The climb is the part everyone plans and the journey around it is where trips are won or lost. Flights, visas, money and a day of recovery in Moshi all have a direct effect on how your summit night goes.
Getting There
Kilimanjaro International Airport sits between Moshi and Arusha, which is why almost every climb is run from one of those two towns. Flying into Kilimanjaro Airport is the closest option to the mountain; flying into Dar es Salaam or Arusha Airport adds a domestic connection.
- Arrive at least a day before the climb starts, ideally two, so you can recover from the flight.
- An extra night in Moshi is genuine acclimatisation before the mountain does the same work.
- Do not schedule a long transfer on the morning the climb is due to begin.
- Keep a night spare at the end of the trip for weather, and a night at the start for the flight going wrong.
Visa, Passport and Health
Money in Tanzania
Tanzania uses the shilling. Card acceptance has improved in hotels and larger restaurants but is unreliable in smaller places, so carry cash. The practical rule is to change money in small batches rather than all at once, and never to exchange on the street at a rate that is too good.
- Budget tips for the guide, cook and porters as a daily amount, handed over as a group.
- Keep the daily tip figure in the booking so it is not a surprise on the mountain.
- Cash for the trailhead, park offices, porters’ extras and village shops.
- Cards for hotels, lodges and larger restaurants.
No tipping culture surprises
On a Kilimanjaro climb, tipping is expected and standardised. We give the guidance in writing at the booking stage and distribute it on your behalf, which avoids the awkwardness of carrying tip money for a week.
What to Do in Moshi
Moshi is a small, walkable town at 800 m and a good place to spend the day before a climb. It is also the easiest place to hire missing gear, sort last-minute equipment and meet the crew you will be walking with.
- Collect hired summit gear and test every item before you leave town.
- Buy any last supplies and confirm the pack is within the porter weight limit.
- Use the time to eat properly, sleep well and stay close to water.
- Expect laundry, showers and a phone signal - all of it better than the mountain.
On the Mountain
A few habits consistently make the trek more comfortable and safer.
- Trekking poles make the descent a different experience; use them from day one so you are used to them.
- Start each day early - the best light, the best photos and the best summit windows are all early.
- Keep your sleeping bag, insulation and a dry layer in the daypack for summit night.
- Watch your guide, not the group ahead. The pace is set by the slowest person.
- Tell someone the moment you feel unwell. Guides would far rather hear it early.
- Walk with your hood and sun cover on. The sun above 4,000 m burns quietly.
Summit Day Etiquette
Summit night is shared, quiet and cold. A few small things keep it civil and safe.
- Follow the order your guide sets, and never overtake on the crater rim.
- Move slowly, breathe steadily and use the handrails on the scree.
- Keep summit-group noise to a minimum for everyone still climbing.
- Have your camera ready before the light starts, not after you arrive in the dark.
After the Climb
The descent is a long, tiring day and people are usually far more tired than they expect. Plan a quiet evening, plenty of food and water, and at least one more night in Moshi before you fly.
- Expect to be sore for several days; the knees often complain before the legs.
- Refuel properly rather than flying straight out.
- Launder and dry your kit properly at altitude - damp gear smells for weeks otherwise.
- Leave a day between the climb and a long-haul flight.
A Note on Local Etiquette
You are a guest in a working community, and the people on your climb - guide, cook, porters - are professionals doing a demanding job in their own country. Being briefed properly, tipping as agreed and treating the crew as colleagues rather than as service staff is the baseline, not a bonus.
Ask your guide about Moshi
Our guides are local and genuinely enjoy answering questions about the town, the mountain and the parks around it. Most of our travellers say it was the best part of the trip.
Next Steps
If you still have questions, they are all collected on the Kilimanjaro FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I stay in Moshi before climbing?
TODO: recommend one night minimum, two if you fly in that day.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
TODO: state the current position and tell readers to verify before travel.
How much cash should I bring?
TODO: give a practical per-day figure for the trek plus the town nights.
Is there mobile signal on the mountain?
TODO: answer per route and camp, and mention satellite comms for emergencies.
Can I shower on Kilimanjaro?
TODO: describe the camp wash facilities honestly.
Ready to talk it through with a local guide?
Tell us your dates, experience level and budget. We will recommend a route, build the day-by-day plan and send it back free, with no obligation.
