| Top Ten Africa Vacations Kilimanjaro Tanzania |
| ATA - Africa Travel Association - Official website of the ATA - Easily the best Africa site on the web. Africa Travel Magazine - Tanzania - Excellent site for travel info about travelling to Tanzania. Air Highways - A great site for air travel information anywhere in the world. |
| Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro is a word that evokes wonderful images of Africa in the mind. Kilimanjaro, like Zanzibar is a place that many people dream of visiting - just because of its name. And like Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro is part of the wonderful nation of Tanzania. A perfect vacation would involve trekking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro - followed by a period of well earned rest and recuperation in Zanzibar - Wow! Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It rises 4600 metres (15,000 ft) from its base, and it is the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 metres (19,340 ft). Views from the summit are nothing short of spectacular. Great name, great statistics - But the greatest thing about Mount Kilimanjaro is that almost anyone in reasonable health can climb it. You don't need to be a mountaineer to reach the summit of Africa's highest mountain. And on your way to the top, you will see wildlife and scenery that will completely blow your mind! |
| The best known routes are:- The Marangu Route Probably the most popular route - especially with novice trekkers The Machame and Umbwe Routes Steep paths through the forest - often wet and boggy, followed by scrambling over scree to the crater rim. The Mweka Route Used primarily as the best way to descend from the top of the mountain. The Shira, Nanjara and Oloitokitok Routes Remote and less frequently used. The Lemosho Glades Route Probably the most beautiful route - and the richest in wildlife. |
| Getting Here You can fly to Tanzania from most parts of the world. The best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport at Arusha. This is much closer to the mountain than Dar Es Salaam. Visit the excellent Air Highways website for the best advice and information. Entry Requirements & Visas All visitors to Tanzania need entry visas. These can be obtained in your own country, or on arrival at Dar Es Salaam or Kilimanjaro Airport. You will also need proof of enough money for your intended length of stay, and a return ticket. A Yellow-Fever vaccination certificate is also required to enter Tanzania. |
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| Money The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) and it can be used for all transactions and local purchases. Us Dollars are also widely accepted. Credit cards are only OK at large hotels and restaurants. Cash Points (ATMs) allow cash advances - but at a poor rate and with an additional charge. Travelers Cheques are accepted at large hotels and can be exchanged for local currency at Bureaux de Change - you'll need your passport as ID. Health As well as the obligatory Yellow-Fever vaccination, it is a good idea to take precautions against Malaria. Consult your doctor about the best malaria prevention tablets. Make sure you have sufficient medical insurance. We would also recommend that you consider getting the following immunisations: * Hepatitis A & B, * Typhoid, * Cholera, * Tetanus Check with your local doctor for the latest recommendations. Altitude Sickness Caused by the inability to adjust to sudden gains in altitude. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is experienced by most climbers, and is more of an irritation than a danger. But it can be far more serious in some people - even (on rare occasions) leading to fatal Oedemas. Gaining altitude slowly is the best way to go - leave the rushing to the experts. Serious symptoms are very rare - but the risk must be taken seriously. My best advice is to consult with your doctor before deciding to climb Kilimanjaro. And book your trek with an experienced and reputable company - one with full medical backup. This obviously costs more than a stroll up the hill with some stranded hippie who happens to know the way! Mount Kilimanjaro, even though it is accessible to everybody, must be treated with respect. Check our Top Ten Kilimanjaro Tour Operators to find the best and safest way to the summit. Sunstroke and Frostbite! You will be at risk of both as you make your way up Kilimanjaro. This is possibly the only location on Earth where you can experience every climate on the planet - in one place! Mount Kilimanjaro is very close to the Equator - so the start of your climb will be very hot. But the summit experiences Arctic temperatures - even in mid-summer. A reputable tour company will ensure that you know exactly what to expect. |
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