Even an all-inclusive Kilimanjaro package usually excludes international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal climbing gear, sleeping bag rental if you need it, and tips for the guide team. Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and optional extras such as a private toilet tent are also commonly separate. We explain these items before you book, share a clear packing list and suggest sensible tipping guidance. Knowing what is excluded helps you budget accurately and avoids surprises on the mountain, so you can arrive prepared, relaxed and confident about every cost.

Your route shapes your comfort and your summit chances. Lemosho and Machame offer scenic approaches and good acclimatisation over seven to eight days, Rongai approaches from the north and is quieter, Marangu uses huts over five to six days, and the Northern Circuit is the longest and most gradual. Umbwe is steep and best for experienced trekkers. Because climbs are private, we pick the route and pace that match your fitness, schedule and the season you travel, with a clear written plan before you commit.

The best months to climb Kilimanjaro are January to early March and June to October, when skies are generally clearer and trails are drier. Weather on a mountain this large can change quickly at any time, so pack for rain, wind and cold near the summit. Shoulder periods can be quieter, though conditions vary. Tell us your dates and we will recommend a route and itinerary length that fit the season and give your body time to adapt gently along the way.

Kilimanjaro regulations require that every climber travel with a licensed guide, and our private teams include experienced guides, assistant guides, porters and a cook. Guides monitor how you feel each day, set a slow pace and adjust the plan if needed. Climbing slowly and drinking plenty of water support acclimatisation. Please consult your doctor or a travel clinic before booking, since altitude affects everyone differently. We care for our crew too, with fair treatment, proper equipment and respect for their expertise on every climb.

A private safari is a rewarding way to rest your legs after Kilimanjaro. Many guests add three to seven days in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, with their own 4x4 and private guide. Because your climb and safari are planned together, we coordinate transfers, hotels and timing so you move smoothly from mountain to savanna. You can also finish with a few relaxing beach days on Zanzibar, all built around your travel dates and budget, with no rushing between adventures.

An all-inclusive Kilimanjaro package normally includes park and camping or hut fees, rescue fees, a licensed guide and assistant guides, porters, a cook, all meals on the mountain, drinking water, tents and airport transfers. Hotel nights before and after the climb are often added. Flights, visas, insurance, personal gear and tips are usually separate. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris lists everything in writing for each private climb, so you can see exactly what is covered.

Most climbers need six to nine days on the mountain. Marangu takes about five or six days, Machame six or seven, Rongai six or seven, and Lemosho or the Northern Circuit seven to nine. Longer routes give your body more time to acclimatise, which many travelers find more comfortable. Because our climbs are private, we can set the length and daily pace around your fitness and schedule, and advise you honestly on what suits you.

A private climb lets you set the pace, the start date and the route, which many trekkers find more comfortable and flexible. Your own guide team focuses entirely on you, adjusts to how you feel each day and can slow down or add rest when helpful. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris organises only individual private tailor-made climbs, so every itinerary is built around your goals, fitness level and travel dates.

Yes, Tanzania requires every Kilimanjaro climber to be accompanied by a licensed guide, and independent climbing is not allowed. Your guide leads the route, monitors your health, manages the porter team and makes safety decisions on the trail. A good guide also explains the changing ecological zones, from rainforest to alpine desert. Our private climbs include experienced licensed guides and a supporting crew so you can concentrate on walking steadily towards Uhuru Peak.

The best times to climb Kilimanjaro are January to early March and June to October, when conditions are generally drier and views are clearer. Rain and cloud can occur at any time on such a large mountain, so waterproof layers are essential. Some travelers prefer quieter shoulder periods. Share your dates with Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris, and we will recommend the most suitable route and itinerary length for that season.

Yes, combining Kilimanjaro with a safari is popular and easy to arrange. Most travelers climb first, then spend three to seven days on a private safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, or add Zanzibar for beach rest. We coordinate hotels, transfers and flights so the whole journey flows smoothly. A single private itinerary also gives you one clear plan, one contact team and the flexibility to adjust timing as your plans develop.

Kilimanjaro is a demanding but non-technical trek, which means you walk rather than climb with ropes, yet the altitude makes it challenging. Success depends mostly on pace, hydration, preparation and how well your body adapts to height. Longer routes such as Lemosho or Machame give you more time to acclimatize than shorter ones. Your private guide sets a slow, steady rhythm and monitors you daily. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic before booking, especially if you have health concerns. Good preparation, regular walking before you travel and a positive mindset all help too.

Pack in layers because you pass from warm rainforest to freezing summit conditions. Essentials include broken-in waterproof hiking boots, thermal base layers, an insulated jacket, waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves, a headlamp, trekking poles, sunglasses, sunscreen and a sleeping bag rated for cold nights. Bring a refillable water bottle and comfortable socks. Porters carry your main duffel, while you carry a small daypack. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris sends a detailed packing list after booking and can advise on any items you are unsure about. Waterproof stuff sacks keep clothing dry.

Yes, tipping your climb crew is customary and deeply appreciated, because guides, assistant guides, cooks and porters work long days at altitude. Tips are usually given at the end of the climb as a thank you for good service. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris explains the recommended guidelines in your pre-climb briefing, so you can budget in advance and distribute tips fairly among the crew. Bring cash in small notes, and ask your guide if you have any questions about the process. It recognizes the effort shown on the mountain.

The best way to lower the risk of altitude sickness is to choose a longer route, walk slowly, drink plenty of water and sleep and eat well. Climb high, sleep low days help your body adjust. Your private guide checks how you feel each day and can recommend rest or descent if symptoms become serious. Because altitude affects everyone differently, consult your doctor or a travel clinic before you travel. Never ignore headaches, nausea or dizziness on the mountain. A slow pace, often described as pole pole in Swahili, is the secret for many successful climbers.

Most climbers stay one night in Moshi or Arusha before the climb and one night afterward, resting in a comfortable hotel with a hot shower and proper meals. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris can include these nights in your package, arrange airport transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport and organize a gear check before departure. After the climb, many guests continue to a private safari or to Zanzibar to recover. Tell us your dates and we will plan the sequence. This keeps logistics simple, so you can focus on resting and enjoying the journey.