FAQ

Who are your typical clients? I am not a mountaineer.

Our clients are mostly professionals or families who are looking to enrich their lives. They are  slightly older, adventurous (but not boldly so) and they know their limitations well enough to appreciate our relaxed hiking pace, our focus on safety and our comfortable camp setup.  Our families have kids as young as 10!

We discuss the group setup with each client. Families with kids climb mostly in private. Singles are normally paired with other singles to form small groups (4-8 max). Couples are normally paired with other couples. Strangers never share tents - most companies will charge extra if you don't share ; we don't!

For our clients, the experience is just as important as reaching the summit. It may be about challenging themselves to do something hard, it may be about doing something with their teenage kids, it may be about spending time away from it all, it may be about reconnecting with a loved one or a group of friends. The learning aspect is also very important - learning about themselves, about their loved ones, about the mountain and about the wonderful cultures of Tanzania. For everybody, it is about doing something positive on a mountain that will soon lose its mystique as the glaciers melt away.

We work hard to ensure that our clients reach the summit. This is a given. But along the way, we do something very unique - we approach each trip with unmatched enthusiasm and take great care to draw our clients into our world - filled with song, dance, happiness and an appreciation for life despite the hardships we endure in one of the poorest countries in the world.

We teach our clients about the Maasai, the Meru and the Chagga. We teach them our songs, our Swahili language, and our ways of life in the shadows of Kilimanjaro. When our clients get tired, we take their hands and encourage them to continue.  We can do this because our groups are so small 1 - 8 people. And we can do this because our clients are truly interested in us, as well as  reaching the summit.

At the end of the trip, it is hard to say goodbye. Most of our clients remain in contact with our team - encouraging our porters to save their money, get educated, learn better English and to improve their lives for themselves and their families. The students become the teachers - and they (our clients) have forever a small group of friends in Africa!

This is why we are best company on Kilimanjaro, and why our clients love the way we climb.

I am worried about safety on the mountain. Will I be safer with a Western guide?

The local guides find some of the claims by these foreign guides quite amazing! We know how things really work on the mountain; the local guides often lead the way and the Western guides are merely very expensive and unnecessary insurance policies - while getting paid much more than the guides (including free air to Tanzania)! It is completely unfair.

It gets worse when clients are accompanied by Western guides with little or no climbing experience! These "tour guides" , in their quests to show authority, often interfere with decisions made by the mountain guides - creating uncomfortable and unsafe situations. Tanzanians don't react well to anger or arrogance. We've seen many trips ruined by Western escorts.

Remember that local guides climb about twice a month, while the Western guides fly in a few times a year. Local guides are much more tuned to the conditions on Kilimanjaro and they lead thousands of climbers to the summit every year. Western guides change the dynamics of the climb. The spontaneity of the porter teams, the interaction with clients and the cultural aspects of the climb are lost.

I've always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, but some people I know tried and did not make it to the top. I am discouraged by their horror stories.

We hear this often. This happens when climbers don't do their homework. We just don't understand why people fly to Tanzania and sign up for a 5-day itinerary on the Marangu route! They have less than a 50% chance to succeed!

As we state often on these pages, it's mostly about acclimatization and your mental attitude. You need more time on the mountain. And you need guides who truly care and can adjust to your condition. When you're climbing with groups of 15 or more climbers, the guides cannot provide personal attention. The show must go on and the weaker climbers are left behind.

Please order our DVD, "KILIMANJARO: The Way it Is"  to get a real account of the conditions on the mountain.  And for tips to increase your chances to 95% or better.

You claim to be the best on the mountain. Shouldn't your trips be more expensive?

We are aware that some US and UK companies charge $5000 - $6000 per person per climb (excluding  single surcharges). Wow! That's insane! We charge less than that depending on your options with no single surcharges - and we still manage to pay monthly salaries to our guides!

WHY DO YOU WANT TO PAY MORE THAN $5000 PER PERSON?  Here's a deal for you: If you want to pay more than $5000, please pay us! We will gladly accept your money, you will have the best time on the mountain and we will gladly donate the extra funds to one of our Kilimanjaro charities. And we're not joking.

