TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Africa Kilimanjaro climb/safari

Any suggestions about an outfitter for climbing Kili this summer with a followup photo safari?

Not sure where you live but if you have any travel agency that specialize in Adventure Travel in your area they can be of great help.

We used the Adventure Centre in Toronto a few years ago for a safari to Kenya and again for a trip to the Gallapagos and they were great. They do have a web site: Adventure Centre

I have never tried the Kili climb but I have heard a lot of negative comments over the years. A good agent should be able to provide you with both sides of the story.

Haven't done it myself but know two people who have. One came back with mild frostbite to the toes, the other spent a lot of time puking. Both fit guys in their late 20's early 30's.
Be prepared. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

My boss did the climb in his 60's, I'll see if I can get him to post tomorrow for you.Climb every mountain, Oh! I almost forgot he met his girl on the safari. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

My sister & Bro-in-Law just went last January (both in late 40's)... with a few day safari after the climb...
I'll ask them what outfitter they used & post here probably tomorrow...
They had a great time... said outfitter was superb... loved every minute of it...

Except for the dissentary that everyone seems to get on the climb...

I just spoke to my bro-in-law and they booked thru:
Natural Habitat Advetures
in Boulder, Co.
Who then booked their trip with
Unique Safari's in Tanzania... who then sub-contracted for porters & guides for the actual trip...
He said you may get a better rate by cutting out the middle man and booking directly with Unique Safari's...

He highly reccommended them as very professional and competant...
Their trip included a 3 day safari after the climb... that they said was "an experience of a lifetime"...
I do not know their overall cost, but it wasn't cheap!...

BTW,
My bro-in-law is a Captain in the Air Force stationed at the Academy in Colorado Springs, in the Hospital there.
He's an Anesthesiologist...
And an accomplished climber, having climbed most of the 53 14,000+ foot peaks in Colorado...

Brian--I don't suppose you could convince your brother in law to post something directly about his trip?? Or did he do any kind of a trip report??

Carol,
He said he's in the middle of writing one up for a bunch of his climbing buddies now...
I'll get a copy eventually, and post it here...
It may take him a while, as he's not really into doing it (he can talk up a storm, but not much of a writer), but has made promises...
He also promised to send me a CD of all the pictures he took, and I'll put them on my website and add the url here...

Brian--thanks much!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

FYI...
by law...
the minimum amount of time the trip to climb Kilmanaro is 4 days, 5 nights... due to requirements for altitude acclamation...
There are longer trips available...

I have recently booked a climbing package and safari with an outfit called Good Earth Tours. I will be going in September. Prices are very good. I have not heard anything but positive reviews from this company. The have an office in Arusha and in Tampa Florida. Google Good Earth Tours and you can go to their site.

Great new forum!!

Please post a trip report upon your return!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Also keep us posted on your questions and information as you get it so others can learn from your experiences. Please feel free to start some new notes with the questions and/or experiences leading up to your trip. I imagine there are many things that will be different in considerations than a normal vacation destination.

We have found this to be true for our Africa trip.

I have learned alot in researching various items for my trip. First, give yourself the best possible chance for making the summit of Kili by being in shape. Although this is not a "technical" climb and is more appropriate called a "trek", do not understimate this mountain. Various trip reports that I have read emphasized this point. Also, there are a number of routes you can take up the mountain. Research the various routes to make sure which one meets your criteria better. For example, some routes get "very" crowded. We are taking the somewhat lesser used Rongai Route. We are doing the climb in 6 days, having opted to take an extra day on the mountain to better acclimate to the altitude.

We have a group of 5 climbing kilimanjaro and we will be joined by 8 friends at the conclusion of the climb. We will then go to Kenya to do 8 days of safaris. We will be staying in the following places: Sweetwaters Tented Camps, Samburu Serenal Lodge, Lion Hill Sarova Lodge, Sarova Mara Tented Camp, and Mara Serena Lodge.

Wow, it really looks like an exciting trip!!! Please take good notes and write us a report! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Try Thomson Safaris, out of Watertown, Mass. They only deal with Tanzania and deal directly with their locals on the ground, cutting out the middle-men. I did a hiking safari with them last fall that was great. Several people I talked to said their Kili treks are well-worth it too.
www.thomsonsafaris.com

Dane--Hi. Don't suppose you could post some type of a trip report from your trip?? Sounds fascinating!

