I cannot fully express how great our experience with Joining Safaris was. We were connected to this group through a mutual friend and they did not disappoint! My dad and I made it a goal to complete the 7 Summits Challenge, and Kili was our first mountain to conquer.
The group was very helpful in arranging accommodations for the days spent in Arusha before and after our climb. We stayed at Mambo Arusha Hostel and it was wonderful. I was in Tanzania for 6 weeks before my dad arrived and when he landed at the airport, Richard was there to pick him up and take him to the hostel. They picked us up the next morning and we drove to Moshi to meet our crew at the JSL office. They were very welcoming and made sure we had all of the gear we needed (clothes, poles, bags, water, etc.). We booked a private tour so it was just me, my dad, and our crew.
Our chef was fantastic - our food was always delicious, hot, and fresh. I am vegan and he accommodated my diet perfectly. We ate lots of porridge, soup, beans, fruit, vegetables, rice, potatoes, crepes, and toast. He cooked my dad eggs, sausage, and a variety of meats (chicken, beef). We had popcorn and hot water for tea/coffee waiting in our tent every day that we got to camp. The crew also made sure we had warm wash water to clean up every morning and night. The porters and chef are absolutely incredible... they got up the mountain so quickly with a LOT of weight on their backs but still made sure we were fed, hydrated, and comfortable. They were always so cheerful and positive even after a long day, which helped keep our morale high!
Our guides Amedeus and Mussa were absolutely amazing from the very beginning. They pointed out wildlife, plants, and important spots each day. They always made sure we had enough water and felt good from climbing and altitude. They took many photos for us and briefed us each evening about what to expect for the next day's hike. My dad and I like to walk fast, but they slowed us down so that we did not over-exert ourselves and could preserve our energy for summit night. We booked the 7-day Machame route but because we felt so good, Amedeus and Mussa let us hike straight to base camp on day 4. I was so happy that they trusted us and believed that we could make it to the top a day early. On summit night, they carried our packs and did everything they could to help us get to the top. They gave words of encouragement, played upbeat music, and sang chants to keep us going strong. When we finally made it to Uhuru Peak, they celebrated with us like it was their first time at the top.
Once we got down the mountain and back to the office, we had a certificate ceremony with dancing, singing, and champagne. The crew started as our crew but finished as our friends. Our dream of making it to Uhuru Peak would not be a reality without them. I will forever be thankful for choosing Joining Safaris to guide our Kili adventure. Asante sana sana sana!
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