Jambo! Trekking Kilimanjaro is a multi-disciplinary adventure. You need strong legs, formidable resolve and…an elementary proficiency in the local language? While knowing the language is far from mandatory, even a sprinkling of Swahili will go a long way in your quest to Kili’s peak. Your conversations on the mountain will be richer and more…
When you’re trail-weary after hours of trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro, there’s no better sight than the scattered orange tents of a Thomson camp in the distance. Every day of hiking ends here, at your home away from home. Combining top-notch service with the highest standards of mountainside comfort, it’s your reward for a job well…
Climbing Kilimanjaro may be the toughest thing you ever do. Extreme altitude, tough weather and taxing physical demands create a trifecta of challenges that can pose serious health risks to the unprepared. But with smart planning and adequate safety precautions, you can minimize those risks and join the thousands of trekkers who experience the…
Muscle and willpower will take you far on a Mt. Kilimanjaro trek. But a good plan? That’ll get you the rest of the way! In fact, the most critical decisions you make in your quest to Uhuru Peak occur long before you take your first step. Here are 10 things you need to get…
Congrats, you’ve climbed Kilimanjaro! You’ve sweated, strained and sacrificed on your quest to the Roof of Africa. You’ve accomplished something incredible. But what’s next? Your flight home? Before you go, make more of your time in Tanzania with a post-trek safari. Track lions across the Serengeti, count giraffes from a hot-air balloon and share…
Her muscles ached. The frigid air stung. Huffing and red-faced, Thomson staffer Brittany trekked toward the summit anyway, battling Kilimanjaro’s whistling winds and stirring dust. The oxygen thinned but Brittany remained strong, stronger than she could’ve imagined a few years ago, when she believed she would never be capable of high-altitude climbing. For so…
Water is heavy. It sloshes around. How you store it during your Kili trek can make for a noticeably different experience. Kili trekkers usually opt for one of two setups when it comes to hydration transportation: 1) 4 Nalgene water bottles, or 2) 1 hydration bladder and 3 Nalgene bottles. Which setup is best for…
What’s better than climbing Kili with one pair of legs? Climbing with two! That’s the power of trekking poles: more balance, more strength and sweet relief for your joints. Poles are optional items on our Kilimanjaro packing list. Not everyone brings them, but those that do often find them invaluable. “I’d never used poles on…
Brittany on a training hike in Vermont. Thomson staffer Brittany has helped tons of guests prepare to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro. Now, she’s following in their footsteps–literally, she’s climbing Kili soon on Thomson’s Western Approach! We caught up with her for a Q&A about her preparation, training and inspiration for climbing Kili. Why is…
There’s only one Mount Kilimanjaro. One Uhuru Peak. And with over 35,000 trekkers climbing its slopes every year, companies like Thomson bear a huge responsibility to be responsible stewards of the mountain. And every year, Thomson steps into that responsibility with confidence. All Thomson head and assistant guides are trained in the principles of Leave…
