Choosing an operator

There are many different ways to book your Kilimanjaro climb and some of them are far better than others. This is going to be an expensive trip no matter how you do it and not everyone who begins the Kilimanjaro climb actually makes it to the summit. If you want to make sure you are getting a good deal with an experienced operator then there are a few things to consider before deciding to actually make the booking.

Book from home or after arriving in Tanzania?

The vast majority of people will book their Kilimanjaro climb long before they get on their plane to Tanzania, but you can actually book once you arrive, although there are some things to be careful of.

Advantages to booking in Tanzania:

• If you have several days to compare packages and talk to the local operators, it’s possible to save a bit of money over what you’d pay by booking in advance.
• Since you’ll be booking at the last minute there is less chance of starting in horrible weather.

Disadvantages to booking in Tanzania:

• You’ll have no way of preparing your gear, clothing, and expectations in advance.
• You’ll have to bring loads of cash with you into the country or spend many days pulling the maximum out of ATMs in Moshi. Credit cards are not accepted in Tanzania for climbs.
• If something goes wrong you’ll only have local laws and customs to rely on for recourse. Getting a refund could be nearly impossible, and liability laws in Tanzania are not what they are in most other places.

If you do book in Tanzania here are a few things to do to help you have a good experience:

• Spend a few days around Moshi talking to some different guides to see who you feel comfortable with and compare prices.
• Check out the equipment they use. Are the tents in good condition?
• Make sure your cheap climb will have the proper size crew. It’s possible to save a bit of money by hiring a smaller crew, but you might regret that later.
• Be certain to use a company with an actual building and address. There are around 10 or so legitimate companies doing business in Moshi, but there are many more people selling climbs as middlemen. These independent salespeople are known as “flycatchers” because they make money by taking a commission by introducing naïve tourists to the real companies. You don’t need this service and the commission will be added to your final price.

Booking your climb before getting to Tanzania

There are many ways to book your Kilimanjaro climb before leaving home, and again, there are some things to be very careful about. If you think you know exactly what you want already there are some ways to book your climb that might even save you a few dollars in the process, but for a trip like this you might regret.

Some key things to look for:

• Book from someone who’s actually climbed Kilimanjaro themselves. Some travel agents and even sporting goods chains can show you a brochure and book your climb, but this isn’t like booking a trip to Hawaii. This is a serious undertaking and someone with their own experience will know all the right questions to ask you before locking in your trip.
• Book from someone who can help you prepare for your climb after the trip is set. The information on this site just scratches the surface of the whole experience. You are going to have questions about your preparation and it’s important to actually have someone to ask.
• Book from someone who knows the options involved. There are many ways of actually putting together a package, so someone who knows the area can recommend a safari or other activities you might be interested in after flying halfway round the world.

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