Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Uhuru Peak, the true summit, was overwhelming. Alongside the enormous sense of achievement, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how impressive our planet truly is and has left me still with a renewed perspective on life. 'Hakuna matata'....no worries!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke, our head guide, was a natural leader, not through dominance, but through people naturally looking to him for his calm, steering influence. Knowledgable and motivational, it was a real honour to be supported through this trip by him and his team.It was evident that the staff were happy to work for Exodus, who support the local community financially and educationally. This heavily influenced my decision to book with Exodus. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember to listen to the guides' advice! They have climbed Kilimanjaro so many times that they know what they're talking about. 'Pole pole', meaning 'slowly, slowly', is very important to embrace, as it increases the chances of summiting and also provides the opportunity to enjoy the awesome natural beauty of the climb. In addition, invest in good quality drinking water bottles/systems as continuous hydration is essential.I have never felt so cold as I did overnight at the higher altitudes, so do remember thermal base layers and some wool socks!Digital cameras may stop working at higher altitude due to the cold, biut I carried mine inside a 'bum bag' around my middle which kept it warm enough to keep working all the way to the summit. A manual camera is a good back-up plan, since it is essential to bring back the proof of your success for all those sceptical friends and family!

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspiration moment 1 Well, like so many before me and with the aid of Exodus,  an item has gone from my to do list and I have summated Kili.  We completed all three summit points and getting to the highest point of Africa (Uhuru) and looking out accross the plainsone side and the Glacier the other has to be the most inspirational view I have seen so far.Inspirational moment 2 This has to be sunrise at Gilmans point, It was a clear and cold morning at 0530hrs and we had just had a very hard summit climb since midnight. After a short final climb up the rocks, we just had time to recover and Richard, my guide said, look.... it was an amzingly clear, full sky sunrise over the whole valley and Mawenzi. Awsome!!:-)   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emmanual was our Group leader. His confidence and knowledge comes from the fact that he has been to the top more times than I have had hot dinners!He knows what to do, what to look for and how to get it done.He had great command of his whole team and was a genuiine nice guy who alwys had a smile and a laugh when you needed it.Great guy, highly reccomended.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Listen to all advice from exodus.2. Talk to them after you have booked.3. USE the departure lounge. Its a great place to talk to others in your group and also others in previous groups to get tips from.4. Depending on the season, make sure you protect against the sun as well as the cold as this can catch you out.5. Dont take too much, many changes of clothes are not needed, nearly allof our group toook too much.

Most Inspirational Moment

The midnight start of the summit day with the heart pounding and adrenaline flowing. I would say the summit photo but I was so knackered by then I can hardly remember it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent guide and a great guy to chat to. Very knowledgable, very calm and a good laugh

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Summit of course - but i could not have done it without the great friendship from the other members within my group, or the experteese of the porters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

My group leader was amazing, his English was brilliant and very knowledgeable - he was very thorough in explanations and i would go as far as saying he saved one of my friends - he was very ill and despite wanting to complete the challenge my guide gave him medication and advice to stop! He was very funny and an asset to our team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take disposible wipes with you - i brought mine from waitrose! Take a good waterproof jacket if not a poncho. my waterproof jacket turned out to be non waterproof and i got soaked, plus my back pack soaked, however one of the porters leant me his spare poncho which was brilliant, it covered me and my back pack so thats defo an essential. Take a high factor sun cream!!! if you think your just going to face snow your wrong, the sun is very hot and i got sun stroke - one of my friends got badly burnt so take like a 25 or even a 50 factor of cream. Make sure you take a hat too. otherwise i couldnt have had better thermals then morino wool. They were amazing, expensive yes but the best thing. Otherwise pack light!PS you dont need the yellow fever vaccine, i didnt take malaria tabs but i was the only one in my group that didn't. I did take altitude sickness drugs! Make sure you take some anti biotics with you! MUST!!! i got very ill and had gastroenteritus and UTI if i had anti bots with me i would have been able to start treatment alot earlier. I went to see the waterfalls and the villiage before we left but wished id have had more days to do a safari or zanzibar so look into that

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top, but also see the people who struggled (the altitude effected everyone differently) get to the top too. Hearing the stories and lives of the staff on the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional. It's rare I say that, but really I was (as were the others in my group) astounded by just how good these guys were.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the guides. Drink LOTs of water - don't be shy ladies, it's the best way to acclimatise. Each as much as you can. Talk to the people, they want to practice their English and have fascinating stories. Don't scrimp on warm socks and gloves for summit night. Try and remember to be 'present' in your trip, especially when you get to the top. This is an amazing experience. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit night when we were not far from the summit and we saw some people struggling from another group and group leader was able to recognise what support need each of us, motivate us etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Chief guide Meke was very, very good with managing everything and supporting, motivating us etc.Thanks to him, his patience and calm atitude i climed it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train, read a lot about trip, be aware that you need to be determind but you can do it.

