COMMUNICATIONS IN RWANDA

Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire country. International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several Internet cafes and computer centres.

LANGUAGE IN RWANDA

In addition to the indigenous language, Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages. French is widely spoken throughout the country, while many people speak English in Kigali and the main tourist areas. Kiswahili is also widely spoken around the country.

HEALTH IN RWANDA

A certificate for yellow fever vaccination is required. Malaria is present and anti-malarial drugs are recommended. Bottled mineral water, which is available in all major towns, is recommended instead of drinking ordinary tap water.

GETTING TO RWANDA

Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport is located at Kanombe, 10km east of Kigali centre. Airlines connect Kigali with Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Bujumbura (Burundi), Entebbe (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Brussels (Belgium).

The following airlines have offices in Kigali:

Air Burundi

Ethiopian Airlines

Kenya Airways

Rwandair Express

SN Brussels Airline

South African Airways

MONEY IN RWANDA

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr), which is sometimes also abbreviated to ‘Frw’. It’s best to come to Rwanda with US dollars or euros in cash. The only useful bank branch in the country is Banque de Kigali in the capital, which offers cash advances on credit card and can change travellers cheques, neither of which is possible in the provinces. There are ATMs in Kigali, but most are not yet wired to an international network. Credit cards can be used in some upmarket hotels and restaurants in Kigali.

Bureaux de change – which are mostly in Kigali– offer slightly better exchange rates than banks. Moneychangers hang around central Kigali and usually give a slightly better rate, but count your money carefully. All banks, and most bureaux de change, are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Make sure you have US dollars with you, if you plan to cross the borders, because they don't accept any other currency. This is the case in all African countries, it is really frustrating to find dollar bills sometimes. There are numerous Forex bureaux (exchange offices) in Kigali with better rates than banks. If you need to withdraw cash from banks you can use your Visa card with the ATMs of several central banks. You can also have a money advance with your Master card in the Bank of Kigali.

WHAT TO BRING TO RWANDA

Binoculars will greatly enhance game drives and forest walks, as will a good field guide to East African birds. Bring a camera and an adequate stock of film. Print film is available but transparency film is not. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.

WHAT TO WEAR IN RWANDA

Dress codes are informal. Daytime temperatures are generally warm, so bring lots of light clothing, supplemented by light sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Parc des Volcans and Nyungwe. When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to protect against stinging nettles, and wear solid walking shoes. A hat and sunglasses provide protection against the sun, and a waterproof jacket may come in handy in the mountains where it is often times moist.

CLIMATE & WHEN TO GO TO RWANDA

The average daytime temperature is around 24°C, except in the higher mountains, which take up a lot of the country, where the range is 10°C to 15°C. Rwanda can be visited at any time of year. The dry season from mid-May to mid-October is easier for tracking mountain gorillas, but the endless hills are barren, a contrast to the verdant greens of the wet season. Peak season for gorilla tracking is July and August, travelling outside this time means it is easier to arrange a permit.

It rains more frequently and heavily in the northeast, where the volcanoes are covered by rainforest. The summit of Karisimbi (4507m), the highest peak in Rwanda, is often covered with sleet or snow.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR RWANDA

Visas are required by everyone except nationals of Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the USA.

From a Rwandan embassy or consulate, tourist visas are valid for three months, cost US$60 and can be extended in Kigali. Two photos are required, and visas can usually be collected within 24 hours.

Two-week extendible tourist visas are available at the Kigali airport and at the major land borders with Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda, for US$60.

Visa extensions

Visas can be extended at the Ministère de l’Intérieur (585856) in Kigali, in the Kacyiru district, about 7km northeast of the city centre. It takes about one week and costs US$30 per month.

Visas for onward travel

Visas for Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda are available from embassies in Kigali.

HEALTH/IMMUNISATION TIPS FOR UGANDA

Visitors to Uganda are required to take vaccination shots against yellow fever and cholera. A dose of anti-malaria tablets is strongly advised. For those intending to go on camping trips, a mosquito repellent is highly recommended. Bilharzia is common in some lakes and swimming is not recommended except in designated areas. Only drink bottled or boiled water, in hotels/ lodges safe drinking water is always provided. Medical facilities are easily available in all medical centres. Please note that insurance should be taken at place of origin before departure.

