Your Complete Guide to Reaching Africa’s Tallest Mountain
Mount Kilimanjaro, standing proudly at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), is one of the world’s most iconic trekking destinations—and reaching its summit is a dream for adventurers across the globe. But before your boots hit the trail, there’s one important question: How do you actually get to Kilimanjaro?
From international flights and local airports to transfers and trek preparations, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about traveling to Kilimanjaro with ease.
To begin your journey, you’ll need to fly into Tanzania, the East African country home to Mount Kilimanjaro. The main gateway for climbers is:
Location: Between Arusha and Moshi, about 45 minutes to each city
Best Choice: Most convenient for Kilimanjaro climbs
International Flights Available From:
Amsterdam (KLM)
Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
Doha (Qatar Airways)
Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines)
Nairobi (Kenya Airways)
Once you land at JRO, your tour operator Peaks Vista arrange an airport transfer to Moshi or Arusha.
Before your climb begins, you’ll spend at least one night acclimatizing and preparing. You can stay in either:
Closest town to Kilimanjaro
Chill, backpacker-friendly vibe
Many trekking companies are based here
Larger city with more lodging and safari options
Great for combining your Kilimanjaro trek with a Tanzania safari
Recommendation: Stay in Moshi for easy logistics, or in Arusha if combining your trek with a safari.
Your tour company will provide transportation from your hotel to the starting gate of your chosen Kilimanjaro route. There are seven official routes, each with different starting points:
Machame Gate (for Machame Route)
Lemosho Gate (for Lemosho Route)
Marangu Gate (for Marangu Route)
Rongai Gate, Umbwe Gate, etc.
Travel time from Moshi or Arusha to the gates ranges from 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on the route
If you’re traveling within Africa before your climb, you can reach Kilimanjaro via regional hubs:
Nairobi, Kenya (NBO): Short daily flights to JRO or shuttle bus options (5–6 hours overland)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (DAR): Domestic flights available to JRO or Arusha Airport (ARK)
Zanzibar (ZNZ): Daily domestic flights to JRO or Arusha—great for combining beach + climb
Here are a few tips before flying in:
✅ Get Your Visa: Available online or on arrival for most nationalities
✅ Vaccinations: Yellow fever (if coming from endemic countries) + routine travel vaccines
✅ Luggage Tips: Keep essentials in carry-on—delayed luggage can disrupt your climb
✅ Travel Insurance: Ensure it covers high-altitude trekking, evacuation, and trip interruptions
After summiting Kilimanjaro, treat yourself to:
A Tanzania safari (Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire)
A beach escape in Zanzibar
A coffee tour or waterfall visit in Moshi
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Book an international flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) |
| 2 | Transfer to Moshi or Arusha for your pre-climb stay |
| 3 | Your tour company will drive you to the Kilimanjaro park gate |
| 4 | Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! |
