OUR CLIMBS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Climb Kilimanjaro section of this website. On this page and all the other sub-pages you can find out all about climbing Kilimanjaro with us, from what route to take to, when to climb and how much it will cost. If there is something that we do not cover here, please do not hesitate to get in touch and I’ll do my best to answer your questions as speedily as possible.
Our Kilimanjaro climbs: Contents
Kilimanjaro is for everyone
While we recognise that not everyone can get to the top of Kilimanjaro, we firmly believe that everyone can try. One of our directors, Joshua Ruhimbi, and his work leading blind, disabled, wheelchair-bound, infants and the elderly climbers up the slopes to the summit of Africa’s Highest Mountain, is proof that, no matter how great the obstacle, almost anyone can make it to the top.
So whatever condition you’re in, and whatever obstacles you face, we are here to help you realise your ambition to conquer Kilimanjaro, and stand at the highest point on the African continent.
We cannot guarantee that you’ll get to the top; our ‘safety-first’ approach means we could never do that.
But we do aim for all of our clients to do the best that they can on the mountain, while having a lot of fun along the way. That is what separates a trek with the Kilimanjaro Experts from all the rest.
From large groups to solo climbers – we cater for them all
We run two sorts of treks: public treks, and private ones….
Public treks
Our public treks are open to everyone. These climbs are for people who are happy to – indeed, prefer – to walk with strangers. For most people, part of the joy of any holiday is the chance to meet different people from different walks of life, and share some time together. A climb up Kilimanjaro is, of course, ideal for this. The unique conditions and hardships enjoyed and endured by anyone who pits themselves against Africa’s Highest Mountain makes it an ideal environment for making friends and forging lasting relationships.
For this reason, and others, they are particularly great for solo trekkers. When writing the book, and when researching for each subsequent edition, I have always been a ‘solo’ climber. So I fully appreciate how annoying it is to have to pay more for the experience of climbing Kilimanjaro, just because we happen to be travelling by ourselves. Which is why we go out of our way to make sure that solo climbers who want to climb with us are not exploited by single supplements, particularly as, we think, they are just unnecessary. If you book a climb with us, you’ll pay the same per person as if you were part of a couple. Not a penny, cent or shilling more.
Our public treks have a maximum of just 8 people on them. Very occasionally we will go over this – if, for example, there are already seven people on it, and a couple want to sign up too.
The maximum we have set is usually smaller than other groups, who often have 12,15 or even twenty people in their groups. But our time on the mountain organsing and leading big groups on the mountain, means that we know that this is the wrong approach. Because instead of your climb being an adventure shared just between just your small group and your mountain crew, you start to feel like an army marching up the slopes – and the whole experience feels less magical because of it.
Which is why, though our maximum is occasionally increased by one person, we never let it get to 10 people. Once you let the number of climbers reach double figures, we think the trek loses something.
If you click on this link you’ll find a full schedule of our public treks. Note that if you can’t find anything that fits your schedule, don’t despair: we add new dates all the time so it’s always worth checking back.
Private treks, big and small
We also organise private treks. We make sure these are fair value too. Indeed, as long as there are two of you, the price for a private trek will be the same as if you joined one of our public climbs. A private trek allows you to choose the exact date you start your trek, the route you take up the mountain and the duration of the trek.
Note that, with a private group, you also get to choose how many people are on your trek. So if you have a group of twenty, thirty, or more people, that’s absolutely fine. You just tell us how big your group is, and we’ll make all the necessary arrangements.
And remember, the greater the number of people in your booking, the cheaper your trek will be.
No matter the size of your party, whether you’re a couple on honeymoon who just want to get away from everyone else during your trek, or a large group of fifty or more people climbing for charity, we’ll be able to help.
Families welcome, no matter how old or young
As long as everyone in your party is above the age of ten, not only will you all be allowed to climb Kilimanjaro but those under 16 years of age will also be entitled to significant discounts off the park fees (amounting to approximately US$100 per day). We will, of course, pass on any and all discounts to you; see if any other tour operator will do that.
There is also no upper age-limit on Kilimanjaro. Indeed, in our experience, older trekkers are just as likely to get to the summit as younger trekkers. (It just takes them longer, that’s all!) The fact that all of our treks are staffed by licensed guides at a ratio of one guide to every two trekkers means that no matter what pace you go there’ll be one of our team to accompany you, providing assistance, friendship and encouragement.
Climbing Africa’s Highest Mountain not hard enough?
We also try to cater for those who are looking for something more adventurous than a normal trek: those who want to challenge themselves even further by carrying some/all of their own kit, and even carry and cook their own food. While this approach to climbing Africa’s Highest Mountain certainly isn’t for everyone, if you have the necessary fitness, stamina and ‘toughness’ it’s a wonderful way to trek and gives your trip an added layer of adventure. It will also make your trip quite a bit cheaper, as there will be fewer porters required to help you.
From the able-bodied to the disabled, the very young to the very old, solo trekkers to large groups: we can (and probably have) catered for them all. So don’t think that somehow Kilimanjaro isn’t for you. That people in your position don’t, or can’t climb Africa’s biggest mountain. That’s almost certainly not the case.
And we can’t wait to help you fulfil your ambitions and achieve your goals, on one of the most magical places on the planet.
What to do next?
The following pages in this section will provide you with most of the necessary information about the trek. You’ll also find plenty of information on the Climb Mount Kilimanjaro website, the site that accompanies the guide book.
No doubt, after reading these pages, you’ll probably still have questions. But that’s no problem. No matter how big or small your questions, simply get in touch and you’ll be put through to someone who has actually climbed the mountain and can help you with any queries you may have.