TIPS ON PAYMENT IN UGANDA

Large shops accept credit cards, especially in the touristy part of the town, big supermarkets and safari lodges. In small shops and markets you have to pay in cash, ensure you have the local currency in smaller denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10, 000 Uganda Shillings, for quicker and safer transactions.

TIPS FOR SHOPPING IN UGANDA

Shopping in Uganda is generally easy, fun and exceptionally rewarding, but the following tips are useful especially when you are a first time traveller to the East African country.
1. Fixed prices are the norm in most Super markets, department stores and a number of shops in Kampala, but at most other places, bargaining is acceptable and expected.
2. Shop around to compare prices – this is especially important with durables such as Electronic Appliances.
3. Obtain a receipt for goods bought and check if it is correct and the amount matches what you have paid leaving the shop.
4. Do not let a stranger or an unfamiliar person take you to go shopping.
5. Bear in mind that the price difference especially reflects on the quality of the product. It is paramount that you consider the more pricey which is most times value-worth.
6. It is also important to take note that shops in hotel arcades pay high rents and accordingly prices tend to be higher than at street shops. So expect higher prices here.

Uganda has a number of other places to shop. Most shopping centres are second to none, and whether its clothes, computers, gems or mobile phones that you are looking for, visitors marvel at the range and quality of what’s on offer. If shopping is your thing, a visit to Uganda will very likely satisfy your passion.

SHOPPING IN UGANDA

Uganda is one of the best places in East Africa for shopping and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets.
Overall, Shopping in Uganda is an experience to thrill and delight the most discerning of shoppers – whatever it is you’re looking for. You’ll Find Everything from Clothes to Ceramics, and Metal Work to Musical Instruments.  From the gleaming chrome and towering size of modern, air-conditioned malls, to the hustle and bustle of its famously buzzing street markets.

Most vendors and staff at the shopping Arcades in addition to being fluent in several local languages, speak good enough English. Most shops in Uganda cities and towns open by 07.00am to 10.00pm every day and night markets carry on even up to mid night.

CURRENCY IN UGANDA

The unit of currency is the Uganda Shilling which is easily convertible to United States Dollar and British Pound. The exchange rates of both units fluctuate from time. For visitors to Uganda it is safe to carry sterling pounds or US$ (travellers cheques and cash).

BANKS IN UGANDA

Commercial banks dominate the country’s financial sector and account for over 90% of the assets of the banking system. They are charged with providing banking facilities to the public and operate the payments mechanism. These include among others: the Uganda Development Bank, the African Development Bank, Centenary Bank, Stanbic Bank-Uganda, the Development Finance Company of Uganda- DFCU Bank, Housing Finance Bank, Baroda Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, East African Development Bank, Diamond Trust Bank, Barclays Bank, Crane Bank and many others.

WHAT TO WEAR IN UGANDA

Day time temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who intend to hike on the mountains will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Clients intending to engage in gorilla tracking and mountaineering in Uganda must be aware of harsh conditions. Gloves, Jackets, waterproof jeans, jumpers, sweaters, sunglasses, strong hiking boots/shoes are recommended. While on any other safaris sports shirts, slacks, light cotton dresses, skirts and tops are suitable.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO UGANDA

Uganda is an all year travel destination. Most of Uganda enjoys the perfect equatorial tropical climate. In general terms, the lowland area and lake shores enjoy a warm climate while it is cooler in the highlands. Temperatures average about 26°C during the day and 16°C at night. December to February is the hottest period.

CLIMATE IN UGANDA

Uganda experiences an equatorial climate. In reality, Uganda’s climate can be categorized into 3 sub-climatic divisions mainly differentiated by altitude. Most of the country is a plateau more than 1,000m above sea level bounded by mountain ranges of Rwenzori in the West and Elgon in the East. The lowland areas of the country as well as the lake shores enjoy a warm climate. It becomes cooler as you move towards the highlands. The country experiences two distinct rainy peak seasons namely, March to May and October to late November.