Despite their inflated prices we have superior tents and safety equipment - nobody can match our Mountain Hardwear Trango 4™ tents, and our thick foam mattresses. Nobody can match our modern safety equipment. We lead the efforts to keep the mountain clean. We use the best pre-climb accommodation in the area! And our guides are tops - Wilbert and his guide team are well-known on the mountain and highly respected by their peers.  Since we pay more, and our equipment really stands out, the best guides are eager to work with us! They are all proud men who want to do good for their clients.

Trip costs are really a matter of margins (and frankly, greed):

1. These overseas companies operate trips for large groups. Through the years they established large administrative infrastructures, including office buildings and transport. This is expensive.

2. These companies print very expensive full-color brochures, attend travel shows all over the world and advertise in international magazines.  This is very expensive.

3. Many companies still employ Western escorts (in addition to local guides). You are paying for a guide to fly from the US or UK to join you on your trip! Expensive and quite unnecessary on Kilimanjaro. This is not Everest!

4. Many of these companies are merely agents for local companies. You're paying to keep the middlemen in business! Much of your money probably never reach Tanzania (see the section on costs)  . We have our own operation with our own equipment and guides.

Kiliwarrior Expeditions dot own office buildings and we don't place full-page ads in glossy magazines. We carefully manage our advertising budget. And we depend on the Internet, word-of-mouth and technology to lower our operational costs. It is a new world out there and some of these large, expensive companies are  in deep trouble - case in point is "Far & Wide", once one of the leading tour companies. Far & Wide filed for bankruptcy in September 2003 - stranding hundreds of travelers.

Our motto is Care, Service & Excellence. Our Services are personal, our groups are small, there are no middlemen, and we give the local companies an opportunity to showcase their excellence. Best of all - it's excellent value for your money, and great for the local economy!

OK, but isn't it safer to book with a large, established Company?

Just ask the hundreds of travelers who booked with Far & Wide and University Travel! 

We simply don't operate the same way as these large international concerns. We accept credit cards and we don't ask for the full amount until 60 days before departure. Anyone who buys a trip with a credit card is protected should we go out of business and fail to deliver a paid-for service. Cardholders generally have 60 days from the time a charge first appears on a billing statement to dispute the charge with the card company and seek a refund.

We also recommend trip cancellation insurance.

The other problem with large companies? Everything is large! Don't be surprised to find yourself in a group of 15 or more climbers piling into minivans everywhere you go. This is NOT the way to see Africa. And do you really want to be one of 60 people leaving the camp at midnight for the peak on Summit day?

Is it safe in East Africa?

We feel safer in Tanzania than in Washington DC where crime is high with a looming threat of terrorism. Wilbert and his Team live in the Arusha area and their local knowledge will keep you safe during your visit.

We are always concerned about safety. Our late-model vehicles are very reliable. Our  transfer vehicles are unmarked - we removed those colorful logos on the doors, allowing us to blend in with the locals. Our clients stay in upscale lodges where security is tight and communication to the outside world is possible using a variety of media. We even provide radios on the mountain so you can stay informed of happenings around the world.

We stay in touch with Western Embassies in Tanzania and is probably the only company on the mountain with an evacuation plan in case of emergencies. We cannot disclose the details of this plan, but it is possible thanks to the small size of our Team on the Mountain.

Large groups of Western tourists are at risk anywhere in the world. When you travel with us you are not part of a large group. 

I did some research and it seems I can just show up at a local hotel in the Kilimanjaro area and book my climb for less than $1000?

True, but you will climb the Marangu or "Coca Cola" route - where you will share your experience with huge groups of budget climbers. There is a good chance that your guides speak very little English - this can be dangerous on the mountain.  And you will trek for 5 days/4 nights - which is too short for proper acclimatization. As a result less than 50% of these climbers reach Uhuru Peak.  And did you read the sections entitled "Porter Care" and "costs"?  

