Climb Kili
Rakesh Patel
"No Regrets with Climb Kili"
We had a great team with Climb Kili. Our guides Vedasto, Steve and Tumaini were very professional and provided the best guidance and the crew was amazing and willing to help each and every step. These guys knew how to time everything perfectly and there was never a boring or dull moment. They gave me enough time when I needed it, yet they motivated me when I needed a pick-me-up. A special shout-out to Dale who always greeted us with a smile at every camp and each morning with our tea. I couldn't believe how well we ate at these altitudes. I've never eaten so well on a backpacking trip before. On a side note, while other companies set their base camp at Barafu Camp, Climb Kili has their base camp at Kosovo Camp, which allows a greater chance of summiting because we climbed an additional rocky terrain for an hour before setting up base camp. Otherwise, we would've had to do that extra terrain on summit night. We reached the summit perfectly timed for the sunrise. Tiffany helped us organize the trip and answered each question we had in a timely manner, whether through email or phone call. From the moment I arrived at the airport until the last day everyone was very accomodating. The Summit Lodge staff was very friendly and the stay was comfortable. Book your trip with Climb Kili. I never felt like Climb Kili left me to my own means at any time, before, during or after the trip. I have no regrets.
Linda C
"ClimbingOur 100% success - Climb Kili will get you to the summit! Kili requires an amazing…"
Climbing Kili requires an amazing support group - and that's what Climb Kili provides you. We were 3 women, ages 58 through 61, with very little camping and/or mountain climbing experience. But between our determination and Climb Kili's great staff, we all made it to the summit! With Minja as the Head Guide, the entire team encouraged us, guided us through the more rocky climbs, prodded us through the summit push and didn't let us even think of giving up. Throughout the climb, they fed us plenty of good food, monitored our heart rate and oxygen levels and provided the most comfort possible in the camps (latrine tent, washing water, hot ginger tea, extra snacks, etc.) Each day started with coffee or tea brought to our sleeping bags. We felt supported every step of the way and we were all thrilled to summit! Meanwhile, we saw a few others who were leaving the mountain, without summiting.
We chose the longest available route, to allow extra time to acclimate and increase our likelihood of summiting. We compared several tour operaters during the planning stage and we are very happy we chose Climb Kili. Highly recommended!!
William Blakeney
"8-Day Small Group Lemosho Route With The Best"
From beginning to end, Climb Kili provided an outstanding trip for me and my two sons. The initial booking and payment with Tiffany was easy, organized, and efficient and we were provided with all the info needed for 8 days on the trail. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, our driver was waiting and delivered us to our hotel where Rose and her staff took over to make sure all our needs were taken care of. Out on the mountain our guides, Meckson, Daniel, and Steven, were very competent, knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. The entire support crew was excellent in making sure we were all well-fed and comfortable as possible. The whole group was just a joy to be around. Luckily, even our other three trekking companions became good friends along the way. We taught them Cribbage and spent most afternoons playing and talking over world affairs. The true test came on Summit Day when our trusty leaders paced us to the top and a successful climb for all. I highly recommend Clim Kili and their help in achieving my 20 year old dream nurtured since the day my boys were born.
KP
"Thank You ClimbKili!"
What an amazing trip! It was a once in a lifetime trip and would not have been possible without the amazing guidance of our lead guide Manny and assistant guides Paul, Saddam and Joshua. They made us feel comfortable and safe for all, and especially during the hard parts of the trek.
It’s a physically demanding trip! So mentally and physically prepare for that.
Highly recommend Climb Kili given
- guides / crew, positive and supportive attitude - would have been impossible without them!
- permit to camp closest to summit (saves a steep climb during nighttime)
- toilets at camp sites
- responsiveness
Toby Koenig
"My partner and I recently embarked on…"
My partner and I recently embarked on the adventure of a lifetime with Climb Kili. We couldn't be more thrilled to share our exceptional experiences and the outstanding services they provided throughout our journey. From the mesmerizing Serengeti Safari to the triumphant summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the luxurious stay at the brand new all-inclusive Riu Jambo in Zanzibar, every aspect of our trekking experience was nothing short of perfection.
Serengeti Safari: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our Serengeti Safari surpassed all expectations! After being flown in over the Serengeti, we were collected by our expert guide Emanuel who ensured that every moment was filled with awe-inspiring encounters and breathtaking sights. Each day’s drive was meticulously planned, allowing us to witness the captivating wildlife in their natural habitat. Our three-day itinerary consisted of Serengeti National Park > Ngorogoro Crater > Tarangire National Park which allowed us to capture every animal on our rather long list. From the majesty of the roaming elephants, spending time amongst multiple prides, even catching a leopard with a recent successful hunt – each sighting left us in absolute wonder. The knowledge and passion of our guide (particularly the birds!) truly enhanced our understanding and appreciation of this incredible ecosystem.
