Please note: We are not able to match people up in twin share rooms.

If you haven't pre booked your arrival transfer the best way to get to the Hotel Boulevard is via a local taxi firm at the Nairobi airport called Venture Africa. There is a circular wooden desk in the arrivals hall with the VENTURE AFRICA sign. You can’t miss it, as Nairobi airport is quite small. The transfer will cost you approx USD$20. Ignore all the other taxi drivers who are shouting ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ and make your way to the desk. Kumuka passengers have been using Venture Africa for many years and it is a reliable, friendly firm.

Nairobi to Moshi.  The tour leaves Nairobi from the Hotel Boulevard, where you will catch the Nairobi to Moshi express bus. A driver will be at the Hotel Boulevard holding a sign - please make yourself known to him. You are asked to meet the driver in the Hotel Boulevard reception at 7.15am sharp!. The journey to Moshi takes between 6 and 7 hours, including the stop at the border. Drop off is at the Moshi shuttle station where a representative will transfer you to your hotel.  On arrival at the Hotel in Moshi you will be met by a Kilimanjaro Climb representative who will run through all pre-climb details.  Overnight stay, 3 star hotel.  Note that sometimes payment may be collected by our representative in Nairobi.

NB Money changing facilities in Moshi are limited.  ATM's are available and accept Visa card, but not Mastercard.

Kilimanjaro. We climb out above the forest and continue trekking past the Maundi crater, to ascend to the open moorland - this should take about 5-6 hours. Tonight you camp at Horombo Hut at an altitude of 3720m.

Kilimanjaro. The trek to Kibo Huts via the saddle takes 4-5 hours (4720m) through Alpine Desert. Early dinner and rest before midnight departure for the summit!

Kilimanjaro to Moshi. After breakfast we descend to Mandara Huts (3-4 hours) for lunch and then we descend all the way down to Marangu Gate (2 hours), where you are collected and transferred back to Moshi for your overnight stay at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the most difficult holidays offered by Kumuka. To ensure you get the most out of your experience, it is important you are aware of the difficulties and the fitness and physical requirements for the trip.

This climb requires a high level of physical fitness, and previous trekking experience is strongly recommended. Walking days are on average 5-8 hours per day and may involve more than 1000m of ascent. Long walks with steep ascents and descents are to be expected. Stamina is important when walking at high altitudes.

We advise to begin physical preparation for the climb well before departure, and activities such as hill climbing, running and other cardivascular excercise are some of the best ways to get into shape, and improve your chances of success.

It is important that you are aware that this climb will take you through 5 different vegetational zones and from one climatic extreme to another. It is the equivalent of walking from the Equator to the Pole and to many people is the most demanding experience of their lives. It is essential that you have adequate clothing and equipment to increase your chances of making it to the Roof of Africa.

The height of Mt Kilimanjaro means that altitude sickness can be experienced. Extreme cases of Acute Mountain Sickness are rare, but if it becomes necessary for someone to abandon the trek, the tour leaders decision will be final.

If you have any concerns about the suitability of this trip, don't hesitate to contact us to speak to one of our staff, some of whom have climbed Kilimanjaro.

All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, visas, pre and post tour accommodation.

Tips are not included.  A tip for your porter group of approximately 10-15% of the cost of your trip is recommended and a discretionary tip for your trekking guide as appropriate.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

• 3 meals per day are provided (included in cost)
• All water is provided – generally you will receive bottled water each day, which you can transfer into your hydration bladder and drink bottles. Count on 3-4 litres per day, per person.
• Tea/Coffee/Milo is provided regularly – as you wake up, at breakfast, as you arrive into camp each night and with dinner. Boiled, bottled water is generally used.
• Food = Energy!
• Low Glycemic food is provided for slow and sustained energy release
• Snacks like popcorn/biscuits also provided

Typical meals include porridge, eggs, toast, fruit, chicken, pasta, fish, stews, rice etc. Food is plentiful and nutritious and always contains many options to satisfy personal tastes and hunger levels.

Anti-malaria tablets are essential. Get professional advice from your GP or Travel Clinic about types of tablets, as resistant strains exist. These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before travelling to Africa, during your travels and sometimes for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area. DO NOT forget to follow your prescribed routine. DO NOT CHANGE THE ROUTINE, once prescribed by your Doctor. As there is considerable resistance in parts of Africa, the only effective prevention is to NOT get bitten. Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquito's bite therefore, always protect your self with repellents and long clothing during this time. Malaria is the most common serious ailment that affects our clients; do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Africa, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Likewise do not leave your valuables in your tent - there is a safe available on the truck.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$75-115 per week for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Your money should be taken in a combination of Cash and Travellers Cheques (we suggest ¼ Travellers Cheques and ¾ US Dollars cash). These should be carried in a mixture of denominations. In some cases your crew will recommend you only change a small amount of money, however in countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania the exchange rate is higher for large denomination notes.

Please note that we are advising passengers to take a limited number of US$100 and US$50 notes to Africa and no US$ notes issued prior to 2000. This is due to recent cases of counterfeit bank notes. Cash is generally easier to exchange, however it is safer to carry some traveller’s cheques in case of theft or loss. Travellers must produce their sales advice slip and their passport or a photocopy of their passport when cashing travellers cheques.

Credit Cards are not acceptable in many places and should only be relied upon in capital cities and in Southern Africa; they are, however, useful in case of emergency. We recommend Visa as this is more widely accepted than Mastercard especially for Uganda & Kenya.  Expenditure in Zimbabwe using Travellers cheques or Credit cards usually avoids 15% sales tax normally charged; however, recent (Sept 2001) developments in Zimbabwe have created uncertainty in the exchange rate used on credit cards. Please note Scottish Pound notes are NOT accepted in Africa.

Please do NOT rely on using ATM’s. They are not widely available or reliable though this situation is slowly changing.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many campsites there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Contrary to expectations it does get cold in Africa. Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia get quite cold at night between June and August. Mount Kilimanjaro will be cold at night all year round, due to the extreme altitude. You will need to bring your warmest clothes.

Personal Effects:
Torch (we recommend a head torch), camera & film, spare passport photos, water bottle, money belt, sewing kit, sunhat/sunglasses, discman/MP3 player, books, wet ones, tissues, soap to wash clothes, writing materials, swiss army knife, calculator, personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, insect repellent, sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

English is widely spoken in the countries we visit in Africa but you might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).