Weather & Climate
The best climbing seasons on Mt Kilimanjaro is January to March and June to October.  Climbers are advised to avoid trekking the mountain during the rainy season (April/May) as the soil on the mountain becomes muddy and unstable. The average day temperature on the lower slopes is around 30°C, while temperatures can range from 5 to 15°C at 3000m in altitude during day time. Night time temperatures on the mountain can be well below freezing.

Food
Tanzania offers a wide variety of East African foods.  Most dishes are generally accompanied by goat, chicken, beef and lamb. Barbecued meat called mishikaki is very popular and is accompanied by plantains - a common staple resembling a large banana.   A dish known as ugali, made from cassava, corn, sorghum or millet flour, is very common. It is often accompanied by a fish stew, vegetables or meat. People who live on the coast often prefer rice to ugali. A popular main dish is pilau, cinnamon-flavoured rice.  On the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, people enjoy Swahili dishes, such as seafood seasoned with coconut milk and spices.  Sweet fried breads called maandazi are served with tea or as a snack in between meals. Other common snacks are sugar cane, samosas, chapattis and peanuts. Desserts include banana custard and fresh fruits.

Money
In Tanzania the currency is the Tanzanian shilling. The exchange rate is approximately 1 US Dollar to 1100 Tanzanian shillings. Major currencies such as US Dollars, Euro and travelers checks can be converted at major hotels, banks and foreign bureaus in the main towns and tourist areas. There are banks in Moshi where you can exchange your traveller’s checks or your hotel will exchange money for you. Credit cards are not widely used in Tanzania.

Communications
Telephone, fax, post and Internet services are available in Moshi. Country code for Tanzania is +255. Mobile telephonic operators include Celtel, Mobitel, Tritel and Vodacom. You can obtain a GSM card that will allow you to make international calls if you don’t have roaming. The summit of Kilimanjaro is covered by a GSM mobile phone network (Vodacom).

Electricity
The voltage is 220/230 V. You will have to buy flat 3 pin plugs should you wish to use any electrical appliances.

Getting around
All the major towns in Tanzania are connected by tarmac all weather roads, but outside this network, quality deteriorates. But outside this network, quality deteriorates. You can enjoy bus connections between Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. Flights with Air Tanzania and Precision Air access the main internal routes. Flights and bus transfers is also available from Nairobi (Kenya).

Crime
The people of Tanzania are very friendly and helpful. However, Africa in general is pretty famous for pickpockets and thieves.  Travelers are advised to carry limited amounts of cash, and to leave any valuables and travel documents in a safe at their hotel.

People, Religion and Language
Tanzanians are proud that the vast cultural and ethnic diversity of their more then 120 tribes is unified under the national language, Swahili. English is the official second language of the country and is primary language of business and secondary education. Christianity and Islam are the predominant religions of Tanzania.