Most Inspirational Moment

To be walking and constantly be shadowed by Kilimanjaro was exciting and nerve wracking.The whole group knew we were gearing up to the summit night but we all enjoyed every day leading upto that time.Walking slowly all day and coming into camp-the smell of deliciuos food and the thought of a cosy tent was a great feeling.I was inspired by the team looking after us- The African Walking co -the leaders were heavenly-caring for us all and helping in every way posssible to get us nearer to our goalThe whole trip was inspirational-all our individual efforts to overcome challenges-be they sickness,fatigue,worry or doubt-all the efforts from the team behind us-the wonderful scenery and amazing lanscapes.100% inspiring!!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henry Fernandez was a legend!!! A kind gentle responsible caring chap-who we learnt had trained to be a Priest-the church s loss was our gain!!!he headed a team of wonderful leaders-Davis-the most gorgeous kind funny and thoughtful man that I could have walked for days with,Jonath-dear and kind.John-interested and interesting considerate and gentle.Obote-my hero-without whom I would not have made it up that darn mountain!!!!-and many more-caspar and Trophid the chef-but really the whole team-from the all important toilet monitor-who carried it and serviced it the whole trip!-to ALL the cheery hardworking porters.What did I think of them all??? I LOVED THEM!!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Really dont fret or worry beforhand.As long as you are fairly fit and well you will be fine-unless altitude sickness picks you off-and that just random.A lot of the achieving is down to attitude-and there are times you must dig deep but its all possible.camping is a challenge-be organised-take as little as possible-you will wear pretty much the same every day! Wet wipes -always useful.Favourite snack and sweets -and I took Marmite-that got me through!!!Dont fixate on THE SUMMIT-enjoy EVERY bit of the trip-it flies by and you probably wont repeat the trip-so enjoy every day.Appreciate all the effort that is being made for you-and shoe that gratefulness to the team.Good boots,warm layers and positive mental attitude-thats all you need!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the Summit. Watching the sunrise at Gilman's point was also a highlight. But what amazed me the most was the porters carrying my 15kg bag plus there necessities and food etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the kit list- it is invaluable!

Most Inspirational Moment

Flying into Tanzania from Kenya we got the most amazing view of the challenge we were going to face - absolutely awesome! Kilimanjaro didn't reveal itself again from behind the cloud until we were in our second camp on a starry night with a bright moon.  It was a spectacular and magical view that I won't ever forget! We didn't see the peak again until we were standing on it a few days later!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our head guide, Davis from the AWC, was exceptional! He was a natural leader with a great sense of humour which really made our trip fun.  He organised us and the rest of his team with great skill but above all kept us all safe on the mountain.  The rest of the team were excellent too - the assistant guides, cook and porters were a fantastic team that worked very hard to make our holiday enjoyable, memorable and safe.  Well done to the AWC!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not underestimate the challenge involved in climbing Kilimanjaro - it is a tough but hugely rewarding and fun experience! Enjoy the journey as well as the ultimate goal of standing on the roof of Africa! If you don't like camping, going to the loo in a bucket and all that goes with a multi day walk this trip really, really isn't for you!  Be prepared for the cold and rain - make sure your kit is up to scratch and that you have plenty layers!  You will be very well fed so there is no need to take mountains of snacks with you - spare your porter the extra weight as trust me you won't need loads of extra food, just the odd snack and some chocolate or sweets will do! My biggest piece of advice is drink plenty water as it really does help with acclimatisation - I drunk about 5 litres of water a day and am convinced it helped me get to the top.  Finally, a positive mental attitude undoubtedly helps (and it is more enjoyable for your fellow climbers!) but do listen to your body and the guides!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Uhuru Peak - the holy grail for all kili climbers!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henry Fernandes of African Walking Company was fantastic. A true gentleman with exceptional mountain knowledge and a sense of humour - a real gem! Henry we salute you!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Summit day is tough, making things comfortable on the way up really helps. Make sure you take serious  sunscreen - proper high factor ski-type sunscreen. Even the standard factor 30s-50s were struggling at altitude. Take boiled sweets, they really help with energy and motivation. Take rehydration salts. Number one - listen to your guide!