#1 Platform for 100% Ethical Climbs by Best Rated Local Companies
Easy, secure, and responsive We used Fair Voyage to book our Kilimanjaro Hike and 2 Day Safari. If you are like me, you probably... read moreWe used Fair Voyage to book our Kilimanjaro Hike and 2 Day Safari. If you are like me, you probably googled and contacted 20+ companies trying to find the right fit. My initial contact with Fair Voyage was with Alex. The responsiveness and level of detail stood out immediately. We started the booking process 20 months prior to the trip and when I said we would make our decision in 6 months, I wasn't pestered with continuous emails. 6 months came and went, and I received a follow up email on if I was still interested with moving forward.
I was passed on from Alex to Valentina, who was equally helpful and responsive. I was impressed with the professionalism and level of concern as we navigated in the COVID-19 crisis. In the end we decided to follow through with our trip and were 100% happy with the local operators Fair Voyage paired us with.
Fair Voyage uses a built in website platform to collect payment and traveler details. Compared to some other companies I saw, this platform felt very safe and secure, along with being easy to use. I had no worries about entering my payment information and was comfortable through the whole process. It also allowed us to communicate directly with our local operator, while Fair Voyage is able to monitor and assure we are being taken care of!
If you are looking to book a wonderful vacation with people who care and focus on sustainable tourism and ethical treatment for operators; you will not find a better company than Fair Voyage!
Thank you so much Alex and Valentia, for everything!! read less
Great Company! Fair Voyage was great to work with when planning our Amboseli safari and Kilimanjaro Climb. Valentina was so helpful providing... read moreFair Voyage was great to work with when planning our Amboseli safari and Kilimanjaro Climb. Valentina was so helpful providing recommendations as we customized our itinerary. She helped us find a local operator that could guide us the whole time across both Kenya and Tanzania. The guides were friendly and took great care of us. The food on the mountain was delicious, to our surprise. And we love the company's focus on sustainable tourism and enduring porters are treated ethically read less
Amazing planning, communication, and comfort from start to finish We worked with Alex at Fair Voyage to plan our trip to Tanzania and had an amazing time. She was... read moreWe worked with Alex at Fair Voyage to plan our trip to Tanzania and had an amazing time. She was always quick to respond, flexible when it came to making adjustments to the trip or schedule, and helpful in getting us the best deals while still ensuring an ethical and safe adventure.
Fair Voyage coordinated all of our accommodations and, while we were working on a budget, we were always amazed at how great each place we stayed at was. We did a seven-day Kilimanjaro trek (Rongai Route, which I highly recommend) and a five-day safari afterward. Both adventures were successful and everything we hoped for.
I was skeptical of making payments to an international company for a trip in Africa, but the payment portal provided by Fair Voyage was reputable and easy-to-understand. It also allowed us to pay for portions of the trip at different times.
Fair Voyage’s approach at making sure the porters and guides you work with are treated in an ethical and responsible manner made us rest easy knowing that we picked the right company. I would highly recommend working with Fair Voyage (and particularly Alex) for your trip to Tanzania! read less
It was amazing! We were very happy with our tour to the peak of Kilimanjaro. All four of us made... read moreIt was amazing! We were very happy with our tour to the peak of Kilimanjaro. All four of us made it to the top and that is because of our guides. Joshua and Babu were encouraging and helpful the entire trip. They helped us believe we would make it to Uhuru Peak – and we did! read less
Knowledgeable, friendly and responsive. Helped us pick our trip. My contact at fair voyage was responsive, talked on the phone with me and helped me choose my route and... read moreMy contact at fair voyage was responsive, talked on the phone with me and helped me choose my route and trip options. read less
The excellent service provided by our guide Joshua made an incredibly challenging journey very successful. There is no way our... read moreThe excellent service provided by our guide Joshua made an incredibly challenging journey very successful. There is no way our group would have made it to the summit without the expertise, knowledge, and professionalism of the entire crew of guides, cooks and porters. They made sure we were happy, healthy, and never hungry. I would highly recommend this crew and company for other people looking to check this amazing bucket list item off your list. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I promise you will never forget. read less
Experience + genuine care = perfect! From the start -- perusing the website -- to the post-climb check-ins, everything with Fair Voyage was perfect! ...and... read moreFrom the start -- perusing the website -- to the post-climb check-ins, everything with Fair Voyage was perfect! ...and that's just from my perspective as a hiker. Knowing that care is also extended to the porters and the environment is also crucial for me. I can't wait to book another trip with Fair Voyage! read less
