Mount Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route: Trekking Holiday, Tanzania, Africa

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 75 reviews.

Emma Davis

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written February 2011
Truly spectacular trip that will probably be one of the most challenging and memorable of my life.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The moment when I reached the first summit- I was so overwhelmed by the achievement and the exhaustion that I very nearly cried.
The other moment when I got in the shower when we reached the lodge at the end of it all. Running water never felt so good. I've never done anything on a holiday before where I felt such a sense of accomplishment (and maybe a bit of relief that it was over and that i'd made it!).
What did you think of your group leader?
Matthew, the group leader, was a great guide and always there to keep our spirits up as we walked. On the way down from the summit he supported me through a whole section of scree, literally holding me up in parts.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
All the websites seem to recommend chocloate bars like Mars to take as a summit snack. Don't do this! The caramel freezes solid and believe me when I say that there's nothing more frustrating than being desperate for a energy fix and trying to gnaw your way through a snack with the consistency of a brick.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
DO IT! It's hard, could make you cry, will definitely make you laugh and stays with you forever.
Sarah Liveing

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written January 2011
This was the most amazing adventure of a lifetime. Yes climbing to the summit was extremely tough both physically and mentally, not least because you have 50% less exygen to breathe in due to the altitude. Guide ratio best on mountain. Porters brilliant. Food, exactly what was required.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Most inspirational moment has to be reaching Stella Point. The feeling of elation, the relief that you're finally at the summit produced tears for us all. Also loved climbing Barranca Wall. Also the climb down and up to Kerranga camp was tough but a huge relief when we finally arrived up at camp. Knowing that I could easily achieve these challenges gave me a huge confidence boost.
What did you think of your group leader?
Makeke was a good leader. He gave concise, clear briefings on the day ahead's challenge; but he was occassionally economic with the timings. But the trip notes were the same. Ie. it says on day one that you will enjoy a 2 - 3 hour gentle walk through woodland. It took us 5 hours due to heavy rainfall causing the path to be like a quagmire. When the guides set off you may think that you are going far too slowly but trust in your leader that he knows what he is doing. Conserve your energy and you will have a more enjoyable experience.
Makeke was a good communicator and his words will always ring in my ears: "The weather in Kili is unpredictable".
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't take a shewee. It doesn't work. Do take a pack of cards for when you arrive in camp and you're all in the mess tent drinking tea. Our guides loved playing Cheat! Always listen to your guides and be truthful with how you're feeling. Don't be macho and think you'll be alright! They will do what they can to get you up to the top but you need to be honest if they're going to help you. Do take lots of snacks, especially chocolate. If you have any left over (make sure you do), the porters love it. Don't go thinking you'll have food like you're used to at home. The porridge tastes different but it is excellent fuel so mask the taste if you don't like it with either Cadbury's drinking chocolate (supplied), brown sugar (supplied) or honey (supplied). DRINK LOADS!! Can't emphasise that enough. It will help with altitude sickness. Also in addition to your platypus/camelbak have 2 extra water bottles. On summit night your tube from your water will freeze but you need to keep drinking. Use Nuun rehydration tablets (or similar) and put them in both extra water bottles. Place these upside down on the outside of you backpack. The top of the bottle will freeze first so you will be able to drink from the upside down end. Ladies take lots of tissues (and hand sanitiser) and have them as easily accessible as they can be; I used a bumbag.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
On the last day make sure you have some items (particularly sunglasses) to donate to your porters. These guys carry up to 30kgs on their backs for you. The only equipment they have has been donated by other trekkers and you will notice that their boots are ill-fitting as are their clothes. Many do not have sunglasses and this can cause temporary blindness and therefore loss of income for those concerned. So if you have spares so much the better. Also they all love English Premiership football so if you have any footie tops spare these will go down very well indeed. Your guide will mention the Tipping Ceremony during your briefing and that is when you can donate any items.
Alexia Girolami