Mount Kilimanjaro Summit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scaling the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro was an unforgettable achievement, made possible by the exceptional support and guidance provided. From the moment we set foot on the mountain, their team of experienced and encouraging guides ensured our safety and comfort throughout the challenging trek. Their in-depth knowledge of the terrain, combined with their unwavering encouragement (pole pole!), propelled us forward towards our ultimate goal. We managed to reach the summit just on sunrise and had the incredibly fortunate luck of getting the top all to ourselves courtesy of our two incredible guides and a summit porter for enhanced safety. Reaching the summit was an indescribable feeling of triumph, and we owe it all to the incredible expertise and motivation of our guides. A special mention goes to our wonderful team of experienced porters, chef, “internet engineer” and camp staff who consistently went above and beyond to always ensure our well-being and safety.
Riu Jambo, Zanzibar: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Following our incredible adventures, we were delighted to indulge in the luxurious comfort of the all-inclusive resort also arranged by Climb Kili. The resort surpassed our expectations with its stunning architecture, lavish amenities, and impeccable service. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. The staff catered to our every need, ensuring that our stay was both relaxing and unforgettable – including organising exclusive dinners. Whether it was lounging by the sparkling pools, enjoying meals at the multiple available restaurants, and rejuvenating at the spa, every aspect of our stay was meticulously designed to provide the utmost comfort and luxury.
Overall, our trekking experience with Climb Kili was beyond exceptional. Their attention to detail, commitment to customer satisfaction, and passion for creating unforgettable adventures set them apart from the rest. With the organisation of all hotel bookings, hotel transfers, domestic flights to Serengeti & Zanzibar, guide briefings - we didn't have to lift a finger from the get go. We wholeheartedly recommend this group to anyone seeking an unforgettable journey where every moment is crafted to perfection. We are forever grateful for the memories we made and the exceptional service we received. Thank you Climb Kili for the experience of a lifetime!
Warm regards,
Jourdin & Toby
Kim Tarnopolski
"Successful summit to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro with Climb Kili!"
We hired Climb Kili for a 3-day safari, 8-day Lemosho hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro, and they arranged a tour guide for us in Zanzibar. From start to finish, this company has been professional and responsive. Tiffany answered all our pre-trip questions quickly and was available for help throughout our trip. We had challenges getting to Tanzania that included a missed connection, an overnight in JFK and Zanzibar, and delayed luggage. We missed half of our safari and had to make accommodations to meet our friend in one of the national parks. Tiffany acted quickly, arranged a driver, and made sure we got to our safari as quickly as possible. We had a sleeping bag stolen from our luggage. Tiffany made sure a sleeping bag was delivered the morning of the hike. She “had our back” the entire time we were in Tanzania which was comforting. She is also helping us with the travel insurance claim documentation.
Each driver, guide, and support staff were timely and friendly.
We had a wonderful experience during our Mt. Kilimanjaro hike. James and Mackson were our guides. They are brothers who have been leading groups up the mountain for 30 years. They were very knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, and easy to get along with. We opted for a private group with just the three of us. That turned out to be a good decision as they quickly saw that we were strong hikers and adjusted our pace accordingly. They also adjusted our start time each day to get our hike in before the rain started in the early afternoons. Our porter crew of 13 would always have our camp set up when we arrived. With Climb Kili’s long standing in the community, we seemed to get the best campsites every day.
Alex, our cook, did a fantastic job preparing our meals each day. He accommodated our vegetarian and limited meat preferences. A variety of hot vegetable soups were served at lunch and dinner. The meals were high in carbs since you burn so many calories during the hike. Fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, pizza, fried chicken were staples. Breakfast was oatmeal, eggs, toast, crepes, and fruit. Snack was popcorn, nuts, and biscuit cookies. Coffee and tea were served in your tent each morning.
Every day when we arrived at camp, Bacari would clean our shoes and gaiters. This was a nice treat which we learned did not happen with other companies. Bacari’s big personality made our arrival each day fun. Seahko (sp??) was our personal attendant and didn’t miss a beat. He filled our water bottles, served our meals, brought us hot water for cleaning our hands in the morning, and was observant and proactive when he noticed one of us struggling with packing up or getting our gear on. He was kind and caring and made us feel very taken care of at camp. Bryan made sure our tents were clean and properly positioned. Steven was our summit porter and was instrumental in making sure we made it to the top. The three of us each made it to the summit.
