The very best way to prepare for climbing to high altitude is to climb to high altitude. Although this is difficult for most people, remember that the higher the altitude you can reach and the longer the hikes you do for training, the better. Whether it be to hike 2,000 feet to the top of the local hill or climbing larger mountains further afield; just being out hiking up hill is the best. This also allows you to get used to your backpack and boots. You should be hiking with everything in your day pack that you anticipate carrying when climbing Kili.
Running and biking are also very good and at least take you outdoors so you can test your equipment. Stair masters and climbing machines at the gym will work if outdoor hiking isn’t an option. Try not to go for short hard blasts of exercise but long sustained workouts instead. An adequate training regime is to maintain 75% of your max heart rate (220 minus your age) for an hour, three to four days a week. Remember high altitude mountain climbing requires acclimatization and that a strong mind is as important as a strong body. If you are fairly fit and choose a climbing itinerary that allows plenty of time to acclimatize you have the formula for success.
What to Pack
For Sleeping:
- Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sac: On the mountain temperatures can get down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit at night so bring a warm bag.
- Sleeping pad: A closed cell foam camping mattress is ok. An inflatable Therma-Rest type is more comfortable.
For Drinking:
- Water Bottle: Two, one litre wide-mouthed plastic bottles at least.
- Water Treatment: We will filter your water with a Katydyne water filter. For emergencies we recommend you bring two bottles of “Potable Aqua” or a “Polar Pure”, crystal iodine in a bottle, to treat drinking water. Filtration pumps are also effective, but costly and rather bulky.
- Water Flavoring: Wylers lemonade, Tang, Gatoraid, etc. It is really important that you stay hydrated while at altitude for better acclimatization. These drink mixes are hard to come by in Tanzania so if you have one you like that makes drinking water easier we encourage you to bring some.
For Carrying Your Gear:
- Frameless Pack: A medium size comfortable pack with some support is adequate to carry personal gear. The pack should fit properly and have a good waist belt. Side pockets are recommended for soft packs. Personal loads with camera gear, water for the day and warm clothes are often between 15 and 20 pounds.
- Pack Cover: Something waterproof to cover your pack with when hiking in the rain. Otherwise, bring a large plastic bag to line the inside.
- Duffle/zip Bag: Medium size for mountain gear. This will go into our mountain bag that the porters will carry.
- Duffle/zip Bag: Large enough to hold your non-mountain gear. This will meet you at the hotel after the climb.
- Plastic Bags: Several, to double bag your sleeping bag and clothes on the mountain. It can rain every afternoon.
For Personal Health and Comfort:
- Toiletries: Bring enough for entire trip. Keep simple and light. Few toiletries are available in Tanzania. Bring enough for all your needs.
- Flashlight and/or Headlamp: Important on summit day and handy in camp. Plenty of batteries.
- Pocket Knife: Simple Swiss Army type with scissors.
- Personal First Aid and Drug Kit: Please see attached recommended list.
- Trail Munchies: Although plenty of snack food is provided, trekkers like that taste of home in their pack. Touted as an important accessory by those who have brought them in the past!
- Hot Drink Mixes: We will provide plenty of coffee, cocoa and tea, but non-caffeinated drinks are not readily available here. Bring a supply of your favorite herbal teas.
- Towel: For wash up in camp, a small one is fine, or you can use a bandana.
- Towelettes: Such as “Wash ‘n’ Dries” for general hygiene.
- Spare Glasses: For contact wearers in dusty conditions and any eye glass wearer while on vacation.
- Umbrella: Very useful against rain and sun. Most guides use one.
Recommendations for your First Aid Kit:
We will have gauze, tape, aspirin, medicated soap, antibiotic ointment, antacid tablets, some antibiotics, pain killers, eye treatments, anaphylaxis kit, Imodium, compazine and Diamox. Because of liability problems, prescription drugs will only be dispensed in emergencies. We suggest you bring the following medical items. Please discuss this with your physician.
- Intestinal disorders: Compazine, 25mg rectal suppositories; for severe nausea, vomiting. Imodium, to decrease diarrhea and cramping. Tetracycline, Cipro or Bactrim antibiotics: for initial treatment of severe diarrhea. Activated charcoal has proven to be an effective first stage treatment.
- Cuts and scrapes: It’s wise to bring a supply of “Bandaids” to treat those abrasions that sometimes occur.
- Infections: Antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasions. Erythromycin or Amoxacillin tablets for skin or soft tissue infections.
- Blisters: It is wise to bring your own small supply of blister treatment items to insure that you avoid letting any blister get out of hand. “Second Skin” and moleskin are recommended
- Headaches: Tylenol and tylenol with codeine** to help relieve possible altitude headaches. Nothing stronger than codeine should be taken for fear of masking potential severe altitude problems while on the mountain.