Sure:

The essentials:

Flew out of DC to Amsterdam, connecting on a KLM flight direct to Kilimanjaro (more expensive than going through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, but the convenience was definitely worth it. Arrived around 8:30 p.m. and were met by Thomson representative, who took us to Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha, which consists of Bungalows on a coffee plantation. There for a short overnight and breakfast. Then off the next morning to the Arusha airfield for a 90 minute flight out to Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. Plane had to go for a second landing because a giraffe was on the strip. Within the first 2 hours in the jeep on the way to the camp, saw giraffes, lions, vervet monkeys, elephants, impala, gazelles, topi, baboons, hippos, crocs, zebras, etc. Great way to start!

Camp was really nice. Each tent had a full-sized raised bed in it, with an attached shower and toilet tent. A separate dining tent also had a small bar. Evenings were spent strolling around the campsite among wildebeast and gazelles (with an armed ranger) and sitting by the campfire with a Safari or Tusker beer.

Serengeti time was spent with 2-3 days of game drives and a highlight of a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Also came across a cheetah family eating a fresh kill 25 feet from the jeep path.

Moved on to Ndutu Lodge, which is another bungalow property on Lake Ndutu. Amazing views of Giraffe and cats wandering past the property.

On to Ngorongoro Crater. Fantastic wildlife viewing there as well, all in a smaller area of the crater floor. Camped on the crater rim each night, where temperatures dipped to the 40's at night.

Driving brought us past Olduvai Gorge, site of the Leakey's Hominid Discoveries and thought to be the potential site of the cradle of mankind.

Then, moved up to roughly 13000 feet above sea level to Empakai Crater. After a four hour hike down to the crater floor, ate a box lunch near the flamingo-laden lake. Camping that night brought temps to roughly 40 degrees: quite a contrast to the 75-80 degree days.

Next day, hiked roughly 14 miles down through the Masai village of Naiobi and through the Acacia forest, our gear on donkeys. Masai guides along the way pointing out fauna and flora. That evening, the Masai asked if we would like to view them slaughtering a goat. Figuring this might be my only opportunity, I took it. Actually not what I had imagined. They merely clamped their hand over the goat's nose and mouth and smothered it (they say this is how the lion kills the Cape Buffalo). Then, they later skinned and dressed it. A Masai celebration ensued, during which they showed us their warrior dances. Definitely something that has to be seen first-hand!

Next morning, we hiked onward down through the Rift Valley, with breathtaking views along the way, ending up at Lake Natron. Amazing numbers of flamingoes all over this lunar-like landscape, in the shadow of an active volcano- Oldonyo Lengai ("Mountain of God").

All of the hiking through 6-8 inches of volcanic silt made the Masai offer of doing laundry for us at the Lake Natron camp (only $10 for everything) a godsend.

Next morning, took a river hike up to a 75-foot waterfall.

Then, drove slowly through the dust to E Unoto Retreat, near Lake Manyara. E Unoto is a Luxury-style retreat whose large down beds were a welcome sight after adventure camping among donkey caravans and hiking down 11000 feet. Took a small hike down to the lake on the property as well. Great day and a half of relaxing prior to making our way back to Arusha.

Upon arrival in Arusha, went to the Cultural Center for several souvenir/artwork purchases.

Then, on to Arusha airstrip for one more flight, this time on to Zanzibar.

Spent 3 nights in Zanzibar at the Breezes Beach Club. Basically is a nice beach resort, similar to any upscale Caribbean property. Food was excellent and included in the price. This was even more surprising, given the 5 course dinners!

Finally, after 18 days, it was unfortunately time to make our way to the Zanzibar airport for the 20 minute flight to Dar es Salaam, then for the 17-hour flight out of Africa.

In all, this was one of those "trips of a lifetime" that I hope to make more than once. Thomson was very good and, I think, offered a tour that really brought us outside the standard box, which says even more in Africa. The hiking was not like trekking Kilimanjaro, but was more strenuous than some in our party expected. This was probably heightened by the deeper-than-usual volcanic dust (which also gave most blisters). I enjoyed the lodges, but actually preferred the classic camps as they were luxurious enough and really made me feel that I was "not in Kansas anymore" as I laid in bed among the sounds of lions, hyenas, ostriches, and whatever else happened to wander through the area.

This trip was definitely a highlight of my years so far. I'm sure anyone who takes a similar journey will find the same.

Thanks for the report. Just got back from Africa ourselves this evening. Trip report of the century will be a while coming..