ACCOMMODATION IN UGANDA

Accommodation facilities in Uganda are ample and range from hotels, privately managed lodges, tented camps, hostels, Guest houses to self-catering apartments. In the capital, you can choose from a number of classy hotels for instance Kampala Serena Hotels, Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Hotel Triangle, Equatorial Hotel, Grand Imperial Hotel, Hotel Africana and so much more. There are also several classy accommodation options in serene environments upcountry. Travellers here are advised to make their reservations well in advance.  All packages booked with Wildfrontier Africa Travel include accommodation.

GETTING TO UGANDA

All flights to Uganda touch at Entebbe International Airport, located 40km south of the capital city, Kampala. Over 15 airlines service Uganda. The major airlines with flights to Entebbe include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, Air Emirates, South African Airways, SN Brussels, British Airways, Air Tanzania, Rwandair and East African Airways.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR UGANDA

Travellers are issued with a single visa to Uganda and on arrival you will be given a traveller’s pass depending on how long your stay will be in the country. Multiple entry visas are granted to business executives who make several visits to the country for business dealings.

You will require a Uganda visa if you are not a citizen of Uganda as a pre-requisite before entering the country. A visa is a clearance permitting you to proceed to visit another country.
Acquiring the visa upon arrival at Entebbe Airport or any other overland boarder is cheaper and the process straight forward, moreover the chances of Visa denial are almost zero if you can meet the simple entry requirements.
Sufficient Funds: No amount is currently specified by the immigration but having a Credit Card and a return ticket are good evidence to convince the immigration officer that you have enough money with you.
Return / Onward Tickets: This is your evidence to prove that you have enough money on you, however, if you possess a one-way ticket, be ready to do some explaining to the immigration officer who might think you do not have enough funds to buy a flight out the country.
You will therefore need to present a visitor's pass for your next destination outside Uganda to avoid messing up your trip. You may actually have to buy a return ticket to your country before being allowed entry into Uganda, therefore, if you plan to leave the country overland, then organize your trip with an airline where a refund can be given for the unused ticket and at such dates and in search countries where you will be able to access the refund.

Ø  Single entry visa US$ 50

Ø  Multiple entry visa (6-12 months) US$ 100

Ø  Multiple visa (24 months) US$ 150

Ø  Multiple visa (36 months) US$ 200

Ø  Student entry visa US$ 100

MALARIA AND MALARIAL PROPHYLAXIS FOR KILIMANJARO

You are highly unlikely to contract malaria on Kilimanjaro, which is too high and cold for the anopheles mosquito (the species that carries malaria). Nevertheless, Malaria is a problem in Tanzania, which is considered one of the highest risk countries in the world. Malaria is particularly rife in coastal areas and on Zanzibar. There are even some cases just south of Moshi.

When beginning a course of anti-malarials for Tanzania, it is very important to begin taking them before you go, that way the drug is established in your system by the time you set foot on Tanzanian soil and it will give you a chance to see if the drug is going to cause a reaction or allergy. Once started, complete the full course, which usually runs for several weeks after you return home.

Which anti-malarial you need depends on which parts of Africa you are visiting and your previous medical history. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what drug is best for you. With Tanzania in the highest risk category, the chances are you will be recommended either Lariam (the brand name for mefloquine), Doxycycline or the new drug Malarone, which is supposedly free of side effects but very expensive. Stories of Lariam causing hallucinations, nightmares, blindness and even death have been doing the rounds in travellers’ circles for years now but if you feel no adverse reaction – and millions don’t – carry on taking them and don’t worry. Incidentally, there is some anecdotal evidence that taking malarone can affect the efficacy of Diamox. Ask your doctor if he has any views on this.

Of course the best way to combat malaria is not to get bitten at all. A repellent with 30% Diethyltoluamide (DEET) worn in the evenings when the malarial anopheles mosquito is active should be effective in preventing bites. Some use it during the day too, when the mosquitoes that carry yellow and dengue fevers are active. Alternatively, you could just keep covered up with long sleeve shirts and long trousers, sleep under a mosquito net and burn mosquito coils, these are available within Tanzania.

ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS

Acute mountain sickness is an illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travellers at high altitude (typically above 8,000 feet or 2,400 meters).

Causes

Acute mountain sickness is due to a combination of reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

The faster you climb to a high altitude, the more likely you will get acute mountain sickness. Your symptoms will also depend on the speed of your climb and how hard you push yourself.

You are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness if:

You live at or near sea level;

You had the illness before.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening, and can affect the nervous system, lungs, muscles, and heart.

In most cases, the symptoms are mild. Symptoms generally associated with mild to moderate acute mountain sickness include:

Difficulty sleeping

Dizziness or light-headedness

Fatigue

Headache

Loss of appetite

Nausea or vomiting

Rapid pulse (heart rate)

Shortness of breath with exertion

Symptoms generally associated with more severe acute mountain sickness include:

Bluish discoloration of the skin (cyanosis)

Chest tightness or congestion

Confusion

Cough

Coughing up blood

Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction

Grey or pale complexion

Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all

Shortness of breath at rest

Exams and Tests

Listening to the chest with a stethoscope reveals sounds called crackles (rales) in the lung, which may be a sign of fluid in the lungs.

A chest x-ray may be performed.

Treatment

Early diagnosis is important. Acute mountain sickness is easier to treat in the early stages.

The main treatment for all forms of mountain sickness is to climb down (descend) to a lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. You should not continue climbing if you develop symptoms.

Extra oxygen should be given, if available.

People with severe mountain sickness may need to be admitted to a hospital.

Acetazolamide (Diamox) may be given to help improve breathing and reduce mild symptoms. This drug can cause increased urination. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol when taking this drug.

If you have fluid in your lungs (pulmonary oedema), treatment may include:

Oxygen

A high blood pressure medicine called nifedipine

A type of drug called a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (such as sildenafil)

Lung inhalers beta agonists

A breathing machine, in severe cases

Dexamethasone (Decadron) may help reduce swelling in the brain (cerebral oedema).

Portable hyperbaric chambers allow hikers to simulate conditions at lower altitudes without actually moving from their location on the mountain. These devices are very helpful if bad weather or other factors make climbing down the mountain impossible.

Prognosis

Most cases are mild, and symptoms improve promptly when you climb down the mountain to a lower altitude.

Severe cases may result in death due to lung problems or brain swelling.
In remote locations, emergency evacuation may not be possible, or treatment may be delayed. This can have a negative effect on your outcome.

Possible Complications

Coma

Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)

Swelling of the brain

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have or had symptoms of acute mountain sickness, even if you felt better when you returned to a lower altitude.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you or another climber has any of the following symptoms:

Severe breathing problems

Altered level of alertness

Coughing up blood

Climb down the mountain immediately and as safely as possible.

Prevention

Tips to preventing acute mountain sickness include:

Climb the mountain gradually

Stop for a day or two of rest for every 2,000 feet (600 meters) above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters)

Sleep at a lower altitude when possible

Learn how to recognize early symptoms of mountain sickness

If you are traveling above 9,840 feet (3,000 meters), you should carry enough oxygen for several days.

If you plan on quickly climbing to a high altitude, ask your doctor about a medication called acetazolamide (Diamox). This drug helps your body get used to higher altitudes more quickly, and reduces minor symptoms. It should be taken the day before you climb, and then for the next 1 to 2 days.

If you are at risk for anemia, ask your doctor if an iron supplement is right for you. Anemia lowers the amount of oxygen in your blood.

While climbing:

Drink plenty of fluids

Avoid alcohol

Eat regular meals, high in carbohydrates

You should avoid high altitudes if you have heart or lung disease.

DIAMOX – IS IT WORTH TAKING ON KILIMANJARO?

What is Diamox?
Acetazolamide (traded under the brand name Diamox) is the wonder drug that fights AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), and the first treatment doctors give to somebody suffering from mountain sickness. Indeed, many travellers use it as a prophylactic, taking it during the trek up Kilimanjaro to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

How does Diamox work?