We won't argue with those who are truly on a very tight budget and desperately want to climb Kilimanjaro. But we are not a low-budget operation. Low-budget = bad working conditions for the porters. Period.

F&S Kiliwarrior simply doesn't support low-budget operations on Kilimanjaro. We will not have our porters huddle in caves trying to stay warm. We will not have them buy their own food. We will not have them sleep in the mess tent without sleeping bags. We will not use their desperate situation to employ them without pay - forcing them to work for tips only. We will not have our clients climb the mountain without proper safety equipment.

Can children climb the mountain?

The minimum age is 10, but we prefer 12 or older. Amongst other reasons, children get bored with the slow steady pace and use too much energy at the lower altitudes. Their small lungs have to work harder at the higher altitudes to get oxygen, causing them to get tired at times. But the main reason is simply a matter of communication. A child under 10 cannot express his/her AMS symptoms accurately. This can be dangerous. 

PLEASE NOTE: Many outfitters discourage climbing with children under 15 years of age! The reason has little to do with AMS! Most climbers don't want to share groups with kids, - outfitters cannot sell climbs when kids are present. So the reason is economic!

As far as our research shows, there is NO medical evidence to support the claim that children are more vulnerable to AMS.

I am in my seventies. Can I do it?

Certainly! But you are in an age group that's at a higher risk. Please talk to your physician before you sign up. It's not about age. It's about mental toughness, general fitness  and acclimatization.

As of November 2004, F&S Kiliwarrior is the first company to carry portable Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on our trips.  Please read our "safety" section.

How can I prevent illness at high altitude?

Congratulations! Recognizing the dangers of AMS is the first step in trying to overcome it. Many climbers show up on the mountain with no fear about AMS and end up coming down on stretchers.

Exercise before your trip. Obtain all the recommended immunizations. Follow food and water precautions during your stay in East Africa. Book a trip designed to allow for acclimatization. Read as much as you can about AMS, HAPE and HACE.

Drink lots of water. Increased water intake facilitates adaptation to altitude.

Eat well. A combination of carbohydrates and protein will rebuild muscle that is being broken down by the climb.

Medication is available. Diamox is often used to treat mild AMS symptoms, although you need to try it at home before using it on the mountain. Some people don't react well to Diamox.

Climb with guides that understand how to recognize and treat AMS, HAPE and HACE. Climb with companies who carry high altitude safety equipment. Please read our "safety" section.

When is the best time of year to climb?

The world's atmosphere is changing! Seasons are changing. It's getting harder to predict the weather.

In general we prefer Mid-January to End-February, and Mid-June to End-October. But during the rainy season the Rongai and Marangu routes offer the best protection against mud and rain!

For more information, read our "Climb dates" section.

What do I wear?

Layers of light-weight fleece, with a waterproof shell.  The inner layers should be able to dry quickly as you will perspire a lot!

Medium hiking boots, a walking stick, a day pack.

Hat, and lots of sunscreen.

For more information, visit our Kilimanjaro Shop.

What can I expect at night? I am not used to sleeping on the ground.

Sleep deteriorates with the lowering of oxygen content. While you may have difficulties sleeping, please remember that 8 hours of sleepless rest still equates to many hours real sleep, so it's not as bad it sounds!

The cold, hard, uneven ground is a bigger problem. Many climbers complain about stiff backs in the morning.

F&S Kiliwarrior offers thick foam mattresses and pillows! With many other companies you're expected to bring your own. For more information, read our "Comfort" section.

I've seen pictures of Kilimanjaro treks and the tents look really small! Will I be comfortable?

This is a great question since you will spend many hours in your tent. Please realize that it can get very cold in the late afternoons and evenings on the mountain.  No camping fires are allowed so forget about long fireside chats until the wee hours of the morning!

The better outfitters provide roomy mess tents where you can relax before and after your meals. Unfortunately, many of these companies don't provide tents for their porters. So while you are warm and cozy, the porters are waiting outside for you to leave so they can huddle in the mess tent!  Your other option is to retire to your 2 or 3-man tent after dinner at 7 pm. You now have many hours to kill before sunrise. To make matters worse, you may be sharing a tent with a stranger!

