Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The dedication of the guides to helping us all achieve our goal particularly during those moments when the terrain was difficult and during summit night when everyone found the going tough.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham did an amazing job organising a large group of people which encompassed numerous porters, guides and ourselves as clients. Although much of his work was behind the scenes when coordinating the porters he was always observed speaking with them to ensure everything worked smoothly. His manner with both clients and porters was inspirational.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me was the people that I spent this most amazing experience with and to have all 12 of the group reach the summit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was great, he was very informative about the trek and kept a close eye on all the group checking that no-one was suffering from Altitute sickness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be prepared, make sure that you have the right gear to tackle all sorts of weather eventualities, keep fit and most of all have a "postive mental atitude".

Suggestions

The African Walking Company who supported us on our trek, all the porters, tent guides, chef, assistant guides and lead guides were all brilliant and without their support, we would not have reached the summit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Strangely, it was not summiting Kili - though this was a terrific moment for me - but the amazing duty of care, love, fun and professionalism extended to me and our trekking group of 12 by the guides, assistants and porters on this amazing pilgrimage. These guys (and gals) from the African Walking Company (Exodus's Tanzanian agents) are wonderful ambassadors for both companies as well as for Tanzania - nothing is too much for them. They are worth their weight in gold! Meke, Naiman, Viviano, Abraham, Tosha, Innocent, Lucie, Angela, and the caring, caring porter/tent attendant Kai - and many more, they are priceless and a credit to any organisation. Wish we could import them all to the UK!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I had two, of course, because I did two trips with Exodus. Both, Meke and Abraham and their deputies, including Naiman, were amazing. Professional, watchful of any signs of Mountain Altitude Sickness and ready and quickly to deal with it. At the same time, we trekkers were able to examine flora and fauna, superb views and the snap the engaging monkey groups in the sub-tropical zones. But the bond that grew between our 12-strong group of trekkers and The African Walking Company guides and porters, with their fun and Can Do attitude, will remain with me for life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it! At 66, I may be a little old to start trekking adventures - but this is just the start!

Suggestions

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Don't let fear hold you back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit and sharing the emotion with my new friends.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing - fun, supportive, knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!! Take a poncho - it was invaluable to me in October!

Suggestions

Time of my life, incredible experience, trip so well organised - even the toilet experience was fine!! :) Thank you a Exodus and The African Walking Company for the most amazing time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Approaching Stella point, exhausted but with the new sunlight of an African dawn flooding hope and energy into our muscles: a sight I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Makeke was an experienced management hand on the rudder of the whole trip, coordinating a small army of individuals to maximise our chances of getting to the top.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train well - its not easy! And don't overpack - guilt in seeing porters struggling your loads up the Baranko wall isn't worth it. But make sure you pack all the essential stuff and make it of good quality to handle the cold.

Suggestions

Is you have any doubts, watch my (hopefully) inspirational video of our exploits here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koolu49XRVg

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved it all - even when we didn't make it, and had to come down early. The assistant guide who came down from the mountain with my grandson and me checked up on us every day, took us to visit his family and took us on unscheduled outings every day, until the rest of the group came down. Had a fantastic time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely professional and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A wonderful opportunity for teenagers to do something really exciting.

Suggestions

Well done Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Barranco wall on the day 5. This was the highlight of the trip. Barranco camp situated right next to the wall is an amazing camp site. Once is surrounded by stream, clouds with views of Moshi once the clouds lift, at the foothills of Kilimanjaro and surrounded by the eccentric looking plants. The wall next day looks intimidating but is fun to climb and guides help you through out the climb. The views are amazing from the top. This day brought smiles on everyones face and made us mentally stronger to tackle the last climb two days later.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles Teete was a perfect group leader who personally use to chat with everyone every morning to make sure we were well. He had hand on everybody's pulse so to speak through out the journey. His leadership skills, especially on the summit night were fantastic and he kept a tab on all of us (we all walked up together from day 1 to last day). Very accommodating especially he made sure that we get a refill of water on the longest day (day 4) where we walked to Lava tower).

Advice for Potential Travellers

July-August is a good time as we had no rain. Windproof jacket must as some days it is too hot with fleece and too cold with T-shirt. Breathable jacket takes care of that well. Food is excellent and hence bring along only nutrition bars and chocolates. Walking poles are useful on descend and are a must. Knee support for those with painful knees especially for last two days of descent. Please get Nalgene bottle with insulation cover (Nalgene Bottle Carrier Insulated for 32 Oz bottles, Gray). I got his for $16 from amazon but was the only bottle which did not freeze).

Suggestions

Brilliant route, great company, good food and great scenery!! I will do this again with my family in next two years.

Most Inspirational Moment

the summit reaching 5895m and watching the sunrise over the Kenyan border around 5am

Thoughts on Group Leader

Florence and his team of guides were amazing. all 9 of my group made it to the summit. Positive motivation, experience, mental attitude, care and pole pole helped us all to the summit.

Advice for Potential Travellers

a hand brush or flannel to help washing time and dust! a shewee is a big help and lots of layers.

Suggestions

the only critisism is the lodge was quite expensive for dinner 25dollars a lot in africa and when we returned from a week with no shower,electric etc there was no hot water or electric in the lodge for several hours. The exodus briefing guide edson? gave a summary of the route in english but gave conflicting information over 2 separate briefings to different members about tipping etc. Also we had to ask for equipment and he wasn't so sure about extra information.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Stella point and watching the sunrise on the way up. Spectacular!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Makeke was brilliant! I really struggled on the second day but he stayed with me every step and was extremely patient and sympathetic. I wouldn't have made it without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hire the sleeping mats! They are very comfortable and thicker than most inflatable roll mats. Don't overpack, you'll be surprised at how much use you will get out of one t-shirt! Portable phone/iPod chargers are great- I recommend the Anker ones. Drink lots of water and eat as much as you can as that definitely helped with the altitude. An iPod for me was a God send, especially at night time and on summit day. And finally, take lots of pictures!!

Suggestions

This trip was so much better than I could ever have imagined and would love to do it again. The route was great- very scenic and the extra day really helps with acclimatisation. In terms of training I'd recommend lots of hiking and leg strengthening- going down was harder than I expected!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through starlight and reaching Stella Point as the sun was rising is something I will never forget. A quick pitstop of a cup of tea and Dairy Milk made the final push to Uhuru Peak that much easier and dare I say, enjoyable! Climbing the Barracho Wall and the kissing wall was also fantastic, daunting in parts and a different challenge but another amazing part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Head Guide, Makeke, from the African Walking Company was fantastic. Makeke and his team made everything run smoothly, nothing was too much trouble. They played a massive part of making our trip genuinely amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely hire an Exodus sleeping matt, very padded and comfy. Take some shoes to wear in the evening, that are easy to put on at night when you need to do a night time loo run. A metal water bottle can double up as a fab hot water bottle at night.

Suggestions

Pick a date and book it. Best experience ever and something I will never forget!