How to reach the roof of Africa responsibly
You’ve just watched another load of celebs push themselves to the limit for Sport Relief but you don’t fancy running 40+ marathons or waterskiing across the Channel. At the same time you can’t believe a year has gone by since Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow inspired you to challenge yourself and you’ve not yet booked the trip to Tanzania to summit Kilimanjaro! Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com which offers over 20 Kilimanjaro climbing holidays has climbed most of Africa’s mountains and suggests: “Kilimanjaro is the challenge of a lifetime but rather than rushing in, scaling a mountain and rushing home again consider some well-earned relaxation on the lush lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Drink banana beer, get to know the Fairtrade coffee growers, enjoy gentle walks to waterfalls and give something back to the community that helped you scale a mountain.“ If you book your place now for later in the year, you can be secure in the knowledge that not only will you reach the roof of Africa responsibly, but with plenty of time to get fit. Here’s how: With any high altitude trek your porters and guides become motivators and charming travel companions – such friendships often leave as strong a memory as the view from the top. Their knowledge of the mountains is invaluable and they will be both interested to know more about you, and to share some of their culture with you. While income from your trek may provide for the extended family of your porter this can never justify provision of a flimsy shelter for the night and flip flops for the climb. When deciding who to book with we suggest you do the following:
See the full range of Kilimanjaro climbing holidays. And while Kilimanjaro may be the most challenging mountains in Africa many agree if you want a more beautiful trek try our Mount Kenya climb or our Uganda trekking holiday in the Rwenzori mountains.
