Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Rongai route Kilimanjaro climb, Tanzania, independent reviews
 Reviewed 8 Sep 2006 by Steve Clark |  |
It was excellent from start to finish. Hard, challenging but worth it, thanks.
| Reviewed 8 Jul 2005 by Lorraine Anne Damerell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There was not one single most memorable part, for it was such a fantastic trip. However, the most exciting part was when I had to come off of the mountain (final ascent) because of altitude ... it was dangerous, and scary, but with hindsight I can say it was exciting!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To make sure that they are of optimum fitness and stamina, prepared for hard work and good fun.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I believe that it did benefit the local people. Talking to the locals myself, I can see that Kilimanjaro generates a lot of wealth -- enough for the guides to get education down in Dar Es Salaam, and that just the tips we gave equated to a month and a half's worth of rent payment.
4. Any other comments?
Thanks again for being the source for a fantastic holiday.
| Reviewed 12 Jul 2007 by Keith Addis | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro was an incredible once in a lifetime moment almost beaten by the first cold beer at the bottom of the mountain!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Nothing that isn’t said over and over again - take it slowly, don’t be rushed, take lots of layers for warmth and do make sure that you have a pretty good level of basic fitness. In my experience it is also worth considering taking along Diamox as it did work on a couple of occasions (although try it out before you leave to make sure there is no unwelcome side-effects)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Impact on the environment was I believe minimal. Local people, mainly guides and porters, seemed to be well looked after by Tropical Trails, the agency in Arusha, but are heavily reliant on getting good sized tips from the trekkers. I think it is important that the amount of tips required should be clearly communicated at the time of booking as it can add quite a significant cost (and cash requirement)
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Everything worked really well including the flights on Kenya Airways, which could not have been better. The holiday was excellent. The operator might want to consider mentioning to people that the local agent can do shorter safaris than the 8 day add-on, which was too long for me so I had to book an independent safari.
| Reviewed 1 Sep 2006 by Rui Correia | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The time when the sun was rising and I was half way between Stella Point and Uruhu Peak, 5 to 10 minutes before reaching the highest point in Africa!!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You do not need to be super-fit, but for your and the group's benefit, do NOT attempt to climb Kilimanjaro if you are not able to hike 10 miles in the hills of UK.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It seems to minimize impacts on the environment. All the "staff" seemed to do the right thing not to spoil the mountain. Benefiting locals is a bit more difficult to answer... Locals really want the job as a porter so it is not that bad. But I still expected them to be better equipped... But I guess it does benefit in the end.