Tanzania

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa's highest peak, snow-capped on the equator

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro Plan a trip around Tanzania

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Sep
Currency: TZS
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Tanzania

Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano in northeast Tanzania and Africa's highest mountain at 5,895 m, the world's tallest free-standing peak. Trekkers come to walk from tropical forest to arctic summit over several days, with a licensed guide required.

Largest cities

Dar es Salaam
Dodoma
Mwanza
Arusha
Mbeya

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Tanzania
Capital: Dodoma
Region population: 5,895
Population of Tanzania: 57.3M
Country area: 947,303 km²
Official language: Swahili and English
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) · 1 USD ≈ 2,635 TZS
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +255
Drives on the: Left
Elevation: 5,772 m
Plugs: D / G · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 114 · 115
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	-6°	-5°	-5°	-5°	-5°	-6°	-6°	-6°	-6°	-6°	-6°	-6°
Low	-10°	-10°	-9°	-8°	-9°	-10°	-11°	-11°	-10°	-10°	-9°	-9°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$38
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$105
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$290

Plan a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro

Top things to do

≈ $85
Marangu Gate to Maundi Crater day hike
An easy forest walk of about 2.5 hours each way through montane forest with monkeys and birds; a guide is compulsory and you cannot go beyond Maundi Crater.
- Half day
- Marangu
- Good for kids
≈ $2,500
Machame Route summit trek
The scenic 'Whiskey Route' climbs through forest, Shira Plateau and Barranco in tents over 6–7 days; book a longer schedule to reduce altitude risk.
- Full day
- Machame
≈ $2,200
Marangu Route summit trek
The most popular and easiest route, sleeping in huts rather than tents over 5–6 days; add an acclimatisation day at Horombo if you can.
- Full day
- Marangu
≈ $3,000
Lemosho Route trek
A quieter western approach crossing the Shira Plateau with good acclimatisation and armed rangers on the first day; usually 7–8 days.
- Full day
- Shira Plateau
≈ $100
Shira Plateau walk
A high open plain at around 3,800 m with views toward Kibo; go slowly and watch for signs of altitude sickness.
- Half day
- Shira Plateau
Free
Moshi town and market
The main gateway town below the mountain, good for buying gear, changing money and eating before or after a trek; bargain politely in the market.
- Half day
- Moshi
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $40
Arusha cultural and craft tour
A half-day in Tanzania's safari capital visiting craft markets and cultural centres; useful for last-minute gear and souvenirs.
- Half day
- Arusha
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Kilimanjaro viewpoint at sunset
Clear evenings often reveal the snow-capped summit above the town; best in the dry months of January, February and September.
- Half day
- Moshi
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa for Tanzania. Apply for an e-visa before you travel, or get a single-entry tourist visa on arrival at major ports of entry if you meet all immigration requirements; multiple-entry visas are not available on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have at least one blank page, and you may be asked for proof of onward or return travel. All visitors except residents must have mandatory Tanzanian government inbound travel insurance, bought online or on arrival: if Zanzibar is your first port of entry, buy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC); if mainland Tanzania is first, buy from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). You must also pass mpox screening (temperature checks) at all points of entry, and carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with transmission risk. Rules vary by nationality, so check the official Tanzanian Immigration Department page before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the closest gateway, about 45–60 minutes by road to Moshi or Arusha. Daily non-stop flights link Amsterdam with JRO, and there are connections from Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam.

Getting around

On the mountain you walk with your guide and porters; in the gateway towns, local taxis, minibuses and pre-arranged tour transfers cover the short distances.

Local tips

Dress in layers and carry rain gear: the mountain makes its own weather, so expect wet days and freezing nights at any time of year.
Budget for tips: around 10% of the tour price, given directly to guide, cook and porters rather than to one person.
Choose a longer itinerary (7–8 days) to acclimatise; short 5–6 day schedules carry a very high risk of altitude sickness.
Carry cash in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars for park fees, tips and small purchases; cards are rarely accepted on the mountain.

Areas worth knowing

Moshi
Arusha
Machame
Marangu
Shira Plateau

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 9, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK