How to Train for Mt Kilimanjaro
It’s the biggest question people have before climbing Kilimanjaro, and certainly the one which gave me the most anxiety before my own climb: how do I train so I’m fit enough to get to the top?
Kilimanjaro is a non technical climb, which means it doesn’t require any specialist equipment or climbing experience to reach the top. However that’s not to say that it isn’t incredibly challenging to get to the summit, and training beforehand will definitely improve your chances of reaching the top.
Here’s what I recommend; the training which personally came in handy, and the training I wish I had done.
read moreSeven Amazing Animals You Can Spot on Safari in Tanzania
If you’re looking to observe African wildlife in the wild, it’s hard to beat Tanzania in terms of its sheer numbers and variety of animals.
Home to more than three dozen national parks and game reserves, Tanzania is said to boast a fifth of Africa’s large mammal population. The country is of course home to big name destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro as well as national parks like Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, and the Mahale Mountains.
You have the chance of seeing every iconic African animal in Tanzania including the Big Five, the big cats, hippos, crocodiles, and all kinds of antelope species. You can even seek out reserves that are home to African wild dogs and chimpanzees.
The country’s control of poaching has enabled its wildlife to flourish and with so many animals on offer it’s hard to put a spotlight on just a few. That being said, here are seven animals that are often on every safari-lover’s bucket list.
For the best chance of spotting wildlife, I recommend traveling during the dry season which runs from roughly June to October or attempt to time your visit during the Great Wildebeest Migration.
read moreJoin the All Female Kilimanjaro Trek on International Women’s Day 2022!
I’ve written a lot about how climbing Mt Kilimanjaro changed my life; it pushed me to discover my physical and mental abilities, and transformed my whole perspective on life.
Oh, and I returned home from Kili with a husband (husbands not included in this March 2022 all female tour!).
But as I was climbing the mountain for my own personal development, I didn’t stop to notice that there was not one single female porter or guide. This was 2010, and fastforward 11 years, guiding trekkers to the summit of Kilimanjaro is still a male dominated world; fewer than 1% of the total guides being female.
Glory Thobias founded Tanzania Women Guides Foundation to change this by providing training and showing a career in guiding as a viable option for women. And to support these efforts, Solo Female Travelers is climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro on an all-female guide, porter and trekker team, to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022.
Will you join to climb to the top of Africa this coming March?
read moreHow Many Days to Spend on Serengeti Safari: Plan a Four Day Itinerary
The Serengeti is an ecosystem in Africa that spans 5,700 miles and is most famous for its vast plains. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and has the biggest migration in the world, making it one of the most impressive natural events you’ll ever witness.
The Seregneti has become synonymous with Africa, and chances are, if you’ve dreamed about Africa, you’ve dreamed about the Serengeti. The park is so wildlife rich that there are over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species. In this one National Park (granted, it’s a huge park!).
This is one of the best places on earth to observe African wildlife in their natural habitats, of which include riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands. So, the main question becomes, how many days do you need for exploring the Serengeti? We recommend four.
read moreThings to Know Before Planning Mt Kilimanjaro
Very few adventures ring true to the cliche of ‘adventure of a lifetime’, but climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is one of them.
The highest mountain in Africa, and the highest freestanding mountain in the world, at 5,895 meters this is one hell of a climb.
Kilimanjaro is popular because it’s a non technical climb, and doesn’t require any previous climbing experience to be able to safely reach the summit. You’ll trek through some truly incredible landscapes, and unlock personal transformation along the way.
But just because it doesn’t require technical experience doesn’t mean it isn’t a difficult achievement – it is. So before you start planning, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.
read morePlanning a Vacation to the Highest Mountain in Africa: Mt Kilimanjaro
After seeing a documentary about climbing Kilimanjaro back in early 2010 and being inspired to make the attempt, I decided to see if I too could muster up enough confidence to take on Africa’s highest mountain.
I made plans to attempt the majestic climb and began preparing myself both mentally and physically for what would become one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.
Not only is Kilimanjaro the tallest peak in Africa, it also just so happens to be the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Situated in Tanzania along the Kenyan border, the mountain overlooks the Serengeti and Maasai Mara Reserve to the northwest and Tsavo National Park to the northeast.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s seven summits, a collection of the tallest peaks on each continent. That puts Kilimanjaro in the company of legendary peaks like Asia’s Everest and South America’s Aconcagua. The great thing about Kilimanjaro though is that unlike Everest or Aconcagua, it doesn’t require technical climbing skills or specialized equipment such as ice picks or crampons.
While Kilimanjaro may be one of the easier seven summits to climb, it still requires a great deal of fitness and determination to reach the summit. Here’s how to plan out the trek.
read moreKenya vs. Tanzania: Which Destination Is Best For An African Safari?
A safari trip in Africa is by far, one of the most exciting getaways you could ever experience. The vast continent is world famous for its wildlife safaris, incredible landscapes, and options for adventure, from classic jeep safaris, to visiting local tribes.
However, trying to decide on the best destination in Africa can be tricky. Each country that makes up the unique and culture-rich continent provides its own unique experience, though it’s important to decide on a destination that suits your individual requirements.
Both Kenya and Tanzania are the classic options for an African Safari; they both offer breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, and a long list of exciting activities from walking safaris to hot air balloon rides.
But, with both destinations sharing a border, they’re both incredibly similar. So, the inevitable question is how do you decide?
read more5 Things They Don’t Tell You About Your First African Safari
Heading out on an African safari is an incredible experience, and especially for the wildlife enthusiast, getting up close and personal with some of the most majestic creatures on this planet is unlike anything else.
If you haven’t already added a safari trip to your bucket list, now is the time to do so! However, there are a few things you should know before you set off.
Here are five things they don’t tell you about your first safari.
read moreHow to Choose an African Safari That’s Right For You
Many of us dream of taking an African safari at least once in our lives. And to witness wild lions lazing in the grass, and elephants trekking across vast plains; to spend time watching a magical sunrise as the African landscape comes alive; this truly is the experience of a lifetime.
But just as there are many countries to choose from for an African safari, there are also many types of safari experience, and the key to planning a memorable trip is to choose one that aligns with your interests.
Whether you’re a wildlife explorer ready to track wildlife in a classic jeep, or a cultural enthusiast who wants to take a walking safari led by local tribes, there isn’t one set ‘African Safari’. There are a huge range of safaris suited to all types of travelers, and all types of budgets, so don’t be fooled into thinking that your destination is the most important choice to make.
Here are our tips for choosing the perfect safari experience.
read moreWhat to Pack if You’re Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro (Packing List)
In October 2010 I traveled to Tanzania with the goal of conquering a mountain. And at 5,895 metres (19,341 ft), it was really, really tall. The highest mountain in Tanzania, the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, if we’re keeping score.
I trekked through some truly incredible landscapes, transformed as a person along the way, and battled through one of the world’s most challenging journeys over 7 days.
Kilimanjaro is powerful, awe-inspiring, and an experience which inspires transformation. But if you don’t know what to pack it’s going to make your life a hell of a lot harder than it has to be.
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