How to Book an Operator for a Kilimanjaro Climb
Make sure the operator is a member of ABTA, IATA or similar., Check that they have financial bonding and insurance., Check they have their own valid Tanzanian Tourist Board operating licence or work with a licensed company., Ensure they will provide...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure the operator is a member of ABTA
Membership of a recognized travel body, while not a guarantee of quality, is a good indication that the firm you are looking at is reputable and trustworthy. -
Step 2: IATA or similar.
Bonding means that if the company goes bankrupt you are protected financially and proper insurance not only provides protection but is another good sign of quality as an operator cannot get insurance without having well prepared operational and risk management plans. , In order to operate legally in Tanzania operators have to be licensed by the TTB.
As it is against Tanzanian laws for a foreign company to operate mountain trekking, some operators have local partners. , Two guides for just one climber might seem excessive but even guides can get ill or have an accident.
With two or more climbers, maintaining a high guide ratio ensures that the needs of every climber can be looked after , Group climbs and fixed itineraries can be cheaper but the real price paid is that the success rate is lower and a cheap climb that doesn’t get you to the top can later seem very expensive , Kilimanjaro is a very tough environment and a small cramped tent that leaks will spoil your climb as surely as a lack of good quality food , Flight delays and lost luggage are an all too familiar part of life in Africa so ask what happens if you arrive a day after the climb is scheduled to start.
Has it left without you? , Sadly some people will get sick on Kilimanjaro and be forced to descend.
Check it is possible to continue so that at least some can summit. ,, Get some email addresses, or better phone numbers, and check out previous customers yourselves. -
Step 3: Check that they have financial bonding and insurance.
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Step 4: Check they have their own valid Tanzanian Tourist Board operating licence or work with a licensed company.
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Step 5: Ensure they will provide a minimum of two qualified guides on every trip (even for a single person) and a minimum ratio of one guide for three climbers.
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Step 6: Ask if you are being offered a private or group climb and a fixed or flexible itinerary.
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Step 7: Check the quality of the equipment they use and the food they provide on the mountain.
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Step 8: Ask what happens if your flight is cancelled or your luggage delayed.
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Step 9: Ask what happens if one of your group falls ill and has to descend.
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Step 10: Check what is included in the price quoted.Compare costings carefully - even some of the largest operators miss out the cost of the Park Fees of up to £500 per person in the prices they quote
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Step 11: and add these on as a locally paid cost
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Step 12: Ask for real life customer references.Do not just rely on website testimonials - they are far too easy to fake.
Detailed Guide
Membership of a recognized travel body, while not a guarantee of quality, is a good indication that the firm you are looking at is reputable and trustworthy.
Bonding means that if the company goes bankrupt you are protected financially and proper insurance not only provides protection but is another good sign of quality as an operator cannot get insurance without having well prepared operational and risk management plans. , In order to operate legally in Tanzania operators have to be licensed by the TTB.
As it is against Tanzanian laws for a foreign company to operate mountain trekking, some operators have local partners. , Two guides for just one climber might seem excessive but even guides can get ill or have an accident.
With two or more climbers, maintaining a high guide ratio ensures that the needs of every climber can be looked after , Group climbs and fixed itineraries can be cheaper but the real price paid is that the success rate is lower and a cheap climb that doesn’t get you to the top can later seem very expensive , Kilimanjaro is a very tough environment and a small cramped tent that leaks will spoil your climb as surely as a lack of good quality food , Flight delays and lost luggage are an all too familiar part of life in Africa so ask what happens if you arrive a day after the climb is scheduled to start.
Has it left without you? , Sadly some people will get sick on Kilimanjaro and be forced to descend.
Check it is possible to continue so that at least some can summit. ,, Get some email addresses, or better phone numbers, and check out previous customers yourselves.
About the Author
Douglas Murphy
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow home improvement tutorials.
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