F&S Kiliwarrior understands this. We have separate kitchen and mess tents. You can relax in the mess tent and the porters can either join you or congregate in the kitchen tent.  And your private tent is comfortable, modern and roomy. Some well-known companies still use small A-frame tents - don't believe their story about "specially made for the conditions", etc.  They simply don't care about your comfort. And trust us, you will be very uncomfortable. The top companies all use dome tents from respectable manufactures such as Mountain Hardwear,  etc.

We use 4-man tents built for four seasons shared by only 2 people. And you don't pay extra if you don't want to share!

Please read our "Comfort" section.

How about hygiene? 10 days without showering is not appealing. And how clean is the mountain kitchen?

The one thing everybody thinks about at the end of the climb - a long hot shower!

With F&S Kiliwarrior you can shower at least twice in the comfort of a privacy tent. Water is scare but since our groups are small we can afford this luxury! You will have enough hot water for a quick "soap up and rinse" - please bring biodegradable soap. All our clients appreciate this little luxury on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. You WILL climb better when you feel refreshed. Please read our "Comfort" section.

About the kitchen. Food hygiene is very important on the mountain since you cannot afford to develop stomach discomforts. Our chefs are trained in food preparation. Look for the antiseptic hand washing liquids in the kitchen tent area - something we rarely see at other outfitters! And to protect the environment, we now wash dishes with biodegradable soap.

I am worried about food & water. What can I expect?

No problem. We're the only company to give you a choice of foods! After we receive your deposit, your welcome package will include a menu selection. We welcome vegetarians since we follow a slightly modified Lacto-ovo vegetarian meal plan - we serve eggs and dairy and we avoid poultry, fish and seafood. Meat is restricted to vacuum-packed varieties (e.g. ham), or cooked separately (e.g. breakfast sausages).   Most clients say we serve too much food! Please read our "Food" section

We studied the works of many well-known sports nutritionists and know that the ideal fuel at high altitude is carbohydrate. But because appetite is often suppressed, we use different techniques to encourage nibbling! In our mountain kitchen you will find the following carbohydrate dense foods among the normal items:

Here is a sample one day selection from a previous client. He drank isotonic drinks (with electrolytes) during the day, not plain water:

Water is the most important factor on the mountain. We provide bottled water at the lower altitudes and boiled water everywhere else. We use Katadyn Expedition filters for drinking water. These are $1000 filters - the best in the business.

We highly recommend you pack your favorite powdered isotonic sports drink. Water alone is a poor dehydrator.

Portable toilets, portable showers, camping chairs! How many porters do you need to carry this up the mountain? Don't you contribute to the overcrowding problem on Kilimanjaro?

We hear this often from our competitors! The answer may surprise you...

1. Our offer exclusive climbs for small groups. We rarely have more than 6 climbers on the mountain. Compare this with some of our competitors who book 15 or more climbers at a time! With 2-3 porters per client, it adds up to many people!

2. Our equipment is a showcase of modern technology - expensive, extremely lightweight and compact. We average 5 porters per client. And our porters don't carry excessive loads.

3. We carry tents, sleeping bags and clothes for the whole team. As a result, we need an extra 2-3 porters for this effort - unlike some of our competitors who send porters up the mountain without protection.

4. We try to bring down EVERYTHING that went up, including human waste. We know we have ways to go. Our portable toilets with biodegradable toilet paper are the first step in this process. At higher elevations, our porters empty the holding tanks into established long drops - after wilderness approved biodegradable treatment.  We have plans to bring the holding tanks down the mountain when full. In the future, everybody will follow our lead. Please read our comfort section for more info and our opposition to digging holes in areas above the tree line.

F&S Kiliwarrior is not perfect - yet! But we are setting very high standards on Kilimanjaro. If there is a technology to help save the mountain we will be the first to use it. That's our promise to you. We are currently implementing Clean-Mountain-Cans technology. Read about it here....

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