Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai Route: Tanzania

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 136 reviews.

Martin Sweeney

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written August 2010
Better than expected.. well organized.. great food and a great group of people. A trip of a lifetime.The support from the guides and porters was brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most obvious one was reaching the summit. The sense of achievement was fantastic and one which will never be forgotten.
The Tanzanian people were also very inspirational being so happy yet having so few material possessions.
What did you think of your group leader?
Tosha was fantastic. He always had time for you and made sure everyone was always okay.
Everyone was able to walk at their own pace and he always ensured we had a guide walking at our pace.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it...... yes the last day was physically and mentally demanding but if you are in reasonable shape and listen to the advice from the guides, there is no reason why you cannot get to the summit.
Sean Eastwood

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2010
My friend climbed the Rongai Route with Exodus and had only good things to say and highly recommeded the trip to me. All I can say is that the trip with Exodus was everything I had hoped for, a brilliant experience!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the highest point of Africa
What did you think of your group leader?
Tosha from the African Walking Company was calm, patient and pleasant and was a pleasure to have as our leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Although we all want to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro, take the time to enjoy the journey getting there.
Neil Houlton

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written June 2010
Very enjoyable, harder than I thought. I was lucky to have such nice people and guides in my group. I would certainly recomend this trip. Food was amazing considering the circumstances. Organisation was very good. I would recomend the trip to Arusha national park, just half day but seeing the animals was fantastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the sumit. I defy anyone not to shed a tear on the last 100 meters.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent, obviously had the respect of all his team. Samuel (sam'well) did about 40 cigarettes a day too!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Hire the sleeping mats provided, good value for £25. They give you a good, warm night's sleep. Take Diamox and painkillers, you will get altitude sickness to some degree.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I did this for my 50th birthday. On my birthday, half way up the mountain, they presented me with a cake (with candle and name writen in icing), present (t shirt) and everyone sang happy birthday. Thankyou to everyone at Exodus and particularly The African Walking Company team.
Duarte Rocha

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written February 2010
An amazing experience from start to finish. Definitely worth booking if you're in two minds about doing so.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top was the highlight although this realisation comes a while later after the well earned sleep. Encountered really friendly people throughout the whole trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader, Godson was very friendly and helpfull. Information regarding tipping was abit confusing but I cannot fault him otherwise. Must mention all the guides Happyson, Amineus, Julius, Jonus and Straton for doing an excellent job - beware though of the under-exaduaration of walking distances, always add a few more km's to their predictions, I guess its their way of making it feel less daunting. Cannot forget the chef and Emmanuel, they made meal times a treat.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I didn't take any malorone (maleria tablets) as you are only at risk for a couple days max (I did'nt get a single bite). The guide carries Diamox if needed so again no real need to get some yourself. Take walking poles - did'nt need them until summit night but found they really helped to take the load off of your legs and also keep a stable footing on the scree and icy areas at the top. Absolutely cake yourself in factor 50 suncream or else you will get burned (dont forget your lips!). Hire a sleeping mat - they are bigger and more comfy than Thermorests and the like and also one less thing that needs to packed up before setting off each day. Earplugs also a good idea. Tents supplied looked brand new. Also getting an entry Visa at the airport was very easy, just dont forget your Yellow fever certificate. Summit day is VERY tiring and having to gasp for oxygen is not pleasant but once you get over that mental hurdle and keep going it is quite acheiveable to get to the top ( I'm not fit at all and a smoker).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I was in a group of 10 where only 2 already knew each other and I was very happy with the mix of characters and got on very well with the group, it made the whole trip even more of an adventure. Every day was run like clockwork which kept up the flow and meant there was never a dull moment. I booked the safari on the final day and it was great way to round off the trip. The Mountain Resort Hotel was far better than expected and has a great bar. I have to say Exodus did a great job overall with this trip and its also good to know (as said by the guides theirselves) that they as a company look after the Tanzanian guides and porters better than other companies.
Richard Barham

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written January 2010
Have always wanted to do this trip - and finally just did it! A fantastic experience in so many different ways; the people, the place, the challenge. Loved it!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top (of course!) - but so much more than that too. The other walkers were great fun (lots of laughs) and the staff were amazing - such good care of us all (especially the stomach engineer!) The country is fascinating and traveling up through the different layers from tropical forests to the ice cap was truly inspirational. The safari was excellent too.
What did you think of your group leader?
All the porters and guides were exceptional. Meke (the leader) was calm and in control - everthing seemed to run very smoothly and he had time for everyone. He was also very good at giving the others training and some responsibilities too. Florence (one of the other guides) was fantastic - whilst Meke and Florence helped some of our party up - it was Florence who got me down safely!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do it! Enjoy every aspect of it.
Go slow (pole, pole) drink lots and take Diamox for the altitude - it really is a major factor.
Also take a thicker matress or hire one - I really didn't get much sleep.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to my fellow walkers for all the laughs and good company.
Thank you to the porters and guides for the good care they took of us.
Thank you to Exodus for organising it all.
(I booked my next trip with Exodus within a week of returning - I have a feeling that I may have got a taste for it)
Stephen Savage

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written January 2010
Excellent trip, good flight connections, excellent local, wise experienced group leaderr. Most important 8 of the 12 made it to the top! Nice local hotel with pool. Good tents and warmhired sleeping bags with reliable zips -equipment mostly far better than Inca trail last year!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching Uhuru peak!
What did you think of your group leader?
Passion had many years of experience leading groups up Kilimanjaro.He appeared to organise the 40 plus porters and 6 guides authoritatively and effectively. On the first day he was hardly seen by the tour group - to the extent that most were unsure who the walk leader was. His knowledge and wisdom was doubtless a key to most of the group getting to the very top!

The lack of a dedicated EXodus group leader throughout as we have experienced on most Exodis trips was at first unwelcome-but we cannot really say the presence of different people greeting at the airport and briefing, leading the group on the walk or organising return departures could have been done any better.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walking Kili really not difficult for regular fell walkers; wrap entire contents of kit bags in waterproof /plastic bags. Diamox effective for us for altitude issues. Drink gallons of water daily as instructed -those who do not likely to suffer!! Do everyithng "Pole pole" (slowly) if you want to see the top!

Platypus type water carriers inside ruc sacs excellent for regular drinking whilst walking-but do get insulated version to protect against pipe freezing up on summit day!

Finally- cover your face with sun cream at dawn -the moment the sun comes up on summit day temperature rises from well below freezing; badly burnt lips and face due to failure to reapply sun barrier!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Good trip, good local agents tour leader.

Rongai route with 1 extra day ascent for altitude aclimitisation a good choice
Mark Treiber

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written January 2010
An amazing trip, don't think about it just do it. The rongai route is much better than the coka cola route and you'll have a great time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Approaching mawenzi tarn (our campsite that evening) surround by fog/clouds and not seeing anything the while time until 3 minutes before we get to camp and the clouds break with mawenzi peak right there towering above us!
What did you think of your group leader?
Meke was out guide leader. Exodus used the company African walking tours locally and Meke was from there. He was outstanding. He ran a really tight group. You could easily see him managing a western company he was in that much control yet made sure we were having a good time and were medically safe.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring lots of snack, eg junk food. There's plenty to eat but you are expending so much energy it is a great opportunity to eat as many chocolate bars as you want!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You don't have to train but I suggest you do. It is the difference between enjoying the trip and having a painful trip.