Stand on the Roof of Africa: Kilimanjaro (8-Day Lemosho Trek)

Introducing Tanzania: The Adventure Capital of Africa

Tanzania is the best place to experience an African safari. Safe, accessible and populated with large herds of Africa's most exotic wildlife, including the Big Five. Tanzania is best known for:

• The great migration
• Cultural immersions with the Maasai
• Big 5 Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti
• Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru & Ol Doninyo Lengai (volcano) treks
• Chimpanzee trekking at Gombe Stream National Park
• Zanzibar's historic Stone Town and pristine white beaches
• Mafia Island's whale sharks
• The life-changing School of St Jude or East Meru Community School (our Tanzanian charity partners)

and much, much more. In our opinion, Tanzania is the adventure capital of Africa. 

About safari in Tanzania

Receiving approximately 1 - 2 million visitors each year, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is a particular favourite, as it is one of only two places you can witness the Great Migration. The Serengeti has also been voted "The best safari destination in Africa" more times than any other safari park. 

Tanzania’s best safari parks can be split into two regions, the Northern Circuit and the Southern Circuit, and both offer incredible game viewing opportunities. 

1. The Northern Circuit is the most popular and the best place for your first safari.
   • Widely regarded as the best region to spot the BIG 5, huge herds of antelope, elephants and giraffe, and the only area you can spot the great migration, you can't go wrong with a Northern Circuit safari.
   • It’s worth remembering that, as a popular safari destination, large crowds can be expected, especially during the high season from July - September.
2. The Southern Circuit is a great place to experience a unique safari without the crowds.
   • The parks in this regional are less famous, but still offer a unique experience, and the animals tend to be a little more wild as they are less used to tourists.
   • There are fewer lodges in the South, so it is important to talk to an expert to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. 

What is the best time to safari in Tanzania?

The best time to visit Tanzania is between Jan - Mar and Jul - Sep when weather is clear and warm, and wildlife is abundant. Each month has its own pro's and con's though, and below is a breakdown to help you decide which time of year is best for you:

• January to March: Calving season
  • January to March is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania because it is calving season in the Serengeti.
  • At this time of year, the Great Migration herds slow down and mothers give birth to their calves. This is a great time of year to see young animals taking their first steps. Fresh babies also bring a lot of big cats!
• April to May: Big rains
  • The long rains are not an advisable time of year to go on safari, as roads can become flooded and riddled with potholes. Many tours also don’t operate during this time, and some camps and lodges close during this season.
• June: Early river crossings
  • June is a fantastic time to watch the early river crossings in the Western region of the Serengeti around the Grumeti River. 
  • Few tourists, great animal sightings and pre-peak season rates make for a fantastic safari. 
• July to August: Peak season
  • Late June to early August is the peak season for the Northern Circuit, especially in the Serengeti, as this is when the Great Migration occurs.
  • The north-western Serengeti is the best place to be for the beginning of the migration, between late June and July.
  • In August, the migration moves into the northern Serengeti. This is where you can catch a glimpse of herds making the perilous journey across the crocodile-infested Mara River into Kenya.
• September to October
  • The Great Migration moves into Kenya throughout September & October, so wildebeest sightings become less frequent. While you may catch the last of the Great Migration in early September, if you want to go on safari at this time of year, it is usually best to visit the Masai Mara in Kenya.
  • Unless you want to avoid the crowds of the Masai Mara and don't care about the great migration, then September - October is a wonderful time for safari. 
• November to December: Short rains
  • The short rains arrive through November to December, and the herds begin to return to the Serengeti following the Great Migration.
  • This is a good time of year to avoid crowds, but still see plenty of wildlife, as long as you aren't scared of getting a little wet. 

What do I need to know about travelling to Tanzania?

• Visa Requirements:

  • Most visitors will need a visa.
  • Australian tourists can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa before travel.

• Currency:

  • The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency.
  • US dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas, but carry some Tanzanian Shillings for smaller purchases from local providers.
  • Australian dollars are unlikely to be accepted, and will receive a poor exchange rate from banks. 

• Language:

  • The official language is Swahili.
  • English is commonly spoken in urban and tourist areas.

• Health and Safety:

  • Yellow Fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country with yellow fever (i.e. Kenya, Uganda, and many other countries in Africa).
    •  The yellow fever vaccination is a live vaccine and effective for life.
    • Your doctor may advise you not to have the vaccination if you are:
      • Over 60 years old
      • Have existing medical conditions.
    • Please consult a doctor for more information. 
  • Malaria is present and we recommend taking the necessary precautions, including mosquito repellents and anti-malaria medication.
  • Always drink bottled or filtered water.

• Electricity:

  • Tanzania uses 230V, 50Hz electricity with Type D and Type G plugs (three rectangular pins used in the UK).
  • Bring a travel adapter to ensure your devices stay powered.

• Time Zone:

  • Tanzania operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3.

After exploring Tanzania, it is also very easy to visit other East African countries where you can:

• Trek with gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys in Rwanda or Uganda.
• Witness the Great Migration or trek Mt Kenya in Kenya
• White water raft in Uganda
• Explore 4th - 13th century churches, marvel at active volcanoes and eat incredible food in Ethiopia
• And much more.