Diamox works by acidifying the blood, which stimulates breathing, allowing a greater amount of oxygen to enter into the bloodstream. Always consult with your doctor before taking Diamox to discuss the risks and benefits. If you do take it, remember to try it out first back at home to check for allergic reaction, as Diamox is a sulfa-derivative, and some people do suffer from side effects, particularly a strange tingling sensation in their hands and feet.

What are the disadvantages of taking Diamox on Kilimanjaro?

The disadvantage with taking AMS prophylactically, at least according to one doctor serving on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, is that you are using up one possible cure. That is to say, should you begin to suffer from AMS despite taking Diamox, doctors are going to have to look for another form of treatment to ensure your survival. For this reason, a number of trekkers are now busy buying the drug and taking it up the mountain with them, but are using it only as a last resort when symptoms are persistent. If you are unfamiliar with Diamox and uncertain about the effect it could have on you, this is perhaps the best option.

A MEDICAL KIT FOR KILIMANJARO

Take a medical kit with you onto the mountain - as few agencies, at least at the budget end, will have one. In theory many of the mountain huts have first-aid kits, but take one anyway just to be on the safe side, for you never know what they’ll have, how old it will be or how far you’ll be from the nearest station when you need help.

A medical kit to take with you up Kilimanjaro should include the following:

Antiseptic cream for small cuts and grazes.

Plasters.

Bandages for twists and sprains as well as for larger flesh wounds.

Compeed for blisters.

Elastic knee supports for steeper gradients, particularly if you have knee problems.

Anti-malarials - Though you’re highly unlikely to catch malaria on the mountain- you’ll be above the anopheles mosquito’s maximum altitude for nearly all the trek, if you’re on a course of anti-malarials you should continue taking them.

Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Paracetamol or other painkillers, though do read the post on Acute Mountain Sickness in this blog and the medical indications in the packet before using these.

Bismuth subsalicylate - The active ingredient in Pepto-bismol, which could be useful for settling upset stomachs.

Imodium stops you going when you don’t want to go, which could come in handy.

Insect repellent useful on the first and last day, though above the tree-line the climate is too cold for most insects to survive.

Rehydrating powders such as Diarolyte. Usually prescribed to people suffering from diarrhoea but useful after a hot day’s trekking as well.

Lip salve or chapstick/vaseline useful for that night time haul to the summit, where the wind will rip the skin from your lips.

Throat pastilles useful, as the dry, dusty air causes many a sore throat.

Any current medication you are on - bring with you all your needles, pills, lotions and potions.

Diamox - Diamox is the brand name for Acetazolamide, the drug that fights Acute Mountain Sickness and which many people use prophylactically on Kilimanjaro. To help you decide whether you want to bring some of these with you, visit our Diamox post on this blog.

Sterile needles - If you are having an injection in Tanzania, insist that the doctor uses your new needles. Carry everything in a waterproof bag or case, and keep at least the emergency stuff in your daypack.

LUXURY ITEMS FOR KILIMANJARO

Mobile phone - You should be able to get reception on much of the southern side of the mountain - including, so it is said, on the summit. What better place could there be from which to phone friends stuck behind their desks at work on a rainy day?

Walkman’s/CD/MP3 players and iPods - Undoubtedly unnecessary on Kilimanjaro, as you won’t want to listen to music during the day and you’ll probably be too tired to listen in the evening. Nevertheless, while most find the idea abhorrent, people do still bring their music on the trek with them, including many porters. There is nothing wrong with a little mountainside music of course, but do remember that while you may think you’ve found the perfect soundtrack for climbing up Kilimanjaro, others on the mountain may disagree.  Bring headphones, so as not to disturb.

Hot water bottle - A number of trekking companies now supply them as standard. Get your crew to fill it with hot water before bedtime, and use the water in the morning to drink or wash with.

Pillow - Bulky and a pain to carry, of course – but so much nicer than resting one’s weary head on a scrunched-up fleece at the end of the day.

Diary/reading material - Though you’ll probably be too tired to read or write much.

Champagne - For celebrating, of course, though don’t try to take it up and open it at the summit - the combination of champagne and altitude sickness could lead to tragedy and, besides, the glass could well crack with the cold.

