itinerary due to the smaller numbers, but the additional acclimatisation time gives all participants the best opportunity for standing at the summit of Africa with 95% of our clients reaching both the crater rim and Uhuru Peak.

Which route to choose?

We currently operate nine different trips that include a trek up Kilimanjaro.  Five include the Rongai Route, three include the Lemosho Route, and one trip goes on the Northern Circuit.  Here are all the relevant links:

Rongai

1) KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE  (TYW)

2) KILIMANJARO, SERENGETI & ZANZIBAR  (TYC)

3) KILIMANJARO & SAFARI  (TYX)

4) KILIMANJARO & ZANZIBAR  (TYZ)

5) KILIMANJARO & MERU (TYM)

Lemosho

1) KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE  (TYR)

2) KILIMANJARO - LEMOSHO ROUTE AND ZANZIBAR  (TYT)

3) KILIMANJARO - LEMOSHO ROUTE AND SAFARI  (TYU)

Northern Circuit

1) KILIMANJARO CLIMB - NORTHERN CIRCUIT  (TYN)

Jim Eite - Head of Product

1. Listen to the guides
2. Walk slowly, or "pole, pole" as the guides would say!
3. Aim to drink about 5 litres of water each day
4. Have the right walking boots well broken in
5. Do plenty of training walks and keep your aerobic fitness up
6. Enjoy it!

The best currency to take is USD $, small denominations and try to get some $1 dollar bills, which can be quite handy. On Kili you can hardly spend money (slight shortage of shops!) and for just the climb, $250 is probably more than enough, including tips. For anywhere beyond that, it will depend on exactly where you're going but about $50 a day should suffice.

Andrew Appleyard - International Sales Manager

No one ever goes hungry on Kili, we have great chefs and you'll be amazed what they can cook up. Loads of carbs and protein are the order of the day and if you are a veggie, no problems at all. There are also plenty of snacks, mainly biscuits, bananas and essentially chocolate! Water purification tablets shouldn't be necessary (although some people like to take some to be extra safe) as we boil all the water on Kili at night. I recommend a metal Sigg bottle, which doubles up as a hot water bottle at night!

David Richardson - Sales

For British passport holders, it's very straightforward. You need a clean $50 dollar bill (notes issued before 2001 are NOT accepted ) and the window is on the right as you enter the arrivals building. Please note passports and visas are your own responsibility and we cannot be responsible for any problems you may encounter.

Tom Bowring - Customer Operations

You can only charge electrical items in the hotel before and after the trek. There are no facilities on the mountain at all. Some people do invest in portable solar rechargers which, while sometimes expensive, seem to do the job quite well.

Tom Bowring - Customer Operations

Exodus will indeed be sending you a kitbag 3 weeks before the departure date, which is about 60 – 65 litres in volume. You don’t have to use this kitbag but the porters will find it easier to carry bags that are all the same size and dimension.

There is a strict weight limit of 15kg for the actual trek itself. Therefore, what a lot of passengers tend to do these days is to flat pack the Exodus kitbag into a suitcase, underneath your equipment. Then you can use the kitbag for the trek whilst leaving the suitcase behind at the hotel with items that you don’t need to trek with. It also means you have clean clothes to change into when you get back!

Tom Bowring - Customer Operations

Yes,  ALL visitors (not just previously designated countries) to Zanzibar will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination on port of entry. You are advised to ensure that you have a valid vaccination certificate before travel.

Tom Bowring - Africa Operations

Yes, we have put together a detailed kit list for anyone doing the Kilimanjaro climb. It will be attached to your documents once you book, and you can also access it here.

You can find a comprehensive article covering this matter here: http://www.himalayanrescue.org/hra/article.php?sno=9

Alex Doaga - Exodus leader

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Tanzania where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. There will be limited information in the trip notes but you should always seek further qualified medical advice.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.
Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

For additional information please visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

US dollars cash is best, and this is changed into the local currency, the Shilling. We price most activities in our trip notes in dollars, simply to make it easier to calculate costs but you will not be spending dollars directly.

Certain optional activities may be possible to pay in dollars but please note that dollars are not legal tender in Tanzania. There are some ATMs in Arusha and Stonetown, but money is best changed upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport.

Tom Bowring - Tanzania Operations

You can view the Grading System for our Walking & Trekking programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!