“ Thank you so much for putting together such an epic and surreal trip.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and the safaris at Lake Manyara and Ndutu Safari Lodge were adventures I will never forget and I encourage any “adventurer” to do.
Something I have always wanted to do but never had the chance.
Was better than I could have imagined – I am desperately trying to get back to Africa asap!
To anyone listening, put Tanzania on your bucket list.
Amazing experience with even more amazing people and places.”
– R.Caldow, Kili Trek and Safari, January 2018
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a “bucket list’ travel goal for many people, given that it is Africa’s highest mountain.
The ‘Roof of Africa’ is 5895 metres above sea level, set in Tanzania in the heart of East Africa. It is also the world’s largest freestanding mountain and one of the ‘Seven Summits’.
Those attributes may dissuade some people but “Kili” – also referred to as ‘Everyman’s Everest’ – is in reach of most people because it requires no technical skill. Just a good level of fitness and a degree of stubbornness and patience to keep on going!
Some people may be anxious about the altitude. All Epic’s climbs of Kilimanjaro tend to be over the longer Machame and Lemosho Routes – 7 nights and 8 nights respectively. These longer routes, together with great local guides, excellent pre-climb preparation including equipment and clothing advice and a ‘safety first’ attitude, go a long way to reducing the impacts of high altitude.
This makes climbing Kili a rewarding experience for potentially anyone.
‘Everyman’s Everest’
Our latest climb in January this year included climbers ranging from their mid 20s to 70 years of age. All of them made it safely up, and down again.
And I was privileged to stand on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with the oldest member of our team.
She managed to raise an enormous sum of money for her favourite charity… and make her granddaughter very proud.
Showing Courage
The emotion evoked by her achievement was contagious, even to the other groups of climbers who witnessed her arrival at the summit.
All of us were rewarded with amazing views from the summit. And many hours later when safely down from this epic mountain, we were rewarded again with a steaming hot bath, spa treatments and plenty of quality red wine at our luxurious but homely post climb hotel.
Some of the group even chose to ‘wind down’ with a post-climb safari in the Serengeti!
An epic journey
Climbing Kili is potentially every person’s ultimate adventure.
With the correct preparation and guidance, everyone comes home having learned something about the world and themselves, literally gaining a new perspective on life. They also make lasting new friendships and are infinitely richer for the experience.
And surely that has to be the essence of travel.
– Rob
Rob Barbour – Epic Private Guide & Managing Partner
Follow Rob on Instagram @epicprivatejourneysrobbarbour
Watch the amazing journey here: