Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai Route: Tanzania

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 135 reviews.

Ed Scott

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written October 2009
I know most of you will think that just because Chris Moyles can do it will automatically mean that it is easy. Not so. This will be the hardest thing you will most probably ever do so make sure you train properly. Having said that, the killer is the altitude sickness which is very hard to train for!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Without doubt reaching the summit was a moment which I will never forget. Not so much the altitude but the physical effort you went through to reach the top. I am not ashamed to say I shed a tear out of the pure torture I went through in the final stages. It was certainly was very hard but was something I had no doubt I would complete - even at the hardest moments. If you have a reason for climbing the mountain, be it a charity or for a relative or partner etc, then you are more likely to complete it as you need guts of steel up there.
What did you think of your group leader?
Matthew, our chief guide, was the sole reason I completed the climb. He personally helped me up to the summit giving me one-to-one help. He safely got me down when I was dehydrated and suffering from altitude sickness. Safety was always his main priority and he was a leader and a gentleman who I am proud to have met.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Have a very good set of walking boots, bring altitude sickness tablets, lip balm for the sun, and plenty of toilet paper! Choose the right route to suit your purpose - some people like the more touristic routes - but I am more than delighted with the route we selected.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You can check out the other companies but the fact remains that Exodus use the best guides out there from the African Walking Company - as noted by Henry Stedman in his book Kilimanjaro. This is the most important thing as these guys will be looking after you for the trip. Our guides became friends as well as travelling companions. They all spoke very good English which you would expect. However other walking companies do not offer such a good range - I heard this from another traveller in my group who used Explore before when climbing Kilimanjaro a first time. Also, find a company which offers a very wide range of routes too. You want to make a decision where you can choose what suits your purpose best - do you want to sleep in a hut or camp etc.

One final thing, prepare well! There is nothing that preparing yourself properly cannot do. Read the books, ask questions, and get the RIGHT kit. Do not cut corners on things like sleeping bags. They will be expensive (if you buy them yourself - you cal always hire) but you may be facing -15 degree temperatures at night and is 100% essential. Buy what you are told to buy - there is a reason for it!
Janez Hadalin

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written September 2009
Trip was real "reset of the chip and change of the hard drive" without mobile phone operating. We had luck with weather (no rain and sunny summit), great and diversified group and great guides. We have experienced really beatiful landscapes and lots of nice weather, had at the end also hard time with cold and altitude sickness, but it was paid back by true friendship, fun and team work and at the end we have all made it to the top. You start appreciating things, which we have forgotten in our daily comfortable lifes. It was my first real high altitude trek and I will definetely repeat it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching crater rim of Kibo and later Uhuru Peak is like reaching haven. It is and will forever be unforgettable moment of my life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader and his assistants are people, which I would immediatelly employ as managers in my company. They have knowledge and ability to listen and help people and make also tough decisions. They are 100% trustable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you haven't been to high altitude in the past (above 4000 m) I would advice visiting doctor and asking for Diamox. It is a preventive drug for high altitude sickness and it really helps. I took it little bit too late, but it helped partially. Aspirin didn't work for me.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just do it and change your life. You live only once and there is only one true Kilimanjaro on this planet. Ice cap will unfortunatelly go away :(.

P.S. I am not from UK, so my English is not perfect :). I enjoyed one week with British travellers and one Canadian.
Nicos Kountouris

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written August 2009
Learned a lot about myself and fell in love with Africa. A very rewarding trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Duh! Summitting of course! Seriously though, the view was simply amazing and stunning. To really appreciate something you must work for it, and the view from the summit was worth it :)
What did you think of your group leader?
Meke was supportive and very helpful all the way up and down. But not just Meke. All the guides were superb and supportive, helping us all the way and being there for us when we needed a mental kick on the behind to keep going.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Use a buff at all times to avoid inhaling volcanic dust. Take paracetamol pills with caffeine for headaches. Take a solid pharmacy kit with you. Listen to the guides when they parse advice and tell them of your symptoms. Use the Exodus checklist, it's pretty comprehensive and inclusive.
Above all, Pole-Pole (slowly-slowly in Swahili) !!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would advise fellow travellers to take enough money to give the maximum tip (and then some) to the team involved in making your dream a reality. We were a team of 12 and we had 6 guides, 1 cook and 33 porters. Once you see how hard these people work for you - and trust me, it's not for the tip, it's because the care and take pride in what they do - you will want to share what you can with them.
I didn't note it above but I am mentioning it here. The tipping ceremony at the end was one of the biggest highlights of my trip. That's when I gave back to these people who went through a lot of hardship for my adventure to be a success.... Everybody in my group felt the same and the recording I have of the Kili song is something I watch when I need a mental pick-me-up now!!!
Mel Jones

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written August 2009
Really good organisation which was one of the reasons I booked with Exodus. Great people on the trip
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to Gilman's point at sun rise, it seemed more of an achievement than actually reaching Uhuru Peak. Also knowing that I was going to make it when others in the group went back down,
What did you think of your group leader?
Always watching and ready to advise when necessary. All the guides were brilliant fun and good to talk to.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is my second trip to Kili having not made it up 8 years ago. Fitness was never an issue as I am a long distance runner, but when the altitude gets you, you wonder why you are there. I took diamox when I began to feel bad and this might have helped me get to the top. Take lots of wet wipes and J clothes as they dry easily. Wear gaiters at the beginning due to the dust and also on summit night, although it was so hot during the day. Do not skimp on a decent sleeping bag, mine was minus 12 and I still felt cold.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yeah, goto Zanzibar afterwards rather than flying back to the UK, fab way to recharge your batteries.
KEVIN DEVLIN

