Definitely a once in a lifetime experience! I decided to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in the summer of 2022 as a way to celebrate graduating from college as well as to challenge myself to climb the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Prior to the climb, I was in constant communication with Tom Analytis. He was very helpful, answering all of my questions and explaining all of the routes in detail to make sure I was comfortable with all of my decisions regarding the trek.
The professionalism Tom showed and the care that the Kiliwarriors team provided was evident even before I arrived in Tanzania. Arriving in Tanzania, I was greeted by the Kiliwarriors team who took care of everything right from the beginning. The accommodations and food available at Kibo Palace was great! In addition, meeting the team during the gear check and briefing was very smooth and comforting. They made sure we had everything we needed and explained the hike in full detail. Wilburt carefully checked all of my gear prior to making sure I was prepared and had all of the necessary equipment for our hike up to the top. He explained very thoroughly what I should pack in my daypack while keeping the rest in my duffel bag.
My group was composed of 8 other hikers (besides myself) which made the experience even more special and enjoyable as I was able to enjoy the hardships as well as the triumphs with them throughout our time on the mountain. We quickly got along!
Our head-guide was Shedrak, who was very knowledgeable about the mountain. He made sure to consistently stop at certain points to teach us a little bit about the plant-life and the landscape. In addition, he made sure we were hydrated, physically well, and his enthusiasm truly helped support our morale that pushed us as we hiked to each camp. Another one of our guides, Ephata, was also amazing and made the experience even better. He was always smiling and made sure we were okay during the hikes as well as in the camps. He kept a proper and steady pace for our team.
The rest of the team went above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience possible. Mama Luis cooked some of the best food on the mountain. He alway surprised us with the dishes he would whip out from his tent on the mountain. Johannes carried my personal duffel bag and was always at the front of the campsite to greet me and help me to my tent after each day. Gilbert and Kanini also went above and beyond, and I definitely could not have completed the summit without them. They helped me especially when I was running out of energy and was struggling with oxygen and fatigue during the summit push.
This Kiliwarriors team is the best anyone could ask for and I truly could not have done it without any of them. They were so positive, accommodating, and caring. They did everything in their power to make
sure I as well as everyone else on the team succeeded in making it to the summit. All eight climbers in our group successfully summited and I believe that the Lemosho Western-Breach played a big role in that. The acclimatization the route offers allows the highest chance of success and making it to the top of Kilimanjaro. The extra time offered by this route allows you to acclimatize for the final push. The breach is also unique because it offers hikers a chance to see a variety of different things that other trekking companies do not normally encounter. For example, I thought it was a special and unique experience to be able to see the Scott Fischer memorial on the mountain. In addition, the route offers some privacy especially on Arrow Glacier camp. You also get to see and touch some of the summit glaciers on the top of Kilimanjaro, which is an experience not many get to do!
This was definitely a trip of a lifetime and I highly recommend Kiliwarriors for anyone who wants to successfully make it to the top and have a wonderful, positive, and professional team to help them achieve that goal. I came to Tanzania not knowing what to expect. I didn’t know anyone on the team or who I would be climbing the mountain with. I left feeling very welcomed and felt that I have become a part of the Kiliwarrior family! I want to thank everyone at Kiliwarrior Expeditions for the memories and the experience that I will truly remember!
To anyone who is thinking about which team to join when accomplishing the dream of climbing Mt.
Kilimanjaro, I wouldn’t recommend anyone else, but Kiliwarriors.