Yes! Winrica Adventures does offer special group rates for all of our adventures. The bigger the group, the less cost per individual person.

The pricing on our website is based on cost per individual during the peak tourist season. Depending on the adventure itinerary, seasonal variations in cost can differ quite considerably.

For example, a customized safari or tour for 4 guests will be more affordable than for 2 guests, simply because the cost of some logistics, such as transfers and vehicle, is spread across a higher number of people. Small group set departure safaris and tours are typically more affordable than customized tours, simply because the itinerary is costed on a minimum group size and promoted to our travel agencies.

If you are traveling with a group and would like more specific pricing and/or to customize your tour, please contact us here.

We are happy to tailor your adventure for you and your group!

You can experience a phenomenal safari in Tanzania all year round! But if you would like to do a safari based on what you would like to see the most, here are some tips:

January and February:

• Peak season

• Pro: Calving season, so you will be able to see lots of baby animals

• Con: Most popular season, so parks can be crowded at times

March to May:

• Off-peak season

• Pro: Lush vegetation and quiet, uncrowded parks

• Con: Lots of rain and animals can be harder to spot

June to October:

• Peak season

• Pro: Sunny weather & the animals are easy to spot

• Con: Large crowds, especially in the Serengeti

November and December:

• Off-peak season

• Pro: Fantastic birdwatching and smaller crowds

• Con: Tends to be hot and humid

Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year. No months are off limits. That said, some months are better than others in terms of climate and weather, and so offer a better, safer experience.

Generally speaking, the clearest skies and best trekking conditions for Mt Kilimanjaro occur between mid December and mid March, and between mid June and October.

Kilimanjaro has two rainy seasons: a long rainy season between mid March and mid June, and a short rainy season between November and mid December.

All that said, it’s important to point out that Kilimanjaro is its own boss, and it does what it wants, when it wants! It can rain at any time, snow on the summit at any time … you get the picture. You just never know for sure what the weather and temperatures will be like, and so while you should certainly make an educated decision as to when to trek, it’s also good to not expect certain conditions. Always come prepared for anything! Expect the unexpected.

Visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania.

Foreign nationals may apply for a visa online in advance of travel. Applicants may complete the e-visa application form and make payment online with a credit card or bank transfer at www.immigration.go.tz. If the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email. Present a copy of the grant notice to the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in Tanzania.

U.S. citizens may also obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania. The cost is $100 USD. Be prepared to pay in cash in case connectivity issues make electronic transactions impossible.

A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuance and/or date of entry, and at least one blank visa page, is required. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.

Be prepared to show your passport and explain your visa status when entering or departing Zanzibar or when traveling around the mainland.

For step by step directions on the eVisa application process click here.

No, you only need one visa to enter both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Island.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and it is also the tallest free standing mountain in the world and this is why it is mandatory for you to purchase travel insurance.

Due to the high altitude, remote location, and demanding conditions of a Kilimanjaro trek, travel insurance is compulsory for all participants. Anyone taking part in a Kilimanjaro climb will be required to show proof of insurance before the start of the trek.

A trip to Africa is a significant investment and having the right insurance policy can help mitigate the risk you face should something go wrong.

Travel insurance may cover you in case of:

• Unexpected trip cancellation

• Trip interruption

• Missed flight connections

• Travel delays

• Lost baggage

• Other unforeseen circumstances, such as injury or family illness or emergency medical evacuation

It’s important that whatever policy you choose also covers high altitude activities. That isn’t the case with every insurance plan, so be sure to ask for it specifically.

For climbing Kilimanjaro, explain to your insurance company that you are not taking part in technical mountaineering, but that you are high altitude trekking up to 19,341 ft elevation.

To ensure you are covered for medical evacuation to your home country, you might consider a stand-alone medical evacuation plan.

This is in addition to your standard travel policy, that covers you for high altitude trekking.

Supplemental medical evacuation coverage is not mandatory, and you should consider what’s right for your unique circumstances, and what’s covered in your travel policy.

Don’t know where to start? We recommend Allianz Travel.

We are happy to inform you that Tanzania is one of the safest African countries! And when traveling with Winrika Adventures, you are in good hands.

We are owned and operated by Winford & Erika Bogan-Mtui. Winford is a Tanzanian citizen and Erika, his wife, is a US citizen with a disability (spinal cord injury). Erika travels frequently to and from Tanzania independently in her wheelchair and she has never felt unsafe.

At no point during your Tanzania trip with us are you alone, unless of course you choose to be. We pick you up from the airport and chauffeur you around during your stay, before driving you back to the airport. In this way you're always looked after by men and women who know the country intimately and know how to keep you safe.

Of course, no matter where you travel to you should always be sensible. We suggest following the same sorts of guidelines you’d follow anywhere else in the world, especially if travelling on your own (versus with a tour operator).

For Example:

• Avoid deserted stretches of beach and other isolated places

• Take a taxi at night instead of walking

• Don’t show off your valuables or leave them in an empty vehicle.

Also, when on a safari, don't try to cuddle a baboon, ride an ostrich, or feed the crocodiles grapes. (But seriously, no selfies with the wildlife.) Be sensible, stay inside the 4x4, and always, always listen to your safari guide's instructions and advice.

We really do advise traveling with a company, like Winrica Adventures, that has locals serving as tour guides. Such men and women are invaluable in keeping you safe during your travels.

When talking about Malaria in Tanzania, it is always recommended to be prepared, just in case. Although malaria is very dangerous, the statistics around the number of cases in Tanzania are very vague.

You are more at risk in the lower altitude regions than you are on Mt. Kilimanjaro. For example, you will be more at risk if your trip includes excursions like safaris, day trips and/or just being in town or the villages. When trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro, you are at lesser risk once you are above the rain forest region of the mountain.

If you ask us locals, we will tell you, we do not often see or hear of anyone sick because of malaria, BUT that is not to say that there is still not a chance to contract the disease from an infected mosquito. Tanzania is located in the “Malaria Zone” of Africa.

With that said, there is not currently a vaccine for malaria. We recommend the following precautions for our guests:

• Use insect repellant

• Wear long pants and long sleeves, as well as closed shoes, if possible.

• Sleep under a mosquito net. Most hotels and lodges have them as standard practice, but if you are camping it is a good idea to ask before coming to Tanzania.

• Get prophylactic medication from your doctor or local health department by prescription to help prevent malaria or in case of malaria infection.

• To Read more recommendations for US Tourists and for list of medications for malaria prevention visit: www.cdc.gov/malaria

In 2019, the Government of Tanzania banned all plastic carrier bags of all thicknesses in a bid to reduce plastic pollution. While the plastic ban is mainly aimed at manufacturers and suppliers, travellers are also warned to not bring plastic bags into the country.

We understand that this new ban can pose an inconvenience to our guests, especially those who are planning on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Reuseable and resealable plastic bags (like Ziploc bags) are the exception to the rule.

The thinking here is that these are used in airports worldwide for transporting toiletries. Also, such resealable plastic bags are likely to remain on you – hopefully leaving the country the same way that they came in.

Alternatively, instead of using plastic ziplock bags, you can also find quality waterproof fabric storage bags. These come in larger sizes and will be used again and again on your travels. So it's just a one time expense.

Here are some that we use and love:

• Reusable Silicone Ziplock bags

• Organic Cotton Reusable Bags

It is very important to Winrica Adventures that our clients understand the importance of our tipping policy. It is one of our missions to raise awareness, advocate for and to help improve the lives and working conditions of our guides, porters, cooks and other staff members who are local Tanzanians. In doing so, we have established a tipping guideline and process to help ensure all of our staff is advocated for and to safeguard their fair and ethical treatment.

We recommend you take note and read our guidelines which are provided here.

Tipping for safaris and cultural day tours on both mainland Tanzania & Zanzibar Island, is somewhat different from the Mount Kilimanjaro tipping system. Every company who offers safaris have different tipping rates and procedures.

At Winrica Adventures, we recommend you should carry a quantity of smaller bills to tip the staff at safari lodges and camps ($1, $5, $10) just as you would in the US. Typically they have a shared jar for tips.

For Safari Tour guides, we recommend tipping $10- $20/person per day, depending on the size of your group.

Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the most common reason Mt. Kilimanjaro trekkers do not make it to the summit of the mountain. Truth be told, there really is not a lot of “training” that can prevent it. You can be the strongest, most fit person on the mountain and still get AMS, and vice versa, you can be the most unhealthy person on the mountain and make it to the top! There are not a lot of predictors as to who will get it.

There are two things that can be done to help prevent AMS:

• Acclimatization is the first way to prevent AMS, and rest assured, our guides and routes are trained and pre-planned to achieve the best acclimatization for Kilimanjaro, per climbing guidelines.

• Getting a prescription for Acetazolamide (Diamox) from your doctor is the other best method to preventing altitude sickness. When taking Diamox, you should make sure to have a good fluid intake, as it will act like a diuretic, and you will be needing extra hydration just being at higher levels of altitude. The typical dosage is 125mg to 250mg twice daily for adults, and it should not be used with young children, except under close medical supervision. Diamox should be started 24 hours before ascent and continued only for the first two days at high altitude while acclimatization occurs.

**NOTE: Diamox should NEVER be used as an alternative to gradual ascent or acclimatization.

Communication with your guide is also very important, as your guides are highly skilled and knowledgeable about AMS. If you’re feeling under the weather, have a headache, nausea or any other symptom, you must tell your guide. These symptoms are the first signs of AMS. If there are beginning signs of AMS, simple analgesia (e.g. ibuprofen) can be taken for headaches.

While hiking, your guide will be keeping a lookout for any early signs of trouble:

• Are you having difficulty on the trail, stumbling or very tired?

• Are you eating well, or is your appetite diminishing?

• Do you keep stopping to catch your breath, and having difficulty breathing?

• Are you drinking enough water?

• Any signs of erratic behavior or confusion?

