Important Information

VISAS: All visas are the responsibility of the traveller, and should be arranged in advance of arriving to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Although visas can be arranged upon arrival, we recommend making arrangements in advance to avoid possible delays or problems. 

CULTURE SHOCK: Tourism in Tanzania is somewhat developed, but you can expect to see extreme poverty, and service levels may not be what you’re used to.

LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: Long story short, homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania. While locals in the tourism industry are more accepting, complete discretion is advised (even heterosexual public displays of affection are frowned upon on the Muslim coast and in Zanzibar). That said, your crew and staff with Out Adventures are all very welcoming.

WEATHER: January is typically dry, though there is potential for snow near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Temperatures in Arusha hover around 25C/77F, but will drop roughly 6.5C for every 1,000m we ascend. The averages are 9C/48F at 3,150m/10,300f, 2C/25F at 4,500m/15,00f, and -6C/20F (-13C/8F with wind-chill) at the summit.

VACCINATIONS: Based on entry requirements, there are no other vaccinations needed for entry unless you are travelling from a Yellow Fever Zone (in which case you will be required to provide proof of Yellow Fever vaccination). To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations. 

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type D and G sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/us/tanzania for more information. There will be no access to power during your hike. It is important that you bring portable chargers, and if you use a battery-powered CPAP machine, it will likely not last the full duration of the hike.

CONNECTIVITY: All hotels, lodges and camps will have Wi-Fi (though possibly spotty). Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with friends and family at home!

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation may be felt while travelling in high altitudes. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, general lethargy, and a reduced appetite. It’s important that you drink plenty of water, and not overexert yourself. A comprehensive first-aid kit is carried by our support crew during treks, and senior staff are trained to prevent, detect and – if necessary – deal with AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Contrary to what many say, AMS is not that common, at least not on well-paced treks. You should consult your primary physician prior to embarking on this trip to ensure you are prepared with any recommended supplements or medications. If you have recovered from Covid-19, you should discuss this trip with your physician prior to booking, and you should ensure that you are capable of hiking and sleeping at high altitude well in advance of beginning the tour.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must include medical coverage of US$50,000 and emergency repatriation coverage of no less than US$200,000.

Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage.

All Out Adventures are led by an LGBTQ+ (or LGBTQ-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. 

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.

Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.

The tour includes breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 8 dinners.

Rivertrees Country Inn

Usa River
Tanzania
T: +255 743 600 160

Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). We recommend carrying a few small bills for small purchases and souvenirs. Credit cards are accepted by the hotels and some safari camps, but there may be surcharges. We also recommend carrying about $400 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.

If you’re pleased with the service throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Details will be provided in your final trip documentation, but we recommend budgeting about $300 – $360 USD for your host, local guide, porters and trek support staff.

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get heavier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.

The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.

Travel Documents:

• Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
• Pre-trip packet
• Credit/ATM card
• Yellow Fever vaccine certificate if travelling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever

General Personal Items:

• Eye mask/Ear plugs
• Alarm clock/watch
• Headlamp flashlight and spare batteries 
• Camera, memory cards, Spare batteries
• Smart device/charging cord (there will be intermittent signal on the mountain if you have an unlocked phone)
• Portable battery/device charger
• Travel plug/international adapter
• Sunglasses with UV filter lenses
• Snacks
• Headphones & music

Health/Hygiene:

• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs 
• Personal Medication
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm + sun barrier cream for nose/ears
• Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
• Antibacterial gel/wipes
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant, small towel
• Tissues/toilet paper as we can’t guarantee the quality provided on the mountain
• Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters

Clothing:

• Sweat-wicking short and long sleeve t-shirts
• Fleece jacket
• Down gloves or mittens
• Thermal pants and shirts for sleeping
• Lightweight pants for hiking
• Sweat-wicking underwear (briefs provide less chafing)
• Good quality hiking socks, and thin liner socks one size too small to prevent stretching/blisters
• Gloves/warm hat
• Long sleeved shirts/T-shirts
• Bathing suit

Gear:

• Large waterproof duffel/cargo bag (70-90 litres of capacity)
• Waterproof Day pack (35-50 litres of capacity), preferably with camelback liquid holder, to carry anything you need access to during the day such as your camera, sunscreen, waterproof outer layer, first aid kit, water, rehydration tablets, hat, sunglasses, lip balm, etc.
• Waterproof bag covers, and waterproof liners or bags to store items in your bags
• Bags for trash and laundry
• Sleeping bag – minus 10 degrees Centigrade rating or colder (can be rented locally)
• Supplements/inter-meal energy supplements & recovery drink powder/portable electrolyte replacement tablets
• Insulated down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and pants that can fit over down jacket if necessary (can be rented locally)
• Waterproof, worn-in, sturdy walking boots with a Gore-Tex or similar waterproof membrane. While Alpine or C3 boots are not required for Kilimanjaro it is important that your boots have good ankle and arch support and good deep tread patterns.
• Calf gaiters to keep rocks, dirt and water out of your hiking shoes/boots (can be rented locally)
• Balaclava 
• Gore-Tex Mountain Cap/Wool Hat
• Walking sticks/poles (can be rented locally)
• Playing cards/book/e-reader for evening entertainment
• Refillable water bottles/camelback with 3 litre capacity
• Water purification tablets – we will provide bottled water initially then this will be replaced by treated water throughout the trek, so no need to bring your own purification equipment unless you choose to do so.

*Our team of guides will also carry a more comprehensive first aid kit along with emergency oxygen for the treatment of severe cases of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level