Kilimanjaro Climb and African Safari with International Mountain Guides

Since organizing our first Kilimanjaro (19,340'/5896m) expedition in 1989, every one of our more than 150 Kili teams has had a high percentage of the group reach the summit. Obviously, we can't guarantee an individual's success, but isn't it good to know that if you have the lungs and the legs, the opportunity to reach the top has been there on every trip we've ever done?

There are a lot of companies offering Kili climbs and each does it differently. As you investigate the different Kili options on the market, keep the following in mind:

• Kili, while non-technical, is very high and must be taken seriously. Climbers are at health risk from the altitude. We always have a Gamow (hyperbaric) Bag, pulse oximeter, and supplemental oxygen in case of Altitude Sickness. A couple hours in the bag can turn around Acute Mountain Sickness before it forces you down or becomes life threatening.
• Every one of our climbs is led by a top-notch American high-altitude mountain guide. In addition to the trips we personally lead, our IMG Kili guide staff includes Everest climbers Justin Merle, Craig John, Jake Norton, Mark Tucker, Adam Angel, Lindsay Reither, Jason Edwards, Jason Tanguay, Anne Keller, Ben Marshall, and others. They all are Senior Guides at Mt. Rainier and are Alaskan, Himalayan, and Kili veterans. The African “guides” do a great job, but if you have a problem at 18,000 feet, it’s good to know that you have a real pro with you, one well-trained in all elements of climbing as well as wilderness medical procedure.

• We have a first class staff of African guides and porters, all local people from the Chagga tribe who live right at the base of Kili. Many of them have been on dozens of IMG trips over the years. They know we’ll be coming back, they like working with us, and they deliver top service.
• We don’t rush our ascent! Our program gives you a seven-day climb. We have learned that the extra time is well worth it for a successful and fun trip to 19,340 feet, giving climbers a far greater chance of standing on top and far less chance of altitude sickness.
• We do four days/three nights on safari, and this is plenty for most people. Serengeti and Ngorongoro are classic African Game Parks with great animal viewing. Our safari drivers really know the game habits and where to find the critters, and the safari lodges and deluxe tented camps we use are vintage and luxurious, a great reward after a tough climb.
• We add the benefit of a beautiful one-way Serengeti flight over Africa (easier, faster, more time to see animals, less time wasted on bad, bumpy roads). Our groups either drive out/fly back or fly out/drive back to Serengeti and then stop at Olduvai and Ngorongoro along the way, depending on the time of year (safari plans are subject to change).
• For comments from past trip participants, please click here.

We are proud of the track record we have established over the last 20 years with our Kilimanjaro trips and we know that we offer a fantastic trip for the money. Shop around, and if you can find a better program, go for it! We hope you can join us on one of our future Africa trips,

—Eric Simonson and Phil Ershler, IMG Kilimanjaro Program Directors