Kili - September

[myotherboots]

All,
I am planning a Kili/Tanznia Safari for mid September. The research is about to kill me. If anyone has a trekking/safari company they have used and were happy with, I would appreciate the input.

Also, if anyon has spirit, money and desire to take this on, I am looking for travel partners....

i would love to hear anyone's input...

Thanks,
Robin

[skunkboy]

Robin,

My sister and brother in law are in Africa right now climbing Kilimanjaro. My sister said that these guys were pretty good, but I'll get the skinny on them when they get back at the end of June.

http://www.kilitreks-safaris.com/

Sincerely

Skunk

[Cy Kaicener]

Robin - If you want a great guide may I recommend Kurt Wedberg whom I once went up Skyline with
http://sierramountaineering.com/blog
http://sierramountaineering.com

A great website for the Seven Summits
http://7summits.com

[myotherboots]

Thanks for the input Skunk and Cy, I will check out all of these sites...

Cy, Norma had also recommended Kurt's company. She really enjoyed her trip, unfortunately they are not doing a Kili trip when I am available, wish I could re-arrange, it sounds like he runs a good operation. Will check out the Seven Summits site...

Skunk, would like to hear about your sister's trip when she returns. Hope she makes it!!

Robin

[jayinsd]

I used Zara Tours in October 2008 and had a good experience. I went via the Marangu route and had no problems. Since I was solo, I had more food than I could ever imagine!

http://www.zaratours.com/

[skunkboy]

Robin,

I talked to my family on their African adventure, and they had nothing but good things to say about their guide service.

http://www.kilitreks-safaris.com/

The problems they had were with the logistics of the climb itself. They had to start at 11 pm at night in 3 degree weather, cause the scree pile that is Kili is frozen at that time. This allows the climbers to get from 15,000 to 19,000 ft without sliding back down the mountain. They weren't to keen on hiking in the dark with headlamps, but anyone who's done the moonlight skyline madness will tell you that it's not that bad. Anyway... hope this info helps you. Have a great time over there.

Sincerely and with best regards,

Skunk

[KathyW]

I used Zara Tours in October 2008 and had a good experience. I went via the Marangu route and had no problems. Since I was solo, I had more food than I could ever imagine!

http://www.zaratours.com/

I've heard good things about Zara Tours, and they are affordable. I'll look into using them if I ever make the Trek.

[skunkboy]

Robin,

As if you didn't have enough choices, here's one more, and a note from my sister.

Pat:

Here is another company that my friend Shari’s Dad used. They are more expensive. Everyone camps at essentially the same place unless you go up the Marangua route and stay in huts. Or, stay in the crater @ 18K feet and then ascend in the morning. The Marache Route is called the Whiskey Route – up, plateau, up, plateau. The Lemosha Route and Machame are the most scenic. The Marangua route is called the coca cola route. Don’t ask me why. Its an African thing. Maybe old men on whisky route in 7 days and young on coke route in 5 days?

http://www.kiliman.com/

Hope all this info helps

Cheers

Skunk