BEYOND Kilimanjaro Charity Trek. 21st to 29th January 2023.
Dates: 21st to 29th January 2023
Are you ready for an incredible adventure to the Roof of Africa? You are invited to join our team trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The trek will be in support of the charity Beyond, co-founded by Jonny Benjamin MBE, which offers invaluable assistance to young people affected by mental health issues across the UK. The trek will be organised by professional expedition leader, Oli France, Founder of Wild Edge
The Challenge:
The primary aim of this expedition will be to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, which, at 5895 metres, is the highest point in Africa. The chosen route for this trek is the Machame route which is one of the most beautiful routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climb begins in the lush rainforest and follows a path that offers occasional views of Mount Meru, Shira Ridge as well the main summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – Kibo, while crossing through forest, moorland, alpine desert and beside icecaps.
Who can join and how fit do I need to be?:
The Kilimanjaro trek is open to all those wishing to lend invaluable support to the Beyond Charity. Kilimanjaro is not to be underestimated; however it is an achievable goal for anyone who is in good physical health and is willing to work towards a moderate degree of fitness. Reaching the summit will also require a strong dose of determination and teamwork. By the time of departure, trekkers should feel comfortable walking for 6-8 hours on hilly terrain at an easy pace while carrying a light (~5kg) daypack (or be willing to work towards such fitness). During the trek, your main rucksack will be carried by a local porter.
As part of the build-up to the expedition, fitness plans and advice will be circulated and there will be an option to join a UK-based training hike with Oli France (included - date tbc). As a general rule, the fitter you are, the more enjoyment you will find in the trek, and the greater your chances of reaching the summit. This is an extraordinary goal to work towards, and a vision of team summit-success will be a great training motivator!
How do I sign up?:
You can secure your place with a fully-refundable* £200 deposit. After paying the deposit, you will recieve a booking form to collect some basic information. The last date for signing up to the expedition is March 31st 2022. Early sign-ups are strongly encouraged. The final balance will be due 8 weeks before departure.
*The deposit is fully refundable up until 8 weeks before departure. At this point, should there be any serious concerns that the expedition cannot take place due to Covid, your deposit will be refunded. We are however very confident that we can make the expedition happen. At 8 weeks before departure, final payments will need to be made. In the unlikely scenario in which the running of this expedition is not possible due to Covid-19, a future date will be sought, as agreed by the group, or you may choose to receive a full refund of any fees paid for the expedition. Full Covid-19 terms.
Who is leading the trek?:
The trek will be organised and led by professional expedition leader and adventurer Oli France, Founder of Wild Edge, in partnership with a highly experienced team of local guides, porters and cooks. A qualified winter mountain leader and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with a degree in Outdoor Leadership, Oli has travelled to 70 countries, climbing mountains in half of those visited including Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe and Halgurd, the highest mountain in Iraq. Oli has led teams through over 20 countries across Africa and Asia, including hostile places such as Somalia, DR Congo and Yemen, and has completed a series of challenging solo expeditions, including a 400-mile trek across the frozen length of Lake Baikal in Siberia, and a 4-month mountaineering journey across the mountainous spine of Asia, from Hong Kong to Istanbul. More about Oli here. Any questions about the trek can be forwarded to oli@wild-expeditions.com.
