Safe Travel to Tanzania; COVID-19 and How to Safely Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Where Is Tanzania?

Tanzania is in East Africa; the country is on the coast and borders the Indian Ocean. 

In the north, Tanzania shares a border with Kenya and Uganda, and in the south are the countries of Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. In the west, the country borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. 

Tanzania also includes the idyllic touristic islands of Zanzibar and Mafia, which have an abundance of marine life and coral reefs.

The country is also well known for its vast Serengeti plains. In this enormous national park, you can easily see the ‘big 5’ game. The Serengeti hosts one of the world’s oldest ecosystems that hasn’t changed in approximately 1 million years.  

Tanzania’s population is 59.7 million people. Each year 1.5 million tourists(opens in a new tab) visit the country from around the world. 

How Long Does It Take To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

The fastest route you should take to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro is seven days. Due to the considerable altitude of the peak, you need to take your time to reach the summit. 

Your body needs to acclimatize to the altitude as you make your ascent. Altitude sickness is the number one reason people have to stop the trek and don’t make it to the top of the mountain. 

You can also take the 8-day Lemosho Route (opens in a new tab)or 9-day Northern Circuit Route(opens in a new tab). Both these routes give you a little more time to enjoy the trek.

During your hike at Kilimanjaro, you will see a wide variety of landscapes, including the desert plains, grasslands, tropical forests, and alpine meadows, before you reach the ice and snow at the summit. The changing landscape as you go through the hike is one of the things that makes this trek so unique. 

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is incomparable to any other trek you will do anywhere in the world. 

What Route Do You Take To Climb Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania? 

There are four main routes to summit the mountain. These are: 

• 7-day Rongai Route (opens in a new tab)
• 7-day Machame Route(opens in a new tab)
• 8-Day Lemosho Route(opens in a new tab)
• 9-day Northern Circuit Route(opens in a new tab)

You can choose your route depending on your fitness levels and how fast you want to progress with the climb. 

The Rongai route is less common; you approach the mountain from the northern side. This route is the preferred route during the rainy season as it is slightly more protected. The great thing about this route is it’s much less frequented, so you won’t see many other hikers on the trail. 

The Lemosho route is more popular; it takes eight days, so you get an extra day to acclimatize. The success rate for people who choose this route is 95%. 

All routes offer 360 panoramic views of the mountain and surrounding landscapes while you hike. If you want more information about the different paths and how to choose the correct route, check here.(opens in a new tab)

Is It Safe to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

The guides who will take you up Kilimanjaro are highly experienced, know these routes well and always prioritize your safety.

The climb can be challenging due to the high altitude. Anyone can suffer from altitude sickness, whatever their fitness level. Guides have full training to help people who suffer from altitude sickness during the ascent.

You should train before you come to climb Kilimanjaro to give yourself a head start. Turning up without any training or experience climbing a mountain before will make the hike extremely tough for you both mentally and physically. 

Weather conditions and freezing temperatures are other factors you need to think about when considering a Kilimanjaro hike. As you approach the summit, the freezing conditions can make the climb difficult to endure and exhaust you more easily. 

To ensure you are climbing the mountain safely, you should bring the recommended clothing and equipment. We will send you a list of things to get when you book your tour with us or click here(opens in a new tab) to learn more. 

Entry Requirements for Tanzania

Everyone needs a negative PCR test to enter Tanzania, whether by air, sea, or overland. 

You need to have taken your negative PCR test within 72 hours of traveling. You also need to fill out a Traveler Surveillance Form (opens in a new tab)on the Tanzanian Government website within 24 hours of traveling. Note that if you want to travel to Zanzibar, you must fill out a separate health declaration form. 

If you arrive from a country considered ‘high risk,’ you will need extra testing and screening on arrival. You can find an up-to-date list of countries deemed to be high risk by the Tanzanian Government here(opens in a new tab). 

The full travel advisory (Travel Advisory No. 10, of 16th March, 2022) from the Tanzanian government can be found here.

Rapid testing is available at Kilimanjaro airport, and you can complete your rapid test there before you leave to travel back to your home country.

If you require a PCR test to go home, you can get tested in the Covid19 PCR testing centers in Moshi Town at KMCM Hospital, in Arusha at Mount Meru Regional. There’s also a testing center in Karatu just outside Ngorongoro Conservation (Fame clinic) & one inside the Serengeti National Park at Seronera Village.

The cost is approximately $100 USD. Make sure to contact the local facilities to schedule your appointment for testing within 72 hours of your departure flight. It can take up to 48 hours to receive PCR test results.

What can you do while you await your test results? Many people opt to go on safari for a few days after their climb. It’s a perfect way to relax after a challenging climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. Alternately, there are local day tours in the areas surrounding Kili. Try out Materuni Waterfalls and spend a few hours at coffee farm run by Chaga tribesmen.

We also recommend volunteering for a day at a local school(opens in a new tab) or other charitable organization.

Plan Your Trip To Tanzania

Travel to Tanzania, especially Kilimanjaro, will give you a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list travel experience that will stay with you forever. There’s no other place on earth like Mount Kilimanjaro; the diversity of landscape, ecosystems, and hospitality you will experience here is extraordinary.

It is safe to travel to the country, and you can be assured that everything is being done to ensure the safety of travelers visiting. We want tourists to start making their way to Tanzania once more so that local people can work and support their families again. 

We offer flexible bookings(opens in a new tab), so you can rest assured you can change your booking up to 30 days before your departure date should you need to.

Get started booking your trip with Roam Wild Adventure today(opens in a new tab).