Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit night. To quote one of our fellow group members after summiting: " We looked deeply into ourselves, all through a very dark and stormy night on an unrelenting climb, faced real adversity and prevailed!" Sounds a bit melodramatic but all of the previous night's summit attempts were cancelled because of the weather.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lucia Kivio and her assistant guides, Anna, Angela, Happiness and Joyce were superb. As stated above, I couldn't have summited without them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) Pole, pole, the slower the better. 2) Drink more than you think you will need. 3) Eat plenty, it's easy not to but you need as much energy as possible. 4) A positive attitude is essential, one step at a time, only think about one day at a time and enjoy. 5) Enjoy the company of your group and support each other.

Suggestions

A fantastic experience which I will never forget!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the Baranco wall and reaching the summit early on summit day. Getting there early, meant easy access to the Kilimanjaro sign and to be able to take photos. Those who got there later, had "arguments" with fellow trekkers to get a photo at the sign. The way that the guides and porters work is inspirational. They were such a happy bunch. We loved the singing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was fantastic, very kind and caring. She had a great team around her. All the porters were just fantastic. Great attitude, positive, friendly, happy. Amazing people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a hot water bottle, have the right clothes,(lots of layers) consider taking your own sleeping bag (right size for you and with the right level of warmth). Maybe get some clothes in the charity shop that you are willing to donate or leave behind at the end of the trip. These are useful for the porters and guides in the future. My clothes got very dirty, I am still trying to get them clean! Think about leaving your trainers/hiking boots for the guides and porters. Their shoes and clothes are not the same quality that we are used to.

Suggestions

Be prepared for cold nights in the tent. Do some training beforehand. For me, its all about endurance! Its not for the faint hearted. If you are prepared and you are relatively fit, you will love every moment of it. Some travel companies gave their clients a medal, that would be a nice touch! Something to consider Exodus!

Most Inspirational Moment

The team who helped us throughout the week are so inspirational. They work so hard and yet always have a smile on their faces. There is no way we would have completed summit day without their expertise and support. We were a group of 6 with a team of 23!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our team leader was called Happiness and she was amazing in everyday. Supportive, professional, inspiring and so experienced. Happiness ran a great team, always made sure we were feeling OK, checked how much we were eating and drinking and made sure we dug deep to get to the top. Her assistant guides Lucy, Simon, Pendaely and Floriam (for summit day) were equally amazing. They all work so well together. Nothing can prepare you for how difficult the summit walk is and without good guides it would be impossible to make it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tents are small so if travelling alone I think the single supplement is money vety well spent! I also think arriving a couple of days early really helps prepare for the climb. The whole trip is extremely dusty so bring plenty of spare clothes! One of the members of our trip hired a sleeping bag and it wasn't warm enough, every camp is cold so do research and bring a good sleeping bag and roll mat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro with a group of people who had become as close as family and enjoying the success together - knowing that we had conquered our collective struggles and achieved something that had challenged us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Happiness was simply the best. She was organised, informative, supportive and motivational. She got the measure of each member of the group very quickly and identified any weaknesses so she, along with the assistant guides, could lend a hand immediately it was required. She gave us confidence and instilled a belief that we could do it. She was also funny, fun and great company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it!!! Find yourself a really comprehensive kit list. I used Mark Whitman's https://www.climbkilimanjaroguide.com/kilimanjaro-kit-list/ Technical kit can be expensive but there are loads of deals on line and I found some excellent bits and pieces in charity shops. When you read the suggested tip amount on the trip notes it might seem a bit high - it is not. The work the team do is phenomenal and they absolutely deserve it. Battery power banks worked better than solar chargers

Suggestions

Thank you!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit along with other team members and the 'crew' who were particularly helpful and attentive. The efforts of the entire support staff were truly marvelous and they appeared to work well with their guides and trip leader David.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was an excellent leader and demonstrated his skills and capability throughout the entire climb

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare well, only take what you need and embrace the spirit of teamwork.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting back to base camp ⛺️ after making time the summit in horrendous weather conditions

