The Best Guides on Mount Kilimanjaro
The
importance of your Kilimanjaro crew cannot be underestimated. A quality
guide and porters will make for a wonderful time on the mountain, while
a mediocre staff can put your life in danger.
Most other companies hire a guide solely, while the rest of the crew remains unknown as they are contracted by the guide himself. Climbers may end up with inexperienced, part-time, or even dishonest people accompanying them on their climb.
We spend a great deal of attention is put into finding the right staff. Each and every employee, from lead guide to porter, has been screened intensely prior to hire, and only the top performers are retained. Because of this rigorous process, we can ensure professional, high quality, consistent performance across the board. This is very rare amongst Kilimanjaro operators. We are one of only a handful of companies that operate this way.
Though certainly more expensive and laborious for us, knowing that our clients are on the mountain with the best crew makes the process well worth the time and effort.
When you climb with us, you climb with the best crew on Kilimanjaro, period.
Our local guides are experts on the mountain. Each of our guides is licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park, climbs Kilimanjaro around 20 times each year, and speaks English fluently.
For every climb, we assemble a competent team of lead guides, assistant guides, cooks, porters and other camp staff to support you on the mountain. Frequent collaboration between staff yields a team dynamic that translates into an unparalleled level of service. On all Kilimanjaro trips we keep a ratio of two clients to one guide so every climber receives personal attention and encouragement.
We
believe that safety is the most important aspect of the climb experience.
Our guides have received first aid training from Kilimanjaro National Park prior to their certification and additional training from us on a regular basis.
Our guides can recognize the symptoms of serious altitude sickness and organize immediate descent, which is by far the best treatment, when necessary.
Our guides follow established protocol for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation procedures. (See our Safety & Rescue page.)
During the low season, extensive multiday training courses are held off site to reevaluate and refresh their knowledge of first aid and rescue. These courses reassure that our guides are well prepared for any situation they encounter.
We strive to be a steward of ethical porter treatment.
We are committed to improving the working conditions of the porters on Kilimanjaro. Porters make the trips happen behind the scenes, so their welfare is a priority.
Our climbs are staffed with a sufficient number of porters to limit their
loads to 25 kg per porter. Our porters are paid one of the highest salaries
on the mountain, so they do not depend soley on tips, which can lead to
begging, harassment or theft. 
Every
climb departs with an ample food supply so that porters are well fed for
the duration of the trip. Tents are examined after every trip and repair
any leaks or flaws that would compromise the porters' shelter. Lastly,
our porters have adequate clothing for the harsh mountain climate.
Many operators on Kilimanjaro do not have adequate standards for their porters (in fact, they do not even know who their porters are). Porters have the hardest jobs on the mountain yet are the ones most commonly exploited. Many operators simply do not care about the welfare of their porters, and worse, some intentionally engage in unfair and unethical practices when dealing with porters. Other companies may make claims of ethical treatment of porters, but do not uphold their words. Please select your operator with porter welfare in mind.
But don't just take our word for it.
We are a member of the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP). KPAP's objectives include equipping porters with the appropriate mountain climbing gear, offering educational opportunities to motivate and empower porters, raising public awareness of proper treatment of porters, and providing clients with the fundamental information necessary to choose a socially responsible climbing company.We are also a member of International Mountain Explorers Connection's Partnership for Responsible Travel, created to recognize tour operators committed to promoting proper porter treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients. IMEC's local projects monitors company performance to ensure that partners abide by IMEC's guidelines for proper porter treatment.
We are a partner organization with To Return, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to furthering the lives of Kilimanjaro porters, guides and their children through programs that promote access to education and improve working conditions on the mountain. To Return provides educational scholarships and distributes clothing and equipment to porters and guides. Please consider making a donation to support the cause.
Finally, we are a partner organization with Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Foundation, a public charity devoted to providing scholarships to deserving guides currently working in Tanzania. Please consider making a donation to help a Kilimanjaro guide.
When you climb Kilimanjaro with us, you can be confident that your guides and porters are treated well.
Kilimanjaro Routes
Rongai Route
Quiet and remote, this 6 day route is preferred due to its gradual ascent and unspoiled wilderness.
Shira Route
Spectacularly scenic, this 8 day route is for those seeking a more challenging adventure.
Northern Circuit
Traversing nearly the entire mountain, this 9 day route is the most amazing journey on Kilimanjaro.
Lemosho Route
Sometimes referred to as the "Shira Plateau Route," this difficult but beautiful 7 day route approaches from the west.
Machame Route
A beautiful yet short 6 day trek, this popular route is called the "Whiskey" route.