Day 1 | Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Distance approx. 40km; driving time: 45 - 60 minutes.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to our lodge in Moshi. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure. Relax at the lodge pool or take a taxi and explore the town of Moshi. In the late afternoon you will be met by Oli and the local Kilimanjaro team leaders, who will brief you on our upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at our lodge. Dinner
Day 2 | Moshi – Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)
Altitude ↑1220m; walking time approx. 5-6 hours
After breakfast we will be collected from our lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. After completion of all the necessary paper work, our adventure commences. Our destination for today is the Machame Camp. Soon we will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjari. We might also spot black and white colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite, we will have time to relax, stretch our legs and enjoy a hearty meal before climbing into our tents for the night. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3 | Machame Camp (3010m) – New Shira Camp (3845m)
Altitude ↑835m; walking time approx. 4-6 hours
Today’s early start will allow us to reach New Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. We will notice the dramatic change in landscape: from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heath land. Arriving at our campsite, a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before us. The glaciers of Kibo glisten in the setting sun as we enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into our tents. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4 | New Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)
Altitude ↑795m|↓680m; walking time approx. 6-7 hours
Acclimatisation is on today’s agenda. We will climb roughly 800 metres, but sleep barely higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, we will make our way up to Lava Tower. Here we will rest a while before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 to 7 hours. A well-deserved dinner and overnight awaits us at Barranco Camp. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 | Barranco Camp
(3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)
Altitude ↑75m; walking time
approx. 3-4 hours
Today the Barranco Wall stands before us. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary. Your expedition team will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allows for further acclimatisation and leads u to the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge, we can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Today's trek will take between 3 to 4 hours. Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6 | Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)
Altitude ↑605m; walking time approx. 3-4 hours
Waking to the sunlight dancing off the Kilimanjaro summit, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination: Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kibo ever present on our left side. After 3 to 4 hours we will reach Barafu Camp, where we will have an early dinner and night as the highlight of our trip is only a few short hours away... Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7 | Barafu Camp (4640m) –
Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)
Altitude ↑1255m|↓2815m; walking time approx. 10-14 hours
Around midnight we will be woken with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get ready for our final ascent. The moon and our headlamps will be our only source of light as we make our way up to Stella Point (5730m), reaching the crater rim in about 5 to 7 hours. Another 1 to 2 hours will take us to Uhuru Peak, where we can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle around us. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, we will start our descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where our local team awaits us with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed we will make our way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain in Africa. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner.
Day 8 | Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Moshi
Altitude ↓1450m; walking time approx. 2-3 hours
A scrumptious breakfast is followed by the traditional farewell ceremony from our mountain crew, before we start our final stretch down the mountain. We will once more trek through the rainforest, giving us another opportunity
to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka Gate. We will be met at the gate and taken back to our lodge for a long shower and relaxed day by the pool. Celebratory dinner and overnight at our lodge. Breakfast | Dinner.
Day 9 | Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast you will be taken to Kilimanjaro Airport or you can opt to extend your trip with a safari or a beach holiday on Zanzibar. Breakfast.
Items included:
- 9-day Kilimanjaro trek according to the itinerary, with 7 days spent on the mountain.
- Expedition led by Oli France, Founder of Wild Edge.
- Suggested training plans, kit lists and altitude sickness information provided by Wild Edge.
- Accompanied by professional
English-speaking local guides
- Extensive mountain crew including cooks and porters (crew ratio: 3-4 local staff per participant)
- Overnight stays in hotels and mountain tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables etc.)
- Portable toilet and toilet tent
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water
- All national park fees
- All mentioned transfers
- Post-trek celebration dinner
- A selection of high-resolution photographs to be shared with the group.
- A live-tracking link so friends,
family and supporters can watch our progress in real-time as we ascend the mountain.
Items excluded:
- Sleeping bag (this can be hired locally if needed).
- Flights (approx. £450-600 from major UK airports).
- Alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Tanzanian visa fees (currently $50USD for British passport holders).
- Tips for porters and local support guides.
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Suitable travel insurance (We can suggest appropriate providers).
You can secure your place on this Wild Edge Kilimanjaro trek with a £200 deposit. Upon receipt of your deposit, you will receive a booking form requesting some basic details.
In the lead-up to the expedition, you will also receive an additional 'Expedition Pack' containing pre-departure information, a suggested kit list, altitude sickness information and suggested training plan.
If you have any other questions at any time, we are here to offer our expertise and support. We want you to feel able to book and travel with absolute confidence. Please do not hestiate to Get in Touch.
The final balance is payable 6 weeks before departure.
Covid-19 policy
At the time of writing, there are no UK travel restrictions for Tanzania.
In the unlikely event that we are forced to cancel the expedition due to Covid-19, you will receive a full refund or be offered the option to roll-over your booking to a future date.