- Insomnia: Halcion** 15mg tablets. In high altitude mountaineering restlessness is not uncommon and sleep is very important. Halcion is a light sleeping pill, we do not recommend using any sleeping pills above 15,000 feet. We have also found Melatonin to be very helpful for jet lag.
- High Altitude Sickness: Diamox** (acetazolamide) 250mg tablets to be taken twice a day from 13,000 feet to the top. This drug is widely used in high altitude mountaineering and is highly recommended.
** These drugs are recommended by Peter H. Hackett, M.D., in his American Alpine Club publication
“Mountain Sickness Prevention, Recognition and Treatment.”
Please note that while camping, you will have no access to electricity or shavers or hair dryers. In hotels, you will occasionally find 240 volt AC/55-cycle with three pin square ‘British’ type sockets therefore you will need to bring an adaptor for your appliances. In some camps you will have access to inverters to charge phones and camera batteries only.
Travel Requirements
Visas for Tanzania can be obtained on entry for most countries. As the prices and entry requirements do change sometimes we suggest all travellers contact the nearest Tanzanian Embassy for exact details.
While in Tanzania on safari with African Environments all leaders are trained to Wilderness First Responder level, an advance first aid qualification designed for leaders in the outdoors. Our vehicles are equipped with safety equipment including first aid kit.
We recommend all clients take out a reputable travel insurance policy and can also arrange a local emergency services coverage if necessary. Please discuss this with our travel expert.
Travel Health & Vaccination Guide for Safaris in Tanzania
At African Environments, safety and wellbeing are at the very heart of what we do – whether you’re standing on the roof of Africa or watching elephants drift through the Serengeti grasslands. We’ve put together this simple guide to help you prepare for your time in Tanzania. It draws on decades of experience running expeditions across East Africa, so you can travel with confidence knowing you’re properly protected.
Routine Vaccinations
Before travelling anywhere, it’s important that your routine immunisations are up to date. We recommend checking with your doctor that you’re current with: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis, Polio, and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). These form the foundation of good travel health.
Strongly Recommended for Tanzania
We recommend the following for all travellers joining a safari or Kilimanjaro climb with us: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Malaria prophylaxis. For malaria prevention, the most common medication is Malarone. Your doctor can advise if this is best for you. We also recommend insect repellent (DEET or picaridin), long sleeves at dusk, and sleeping under mosquito nets – all of which we provide in camp.
Yellow Fever
If you have come from or transited through a yellow fever endemic country then a vaccination is mandatory. You will be required to show your yellow fever vaccination certificate (usually a little yellow booklet) at the airport. If you haven’t visited or been in transit for more than 12 hours in one of the endemic countries then you don’t need to be vaccinated. The good news – you used to need to be revaccinated every 10 years but now a single yellow fever vaccination has been deemed to offer lifetime protection. You can see the list of endemic countries here; https://www.moh.go.tz/storage/app/uploads/public/65a/f76/a77/65af76a777832906196271.pdf
Altitude and Kilimanjaro
If you’re climbing with us, you may wish to discuss Acetazolamide (Diamox) with your doctor. This medication can help your body adjust to altitude, though our carefully designed itineraries already allow for excellent acclimatisation.
Other Good Health Habits
Hydrate well, pack a small personal medical kit, use sun protection, and ensure your travel insurance includes medical evacuation cover.
Before You Travel
Visit your travel health clinic or GP at least 6–8 weeks before your trip. They can check your vaccination record and prescribe any prophylaxis you may need. We’re happy to share itinerary details with your doctor if helpful.
At African Environments, we’ve spent over three decades guiding travellers safely through Tanzania’s wildest and most beautiful places. With a few simple preparations, you can focus entirely on the joy of being out there – breathing the mountain air, watching the sun set over the plains, and knowing you’re in safe hands.
What to Expect while in Tanzania
Tanzania is a relatively peaceful yet still developing African county with a vast and wild wilderness. The countries natural attractions; the mountains, animals, rare cultures, beautiful beaches and exotic locations have helped develop a healthy tourism industry which thankfully allows millions of people directly and in-directly to earn a good living. However, poverty can still be seen while visiting Tanzania and it is advised to act as respectful as possible. Please talk to your guide about taking photographs, customs and actions that may offend while in-country.
Tanzanian people by nature are extremely friendly and warm but bear in mind that crime does exist like in all cities around the world. Your leader will brief you fully on arrival regarding personal safety. Please do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need.
While traveling in Tanzania with African Environments you should expect a wonderful and memorable adventure very much out of the ordinary from your normal lifestyle. There will be great food, big smiles, new sights and smells, most probably dust or mud and a many stories. Get ready to have fun!