For more details, please visit our blog: https://www.adventureoutloud.com.au/blog/the-best-safari-parks-in-tanzania-and-when-to-visit

Do you have what it takes to tackle the Highest Free-Standing Mountain in the World? 

With sheer cliff faces, giant towering glaciers and endless panoramic views, Kilimanjaro is a trekkers holy grail. Reaching Kilimanjaro’s highest point is an extreme challenge. Battling multiple long days trekking, freezing conditions and high altitudes, trekkers must leave their comfort zones and push themselves to the limit. There may be blisters and tears, but as you stand on top of the “Roof of Africa”, watching the sun rise over Africa’s endless savannahs, you’ll feel a sense of “Freedom”, at one with yourself and with nature, and the euphoria of success. 

With challenging treks, stunning scenery and 5 different ecosystems, it is no wonder Kilimanjaro has been voted “Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction” for the past 3 consecutive years. Here's a sneak peak of what you can expect...

During this adventure, you will be trekking the:

• Lemosho Route over 8 days to give you the best chance to acclimatise and reach the summit. More details can be found in the day by day itinerary. 

Kilimanjaro success rates

Since 2015, we've helped 98% of our adventurers SAFELY summit Kilimanjaro. We'd love to help you do the same. We have a safety over summit policy, which is why we do not sell treks that are fewer than 7 days, and the 8 day Lemosho is our preferred route due to its superior acclimatisation. 

Kilimanjaro is a challenging trek...

Kilimanjaro is a trek which will appeal to those wanting to push themselves. You will need to be undertaking a regular exercise program, have a good level of fitness and be up for a challenge. Most days you will be trekking up to 10km over 4 - 6 hours, which is challenging at high altitudes. On summit night, you will be trekking for up to 10 - 12 hours at extreme altitude, approximately 6 - 7 hours of this trekking will be in the dark. Trekking each day is at a very slow pace on rocky marked trails, with some steep inclines and declines. Treks involve carrying a day pack weighing up to 6 - 10kg in variable weather conditions. Experienced guides are with you each day. 

A note about fitness & preparation:

A regular fitness program that involves at least 3 to 4 sessions per week of aerobic activity, along with hill walking with a pack and trekking on uneven surfaces is recommended.

Most people who can comfortably complete 1 hour of continuous, high-intensity exercise at least 3 times each week will be fit enough to trek Kilimanjaro. Most sections of the track are not extremely difficult and none require technical gear or climbing experience. What makes Kilimanjaro challenging is altitude. If this track was at sea level, most people would comfortably finish it. Given we reach altitudes of almost 6,000m, no matter how fit you are, you will find this trek challenging, and we highly recommend you physically and mentally prepare for this adventure - more in our info pack under training.

The far bigger challenge on Kilimanjaro is giving your body enough time to acclimatise so you can safely continue to ascend. This is where our team of high-altitude experts make a huge difference. We will push you to the absolute limit and our team will go above and beyond to help you reach your goal. We will not however risk your safety or life to summit a mountain. That is why we monitor your heart rate & oxygen stats 2 - 3 times a day, we carry an emergency oxygen tank, we only offer 7 or more day treks and we have an absolute safety over summit policy. 

Kilimanjaro will be one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences of your life. Take the first step to standing on the Roof of Africa by EXPRESSING INTEREST below. 

This 2 day adventure will see you visit the life changing School of St Jude. Here you will have a chance to tour the school, join in a frantic lunch time soccer, handball or netball game, participate in a music or art class and visit the home of one of St Jude's eager young students (if you sponsor, you will visit your sponsor student's home). During this home visit, you will get the chance to meet the student's family and immerse in Tanzania culture as you sample local foods and learn a to speak a little Swahili. This is one of the most transformational and rewarding experiences that Adventure Out Loud offer and we guarantee you are going to love it.

More about the School of St Jude:

Founded by Australian Gemma Sisia in 2002, St Jude has grown into one of the most respected schools in Tanzania. With a mission to fight poverty through education, St Jude achieves their objectives by providing a high-quality, free education to 1,800 disadvantaged Tanzanian students. To receive a scholarship at St Jude, you must be both bright and disadvantaged (i.e. living below the poverty line, etc), and to keep your scholarship you must maintain a "B" grade point average. St Jude have adopted these strict conditions as a way of inspiring their students to achieve greatness, with many aiming to be Tanzania's next doctors, lawyers, engineers and leaders. 

Since their first graduating class in 2015, St Jude has had a number of students receive full scholarships to prestigious universities in America and around the world. Most recently, a survey of families with a student who had graduated from St Jude, found that more than 80% of these families were no longer living in poverty.

St Jude is very close to our heart and in many ways, it is the time that our founder, Nate, spent volunteered at St Jude (from 2013 – 2015) that greatly influenced Nate's passion for keeping disadvantaged children in school and inspired him to start Adventure Out Loud as a catalyst for making a difference in the world through adventure travel. 

Here is a little more about the School of St Jude: