Experience reports mountain tours

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We really enjoyed climbing the Lemosho route. The first days walking is below the tree-line in the cloud forest, where you pass by lush forest including lots of purple African Violets. We were lucky to see a black and white colobus monkey jumping from tree to tree.  On the second day, you pass through unusual heather forest, with head-high heathers as you ascend to the Shira plateau. On the second night you join up with the Shira route.  The next 2 days are spent crossing the Shira Plateau, gradually ascending. The scenery changes from moorland to mountain with high altitude plants unique to Africa .  On the fifth day you make it to the very bottom of the summit peak, vegetation stops and it feels like you are on another planet.  That night you make your summit attempt.  It's definitely hard work but the views from Uhuru peak at sunrise are really worth it - what a sense of achievement!  The final 2 days are spent descending fairly fast, we felt tired but happy at this point.  I really enjoyed this route because of the varied scenery and landscape that you pass through. I liked the fact that you saw the Kibo peak (the final summit) getting closer and closer each day, and that the route allowed you to circle the peak and see its different faces.

Jutta and Rainer on their experiences at Kilimanjaro

In autumn 2005, we planned to climb to the top of Kilimanjaro Mountain for the third time. We had already been to the top twice but had not been very lucky both times - once because of the weather and the other time because of the physical condition of our fellow climbers. This time we decided to book a tour for the two of us only and not at a German travel agency but at an African. After long evenings of researching the internet and comparing prices and services we got in touch with Chagga Tours, which was able to answer all our questions. Since we planned to stay one night at a crater on the tour up to the top of Kilimanjaro (over Western Breach), it was not easy to find an agency. After having arranged and booked the tour we headed for Kenya where we took part in a safari. Later, we were met by our mountain guide Mike Nelson of Chagga Tours at the border to Tanzania where we were immediately informed of a recent accident at the Western Breach, which had led to the closing of this route by the National Park authorities. With the help of Mike we quickly decided to take another route, which enabled us to camp at the crater as well as to observe the beautiful glaciers, breathtaking views and to have a look into the crater itself. The Umbwe route, which we decided on, was more than just an alternative. In the morning, we climbed from Barafu camp to the crater during daylight and had some hours’ time to look around in the crater. The next morning Uhuru Peak was only a “jump” away. We enjoyed the whole tour and can only say that the third trip to the top of Kilimanjaro was the most successful one of all. Chagga Tours met all our expectations and was able to adjust to our wishes and needs easily and professionally. And with James, a marvellous cook, we had the kindest most kindly crew on the mountain.

It required all the muscles I could muster and most of all, will power I did not know I had. What seemed at first to be a doable task became increasingly evident that the summit may not be within reach for me. And here is where a genius guide like Michael Nelson came in… he made the seemingly impossible — possible. Without him, I absolutely would not have made the summit… he is the best!

At an altitude of 16.000 feet my knees became soft and there was a dizziness not to control anymore. And that despite the fact that I’m a well-trained mountaineer! At an altitude of 17.000 feet I agreed to turn back as our guide Mike recommended. There was no further reflection because I wanted to finish this frightening situation. The three other climbers in our group supported this decision.
Fortunately, an experienced porter called Freddy, had joined the group in addition Mike and the assistant guide James. He helped me back down to the camp over a steep, icy climb in deep darkness.
While the others went on the top of Kilimanjaro I recovered in the tent. So I could manage the descent with the others to Mweka without any problems on the same day!