It’s a good way to connect with local operators and ensure you are safe and that the staff on your... read moreIt’s a good way to connect with local operators and ensure you are safe and that the staff on your tour are treated well. Extremely knowledgeable, well organized and well prepared. Health and safety was always the top priority in conversations. read less
Tanzania Kili hike and safari Just returned from 2 weeks in Tanzania---8 day Lemosho route for the Kili climb and four day photo sarafi in... read moreJust returned from 2 weeks in Tanzania---8 day Lemosho route for the Kili climb and four day photo sarafi in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. The entire trip was exceptional! From the professionalism of Fair Voyage to the people (fellow hikers, guides, porters), food, accommodations, etc. I could not be more pleased with our experience! Thank you Fair Voyage!! read less
When we looked at the KPAP list many of the local companies had great reviews but very little information about... read moreWhen we looked at the KPAP list many of the local companies had great reviews but very little information about routes, prices, etc on their websites so it was hard to compare. Many Western operators had lots of info on their websites but much higher prices for basically the same trip. Fair Voyage seemed to give us the best of both worlds. read less
I could not thank you enough for the organization of this wonderful trip. My guides did an amazing job that... read moreI could not thank you enough for the organization of this wonderful trip. My guides did an amazing job that made us feel safe all through the climbs. We did enjoyed our time on both Meru and Kilimanjaro. We are very happy to have summited both mountains but it is the whole experience with the guides and the porters that made it so special. We hope that by booking with a fair operator that we were able to make a difference for them.
Because Fair Voyage is an independent agency that do business only with local operators who subscribe to the fair treatment of carriers and whose quality standards are high, you know that booking through Fair Voyage will allow you to have a safe trip. You also have the certainty that you will get the lowest possible price since Fair Voyage represents a large number of potential travelers for local agencies.
In addition, because they are not affiliated with a specific operator, Fair Voyage is able to offer a more personalized approach and give unbiased advice when choosing a route.
In case of problems with the local operator, it is reassuring to know that Fair Voyage will be there to represent our best interest. Finally being able to send our funds to Switzerland rather than Africa to pay for our trip also represents additional security. read less
Amazing Trip to Tanzania, would definetly book again! I went on a 5-day safari to northern Tanzania in Febuary and it was a wonderful experience. Our guide and... read moreI went on a 5-day safari to northern Tanzania in Febuary and it was a wonderful experience. Our guide and driver was very nice and was happy to answer all our questions about the animals. The accomodations are unique and comfortable, the staff was always helpful, very tasty food. read less
Amazing Staff & Service My friend and I had been planning to climb Kili for a few years and we finally did it in... read moreMy friend and I had been planning to climb Kili for a few years and we finally did it in October 2018 with Fair Voyage. When we first started our research for a tour operator, it quickly became a daunting experience - there were a lot of options out there! One thing we learned was that we should only go with operators that follow fair porter practices. This search for an ethical climb is what led us to Fair Voyage. We reached out to Fair Voyage staff and they immediately responded to us (thank you Alex!) and walked us through our options (private tour/package options with Zanzibar etc.). Over the course of a few days, we exchanged several emails to narrow down dates/route and other details. I really appreciated their responsiveness and transparency. They were clear about the budget constraints, cost breakdowns and terms & conditions for cancellation policies. The payment experience via Fair Voyage was seamless - we were able to pay online with our US credit cards without any hassle. We also had the option to pay a portion upfront (30% deposit) and the rest later. Although we didn't end up booking Safari/Zanzibar with them, in retrospect I wish we had. Fair Voyage also connected us directly with the local tour operator company who were equally responsive and very helpful in accommodating for our needs. Before the trip, we received a full detailed itinerary with a breakdown of... My friend and I had been planning to climb Kili for a few years and we finally did it in October 2018 with Fair Voyage.
When we first started our research for a tour operator, it quickly became a daunting experience - there were a lot of options out there! One thing we learned was that we should only go with operators that follow fair porter practices. This search for an ethical climb is what led us to Fair Voyage. We reached out to Fair Voyage staff and they immediately responded to us (thank you Alex!) and walked us through our options (private tour/package options with Zanzibar etc.). Over the course of a few days, we exchanged several emails to narrow down dates/route and other details. I really appreciated their responsiveness and transparency. They were clear about the budget constraints, cost breakdowns and terms & conditions for cancellation policies. The payment experience via Fair Voyage was seamless - we were able to pay online with our US credit cards without any hassle. We also had the option to pay a portion upfront (30% deposit) and the rest later. Although we didn't end up booking Safari/Zanzibar with them, in retrospect I wish we had.
