What can you do on your safari?

Climbing

Kibo Peak, from Shiwa Lunch break The roof of Africa The snows of Kilimanjaro

I have always viewed climbing Kilimanjaro as an expensive and tiring way to be sick at the highest point in Africa. Call me chicken. Call me lazy but the only time I have attempted climbing Kili has been in my dreams. Trials and tribulations are probably true for some itineraries and with some outfitters, but by taking longer to ascend, selecting a more sensible route and by choosing a professional, knowledgeable guide the experience can be, I have been assured, for the most part, fun, informative and hugely rewarding.

Your silhouette on the roof of Africa? Jane R., my best friend from school-age days tackled Kili in honor of her 60th birthday accompanied by her good friend. Together they made it to the top with the assistance and prompting of my preferred guide Jo Anderson, a veteran of Kilimanjaro although he is only 33 years old. Having climbed Kilimanjaro over 40 times via all of the routes open to tourists (and some that are not!), Jo now operates personally guided treks on both the Machame Route (7 days), and the Shira/Western Breach Route (8 days). Both these routes offer a great chance of reaching the roof of Africa without suffering the more serious effects of altitude sickness. These routes offer spectacular views of the mountain and generally stay away from the more heavily utilised paths.

Reaching the top of Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing, just a fit body and a strong minded spirit. A trek up Kilimanjaro should be so much more than a summit quest, and Jo makes it a journey during which you will learn genuine and fascinating information about the history, culture and ecology of the famous mountain.

Kilimanjaro Tales

Did you know that it is merely fanciful colonial legend that has propagated the story that Queen Victoria gave Kilimanjaro to her cousin, the German Kaiser Wilhelm as a birthday gift? It was never hers to give, and Wilhelm was not her cousin, but her Grandson.
So why is it in Tanzania? - join Jo on Kili !

Did you know that the local Chagga people have no single name for the entire mountain?
So where did the name come from? - Jo will tell you !

And would you have guessed that a small pack of African Hunting Dogs were once seen at the summit of the volcano?
Who saw them? - join a climb !

photo credits: Jo Anderson