Choosing the Best Kilimanjaro Guides

Choosing the Best Kilimanjaro Guides : Can you climb Kilimanjaro without a guide? It is impossible for anyone to hike Kilimanjaro without a guide. Since 1991 Tanzania changed the policy to restrict anyone without a guide to hike the mountain. The regulations demand that all trekkers must have guides to accompany them to the hike. All the guides of the Kilimanjaro are licensed and registered.

As a matter of security, trekkers will sign at each camp they reach beginning with the starting point of any route. All trekkers must stay on the designated routes and wood fires are not allowed.

You must have proper camping gear and cooking gear, this means you will also hire a porter and a cook and these are also registered.

Therefore without a planned and premeditated organization it is impossible to hike the Kilimanjaro. If you choose to hike without a cook and a porter, you will need to seek permission as well but a guide is mandatory.

Depending on the route you choose, you will pay between $800 to $1200 for entrance and hiking fees. Therefore most likely the whole safari will be about between $2000 to $3000 anything less than $1500 has a lot of question marks.

Factors you consider choosing a guide

You do not necessarily have to book with a company; you may need to book through a guide himself. Here are some of the factors you will consider.

Your guide should not be a miser with resources like cheating on the number of porters you should have.
He/she should pay attention to your need and behavior.
He/she should be knowledgeable about the risks of hiking and possible remedies.
He/she should have good knowledge about Kilimanjaro.
He/she should be good at giving or improving morale.
One who is always there to serve you

You will have to find you way to testing these through the mode of communication best suited for both of you.

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