Fair Voyage also connected us directly with the local tour operator company who were equally responsive and very helpful in accommodating for our needs. Before the trip, we received a full detailed itinerary with a breakdown of what to expect each day and the recommended gear list and rental options. Our climb itself was great - thanks to the team of guides and porters who took care of us like family out there.
Fair Voyage reached out to us after our climb to congratulate us! They really care about their work and ensuring their customers are happy. All in all, a great experience! You're in safe hands :)
Asante Sana Fair Voyage! More read less
Such a wonderful experience! Such a perfect experience. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to hike Kilimanjaro! I liked everything! The guides, the rest... read moreSuch a perfect experience. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to hike Kilimanjaro! I liked everything! The guides, the rest of the crew, the food was amazing and the rest of my hiking group was wonderful! read less
Professional, Kind, and Seamless Coordination Fair Voyage coordinated our Kilimanjaro trek and safari, and we had an outstanding experience with them from start to finish.... read moreFair Voyage coordinated our Kilimanjaro trek and safari, and we had an outstanding experience with them from start to finish. At the proposal stage, they quickly provided us with a proposed itinerary for a safari and Kilimanjaro trek that not only included a list of dates and activities, but also included the names of the safari lodges, little pictures of what we would see, and descriptions of what we would be doing each day, so that we could really imagine how the trip would be. We were considering a few different options for dates, and the order of our safari and trek, and FV helped us to play around with some of the dates to find the best itinerary to work with our schedule. Once we confirmed our schedule, FV connected us with the local operator and made sure that we received all of the information we needed. Alexandra at FV was very responsive and friendly, and answered all of the random questions that popped up. FV also made the payment process very simple, easy, and stress-free. It is difficult to plan a safari/Kilimanjaro trip, as it seems like there are infinite options and possibilities in terms of local operators. It was really wonderful to be able to rely on FV to help us find the best guides and accommodations, and to know that we were supporting businesses with a commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical treatment of employees. We would highly recommend them to anyone! read less
I know the founder personally and she brings so much dedication, commitment and professionalism that it is clear to me... read moreI know the founder personally and she brings so much dedication, commitment and professionalism that it is clear to me that I would book a trip to Kilimanjaro only with Fair Voyage. Keep it up! read less
A great company to help find responsible tour operators Choosing a Kilimanjaro tour company is no easy task. Fair Voyage was my partner during the entire process. They helped... read moreChoosing a Kilimanjaro tour company is no easy task. Fair Voyage was my partner during the entire process. They helped me find a responsible company that fit within my budget. They also helped by providing lots of supplemental info like a packing list, visa info, etc. As a budget solo traveler, I was given 5 star service. read less
Great Kili Climb with Responsible Operator Alexandra helped me plan a successful tour and summit of Kilimanjaro. She was patient in walking me through all my... read moreAlexandra helped me plan a successful tour and summit of Kilimanjaro. She was patient in walking me through all my options and always responsive despite our time zone difference and the last minute nature of my trip. If you want to make sure you are going with a KPAP operator, Fair Voyage makes it easy. I highly recommend their services. read less
Great experience with Fair Voyage! I came across Fair Voyage in my search for an ethical Kilimanjaro climb and they were able to connect me... read moreI came across Fair Voyage in my search for an ethical Kilimanjaro climb and they were able to connect me to a fantastic local tour company. They also provided all material necessary for a smooth climb and the experience was incredibly positive. Alex was extremely helpful as well! Definitely recommend you book through Fair Voyage! read less
Highly recommended for finding and booking sustainable trips with local tour operators, expert on Kilimanjaro climbs! Professional, reliable and devoted... read moreHighly recommended for finding and booking sustainable trips with local tour operators, expert on Kilimanjaro climbs! Professional, reliable and devoted to responsible travelling. read less
Highly recommended for finding and booking sustainable trips with local tour operators, expert on Kilimanjaro climbs! Professional, reliable and devoted... read moreHighly recommended for finding and booking sustainable trips with local tour operators, expert on Kilimanjaro climbs! Professional, reliable and devoted to responsible travelling. read less
Amazing Staff & Service! My friend and I had been planning to climb Kili for a few years and we finally did it in... read moreMy friend and I had been planning to climb Kili for a few years and we finally did it in October 2018 with Fair Voyage.