USEFUL ITEMS TO TAKE WITH YOU UP KILIMANJARO

Earplugs - Some porters on Kilimanjaro have stereos and mobile phones, and they love advertising this fact by playing the former and speaking into the latter extremely loudly at campsites. A set of earplugs will reduce this disturbance.

Plastic bags - Useful for segregating your wet clothes from the rest of your kit in your rucksack on Kilimanjaro.

Aluminium sheet blanket - An aluminium sheet blanket provides extra comfort if your sleeping bag on Kilimanjaro isn’t as warm as you thought.

Sandals/flip-flops - A change of footwear on Kilimanjaro is useful in the evenings at camp , but make sure they are big enough to fit round a thick pair of socks.

Candles - By all means bring candles with you to Kilimanjaro, but don’t use them in the tent and keep them away from everybody else’s tent too.

Bootlaces/string.

Clothes pegs - Clothes pegs on Kilimanjaro are very useful for attaching wet clothes to the back of your rucksack to allow them to dry in the sun while you walk.

Penknife - Always useful, if only for opening beer bottles at the post-trek party.

Matches - As with the penknife, always useful, as any boy scout will tell you.

Sewing kit - For repairs on the trail.

Trowel - If you envisage needing to defecate along the trail at places other than the designated toilet huts, this will help to bury the evidence and keep Kilimanjaro looking pristine.

Insulating tape - Also for repairs - of shoes, rucksacks, tents etc. and as a last resort for mending holes in clothes if you have forgotten your sewing kit, or are incapable of using it.

She-wee AKA the Miss Piss, this is for ladies who want to wee without the bother of removing layers or getting out of the tent at night. According to some, the ‘female urinal’ is cheaper and better. Guys, by the way, usually make do with an empty mineral water bottle.

Watch - Preferably cheap and luminous for night-time walking.

Compass - Not essential, but useful.

Map - A map is not essential, but will, in combination with a compass, help you to determine where you are on Kilimanjaro, and where you’re going.

Whistle - It’s difficult to get lost on Kilimanjaro but if you’re taking an unusual route - on the northern side of the mountain, for example, or around Mawenzi - a whistle may be useful to help people locate which ravine you’ve fallen into, in the event that should happen.

Trekking poles - If you’ve done some trekking before you’ll know if you need trekking poles / sticks or not. If you haven’t, assume you will. While trekkers on Kilimanjaro often use trekking poles / sticks -also called ski poles - the whole way, trekking poles really come into their own on the descent, to minimize the strain on your knees as you trudge downhill. Telescopic poles can be bought from trekking/camping outfitters in the West, or you can invest in a more local version - a Maasai ‘walking stick’ from souvenir shops in Moshi or Arusha.

Boiled sweets/chocolate - On Kilimanjaro sweets are great for winning friends and influencing people. Good for energy levels too.

Bandanna (aka ‘buff’) - For keeping the dust out of your face when walking on the Saddle, to use as an ear-warmer on the final night, and to mop the sweat from your brow on those exhausting uphill climbs. Also useful for blocking out the odours when using the public toilettes at the campsites.

Chapstick/lip salve or vaseline - The wind on the summit of Kilimanjaro will rip your sunburnt lips to shreds. Save yourself the agony by investing in a chapstick, available in strawberry and mint flavour from pharmacists in Moshi and Arusha.

Money - For sundry items on sale at huts en route to and from the summit of Kilimanjaro.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD YOU GIVE OUT AS TIPS ON KILIMANJARO?

The gratuity system on Kilimanjaro follows the American-style, that is to say, a tip is not so much a bonus to reward particularly attentive service or honest toil, as a mandatory payment to subsidize the poor wages the porter and guides receive. In other words, tipping is obligatory.

To anybody born outside the Americas this compulsory payment of gratuities seems to go against the very spirit of tipping. Nevertheless, it is very hard to begrudge the guides and porters a decent return for their labours – and depriving your entourage of their much-needed gratuities is not the way to voice your protest against this system.

