3 Months of Training, 2 Treks and a Safari

Heather and Carolyn are getting ready for their 19,341-foot trek up Mount Kilimanjaro   Meet Carolyn and Heather, the Thomson staffers hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in October. With a “just do it” mindset from one and a “I’ll prove you wrong” attitude from the other, the pair may be motivated in different ways, but have come…

dining tent at forest camp on mount kilimanjaro

Why We Serve the Best Food on Kilimanjaro

Dining tent at Forest Camp For many trekkers, the food menu on the way up Kilimanjaro is an afterthought – you have a mountain to climb after all! There’s gear, guides, tents, routes and more to consider. How important are breakfast, lunch and dinner in the grand scheme of things? Believe it or not, they’re…

wfr thomson kilimanjaro guides

Why are WFR Guides Important on Kilimanjaro?

Your guides are your most important assets on Kilimanjaro. That’s why we go the distance to make sure every guide, not just your head guide, is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Because we’ve seen just about everything on Kilimanjaro; unexpected snowstorms, twisted ankles, altitude sickness – the right guides spot the warning signs beforehand…

trekkers at kilimanjaro saddle on grand traverse

7 of the Best Things on Kilimanjaro’s Most Luxurious Trek

One of our Grand Traverse trekkers wrote a message to us recently. It was titled “Best Selling Points for the Thomson Grand Traverse.” “Having a cot off the ground is HUGE!” “Not having to wake up and hike to summit in the middle of the night!” “Choice of whether or not to sleep at Crater…

kilimanjaro snow peak

What is Kilimanjaro? Volcanoes, Peaks, Formations and More

Did you know Kilimanjaro is made up of three different volcanoes? Or that it’s the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth? You might dream of the summit, but don’t be surprised if the Barranco Wall becomes your favorite part of the mountain. Kilimanjaro is full of surprises large and small – multiple peaks that will be…

14 Tips from a Staffer and Recent Kilimanjaro Trekker

My name is John King. I’m one of Thomson Safaris’ staffers, and I recently summited Kilimanjaro on the Western Approach route. I’m a novice mountaineer, and I wrote about my Kilimanjaro preparation just before my adventure. Now, I’d like to share a few things I learned on the mountain. 1. Prepare for Dry Air and…

lacing techniques for hiking boots

Lacing Your Hiking Boots for Kilimanjaro

Even with a pair of broken in boots that fit well, your feet may get sore after so much hiking on Kilimanjaro. Luckily, there are a few lacing techniques that can relieve pressure or help secure your but to reduce friction and blistering.   Issue: Loose around heel or instep Lacing Technique: Surgeon’s Knot  If…

thomson staffer john packs for his kilimanjaro trek

How a Run-of-the-mill Guy Prepares for Kilimanjaro

Watch as I run through the packing list in the Thomson Kili Prep Guide. Check the packing tips page on our site for more details on what to pack.   My name is John King. I’m one of Thomson Safaris’ staffers, and I’m getting ready to climb Kilimanjaro’s Western Approach. What’s special about me climbing?…

thomson porters on kilimanjaro

What do Kilimanjaro’s Porters Do?

Imagine waking up at 13,200 feet on Kilimanjaro on the sixth day of your trek. A friendly face might hand you a cup of coffee as you tie your boots. Another might refill your water bottles. Later, a team breaks down your tent, toilet tent and dining tent, stows away the food and cooking equipment…

A Day-by-day Trekking Journal to Kilimanjaro’s Summit

Ralph and Szabi met in Basel early in 2017. Ralph owns a positive change consulting practice, and Szabi is a scientist who works for one of Ralph’s clients. Szabi talked about climbing Kilimanjaro at one meeting, and Ralph suggested going together. The rest is history. They kept a day-by-day journal of their journey from home…

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