Kilimanjaro
Information for Enrolled Students
We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store. Keep in mind while you pack that you will be experiencing a variety of temperatures on this adventure. Our service sections will be warm, but the mountain will be quite chilly. We ask that you be respectful to cultural sensitivities and wear pants, capris and/or long skirts during the community service projects or while traveling in public with your group. Shorts will be acceptable on your trek and safari. *Plastic carrier bags are not allowed in Tanzania. However, small zip lock bags for toiletries are permitted.
90-110 Liters
(Empty 40 liter) That packs down - you will use this to store unnecessary gear between trip sections
25-35 liter lightweight daypack with hip belt to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks
100% waterproof backpack cover
Insulating Ground Pad
Synthetic sleeping bag rated 15°- 25° Fahrenheit with a compression stuff sack
Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.
Heavy weight boots with ankle support - Break them in before arrival to avoid blisters!!!
An old pair of running/tennis shoes/sneakers, not to be hiked in, able to get dirty
These can be flip flops, Crocs, Tevas, Chacos, etc - comfortable shoes to wear around campsites
High / mid-calf length - must have strap to fit under hiking boots; no zippered gaiters, Velcro only!
Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton
Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks
Non-cotton, medium-weight hiking socks; warmer socks
Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or heavyweight bottoms
Synthetic, lightweight, non-cotton hiking pants; worn to be culturally respectful during community service and on the climb. Leggings are NOT appropriate for this section.
Synthetic, loose, appropriate pants that can get dirty to be worn during community service. These pants must be loose to be culturally appropriate. Leggings are NOT acceptable, but looser joggers would suffice.
100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants
Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms
Synthetic, non-cotton shorts
Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit
Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)
Synthetic, Non-cotton - This needs to be heavier than the Lightweight Top
Synthetic or Down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down "puffy" jacket
100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!
Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket
Medium-weight long-sleeved (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT Cotton)
Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun
Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts
For Girls
For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!
For additional warmth
Heavy wool or fleece gloves
Synthetic or fleece
Waterproof or water resistant
An inexpensive pair of basic work or gardening gloves for the community service project
For additional warmth
With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!
Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.
With 100% UV Protection
Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen
Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.
If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.
The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.
Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.
Non-plastic
Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best
Protein bars for Kili trek (3 per day)
Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!
Personal wallet with $250 spending money and valid identification; be mindful of international exchange and certain credit card restrictions
Original signed and notarized international travel authorization form
Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport
Inside passport. Directions on how to obtain to follow
If you do not pay online in advance for baggage fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover checking their bag (varies by airline)
Paperback books are less bulky
For journaling
Highly recommended
Compact and lightweight for wildlife viewing; HIGHLY recommended
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro
Country-specific power adapter for charging cameras
Embroidery string for creating friendship bracelets
We encourage parents and students to check the local weather the weeks and days leading up to departure for their trip. For some locations, weather can vary significantly between early June and late July, and students going on a later session of a trip may not need an extra layer.
In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:
These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!
During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations: large canvas tents for Community Service and Safari; 2-person Mountain Hardwear tents for the trek, and hotels (all single gender).
Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.
If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.
Required; must be within 10 years of the trip
Moondance adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history and continuously check the CDC website for updates.
Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Tanzania take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
Active cholera transmission is widespread in Tanzania. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.
Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.
Areas of recent active cholera transmission are localized to the regions of Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, Kagera, Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Mara, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Simiyu, and Singida in Tanzania.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination before your trip because rabid dogs are commonly found in this country. There may be limited or no rabies treatment available. We will encounter dogs and wildlife especially as we travel to rural areas.
According to the CDC, poliovirus has been identified in Tanzania recently. Therefore, travelers to Tanzania are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.
They recommend travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for an accelerated vaccination schedule. Adults who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine.
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Most experts recommend acetazolamide (brand name Diamox) as the first line for prevention and treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This medication is recommended for travelers with a known history of AMS, and is a reasonable consideration for anyone traveling to high altitude, especially those with no prior experience at high altitude. Please consult your physician to determine whether a prescription for acetazolamide is appropriate for you.
Check the map tab on this page to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout Tanzania. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations.
Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Tanzania.
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | KLM 642 | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 5:30 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 6:50 am (6/04) |
| Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | KLM 569 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 10:05 AM | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 7:55 pm (6/04) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | KLM 569 | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 9:05 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 7:50 am (6/25) |
| Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | Delta 049 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 10:35 AM | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 1:10 pm (6/25) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 9, 2025 | KLM 6070 / Delta 46 | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 6:15 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 8:00 am (6/10) |
| Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | KLM 571 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 10:00 AM | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 7:55 pm (6/10) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 30, 2025 | KLM 569 | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 9:05 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 7:35 am (7/01) |
| Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | Delta 049 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 11:00 AM | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 1:20 pm (7/01) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 26, 2025 | KLM 642 | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 5:30 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 6:50 am (6/27) |
| Friday, June 27, 2025 | KLM 567 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 10:00 AM | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 7:55 pm (6/27) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 17, 2025 | KLM 571 | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 9:05 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 7:35 am (7/18) |
| Friday, July 18, 2025 | KLM 6149 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 11:00 AM | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 1:20 pm (7/18) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 2, 2025 | KLM 646 | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 5:30 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 6:50 am (7/03) |
| Thursday, July 3, 2025 | KLM 569 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 10:05 AM | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 7:55 pm (7/03) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | KLM 569 | JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) | 9:05 PM | AMS (Amsterdam) | 7:50 am (7/24) |
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 | Delta 049 | AMS (Amsterdam) | 11:00 AM | JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) | 1:20 pm (7/24) |
What are the benefits of booking on the group flight?
What are the drawbacks of not booking on the group flight?
Important Travel Notes:
We recommend you book with our partner travel agency (Exito) for this trip. Please complete this form, and they will be in touch in 3-5 days via email with flight options.
Phone or WhatsApp: +1.970.237.4399
Email: vip@exitotravel.com
800.832.5229
615.610.5900
9am-5pm M-F CST
info@moondanceadventures.com
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 23350
Nashville, TN 37202
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
209 Tenth Avenue South
Suite 322
Nashville, TN 37203
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There are spaces available for both genders for the upcoming season.
We are full for girls, but we have select spots for a boy.
We are full for boys, but we have select spots for a girl.
This trip is currently full and we are accepting students on a waitlist through enrollment request submissions. You may be enrolled in a trip and on another trip’s waitlist. There is no financial obligation to be placed on a waitlist, and you can be on as many waitlists as you would like.
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