Author: TranquilKilimanjaro

Airbnb has become a major player in vacation rentals, with around 5.6 million listings across 220 countries. Many people, about 150 million, have the Airbnb app on their phones. In Tanzania, especially around Moshi, which is near Mount Kilimanjaro, there are lots of Airbnb listings. These are mainly clustered around tourist spots like Materuni Waterfalls. Dar es Salaam, the largest city for Airbnb in Tanzania, also has many listings, particularly near attractions and the airport. Way back, before Airbnb, there was Couchsurfing but it never lived to its prime and the former took over. Across Africa, locals are using Airbnb to rent out their homes, which helps bring more tourists into direct contact with local economies. For travellers tired of the usual hotel experience, Airbnb offers a welcome change. With hotels getting more expensive, people are turning to Airbnb for more personal and often cheaper stays. Airbnb lists rooms, apartments, and whole houses for travellers to rent. The platform has millions of listings in thousands of cities worldwide, offering different price points and the comfort of home-like settings. It's not just for vacationers; even business travellers can find suitable places with necessary amenities like Wi-Fi. For groups or families, renting a whole house on Airbnb can be more economical than booking several hotel rooms, providing more space and privacy. Travelling can be overwhelming, especially when planning activities. Airbnb isn't just for finding a place to stay; it also offers Airbnb Experiences where you can book local tours and activities. These can range from guided walks to unique local experiences, all led by local hosts. These experiences often come with high ratings and can include activities like multi-day hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro or exploring the cultural and natural sites around Moshi, including visits to hot springs like Maji Moto Hotsprings. Here

It is a great idea to bring dry bags on your Mount Kilimanjaro hike, and they are pretty cheap as you can borrow them from friends or buy them on your own. In addition to keeping the packing dry, it also gives the contents of the various bags structure and makes the packaging thinner when all the air has been removed. After that, you use freezer tape to mark the bags with the contents, and you hike blindly along with them. This way, you know exactly what's in each bag and you don't have to search through each one to find a hat or socks. So, plastic bags? No. Perhaps a ziplock bag, of which you can carry a handful of toilet paper and personal hygiene items. Since plastic bags were banned in Kenya and Tanzania, the best alternative would be ziplocks. When you're gearing up for an adventure like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Rwenzori, Ol Doinyo lengai or Mount Meru, the last thing you want to worry about is your gear getting ruined by the elements. Kilimanjaro isn't just a walk in the park; it's a journey through various climates, from lush rainforests to icy alpine deserts. Here's where dry bags become not just useful, but essential. The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear Recommendations Checklist At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we often get asked which is the better option for carrying gear on trails: stuff sacks or dry bags? The truth is, it's largely a matter of personal choice. For items like clothing and quilts, we lean towards stuff sacks. They compress better within your pack because, unlike dry bags, they don't trap air but there's logic behind choosing dry bags too, especially for items that you absolutely must keep dry like electronics or toiletries. While dry bags might not compress

Breathing difficulty on Kilimanjaro does not affect everyone as long as you acclimatize properly. Yes, oxygen gets thinner as you climb up to the summit of Kilimanjaro but you are ok on the lower slopes and some people start feeling mild symptoms of altitude sickness past halfway the mountain. For day hikes, we have never heard of any complaints because we always hike below the elevation where altitude sickness becomes an issue for some climbers. Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest freestanding mountain, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. It attracts 30,000 to 50,000 climbers annually from around the globe. While many dream of reaching the summit, one common question arises: Is it hard to breathe on Kilimanjaro? Just like in the Marathons, maintain a slow and steady pace, and control your breathing to avoid stressing your heart and lungs, drink a lot of water and watch for the symptoms, our mountain guides will be with you all the way of course. We always carry an emergency supplemental oxygen bottle, when the symptoms become severe we will do all we can to get you to come down from the mountain. This not only applies to climbing Kilimanjaro but also Mount Kenya, Rwenzori and Mount Meru. As the air gets dry as you ascend to the higher camps, you might have some trouble sleeping (for some people) due to oxygenation and the diagram below shows the oxygen levels for the different elevations on the mountain. This article will explain how high altitude affects breathing and how you can manage these challenges when climbing Kilimanjaro. What is High Altitude? To understand how Kilimanjaro affects breathing, it’s important to know what high altitude means. High altitude is defined as any elevation

Yes, Africa does get snow, although it's not a common occurrence in many parts of the continent due to its mostly tropical climate. Many people are surprised to learn that some parts of Africa do get snow! Since Africa is a huge continent with different climates, whether or not it snows depends on where you are and the time of year. Many people especially in Kenya, places like Limuru often confuse hailstones and snow. Sometimes, you might come across snow where you least expect it, on mountains that are not that high like Mount Meru in Arusha, Tanzania as seen in this video that I took a few months ago. For example on Atlas Mountain in North Africa, it is one of the very few places in Africa where you can actually ski.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Tranquil Kilimanjaro (@tranquilkilimanjaro) In most African countries, especially in the cities where people live and work, there is little to no snow. However, several countries have high mountains that do get snow regularly. If you want to see snow in Africa, you’ll likely need to head to these mountain ranges. For example, South Africa and Lesotho get more snow than other African countries because they have higher altitudes. In some cases, even cities in countries like Algeria and Morocco have experienced snow during especially cold winters, although this doesn’t happen every year. Here are some areas in Africa where you might see snow: High Mountain Ranges: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania: Despite being near the equator, Kilimanjaro's summit, at over 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), often has snow and glaciers, although they have been shrinking due to climate change. Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia: These mountains can receive significant snowfall during the winter months, and there

Recovering from a recent Kilimanjaro trek can be gradual and doesn't have a time frame as it may vary from person to person. Since climbing Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding and strenuous activity, many climbers wonder how long it will take to fully recover afterwards. Recovery time is important, especially for those planning additional activities in Tanzania, such as safaris or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar, after the trek. The length of the recovery process varies significantly from person to person. Some people may feel fully recovered within just a few days, while others may experience lingering effects for a couple of weeks. While many can jump into other activities relatively soon after Kilimanjaro, allowing your body 2-3 days of lighter activity or rest can significantly improve your overall recovery experience. This approach ensures you can enjoy the rest of your trip in Tanzania or elsewhere without the shadow of fatigue or health concerns from your climb. Factors That Affect Recovery Time Several factors influence how quickly someone recovers from climbing Kilimanjaro. Understanding these factors can help you prepare for the recovery process: Pre-Climb Fitness: If you were physically fit and well-prepared for the trek, recovery is generally quicker. People who regularly exercise or hike are less likely to experience prolonged soreness or fatigue. Preparation and Training: If you spent months preparing for the climb by building endurance, strength, and flexibility, your body will be better equipped to handle the physical strain of Kilimanjaro, reducing recovery time. Altitude Sickness: Some climbers experience mild altitude sickness symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea during and after the climb. The extent of these symptoms can affect how long it takes to recover. Hydration: Staying well-hydrated during the climb and after the descent can significantly aid recovery. Dehydration can worsen fatigue and prolong