As to the size of the tip you should give on Kilimanjaro, there are no set figures or formulas, though we do urge you to let your conscience instruct you on this matter as much as your wallet. One method that’s currently very popular is for everybody to contribute 10% of the total cost of their trek towards tips. So if you paid US$850 for your trek, you should pay US$85 into the tip kitty. If there are only one or two of you, it would be better to pay slightly more than 10%.

EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT ON KILIMANJARO

Sleeping bag - On Kilimanjaro, the warmer the sleeping bag the better. A three-season bag is probably the most practical, offering a compromise between warmth and cost. A two-season plus thermal fleecy liner, the latter available in camping shops back at home, is another solution.

Sleeping mat - On Kilimanjaro a sleeping mat is essential if camping but unnecessary if you’re following the Marangu Route, when you’ll be sleeping in huts. Trekking agencies usually supply sleeping mats - ask them before you buy one yourself.

Water bottles/Platypus Hoser system - We recommend you carry at least three litres of water per day. Make sure your bottles are thermally protected or they will freeze on the summit.

Regular army-style water bottles are fine, though these days many trekkers prefer the new Platypus Hoser-style systems, or CamelBaks, a kind of soft, plastic bladder with a long tube from which you can drink as you walk along. They have a number of advantages over regular bottles in that they save you fiddling about with bottle tops and you can keep your hands in your pockets while you drink – great on the freezing night-time walk to the summit.

While they encourage you to drink regularly, which is good for dealing with the altitude, they also discourage you from taking a break, which is bad. What’s more, these systems usually freeze up on the way to the summit, especially the hose and mouthpiece. One way to avoid this – or at least delay it – is to blow back into the tube after you have taken a drink to prevent water from collecting in the tube and freezing. Adding diarolyte also helps to delay freezing. So if you are going to bring one of these with you, make sure it’s fully insulated – and don’t forget to take frequent breaks!

Water purifiers/filter - Water purifiers are also essential on Kilimanjaro, unless you intend to hire an extra porter or two to transport your drinking water up from the start. While you can get your cooking crew to boil you some water at the end of every mealtime, you’ll still find purifiers and/or a filter essential on Kilimanjaro if you’re going to drink the recommended four-five litres every day, for which you’ll have to collect water from the mountain streams.

Of the two, purifying tablets, such as iodine, are more effective, as they kill everything in the water, though they taste awful. A cordial will help to mask this taste, you can buy packets of powdered flavouring in the local supermarkets. Filters are less effective and more expensive, though the water they produce tastes much better.

There’s now a third option, the Steripen, which kills waterborne microbes by using ultraviolet light. The pen is simple to use. Simply hold the pen in a litre of water for 30 seconds and....that’s it. The only quibble is that you can use it on only one litre of water at a time, so it can be awkward if you have, for example, a three-litre bottle.

Torch - On Kilimanjaro a head-torch, if you have one and don’t find it uncomfortable, is far more practical than a handheld one, allowing you to keep both hands free, on the last night up the slopes of Kibo to the summit this advantage is pretty much essential, enabling you to keep your hands in your pockets for warmth.

Sunscreen - A high-factor sunscreen (35-40) is essential on Kilimanjaro.

Towel - The argument here is over which sort of towel to bring to Kilimanjaro. Many trekkers just bring one enormous beach towel, because they plan to visit Zanzibar after the trek and don’t see the point of packing two towels.

At the other extreme there are the tiny so-called ‘travel towels’, a sort of chamois-cloth affair sold in camping shops and airport lounges the world over. Some people swear by these things, but others usually end up swearing at them, finding that they have all the absorbency of your average block of obsidian stone. Nevertheless, these travel towels do have their uses on Kilimanjaro, where opportunities to wash anything other than your face and hands are minimal. You can dry your towel by attaching it to the outside of your rucksack with clothes-pegs.

Sunglasses - Sunglasses on Kilimanjaro are very, very necessary for the morning after you’ve reached the summit, when the early morning light on Kibo can be really painful and damaging. If you’re climbing via the Glacier Route or are going to spend some time on the summit, they could be essential on Kilimanjaro for preventing snow-blindness.

