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“Oh boy,” I said, “he’s really trying it.”
It’s one month ago and I’m standing on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and, just as he’d promised, a free-spirited trekker on my trip was unpacking the kite he’d taken all 19,351 feet up the mountain. He carefully unspooled the red, wrinkled nylon and in our collective, joyous delirium, my group was transfixed.
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But kites, it seemed, don’t work too well when the wind is coming from every direction.
Maybe it was the low oxygen, but we couldn’t stop laughing.
Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro was more than a trek; it was a transformation. I came off the mountain with a deeper connection with nature, greater self-confidence and with newfound friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Going up!
My anticipation reached record levels on the morning of our first hiking day. The clouds broke and my group caught a fleeting glimpse of the mountain’s peak on our drive to the trailhead – a sudden reminder of the scale of the test ahead.
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We met our porters and guides and exchanged stories of home and family to try to play down our nerves. We exited the vehicle, donned our daypacks and set off on the Grand Traverse Route, a route that begins in the dense rainforest, where the sounds of monkeys and birds echoed through air thick with the smell of damp trees and vibrant flowers.
As we approached ten thousand feet, the landscape transformed. Trees gave way to bushes and shrubs and the air thinned, demanding a slower pace.
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Our head guide, Godlove, has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro over 200 times and is an expert at spotting the signs of altitude sickness before we noticed them ourselves. He kept us rested, hydrated and fed and provided words of encouragement when we needed them most. Godlove taught us that trekking is not just about reaching the summit; it’s about appreciating the journey.
The panoramic views offered from the mountain placed an exclamation mark on an unforgettable adventure.
Reaching the Summit
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Summit day was as much a mental challenge as it was a physical one. In the glow of headlamps, the mountain came alive with an otherworldly aura. The biting cold and thin air were challenging obstacles, but the camaraderie among climbers, guides and porters kept the group pushing forward.
Standing on Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro, was an overwhelming triumph. The sense of accomplishment was unparalleled. The journey that began with a single step in the rainforest ended with a big celebration, hugs, smiles and (attempted) kite flying.
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The Ultimate Reward: Safari
What an adventure it had been.
But it wasn’t over! Two days later I’d be off the mountain and heading on safari. Between the packing and equal parts excitement and anxiety preparing for the Kilimanjaro climb, I’d given little thought to what lay in store—8 days traversing Tanzania and taking in the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. You’re in Tanzania – and yet Kili is devoid of life, almost lunar. What a shame it would be to leave this country with only photos of parka-clad humans!
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I practically raced down the mountain to embrace my wife, who was waiting for me in Arusha. She congratulated me, heard all about the climb and her excitement matched my own as we prepared for our Highlights Safari.
I cannot stress this enough. There is no better way to celebrate your summit success than to treat yourself to safari. Giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles are just a few Lion King cast members we encountered. Our guides were so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the Serengeti, adding dimensionality to the experience. We arrived home in Boston with hundreds of pictures and contextualizing facts to share with our friends and family.
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The highlight of my Highlights Safari was the hot air balloon – an add-on that I highly suggest everybody take advantage of. In the Land Rover, you come face to face with the wildlife, but on a hot air balloon you get a bird’s eye view of the Serengeti. We flew over a pride of lions, a herd of elephants and thousands of gazelles–all of which we would not have seen if it wasn’t for our aerial perspective.
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There is no vacation more exhilarating and formative than a Tanzanian safari. I hear everyone describe safari as a once in a lifetime trip as they begin planning, but once you go, you can’t wait to make it a twice, or three times in a lifetime experience!
