Kilimanjaro in Tanzania lies in the Kilimanjaro Region, near Kenya, about 200 miles south of the equator. Known as the "Roof of Africa," it’s a UNESCO World Heritage contender and a bucket-list destination for trips to Mt Kilimanjaro.

Climbing Kili is a rewarding challenge. Here’s how to prepare:

Pick a Route:

• Marangu: Hut-based, beginner-friendly.

• Machame: Scenic, popular.

• Lemosho: Quiet, diverse.

• Rongai: Drier, north approach.

• Northern Circuit: Longest, best for acclimatization.

Our passionate and highly trained mountain crew totals about 150 people, including guides, assistant guides, cooks and porters. Many of our guides and cooks began their careers with us as porters and have been part of Duma Explorer since we started in 2004.

Our mountain guides each have a minimum seven years experience hiking Kilimanjaro, while most of our porters, assistant guides and cooks have been climbing for at least five years. Duma's chief guides and most assistant guides are Wilderness First Responder certified. Many of our cooks and porters have first aid training.

During a Kilimanjaro climb, clients hike with at least one head guide, an assistant guide, cook and several porters.

Duma Explorer proudly supports responsible travel by partnering with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. Duma Explorer regularly meets or exceeds all requirements of fair treatment of porters. KPAP monitors our treatment of porters by sending their staff on our climbs, conducting porter interviews and holding meetings with Duma's porters and management to discuss feedback. Please email us for our latest monitoring report from KPAP.

Partner Requirements

In order to qualify as a partner, Duma must adhere to the following porter treatment guidelines on Kilimanjaro:

• Porters are paid a minimum of 20,000Tsh per day, the wage amount accepted by the porter unions in 2014.

• Salaries must be paid within 2 days of the descent of a climb.

• A transparent tipping procedure so porters receive the full tip amount intended for them.

• Loads carried by the porter should not exceed 20 kg for the company excluding porters personal kit.

• Porters are provided with 3 meals per day.

• Porters have proper shelter conditions and sleeping equipment.

• Porters are outfitted with proper gear.

• Sick or injured porters are properly cared for.

Vegetarian

We happily prepare tasty vegetarian food; just let us know in advance so we can make the necessary preparations.

Water

On Kilimanjaro trips, we filter all drinking water using First Need water filters. We supply all of your drinking water needs and you can refill your bottles in the mornings and evenings.

Tanzanian Food

Delicious staple foods found throughout Tanzania include ugali (maizemeal), chapati (thick naan-like bread), kichumbari (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper salad), nyama choma (barbecued meat - goat, chicken, beef) and mchicha (green vegetable stew). Dishes specific to Northern Tanzania include ndizi nyama (banana beef stew) and mahindi maharage (maize and bean stew). If you would like to try Tanzanian food, let us know prior to your climb or camping safari and we'll include some delectable local dishes on your menu.

Healthy Eating

Be sure to wash your hands often with soap and avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits. Before meals, wash and dry your hands before touching your food. Do not eat food sold by street vendors. Wipe the mouth of soda and alcohol bottles before drinking and ensure that water bottles are sealed properly before purchasing. Also, eat fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas, unless it is fruit prepared by Duma. Please ask our cooks and guides if you unsure about any food.

Sample Menus

All meals are cooked with the freshest seasonal produce that is sourced locally whenever possible. All fruit and vegetables and most meat is purchased from local markets. While fruits are seasonal, most vegetables are obtained year round from local producers.

Non-vegetarian Sample Menu:

• Appetizer: Hot vegetable or chicken soup / Fresh cucumber, tomato and carrot salad

• Main Course: Tasty beef stew and rice / Fish fillet with a side of baked potatoes topped with a vegetable sauce / Chicken quiche cooked in the 'bush oven' with a side salad / Roasted chicken or beef with a side of cooked bananas and potatoes

• Dessert: African pancake with honey / Seasonal fruits / Fried bananas topped with chocolate / Caramel custard

Vegetarian Sample Menu:

• Appetizer: Hot vegetable, carrot or cucumber soup with bread / Fresh cucumber, tomato and carrot salad

• Main Course: Vegetable quiche with mixed salad and fried potatoes / Rice with eggplant sauce, a side of vegetables and avocado salad / Spaghetti with carrot and pea sauce, a side of spinach and cucumber salad

• Dessert: African pancake with honey / Seasonal fruits / Fried bananas topped with chocolate / Caramel custard

Tanzanian Food Sample Menu:

• Appetizer: Hot banana, pumpkin or peanut soup with bread / Stuffed beef chapati

• Main Courses: Ndizi Nyama (Cooked bananas mixed with beef or vegetables) / Maharage Nazi (beans cooked in a coconut sauce) / Wali Nyama (Spiced rice topped with a beef and tomato sauce) / Kachumbari (Cucumber, tomato and carrot salad. Viazi Mboga: potatoes topped with a vegetable coconut sauce)

• Dessert: Tanzanian pancake topped with honey / Seasonal fruits

Duma uses high-end mountaineering equipment to ensure that you are comfortable and warm during your Kilimanjaro climb. Tents are rated for use in harsh environments with sub-zero temperatures and strong winds.

Tents and Sleeping Equipment

• Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1

• North Face Summit Series tents including VE25, Mountain 25 and Mountain and Him 35

• Cold weather sleeping mattresses (foam)

• Marmot Lair 8 and North Face Dome 5 & 8 Mountaineering Mess Tents

• Hot water bottles for your tent at night

• Toilet tent

• Shower tent available for an additional fee ($350/group)

• Note: We use three man tents for every two guests.

Camp Equipment

• Tables and chairs with backs.

• Toilet tent

• First Need water filters

• Staff tents

• All kitchen items necessary for the climb

Our equipment is carefully checked and cleaned after every climb and replaced regularly.

During the climb, Duma porters will transport your gear as well as the food and equipment from camp to camp. We use large waterproof bags to store your personal gear and our equipment to protect it from the rainy weather on the mountain. It is not necessary for you to purchase an expedition pack for the climb; a soft sided duffel bag without wheels is sufficient.

Wilderness First Responders

Duma takes safety seriously, all our staff are highly trained. We employ Wilderness First Responder Certified guides, and first-aid certified porters.

Our guides have a wealth of experience on the mountain and are equipped with:

• First aid kit

• Pulse oximeter

• Two way radios

• Portable altitude chamber on Crater Camp ascents

  Although Duma's head guides carry first aid kits, we recommend carrying your own first aid kit with essential items such as topical antibiotic, bandages, moleskin and prescription medicines.