Every day, you’ll have a one-to-one meeting with your guide for a comprehensive health check-up:

• Using a pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen saturation and resting pulse rate, using this data in combination with:

• Symptom picture, using the Lake Louise Scoring System to determine whether you are showing signs of altitude sickness

• Self-assessment questions to determine how you are feeling

• Constant monitoring prevents a mild case of altitude sickness from escalating into an emergency.

IF AT ANYTIME YOUR GUIDE OR ASSISTANT GUIDES FEEL YOU ARE WORSENING THEY WILL HAVE YOU DESCEND THE MOUNTAIN TO LOWER ALTITUDES FOR YOUR SAFETY & HEALTH.

Emergency Oxygen & Medical Supplies

Our team carries a comprehensive medical kit, including bottled oxygen, and portable stretcher.

We carry supplemental oxygen for emergency use only.

The only cure for acute mountain sickness is immediate descent to a lower elevation.

In the case of an injury that prevents a climber from descending on foot, we use a portable stretcher that is provided by the National Park at each campsite.

Oxygen can be administered to alleviate AMS in combination with immediate descent.

We carry a first aid medical kit to treat minor injuries.

Helicopter Evacuation on Kilimanjaro

In the event of an emergency, we use a search and rescue service that operates out of Moshi. After a distress call, a helicopter will be dispatched to the nearest landing point and the patient can be airlifted off the mountain and taken to the local hospital. Please note, in the event of adverse mountain weather, a helicopter may not be able to land, and if this is the case, a manual evacuation will need to take place via a stretcher provided by the National Park.

It’s important that you take responsibility for your safety, including:

• Don’t ignore symptoms. If you have a headache, loss of appetite, nausea or any unusual symptom, tell your guide immediately

• Don’t try to “push through”. Mild signs of altitude sickness can often be successfully treated without evacuation, but ignoring them can be dangerous

• Keep an eye on your team-mates. If you see someone struggling or behaving erratically, tell your guide

• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.

This is definitely one of the most frequently asked questions we get and we are well prepared to talk about it!

When in camp, there are two types of toilets:

• Public Toilets: The public toilets at campsites are long drops that are open to anyone. They're usually used by mountain crews and climbers traveling with budget tour operators. In case you are not familiar with a long drop toilet, we will explain.. A long drop toilet or pit latrine, is basically a hole in the ground that you squat over and do your business. Marangu Route is the only route on Kilimanjaro that has public toilets at every camp.

• Private Toilets: These are camping chemical toilets with seats and with a privacy tent that you can rent for a fee and a porter will carry it along the route. If you would like this option on any route, including Marangu, please let us know when booking.

For pictures of what to expect for both, click here.

Peeing when hiking for women:

For women, it's a good idea to pack a urinating device like a Shewee that allows you to pee while standing up.

Click here for our recommendation.

We also recommend taking along a pee cloth so that you don't need to be fussing with toilet paper.

Click here for an example.

We provide some more helpful links for women only here.

Pooping while hiking:

We like to call this call of nature, “Sending an email”. And it can happen at anytime. When you have to go, you have to go.

It probably goes without saying, but try to send any emails in the morning before departing camp.

You won't of course, always be able to control when the need for a number two arises. And we should point out that a big jump in elevation actually makes you need to poop (and sometimes quite urgently). So it's possible that at times on the climb you'll feel the need for a bowel movement when you normally wouldn't.

Expect the unexpected, is what we're saying.

The important thing to note here is that Kilimanjaro has a leave-no-trace policy. So you can't bury toilet paper. And of course you shouldn't leave poop exposed. This means you need to carry the following in your daypack in addition to your own toilet roll (remove the core to save room when packing):

• A small trowel to dig a hole for your poop and then cover it up (and perhaps a drawstring canvas bag or similar to store that trowel in).

• Biodegradable wet wipes for cleanup

• Biodegradable plastic bags for storing your used toilet paper/wipes until you can dispose of it in the bin provided at camp.

We say to bring biodegradable plastic bags for carrying your used toilet paper because the Government of Tanzania doesn't allow you to bring in single-use plastic bags.

Click here for our recommendation.

Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro involves going through five main climate zones, from the warm, humid rain forest and lower slopes, to the bitterly cold summit zone, with glaciers, ice and snow. You need to be prepared for all Kilimanjaro weather conditions: sunny, windy and rainy. There is a weight limit for your duffle bag, which will be carried by our porters, making planning and packing challenging for some. This is why we have put together a detailed recommended packing list to help you prepare. You can find it here.

We have chosen Chanya Lodge in Moshi for our client hotel accommodations. We fell in love with this property after our own stay there because of their commitment to economic and ecological local sustainability, their lush gardens, well trained staff, multi-cuisine restaurant and at-home-in-paradise vibe! You will stay here before and after your trekking adventure. Click here for more information.

The range of safari lodges that are available is enormous, from budget to luxury, which can cost a significant amount per night. For each park we have chosen what we consider to be the best sensibly priced options for our clients. We have rated the view from the inside out. It was important for us to choose accommodations that were ethically and ecologically conscious and that had the best experiences for our clients, which included friendly and welcoming staff and the value for the money.

If there is a lodge that you would rather stay at, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to set up your accommodations for you. You can find out more about the lodges that we have chosen here.