To enter Tanzania and visit Mt. Kilimanjaro you need a visa and a passport that's valid for at least another 6 months.
Certain countries require a so called Referral Visa. These countries can NOT buy a Visa On Arrival but MUST go through the online application process at least two months before their intended travel.
Here is a list of countries that require a Referral Visa: https://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/requirements-for-visa.
Since the introduction of the online visa platform (2018) it is no longer possible to obtain a visa through an embassy.
Below is an overview of the requirements that are relevant to people who visit Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro:
For a Single Entry Tourist Visa (referred to as Ordinary Visa and valid for 90 days) you will need:
A Single Entry Visa costs USD 50 and is usually processed within 10 days.
It can occasionally take longer hence it is recommended that you apply 6 weeks beforehand.
You can do so here: Tanzania e-Immigration Online Portal
It is also possible to buy a Single Entry Visa upon arrival in Tanzania.
For a Visa On Arrival you will need to pay cash.
In that case you obviously don't need a passport copy as you have your passport on you.
If you are from the USA you must buy a Multiple Entry Visa, even if only visiting once for tourism.
(This is due to a bilateral agreement between the US and Tanzania.)
The Multiple Entry Visa is valid for three months.
The requirements are the same as above, plus a recent passport photo.
The cost for the Multiple Entry Visa is USD 100.
You can not buy a Multiple Entry Visa upon arrival!
All visitors from the US must go through the online application process.
If you need more information, you can find all the requirement details for all visas here: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines
While the above visas do cover both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, there is an additional requirement for Zanzibar visitors:
Since October 1, 2024, you HAVE TO purchase travel insurance.
And not just any insurance. This mandatory travel insurance has to be bought directly from the national insurer, Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), prior to arrival.
You can apply for your insurance here: https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/
And that's it for red tape, at least for getting into Tanzania and Zanzibar.
To enter Kilimanjaro National Park you have to pay additional park entry fees and of course you are only allowed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a licensed tour operator.
Next: Vaccinations needed for Kilimanjaro and Tanzania
Overview: What it takes to climb Kilimanjaro
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