Glasses/contact lenses - For those who need them, of course. Contact lenses are fine but super-expensive ones should be avoided on the final assault to the summit as there’s a risk that when the strong cold wind blows across the saddle on assault night the lenses can dry and go brittle very quickly and fall out of the eye. Affordable disposable lenses should be worn and that spare glasses be carried, especially during the assault on the summit. Obviously you’ll need to be extra careful to keep your hands super clean and dry when putting the contact lenses in.

Money for tipping - The gratuity system on Kilimanjaro follows the American-style, that is to say, a tip is not so much a bonus to reward particularly attentive service or honest toil, as a mandatory payment to subsidize the poor wages the porter and guides receive. In other words, tipping is obligatory. To anybody born outside the Americas this compulsory payment of gratuities seems to go against the very spirit of tipping. Nevertheless, it is very hard to begrudge the guides and porters a decent return for their labours – and depriving your entourage of their much-needed gratuities is not the way to voice your protest against this system. As to the size of the tip you should give on Kilimanjaro, there are no set figures or formulas, though we do urge you to let your conscience instruct you on this matter as much as your wallet. One method that’s currently very popular is for everybody to contribute 10% of the total cost of their trek towards tips. So if you paid US$850 for your trek, you should pay US$85 into the tip kitty. If there are only one or two of you, it would be better to pay slightly more than 10%.

Toothbrush and toothpaste - Ensure your dental checks are up-to-date, if there is one thing more painful than climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro, it’s climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro with toothache.

Toilet paper

Tampons/sanitary towels

Contraceptives

Carry everything in a waterproof bag or case, and keep at least the emergency stuff in your daypack - where hopefully it will lie undisturbed for the trek’s duration.

A KILIMANJARO KIT LIST

Any trekking agency on Kilimanjaro worth its licence will provide a tent, as well as cooking equipment, cutlery and crockery. You will still need to pack a few other items, however, if you don’t want to return from your trek as a sun-burnt, snow-blinded, dehydrated, wretch with hepatitis and hypothermia.

Most of these items can be bought or rented in Moshi or Arusha. Your agency can arrange equipment rental, which is the most convenient way, though you may well find it cheaper to avoid going through them as they will, of course, take their cut.

Note that the following lists concern the trek only. It does not include items necessary for other activities you may have planned on your holiday, such as binoculars for your safari, or a bucket and spade for Zanzibar.

Before buying or renting all of the following, check to see what your agency will supply as part of their trekking package. Many will provide mattresses and water purifiers, for example, which will save you a little.

Climbers package - Mt Kilimanjaro gear rental from Tanzania - Prices quoted in US Dollars

Rental item	COST IN US DOLLAR - 6 day climb
Sleeping bag (length 220 cm) Optional: Please supply your own liner	35
Rucksack / Daypack	10
Balaclava	5
Poncho	15
Duffel bag	5
Hiking poles (Set)	10
Gaiters	7
Torch	7
Gloves	5
Raincoat	10
Rain pants	10
Warm jacket	10
Fleece pants	5
Fleece jacket	7

Standard package - Mt Kilimanjaro gear rental from Tanzania - Prices quoted in US Dollars
Rental item	COST IN US DOLLAR - 6 day climb
Sleeping bag (length 220 cm) Optional: Please supply your own liner	35
Summit jacket (Shell jacket)	10
Waterproof jacket	10
Waterproof trousers	10
Gaiters	10
Pair of walking poles	10
Headlamp (excl AAA batteries)	10
Balaclavas	5
Warm Gloves	10
Day Pack	15
Duffle Bag	20
Poncho	15

Sizes available: Large & X-large.

Rental terms and conditions applicable in Tanzania:

A credit card number can be supplied as a guarantee for your deposit payment. The relevant deposit will be forfeited on all unreturned or damaged items.

All equipment rental is subject to demand and the availability of rental equipment or specific sizes cannot be guaranteed. To avoid disappointment it is strongly recommended that all your rental equipment is booked well in advance of your planned trip.

Important! Please note that NO equipment must be washed by the clients under any circumstances.