Kilimanjaro

[fosterdollar]

A slight niggly hankering towards climbing Kilimanjoro which has been with me for very long now has developed into a decision to do some proper research with a view to organising a climb next year. I am getting stuck into it now; have checked out some websites, ordered a 'complete guide' book but I am also keen to hear some real stories from anyone out there on foot.ie who's been through it all including the climb (obviously!). Just the stories are fine and if you can offer some advice I would be grateful too.

[A face]

I haven't been but i have spoken to people who have been and the loved the climb etc. but said that the place is a complete rip off. It was described as 'first world prices for a third world service', where they explained that someone obviously had been to the alps or somewhere and saw what was being charged and decided to charge the same at home, forgetting to compare the actual service people got in the alps.

You should do alot of homework and listen to people who have climbed it before. Some people might have gone a few times so try and get some advice from them.

[Magicme]

One of my mates is doing it in a few weeks so when he comes back I can pass on his number to you and he can let you know whatever you need to.

[shedite]

I did it a couple of years ago. Really enjoyed it. We organized it ourselves. Virgin Airways London - Nairobi, bus across the border then did the trip with these guys - http://www.maranguhotel.com

The climb itself was quite tough, plenty of people didn't make it, although it seems kinda random, people you think are fit will suffer from altitude sickness, people you think have no chance fly it. It's tough in that it's a lot of walking, sleeping in the cold etc, but very rewarding when ya get to the top. Definitely one of those things I'm very proud of when talking to other people about it.

After the trip we did a Safari tour, depending on the time of year, the animals are either in the Serengeti (Tanzania) or in Masai Mara (Kenya). We went with Masai Mara, saw some unreal stuff, lions eating elephants, coyote killing a flamingo, buffalo chasing our van at full speed. If I'd had time I'd have finished the trip with a train ride to the coast to the beach resort out on the Indian Ocean for some R+R. It's not as cheap a trip as you'd expect for Africa, but well worth it.

PM if you've any other questions