Thomson trekkers near Reusch Crater

Can’t Miss on Kilimanjaro: Reusch Crater

Many trekkers know of Kilimanjaro’s fiery past; the three peaks—Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo—were once all active volcanoes. Over thousands upon thousands of years, they erupted continually, building the mountain ever-higher, until one by one they went extinct: first Shira sputtered out, then Mawenzi. Kibo, ever the overachiever of the bunch, decided to keep its options more open; the tallest of Kili’s peaks is considered dormant, but not dead.

Trekker on the snowy path to the peak

The Downside of Altitude

But there’s one part of a Kilimanjaro hike that many people don’t fully prepare for (maybe because it’s not that much fun to talk about it): the ways that altitude can affect you on the mountain. Specifically, the effects it may have on your digestion.

Kilimanjaro Lager billboard outside of Arusha

Icy Cold…Refreshment? Kilimanjaro Lager

Perhaps unsurprisingly , Africa’s most famous mountain has long-since been merchandised, and one of the most beloved products to bear its name is Kilimanjaro Premium Lager. The country’s best-selling beer, Kilimanjaro is basically the Budweiser of Tanzania. A similarly light, fizzy lager (best served ice-cold), “Kili” is a favorite at just about every bar around the country.

Trekker Michael using trekking poles

Gear Tips: I Can’t Believe How Glad I Was to Have…

There are a few suggested items that might seem a little strange on the first look-through. Will you really need all those hand-warmers? How many layers will you really WEAR? We asked Thomson staffers which item they scoffed at…until they started their trek, and realized how happy they were to have.

Helichrysum newii’s white flowers on the route

Everlasting Flowers on Kilimanjaro

A climb up Kilimanjaro isn’t just a physical challenge, it’s a botany lesson; as you travel through the various climate zones, the flora changes dramatically, from fields of coffee in the foothills to tiny patches of the hardiest lichens near the top.

Kilimanjaro’s Unsung Hero: Johannes Rebmann

Hans Meyer is a name most Kili trekkers recognize; the first man to officially summit Kilimanjaro, in 1889, he long ago secured his place in the history books. It’s rare to talk about trekking Kilimanjaro in any depth without mentioning Meyer’s famous ascent.

A demonstration of how to care for your GORE-TEX gear

How to Care for your GORE-TEX Gear

  With temperatures ranging from the 90s F near the base to as low as -10°F at the summit, and weather that can change from bright sun to a chilly downpour in minutes, there are few items as important on your Kilimanjaro trek as reliable rain gear. These days, much if not most waterproof gear…

Tanzania's lush Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater: The Kilimanjaro That Could Have Been…

Ngorongoro once rose much, much higher than the 7500 foot rim. Photo: Andy Biggs Today, the Ngorongoro Crater’s rim rises just 7,500 feet above sea level; visitors might experience chilly nights, and anyone peering from the rim down to the crater floor, which sinks 2,000 feet below, might have a momentary sense of vertigo…but then…

Eliza training in snow

Kilimanjaro Training for a “Normal” Trekker

  Guests planning to trek Kili often ask us what they should do to train. No matter what your fitness level, Kilimanjaro offers specific challenges, and we strongly recommend people train specifically to meet them. We always tell them that since they can’t train for the most difficult element they’ll face on Kili, the altitude,…

Amy packing on Kilimanjaro

Packing For Kilimanjaro: Amy’s Top Tips!

Thomson Safaris staffer shares expert tips on packing for Kilimanjaro. Amy just returned from her successful Kili trek in November, and she attributes some of her success to a basic (but often ignored) tip: Don’t overpack.

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