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.

Christopher Buckley

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written September 2008
Hard work - but an incredible experience.Terrain ranging from verdant forest, to desolate scree slopes and a glacier at 19,000ft. Walking soooo slowly - then several days later realising why. The exhilaration of the day after the summit (far too exhausted to appreciate it on the day). Not exactly a relaxing holiday, but certainly one you won't forget.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The porters and guides were superb - popcorn on arrival at camp each evening came as an welcome surprise (the same camp that overtook us on porters' shoulders in bags whilst we were walking - and was always ready and waiting for us when we arrived).

The whole group getting to the summit. That really made the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul's almost endless supplies of surprisingly frustrating trail games really helped the group gel. As for his particular brand of humour - well it worked for us...
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Plan for cold nights - there was always ice on the ground when we woke and -10C is not uncommon. A good sleeping bag and warm jacket are a must. Remember to take toilet paper.
Don't run the final 8km back down. No matter how good an idea it seems at the time.
Simon Judah

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written September 2008
If you want to stretch yourself physically and mentally, to see what it would be like to breathe with only half the oxygen you would have at sea level or to walk for hours and not appear to be getting any closer. Then climbing Kilimanjaro might be just the challenge for you. A wonderful experience with truly awesome views.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit with everyone else, as all 10 of us made it to Uhuru. Also seeing dawn breaking at Mawenzi Tarn and watching the Colobus monkeys on our way to Marangu gate.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein (aka the Doctor). What a top bloke. Kept us all busy with his mind games, jokes and anecdotes. Plus the imfamous 'hall of shame' at the end of the day.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Use Sigg water bottles. They can be used as hot water bottles when you go to bed. On the final ascent from Kibo, some of our group platypus's froze where as the Siggs did not. Bring your favourite sweets and some chocolate to share.
Once you reach Gilmans Point, you've done all the hard work. However you feel, push on to Uhuru for spectacular views of the glaciers.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
My wife and I had an amazing time. Would we do it again yes but only with the 'Doctor'! The African Walking Company were surperb, the guides and porters were so very hepful and the kitchen staff produced some incredible meals.
Gary Cooper

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written August 2008
Our first trip with Exodus and a super trip, something we will never forget.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sunrise and sunset at Mawenzi camp were awesome. The summit night was very hard and very cold
but worth every ounce of energy used. The views from the roof of Africa were truly amazing, standing above
the cloud in crystal clear skies.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader,guides, porters and chef were all very good and helpfull. Any questions asked were answered well. The food all week was excellent and there was plenty of it.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Good quality gloves/mitts and a good sleeping bag, it gets freezing at night !
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Put it on your list of things to do, its well worth it.
Paul Mitchell

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2008
A truly fantastic trip pushing my mental and physical boundaries to the limit!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The camaraderie of the group, the helpfulness of the guides and porters and of course finally reaching Uhuru peak after thinking of giving up at Gilman's Point.
What did you think of your group leader?
Justin was a little taciturn and needed to polish up his people skills. He could have been more sympathetic to the age of the group he led up to Uhuru. However, his organisational skills were beyond doubt and everything went off smoothly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for a very tough last couple of days, particularly if the altitude affects you. Listen to the guides when they offer advice.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Food on the mountain was tip top. The meals in the hotel and the packed lunch on the safari to Arusha were very poor. Maybe they should cook local meals that they know how to prepare. All the assistant guides were great especially Gerard, Evans and Florence.
Simon Huppler

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2008
An experience of a life time! Not to be missed - but not for the faint hearted!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The fantastic support from existing and new friends during the adventure
What did you think of your group leader?
Justin did not really strike up much rapport with the group.
On the other hand Gerald was very, very good. He helped, advised and encouraged us older members of the group enormously. Also knew his flora and fauna and would point out all of interest. A great guy.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Prepare mentally and physically. Take all advice given from the guides - especially 'poli poli'
Is there anything else you would like to add?
What can you say about an adventure that lacked nothing!
Andy Brown

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2008
Fantastic trip, the group I was in was really well balanced, a total mix of backgrounds and ages. This diversity made for interesting conversation and a better overall experience. The route itself was really good, a lot more interesting and less crowded than Marangu (used for descent). The food was outstanding, far better than I had expected especially when you consider it all had to be carried all the way up with us day after day. No promises but I had a bacon sandwich every morning!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit was truely breathtaking not only because I was totally exhausted but because the scenery was absolutely spectacular! The photos, commaradery and the sense of achievement was amazing. It is definitely something I will remember forever.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leaders were great, though they only opened up when you spoke with them. They were very knowledgable and talking with them really helped me understand life in Tanzania a lot more.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The food is great, far better than you might imagine but bring plenty of snacks, not just for the summit night but to keep you going. Big tip... Mars Bars freeze even under multiple layers of clothes, wine gums and jelly babies have much more calories and just get a little chewier!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would definitely recommend this route and holiday overall. Two members of our group attempted the Macheme route the year previous and said the pace of the ascent was much greater, walking for much longer each day, making it much more pysically demanding before the 7 hour summit ascent!!
Enjoy, it really is amazing to stand on the top of Africa!!
Louise Hamilton

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written July 2008
An amazing experience in an amazing country, the climb up Kili is torture, but a hugely rewarding experience and not something I will ever forget.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching my Dad's face when he realised he had made it to the crater rim.
Standing at the top of Kilimanjaro drinking hot tea before sunrise!
Watching the sun rise over the curvature of the earth.
Meeting some fantastic people both local and those on the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Peter our leader was incredibly good, he was subtle, polite and was a very strong leader who was respected by his team. We were genuinely grateful to him for his huge contribution to the success of our trip, all of the group got to the top of Kilimanjaro and this was down to the incredible support from him and his excellent team.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is an excellent trip, the Rongai Route in particular is beautiful and peaceful, try and take the extra night at Mawenzi, it helps acclimatisation and is a lovely spot.
Get to know your guides and porters, they are great! Sometimes a little shy but once you get to know them they are a fountain of knowledge and lovely people who are very proud of their culture.
Don't fall asleep on the safari as we did - well, we had just climbed Kilimanjaro!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The standard of care we received from the local team was amazing. From the cup of tea brought to our tent each morning to the amazing food that came out of a little green tent every day, and the other aspects that are less glamorous, but somebody has to do (use your imagination - think even smaller tent), everything was excellent.
I have already got other plans for next year in the Alps, but I don't expect to top the experience of this trip, that's how good it was!