Your boots are laced tight. The rainforest fog is thick. Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak looms overhead. It’s day one of your trek, and you’re busy anticipating the challenge that lies before you. Little do you know about the challenges that lay behind you! Every Thomson trek requires an enormous amount of logistical organization just to make…
Each trek is different, but on average, it takes about 225 pounds of total luggage per trekker to get to Kilimanjaro’s peak and back. No one would be able to trek Mount Kilimanjaro without a porter.
How far will you go for family? For sisters Angela and Ashley, the sky is the limit–literally. This spring, they’re climbing into the clouds on a 19,341′ quest to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro! Angela Woods is Thomson’s Manager of Guest Services and a Kilimanjaro veteran—she lives and breathes Tanzania, and knows every trekking route,…
. “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,…
We hear it all the time: “when is the absolute best time to climb Kilimanjaro?” Not to be fence-sitters but: whenever? There absolutely is a worst time to attempt your trek; in fact, there are two of them: April/May and mid-November through mid-December. During those times the entire country receives serious rainfall (especially during April, when the heavy rains come)
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, is a dream come true for many adventures–but it’s by no means a walk in the park. However, with diligent training, the right equipment and the support of the mountain’s most experienced guides, Kili is an excellent choice for nearly anyone seeking to reach new heights! Here…
Hi! My name’s Matt, and I’m a travel consultant at Thomson Safaris. At Thomson, we believe staffers should know our itineraries inside and out; that’s why we regularly deploy consultants like me to Tanzania. It’s the job perk of a lifetime, and I’m counting down the days for my October Kilimanjaro summit via Thomson’s Western…
Wondering where to start when you’re gearing up for Kilimanjaro? Our trekking experts have built a list of our top gear recommendations for you. From boots to bags, sunglasses and gaiters, consider this a starting point as you prepare for your Kili adventure! HEADWEAR Sunglasses Any polarized wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UV protection…
We’re pleased to announce that all Thomson guides renewed their Wilderness First Responders (WFR) certification during their recent WFR training course! This course is offered by the internationally recognized Sentinel Outdoor Institute. It’s the highest level of safety training available on Kilimanjaro–and for Thomson head and assistant guides, it’s standard policy. Thomson is one…
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…