lisa and joe at the summit of kilimanjaro

What made Lisa Garruzzo’s Kili Trek so Transformative?

Lisa and her husband Joe at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro Life-changing treks can have a powerful effect on our everyday lives. Thomson trekker Lisa Garruzzo of Go. Own It ®discovered this for herself when she set out to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in late 2021; she found that the journey to Uhuru Peak became an immutable…

6 Reasons Kilimanjaro is the Escape You Need

With the year drawing to a close, we’re looking ahead and know you probably are, too. The potential for much needed adventure, fun memories and new goals awaits! You can even combine the adventure, memories, and goals…with a Kilimanjaro Trek! Here’s why Kilimanjaro is the adventurous escape you need.   Leave behind those same four…

thomson tent on mount kilimanjaro

Things That Won’t Change About Your Kilimanjaro Trek

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Tanzania. Although some things have been adjusted (see our new Standard Operating Procedures), there are some things about trekking Kilimanjaro that won’t change…   How Impressed You are with the Porters Carrying 33 pounds is no easy task to begin with – never mind doing it at…

climbing kilimanjaro with my grandfather

Our New Oldest Summiteer: ‘I’ve been back a week, and I’d go again!’

John with his son and grandsons at the start of the trek   John Thelen is an 82-year-old Southern California native who likes golfing and relaxing with his family. It just so happens he can also summit Africa’s tallest mountain with no problem. “I didn’t seem to have trouble going up!” John told us when…

Who Can Climb Mount Kilimanjaro? 5 Trekkers Share What it Was Really Like

“Can I climb Kili?” is a question many of our guests ask themselves throughout the planning stages of their trek. A mountain that stretches 19,341 feet high, Kilimanjaro is a serious feat that requires physical strength, mental endurance, and a lot of determination. You too might be wondering if you’re up to the challenge. The…

Shilagh on the trail

Lessons from the top: Shilagh’s journey to Uhuru Peak

The Start of a Dream Twenty years ago, I met a group of women who were planning to hike Kilimanjaro. They invited me to train with them; I could barely keep up. I loved their energy, and they were so enthusiastic about their adventure, that I put Kilimanjaro on my bucket list, too. They sent me…

New summit sign at Uhuru Peak

Sign of Success: New Summit Sign on Kilimanjaro

The Kilimanjaro summit sign has long been an inspiration to weary trekkers nearing the top. But over the years, the original sign, constructed from wooden planks, became weathered and worn. In January 2012, the wooden sign was finally retired, replaced with a shiny new green sign…

Thomson trekkers using headlamps

Night Owl or Early Bird: Nighttime vs. Daytime Summits on Kilimanjaro

Both daytime and nighttime summiteers will start at Barafu camp, but their experiences will unfold a bit differently… Depending on the route you take up the mountain, your summit bid may be a 10-15 hour night bid, or you may have the opportunity to summit during the day. Shorter routes, like Umbwe, include nighttime summits with immediate descents, since limited acclimatization time on these treks makes it uncomfortable for climbers to stay at the summit elevations for long.

Tanzania 50 Years of Independence logo

Tanzania Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

Many independence celebrations are planned throughout the country including a 4-day weekend festival and a large celebration at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Additionally, 200 climbers from around the world are participating in the Kilimanjaro Uhuru Climb. The climbers, who began their ascent last week, will converge at Kilimanjaro’s summit from four different routes today.

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