When we first started our research for a tour operator, it quickly became a daunting experience - there were a lot of options out there! One thing we learned was that we should only go with operators that follow fair porter practices. This search for an ethical climb is what led us to Fair Voyage. We reached out to Fair Voyage staff and they immediately responded to us (thank you Alex!) and walked us through our options (private tour/package options with Zanzibar etc.). Over the course of a few days, we exchanged several emails to narrow down dates/route and other details. I really appreciated their responsiveness and transparency. They were clear about the budget constraints, cost breakdowns and terms & conditions for cancellation policies. The payment experience via Fair Voyage was seamless - we were able to pay online with our US credit cards without any hassle. We also had the option to pay a portion upfront (30% deposit) and the rest later. Although we didn't end up booking Safari/Zanzibar with them, in retrospect I wish we had.
Fair Voyage also connected us directly with the local tour operator company (in our case, Pristine Trails) who were equally responsive and very helpful in accommodating for our needs. Before the trip, we received a full detailed itinerary with a breakdown of what to expect each day and the recommended gear list and rental options. Our climb itself was great - thanks to the team of guides and porters who took care of us like family out there.
Fair Voyage reached out to us after our climb to congratulate us! They really care about their work and ensuring their customers are happy. All in all, a great experience! You're in safe hands :)
Asante Sana Fair Voyage! read less
Tourism is a great way to learn, stay open minded and support local economies. It needs to be done responsibly... read moreTourism is a great way to learn, stay open minded and support local economies. It needs to be done responsibly and that's what Fair Voyage does. read less
I love Africa and I know that if I were to go there again for a trip, I would only... read moreI love Africa and I know that if I were to go there again for a trip, I would only consult Fair Voyage to ensure that my journey will be awesome, unforgettable and, above all, sustainable. I hope I’ll have another opportunity and that other destinations will be available as well. Keep up the great work! read less
The best travel agency for Africa I came across offering memorable and unique tours. Guides are local and you can... read moreThe best travel agency for Africa I came across offering memorable and unique tours. Guides are local and you can also book a tailor made trips combining Kilimanjaro with safari. 5-Star service with short response times and and insider knowledge and competitive prices! read less
I would highly recommend Fair Voyage, this is because I was with Alex in my home country and loved the... read moreI would highly recommend Fair Voyage, this is because I was with Alex in my home country and loved the attention she gave to details of the treatment of Mt kenya climb Crew and her concern for environmental conservation. Her platform makes it easy to choose between options which companies to contract when planning for holiday to Africa. read less
I had a wonderful experience and I very much enjoyed the service provided . . . The guides, porters, cooks,... read moreI had a wonderful experience and I very much enjoyed the service provided . . . The guides, porters, cooks, and the rest of the team were great and were instrumental in helping me reach the summit:) read less
The team was very professional. The daily briefings were informative and detailed. We had all the support we needed for... read moreThe team was very professional. The daily briefings were informative and detailed. We had all the support we needed for a successful summit. The cook was amazing and catered to our vegetarian needs. read less
Better than expected . . . experienced team . . . friendly and knowledgeable . . . felt safe the... read moreBetter than expected . . . experienced team . . . friendly and knowledgeable . . . felt safe the whole way . . . great equipment . . . read less
Having met Alex on a bicycle trip across Africa, I was really inspired by her passion and commitment to provide... read moreHaving met Alex on a bicycle trip across Africa, I was really inspired by her passion and commitment to provide a platform that allows others to arrange ethical and conscious travel. Fair Voyage is a top notch organisation with an amazing mission, and I look forward to arranging my next trip with them! read less
Fair Voyage is a Swiss initiative founded to make climbing Kilimanjaro safe & easy for you, and to make sure that your porters are being treated fairly. When you book with us, you can rest assured that you are getting your best offer operated by a responsible local outfitter; with the quality, safety and service of an international agency.
A Kilimanjaro open group tour is one in which anyone can join the climb. This means that you will join other climbers that have booked the same tour and it is not limited to the people in the group knowing each other.
Group tours tend to be cheaper when compared to private tours and they have a set schedule. Some operators require a minimum of two people to join the tour before the booking can be confirmed. All climbs have a maximum number of participants, so be sure to book in advance to secure your place.
The maximum number of people in a mount Kilimanjaro group tour is usually between eight and 12. This does not mean that tours will always fill up to that number. Tours that are well advertised and popular tend to fill up while others may have fewer participants but still offer an equally good service.
There are also open group tours containing just three people and bigger tour groups with more than 15 people, although these are not as common.
Group tours have their advantages and disadvantages. If you can find a Kilimanjaro group tour that runs on a date that is convenient for you, we would certainly recommend this option. This is because joining a group tour to climb Kilimanjaro helps to keep costs down. It also allows you to meet other likeminded people. This aspect of a group tour cannot be understated. Many lasting friendships have been formed while climbing.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a very unique and challenging experience. The bonds you share with others who climb with you can be profound and life-changing.