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was very talented leader in how he supported and advised us as a group and his leadership of the team of 43 porters /assistant guides who supported us. His approach was authoritative but very kind.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it, it’s tough but the feeling of satisfaction is amazing m. I’m no athlete and suffer from asthma but the guides let me walk at my own pace and I made it!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyday was different the rain forest , Shira Plateau, Lava Tower etc. The most fun day was the great Barranco wall which looks steep but completely doable. On summit night I was excited, apprehensive and just wanted to get to the top however I knew it would be a very long day reaching Uhuru Peak .As soon as day break comes you get this burst of extra energy! Reaching Uhuru Peak was just the best moment!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can not praise our guides enough . Head guide - Julian (J.T.) was so professional, so kind and patient setting a sensible pace to allow us to acclimatise. Absolutely first class chap. Assistant guides- David and Hance equally as professional . I felt safe at all times on our journey. They all gave quiet and kind words of encouragement all the way. They never stop smiling and making things seem easy! I shall never forget them . Not forgetting our superb cook Trophin providing the food which would give us the energy we needed each day . Excellent porridge ! The wonderful porters and assistant guides Rikado Trophin and Arnold Thomas. Julius I thank you for also always being there! All the way to the top!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The most important thing is to follow the pace the guides set they are so experienced and everyone will tell you poly poly and that’s exactly what to do to give yourself more of a chance of acclimatising and reaching the summit . Don’t forget your nail brush ! I did ! Keep your head down especially on summit day this was the advice I was given ‘don’t look up’!! Just keep plodding . Have fun , you will love it and carry those memories forever.

Suggestions

Thank you Exodus and the African Walking Company

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the crater rim and seeing the clouds below us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

JT was a great leader always friendly and approachable, David and Hans the assistant guides were very knowledgeable and all three of them were positive and kept us going up to the top.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to pack as light as you can, and make sure you will be warm enough on summit night, its very cold until the sun comes up!

Suggestions

Thanks again for a fantastic trip, with memories that will last a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment and quite frankly the most surprising was a birthday cake our chef had baked for a member of our team, at 4,600metres! Also a very big shout out to our wonderful team leader, JT - every single day he would pick up rubbish my fellow walkers had carelessly thrown away on the trek, its selfless acts like that that inspire you to do your best and not to let anyone down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

JT has a permanent smile on his face. His knowledge and understanding of the mountain is second to none and is an inspirational character. JT, David and Hanse (assistant guides) all became our hero's and we all had a lot of fun during the trip, in particular after we had all scaled the Barranco Wall, what a fabulous afternoon! Its no wonder JT won the Exodus guide of the year in 2016, I have no doubt he will be up in the running for guide of the year again, he absolutely deserves every accolade he gets. I also have to give a special shout-out to our 2 other assistant guides; Hanse and David. Both of whom I have to say were incredible on summit night for so many reasons, and again so incredibly professional, funny - we all felt very safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, get the miles in! Trust me, you don't have to be a marathon runner or a triathlete etc, in order to take part in this epic adventure. If you are sensible and start to add in extra park run's or spin classes every week plus wracking up the walking miles every weekend, you shouldn't have any problems. I would also strongly suggest you read up on all the points of view in regards to taking the anti-altitude tablet, diamox. I took it and it worked, but please note it doesn't work for everyone, so listen to all the advice given, listen to your GP and make an educated decision. Finally......take a hot water bottle, trust me, you'll really appreciate it on the very cold nights.

Suggestions

All I would say is do your research, and DO NOT be afraid to step away from the norm. I've never done anything like this before, if you think you can't do it, believe me you absolutely can. I've had the most inspirational time of my life, your confidence rockets and you end up with friends for life and an experience you'll never, ever forget. Our small team of 5 walkers were assisted by JT, David, Hanse and a crew of 27, all of whom we can't thank enough for their sheer hard work, good humour and the constant smiling!

Most Inspirational Moment

Several highlights and to name a few, reaching Stella point, golden sunrise on the summit climb, Mount Meru and its continual presence above the clouds and golden sunset over it, climbing Barranco Wall, night sky with full moon and stars, practicing my Swahili again after several decades etc., enjoying the company of some of the fellow walkers and the support team.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I would not have made it to the top without John’s support and his patience. He was always very professional and totally committed to his job and nothing was too onerous for him. He was a very competent leader, supporting a team of assistant leaders, porters, and chefs who looked after our group of 10 very well. John was undoubtedly my hero!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Climbing Kilimanjaro, regardless of what grade it has been ranked, it should not be underestimated. Despite having undertaken numerous regular training walks building up to the trip, some long distance walks, it was physically challenging, so some physical preparation prior to the climb is essential. There is a structured tipping scheme; guidance is included in the trip notes, so useful to have the funds available.

Suggestions

The trip that I had undertaken was advertised as ‘all female crew’. This was also confirmed by Exodus staff in a telephone conversation who further assured me that it was to promote female employment. Hence this influenced my choice of trip. I was a little dismayed that this wasn’t the case. Having said this, I was not disappointed by the support team we had who were faultless!