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2009
Exceeded my expectations, a challenging trek made enjoyable by friendly fellow travellers and excellent care and attention given by all the guides, cooks and porters The variety of scenery on the Kili trip was sensational , would recommend Africa to anyone seeking new experiences.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Witnessing the sunrise ontop of Kili was a singularly inspirational moment coinciding with a succesful summit ascent.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was nicknamed the "Captain", he was highly professional and was constantly monitoring group members for any early signs of altitude sickness and administrating appropriate treatment if required. He was in charge of all the logistics and ensured everything ran very smoothly. I was very impressed with the level of organisation around the campsites and hygiene and food quality was of an unexpected high standard.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I took malorone anti maleria tablets and although they are expensive, they are less likely to cause side effects. Don't forget to bring your yellow fever vaccination certificate to show passport control at Kili Airport.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Make an effort to get to know your fellow travellers during the trek as this will increase your enjoyment of a shared experience.
Elaine Rix

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2009
Difficult to put into words...this was a challenge of a lifetime and it was just incredible. You've just gotta do it! I was lucky to do it with a most amazing, mixed group of people, guys and girls from 18 to mid 50s, not a cross word between us (even when in pain!) and the laughter was non stop (until the swearing on summit night, lol!).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was a bit slower than the rest of my team, but was really looked after by guide 'Robbie' who slowed down with me and escorted me up the summit personally. Getting to the top just 10 mins after my team in time for the photo with them was very emotional. Standing at 5895m on the roof of Africa...what more can I say?
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader ok. The stars however were The African Trekking Company who were superb, from the Chief, through to the guides, the cooks and the porters. They really looked after us, took care of our health, fed us the most amazing food, and encouraged us when things got tough. Do take enough dollars out to tip them well - they really deserve it.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Firstly, as a girl, I would recommend a Shewee (the guys found this very funny) and if you have your own tent a wide mouthed bottle so you don't have to brave the freezing cold and rocky outside to get to the loo tent in the middle of the night. Don't worry, all embarrassment goes out the window very quickly on this trip!
You do get a bowl of hot water to wash in morning and evening, but wet wipes are really handy, first thing in the morning it's normally a bit too cold to brave 'washy washy' outside your tent!!
Make sure you have enough warm clothes for summit night, it was minus 20 which is really really cold. despite 2 hats, a hood and two lots of good quality gloves I was freezing. Lots of us had fingers going numb.
Whilst hydration packs were useful throughout, on summit night the tubes froze, despite insulation and insulating tubes. This was a real pain, especially when you're struggling. Bottles are therefore better. You need to have enough bottles for 2-3 litres a day.
Most of us got on well with Malerone. I also took Diamox as felt I needed it. Do take plenty of painkillers - you will get headaches. Also, energy drinks and gels are good for summit night cos it's quite hard to eat anything when your appetite has gone. The guides will check your health every day. Do tell them, they all have first aid training and if they think you are not well enough to continue they will send you down.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go with an open mind, and don't be scared to go alone, half of our group of 12 did. Be prepared for a really tough challenge, but for much fun and laughter along the way. Standing at the top just blows your mind.
If you get a chance to do the 1 day safari on the last day do it - it was a great way to end the trip, see a bit more of Tanzania and loads of animal close up.
Lastly, enjoy cold Kilimanjaro beers around the 'spitting' wood burner in the hotel...heaven :-)
Elizabeth Underwood

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written June 2009
A wonderful experience, I had dreamed about doing this since 1995 having been at Marangu gate waiting for two of our colleagues to return. My dream came true and it was everything I could have wished for.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was inspired by everyone I travelled with, they all had their reasons to do the climb as did I and we kept eachother going with silly stories, games and singing. The cup of tea at Gilmans as the sun comes up. Popcorn and tea.
What did you think of your group leader?
Obote was brilliant. I was car sick between the hotel and the start of the climb so they obviously thought I was going to be the one with all the problems, he continuously made sure I was ok, which I was - I was in a vehicle on a very bumpy road, I get sick on buses. His briefings were very informative and non scary. The other guides Washington, Lasti, Oliver and I am ashamed to say I forget the fourth guides name were all so helpful especially on the final slog to the summit.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walking poles for sure, definitely a wee bottle and a sense of humour would be my top three. The food on the trip is good, but you will notice as you get further up you lose your appetite more and more, breakfast for me on summit night was a half a rich tea biscuit as I couldn't face anything at that time of night, on return you just don't want to eat so do take powdered energy drinks, mars bars and glucose tablets, do not skimp on the water intake either - I found that when I was having trouble breathing a good slurp brought me back to life. Do what you are told and you will do well.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To get to Gilmans is good but when you pass into the crater the view is astounding, pure white powder snow with a million tiny diamonds sprinkled in it, you can't make snowballs as its too powdery. The blue ice veins running through the glaciers, the silence and the peacefulness. Seeing the signpost at the end of your journey and the tussle with many other groups to get your picture taken in front of it. Don't be mistaken - you will not be the only group there. The camaraderie that got you there when you saw how far you had to travel from the starting point, the back slapping and congratulating and the sadness that it is all over and you are on your way back down to earth. I'm off to Everest Base Camp next - come and join me.