At the top, a collective spirit of euphoric energy sweeps the group. Tears well in the eyes of everyone as they experience the joy of seeing their teammates, especially the sick and hurting ones, succeed in their quest for alpine glory. Their individual accomplishments will be celebrated later when telling family and friends about the climb. But standing on the highest point of the second-largest continent, the revelry comes from the alliance of climbers who said we will do this together . . . Kenya does not require a visa for Americans staying less than 30 days.
Tanzanian law requires the use of local guides and porters on the mountain.
It's quite reasonable to hire cooks and extra porters for a Kilimanjaro climb and is also good for the local economy. Experienced mountaineers recommend hiring a Western guide as well because of safety factors and the greater likelihood of reaching the summit.