As a group of three women, we felt safe and taken care of the entire trip. The Climb Kili crew are experts and made our trip very memorable. I highly recommend them for any activity you are interested in.
Nancy Hagood
"Amazing experience -- would give 6 stars if I could!!"
There are not enough positive things to say about our Climb Kili experience. Our guides, James and Evans, were the absolute BEST!!! They were extremely knowledgeable, professional, and most of all, just a ton of fun to hike with every day. They thought through every detail and paced us perfectly throughout the hike. The entire team of porters was incredible, and Climb Kili was particularly unique in how well they cared for the porters and incorporated them into the full team. Summiting Kilimanjaro is a truly spectator experience, and I am so grateful to have done it with the Climb Kili team.
Sam Maguire Boyle
"Climb Kili is outstanding"
The Climb Kili Team's support made my experience great in support me and my uncle in reaching Uhuru and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Porschephile
"Superb Kilimanjaro tour company"
Fantastic experience with a very professional expedition company. I've done high altitude trek in Himalays for comparison, and other endurance stuff... if I returned to Kilimanjaro I would use these guys again in a heartbeat. No reason to look any further!
Specific comments -
Excellent guides. Kind knowledgeable and supportive. Couldn’t be better. My son (13) had to turn back a few hours into the final summit. I was sufficiently confident with guides' care of him to continue on to the summit myself, knowing he'd be safe.
Excellent logistics. Transfers to hotel, coordination of bags and gear etc. Importantly, this is a 'real company' eg collect from airport in their vehicle. Many agencies just farm the real work out to local providers.
Excellent ‘Welcome pack’ - training guide, pack list, how to prepare etc. Frankly the best I’ve seen
Excellent food under the conditions - fresh, varied, healthy. The chef even made two birthday cakes at altitude... I don’t know how!
Excellent living conditions under the circumstances. Eg Mountain Hardware tents, private toilets, comfortable dining tent & chairs. Given that this is still an expedition.... we were really well looked after.
My only (minor) criticism is that rental gear wasn't amazing. Specifically: gaiters and Thermarest mats were fine but poles were worn and one kept slipping. Those who rented sleeping bags said not warm enough. Looking at reviews this seems to be a common challenge among all local companies as stuff wears out pretty quickly. It's a good reminder to rather provide own gear especially where it really matters.
Kyle
"Don't overthink. Just do!"
After contacting several Kilimanjaro tour operators, I committed to Climb Kili based on two reasons. Firstly, their lifetime deposit. And secondly, The speedy response time and detailed nature of Tiffany's responses.
From arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport and being met by wonderful Climb Kili driver Simon, to the fantastic staff at Summit Lodge, everything was prepared, ready and on time. It truly is a well-oiled machine which allows you to focus on the climb, everything else is taken care of.
The morning of the climb, the Summit Lodge provide a buffet breakfast from 6 am, so if you want to fuel up, you have ample opportunities to do so. This morning I met our two Climb Kili guides, James (007) and Mackson, and I couldn’t imagine my Kili journey without them. They were both incredibly knowledgeable not only about the mountain but also about the very ground that we walked on, the plant life we were surrounded by and the animals we shared this path with. We were later joined by a third guide, Minja (Mr. 100%). They lead by example and take their profession and mission to get you to the summit incredibly seriously but they also balance it out with a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful sense of humour. Their extended team of porters truly are outstanding not only at their jobs but also as people, and each one absolutely contributes to your experience, once again, I couldn’t imagine my Kili journey without any of them. They truly are real life superheroes.
I had some complications on summit night and had to turn around after around 10 minutes. However, 5 hours later, a porter/guide named Amani knocked on my tent and asked if I wanted to go down to Mweka Camp or go to summit. I decided to try to summit again. 5 hours later, Amani and myself reached the summit. Amani absolutely got me to the summit with his expertise, patience and compassion. A unique experience arriving at the summit at 11:30 am with nobody else around (and it wasn't freezing). However, even if I wouldn’t have summited, this company, the crew, the guides and the experience still would have received 5 stars. For me, it wasn’t ever about the summit, it was always about who this climb was shared with and the laughs that we had.
And who knows, maybe sometime in the future, Kilimanjaro may call again, and if it does, I’ll be sure to send Tiffany a message.
And some final bits of advice:
There is a lot of downtime on Kilimanjaro, so take a pack of cards.
Take plenty of treats. Share them with your fellow climbers, your Climb Kili team and guides. Take plenty!
Don't attempt to blow up an air mattress at 15,000 feet. You will regret it.
And finally, when you tip your guides and porters at the end of the journey, if you have the means, double it. Also, if you can share any of your equipment with your guides and porters along the way or at the end, then do.
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