The routes on Kilimanjaro vary by length, duration, difficulty, scenery, altitude profile, accessibility, and (lack of) facilities. The better a route scores on all these criteria, the more popular it is.
Popularity is great if you like to share your experience with many other climbers and make lots of new friends. It's also great if you're looking for an affordable climbing package. If solitude and wilderness are what you're looking for, then the most popular routes may not be your best choice.
To choose the best hiking route for your Kilimanjaro climb, it is important to assess your personal preferences and priorities:
Once you have some clarity about your personal preferences and priorities, it becomes easier to find the right route for you:
The Kilimanjaro routes with the highest summit success rates are those with the best altitude profile so that you can acclimatize to the thin air before attempting your final summit push.
Climbing high during the day and sleeping low at night is ideal. Furthermore, it's important to ascend slowly over multiple days so that your body has more time to get used to the high altitude.
8-day Machame, 8-day Lemosho, 8-day Grand Traverse and 9-day Northern Circuit (including acclimatization hike to Lava Tower) are all excellent Kilimanjaro routes for altitude acclimatization that allow you to hike high, sleep low and ascend slowly over multiple days. With the right preparation and the right guide, these routes all have a summit success chance of close to 100%.
Kilimanjaro is an expensive mountain to climb. This is due to local park fees and taxes. For a 6-day climb, the Kilimanjaro National Park fees alone amount to over US $800 per person. When adding up all the costs incurred by a tour operator (including the salaries of your mountain crew, equipment, food, transfers, etc.), there is in fact only a small margin left for the tour operator. It is therefore not possible for them to offer you much lower prices than you find on Fair Voyage. Companies offering significantly lower prices are either not operating legally and/or do not treat your porters fairly.
We aim to offer you the full range of climbing offers from low-budget no-frills to luxurious VIP tours. Being committed to responsible travel, however, means that we insist on and strictly vet all tours against minimum standards of quality and safety. Therefore, different from industry average, all our quotations typically also include:
Prices for Kilimanjaro climbing packages typically include: all park fees; transfer to/from the park gates; dormitory accommodation in the Marangu Huts on the Marangu Route, or sleeping tents and mats on all other routes; drinking water and full-board meals on the mountain; and the salaries of your mountain crew including an English-speaking head guide, assistant guide(s) (if more than one climber), cook and porters.
Many packages (but not all) also include: airport transfers; pre/post climb accommodation; a mess tent, tables and chairs for dining; a private toilet tent; oxygen for emergencies; and more (if specifically stated).
We have gone to great lengths to compare the best Kilimanjaro offers and tour operators and offers for you, including onsite meetings in Tanzania with all KPAP approved outfitters and our work though KiliGATE. Based on objective price-value comparisons, we have already pre-selected the best offers, carefully vetted all tour inclusions, and made them easily comparable for you. We remain open to working with all KPAP Partner companies who can give you the best offer for your requirements.
Currently, there are no objective certifications or ratings which can help you find the best Kilimanjaro guides. We are hoping to change that eventually and create an industry standard. However, there are ways that you can increase your chances of finding an experienced and well-trained guide.
Firstly, you should book with a responsible climb operator. They tend to have the best guides, because they are better paid, trained properly and given the resources they need to navigate the mountain.
The two things you want to look for are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training and CPR first aid training, should you fall ill on the mountain.
To make it easier for you to compare what's included in different Kilimanjaro offers and to find the package that best meets your personal preferences, we've created our own system to classify Tours by a minimum standard of inclusions:
1-Budget | 2-Economy | 3-Premium | 4-Luxury | 5-VIP
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
All standard Kilimanjaro climb inclusions | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
All additional Fair Voyage curated inclusions | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Sleeping mattress | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified guide | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Emergency oxygen and/or pulse oximeter | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Private toilet tent | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Hyperbaric chamber, custom stretcher, emergency oxygen and pulse oximeter | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Min. 2 WFR certified guides | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Luxurious walk-in size tent with frame beds | ![]() | ||||
Hot mountain shower | ![]() |
It is possible to climb Kilimanjaro all-year-round. However, the best times to climb Kilimanjaro are from June to October and January to mid-March, which are the two dry seasons.
January to mid-March brings clearer skies and warm temperatures and is known as the short dry season. It ends in mid-March, when the onset of heavier rains and the long wet season begins and lasts until May.
The period between June to October is known as the long dry season and is also a good time to climb Kilimanjaro. This time of year brings less rainfall but bigger crowds. It gradually gives way to the short wet season in November/December.