Know Before You Go.

It depends on your fitness, budget, and what kind of experience you want. Lemosho is our most popular — stunning scenery, great acclimatization, and high success rates. Machame is bold and challenging with incredible views. Marangu is the only route with hut accommodation. Rongai approaches from the quieter north side. Northern Circuit is the longest and most remote. Umbwe is the steepest and for experienced climbers only. Not sure? Ask the Concierge — we'll match you to the perfect route.

You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be in reasonable shape. If you can hike for 5-7 hours with a daypack, you're in good standing. We recommend training 2-3 months before your climb — walking, stair climbing, and some cardio. The biggest factor isn't fitness though — it's acclimatization. That's why we recommend longer routes (7-8 days) over shorter ones.

The overall Kilimanjaro summit success rate is around 65%. With Ember Tours, our success rate is over 92% on 7+ day routes. The difference? Better acclimatization schedules, experienced guides who monitor your health closely, proper nutrition at altitude, and pace management. We don't rush you — and that's why our guests reach the top.

Most climbers experience some mild symptoms — headache, nausea, fatigue. This is normal. Our guides are trained in altitude medicine and carry pulse oximeters to monitor your oxygen levels daily. We follow strict "climb high, sleep low" protocols. Serious altitude sickness is rare with proper acclimatization, but if it happens, we have evacuation procedures in place. Your safety always comes first — no summit is worth a life.

All our packages include: park fees, camping/hut fees, professional guides & porters, all meals on the mountain, airport transfers, pre-climb hotel accommodation, and emergency oxygen. What's not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal gear, and tips for guides/porters. Check each route page for the full tier-by-tier breakdown (Explorer, Classic, Ember Experience).

June to October (dry season) is peak time — animals gather around water sources, making wildlife spotting easier. The Great Migration river crossings happen July-September. January to March is calving season in the Serengeti — great for predator action. November and April-May are green seasons with fewer crowds and lower prices, but some roads can be muddy. Honestly? Tanzania is spectacular year-round. Each season has its own magic.

On a 3+ day safari covering Serengeti and Ngorongoro, your chances of seeing all Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) are excellent — we're talking 90%+ probability. Ngorongoro Crater alone is home to all five. The black rhino is the trickiest to spot, but our guides know exactly where to look. We've been doing this for 18 years — we know where the animals are.

Lodge safaris mean you sleep in proper rooms or luxury tented camps — beds, showers, sometimes even swimming pools. Great for comfort lovers and families. Camping safaris are more authentic and affordable — we set up quality tents, sleeping mats, and a camp chef cooks your meals. Both options get you the same incredible game drives. The wildlife doesn't care where you sleep.

Absolutely. You're in a vehicle at all times during game drives, and our guides are trained in wildlife behavior. Walking safaris (where available) are conducted by armed rangers. The animals are wild, not aggressive toward vehicles — they've seen safari cars their entire lives. The most dangerous thing on safari? Sunburn. Seriously. Wear sunscreen.

No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers you. If you're flying in directly to Zanzibar from abroad, you can get your visa at the airport there. Same $50 fee, same process. Easy.

June to October and December to February are the best months — warm, dry, and perfect for beaches. The long rains (April-May) can dampen things, but even then the island has its charm. Water temperatures are warm year-round (25-29°C). If you're combining with Kilimanjaro or safari, we'll time everything perfectly.

Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, so we recommend dressing modestly in Stone Town and villages — cover shoulders and knees. On the beach and at resorts, swimwear is perfectly fine. It's about mutual respect. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming — a little cultural awareness goes a long way and they genuinely appreciate it.

Absolutely — and we highly recommend it. Zanzibar is the perfect wind-down after a climb or safari. We offer combo packages that seamlessly connect your experiences. Fly from Arusha/Kilimanjaro airport to Zanzibar in about 1 hour. Check out our Combo Journeys page for curated multi-experience packages.

Most international flights land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — the gateway to Arusha and Moshi. Major airlines include KLM, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Qatar Airways. We handle all airport transfers — a friendly face will be waiting for you with your name on a board. No stress, no haggling with taxi drivers.

Yes, absolutely. Travel insurance is mandatory for Kilimanjaro climbs and strongly recommended for everything else. Make sure your policy covers: high-altitude trekking (up to 6,000m for Kili), emergency evacuation, medical expenses, and trip cancellation. We can recommend trusted providers if you need help finding one.

Tipping is customary and appreciated. General guidelines per day:

• Kilimanjaro guide: $20-25/day
• Kilimanjaro porter: $8-10/day
• Kilimanjaro cook: $10-15/day
• Safari guide/driver: $15-20/day
• Hotel/lodge staff: $5-10/day

Tips are pooled and shared. They make a real difference to the team — these are the people who carry your bags, cook your meals, and keep you safe.

Hotels and larger lodges accept cards, but Tanzania is still largely a cash economy. Bring US Dollars (bills printed after 2006) for visa fees, tips, and souvenirs. ATMs are available in Arusha, Moshi, and Stone Town. For booking your trip with us, we accept bank transfer and online payment.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Beyond that, we recommend being up to date on: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Polio. Consult your travel clinic at least 6 weeks before departure. Malaria prophylaxis (Malarone or Doxycycline) is strongly recommended — especially for safari and Zanzibar. There's no malaria risk at high altitude on Kilimanjaro.

No — always drink bottled or purified water. On Kilimanjaro, we provide purified drinking water daily. On safari, we stock the vehicle with bottled water. In hotels and lodges, bottled water is readily available. Avoid ice in local restaurants unless you're confident about the source.

Malaria is present in low-altitude areas (coast, safari parks). Prevention is key: take your prophylaxis medication, use DEET-based insect repellent, and sleep under mosquito nets (provided at all our accommodations). Long sleeves at dusk help too. On Kilimanjaro above 3,000m, mosquitoes aren't an issue — it's too cold for them.