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written January 2011
Kili climbing... was certainly one of a kind life experience. The perfect conditions to challenge yourself and find your inner peace and strenght. It is hard to describe really, you have to live it to understand it!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved most of the days, especially being so close to nature. If I had to chose a moment, obviously the summit day (actually night) is pretty mindblowing. After walking up for 5 hours in the dark, when our guide told me 'don't lose your confidence sister' and kindly carried my backpack, 2 hours before reaching Uhuru peak, I suddendly felt an adrenaline kick, and wings growing in my feet...
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was extremely responsible, he knew so much about the mountain, and was great in managing the team and bringing everybody together. The 2 other guides were amazing as well, both wise and professional and yet super friendly and cheerful. We had so much fun. I must also add that our guides' mountain gear was much better than those of many other trekking companies we found on the way, showing they take good care of their staff.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Lemosho route is definetely the best to reach the peak as you spend several extra days on the mountain just to acclimatise in preparation for the summit ascent. It is also really enjoyable since you leave from a beautiful pine forest, and arrive through a lovely tropical forest, so you get a lot of variety.
Trust your guides! Drink loads, walk slowly, it is not a competition! Bring a camel bag, as it is the only way to drink enough as you walk to meet the 4-5L water requirement/day.
Also, I was happy I had hired a matress through Exodus as they were much thicker than those you get in mountain shops, they also isolate better from the cold. Honestly, I slept like a baby every night.
For the summit ascent: bring loads of snacks, better liquid (energy gels for instance) as the cereal bars and chocolate will freeze. An ipod is also great as the summit ascent can get a bit monotonous when you are walking for hours in the dark and personally music kept me going..
Keep all electrical equipment next to you body every night (in your sleeping bag) and during the final ascent so the batteries don't freeze. There is signal on the top so you can send text to family and friends to tell them you have reached the top!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The food was fabulous. It was a luxury to have fresh popcorn for afternoon tea, and crepes for desserts. Overall the meals were very balanced and tasty.
Be prepared to feel the mountain blues when you come down!
Caroline Worboys

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written January 2011
Very well organised and managed with fantastic local support. Highly positive and encouraging team. Tough trek but very rewarding.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the curvature of the earth against the rising sun as we approached the summit.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very observant and caring.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get a insulation cover for your platypus/camel back to stop the water freezing on the climb to the summit when you really need your water.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Met some great people with whom we will keep in touch. Do take kit you are happy to leave behind to help the porters and guides. Clothes, sleeping bag liners, sunglasses, water bottles, a platypus tube! All items we expect to have but they see as luxuries.
Rachel Hodgson

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written January 2011
Definitely the hardest thing I've done in my life but certainly not the least enjoyable! Had a good time climbing on the Lemosho route and would definitely recommend it if you've got the time. Great guides as well- read a review before climbing saying to trust the guides as they know far more than you do- definitely true!
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Mark Smith

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written October 2010
You failed to provide a matress that was ordered. ( eventually turned up late on the second night)---result-- Very cold on first night- got a bad cold . could not do final day to summit. very disappointed, ---raised this issue on return and have yet to receive a responose which is disappointing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
What did you think of your group leader?
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Exodus Response

I would like to thank Mr Smith for his feedback and am disappointed to hear that he did not receive his mattress for the first night. There was a problem locally with the mattress we had reserved, but once this was realised a replacement was sent up the mountain. Our customer services department acknowledged the complaint on the day it was received and will be in touch in the next couple of day.

Nick Nikolsky - Trip Manager

- Exodus Staff
Donna Schogger

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Written October 2010
Our whole group were fantastic, and all made it to the summit. It would've been nice to have full quota of guides but one day we set off with only one for a few hours, and a couple of days we were forced to keep together as a group which was tough for the slower ones and then boring for the faster ones. The only time we had full quota of 2:1 was summit night.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the summit on day 2, which seemed so far away and then all reaching it. Living with strangers in tough conditions, but bonding and pulling together really well and laughing so much
What did you think of your group leader?
Vincent was great, as was Wilfred, and Hasan . The porters were brilliant and our tents were always ready on our arrival with correct kitbags in each, and the food was fantastic.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure at the beginning of the trip there are enough guides, and also don't let them push you to stay together, it shouldn't matter.
Make sure your boots are fully waterproofed before going as it's impossible to dry anything. Also I would've taken 2 pairs of thin gloves, one for everyday use that may get wet and another as liners for summit.
The toilet tent can be difficult to negotiate in pitch black over rocks, so be prepared!.
11 out of 12 of us took Diamox and we had little/no altitude sickness and made summit quite easily, sure the longer route helped too, but seeing some sick people being taken down, we were pleased we took all precautions.
We took a small flip HD video camera which was great - and it took AA batteries so no charging worries.
Loads of wet wipes! - they give you a bowl of water but difficult to use it in the cramped tent.
Take a sigg type bottle as well as camelback, useful as a hot water bottle, extra fluid on long days and in case camelback freezes on summit night
Dyrolite is useful even if you don't get ill, it replaces salts so helps hydration
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It's stamina rather than anything else. My only training was some long walks, just be mentally prepared to walk all day and enjoy the moment. They tell you to walk slowly to aclimatise but also look around you and take it all in rather than marching along with your head down
It's an amazing experience, so do it.