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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Shira route trek up Kilimanjaro, independent reviews
 Reviewed 2 Sep 2006 by Rebecca Martin |  |
I went on a Tanzania trekking safari with this company just before joining this trip. Then it was on to Kilimanjaro, exhausted before we started from the previous treks! However there was relatively little walking on the first couple of days on the Machame route so we managed to recover slightly. Then there were some very hard days! Particularly hard was walking for 9 hours, sleeping for 4 and then starting out on a 14 hour walking day at midnight in the snow! (I still can't feel my toes 2 weeks later!) I spent the whole summit night promising myself that if I survived I'd never doing anything like it again! Once you get to the top you just forget all that though!
The most memorable part of the holiday was being on top of Kilimanjaro. It was so hard getting there but the beauty at the top made it worthwhile.
When they say you might only be able to walk three steps before you need a break they mean it! I just didn't realise quite how hard it would be to get to the top! Also I think this trip in particular prepares you well to climb kili because you spend a lot of time at high altitude before attempting kili which I didn't realise was so important when I booked this trip.
This holiday benefited the local people by providing many jobs as guides, cooks and porters on the mountains.
I would give this holiday 4 stars. I had a brilliant time!
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part of the holiday was being on top of Kilimanjaro. It was so hard getting there but the beauty at the top made it worthwhile.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
When they say you might only be able to walk three steps before you need a break they mean it! I just didn't realise quite how hard it would be to get to the top! Also I think this trip in particular prepares you well to climb kili because you spend a lot of time at high altitude before attempting kili which I didn't realise was so important when I booked this trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
This holiday benefited the local people by providing many jobs as guides, cooks and porters on the mountains.
4. Any other comments?
I would give this holiday 4 stars. I had a brilliant time!
| Reviewed 23 Jun 2006 by Sam Lewis | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole trip was fantastic. Most memorable parts include: Reaching the top and "Skiing" back down the scree! Brilliant food! Great company!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't be under any illusions that climbing Kili is easy! Be well prepared. Get as much mountain walking practice as possible; climbing Snowdon/Ben Nevis (with full pack) a few times will really help.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Holiday could have done more for local people. Porters and guides very poorly paid and didn't even have a tent on our trip which is disgraceful! Considering the amount of money a trip like this costs (with kit over £2000!) for an extra GB £30 each we could have doubled all the porters/guides wages!
I wish I had taken more of my old kit over with me to give to the porters, I didn't realise how reliant they are on donations. On our way down we saw a porter running up a muddy track carrying 25kg and wearing flip flops! Hopefully though, if companies get behind the good work that the "porters project" is doing in the region things will start to change.
Read the operator's response here:
Local people benefit - The welfare of the porters used on the tours is of great concern to us and strenuous efforts are being made to increase the benefit that they receive from our operations and our client's participation there. It would be simple and easy, yet incorrect, to say that an increase of money or an increased influx of old clothes would raise the standard of welfare of the porters. The issues surrounding the enhancement of the welfare of porters are complex and therefore requires a strategy that allows for the welfare of the porters to be sustainable in the long term. We have one in place and is acting on it at present.| Reviewed 10 Sep 2007 by Sam Adams | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro in the early morning sun.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't under estimate how hard it will be to summit at this altitude - but the feeling at the peak makes it all worth while!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I think the locals did benefit and seemed to be grateful of the employment / income. The trek was organised to limit damage to the mountain environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Super holiday - highly recommended to those who seek a bit of a challenge.