MEET OUR Mountain Guide:
Iddy Gerald Mbalamwezi

Position: Mountain Guide

Date of Birth: 23 November 1989

Place of Birth: Elerai, Arusha Region, Tanzania

Language Spoken: English, Swahili

Number of years in the travel industry: 13 years (2009-present day)

Number of years working with Easy Travel: 6 years (2017-present day)

About Iddy

From the age of ten, I would go on birdwatching trips with some of the older boys in my neighborhood. One of those boys was a guide undertaking bird research, so I became interested in developing a related career after finishing primary school. After I finished school, I decided to study at the tourism college. Afterward, I started working on Kilimanjaro as a porter before being promoted to a mountain guide. I attended special training to become a mountain guide in 2012, and after that, I started work as a qualified mountain guide.

I worked with several companies before joining Easy Travel. I attended an interview for guides at Easy Travel in response to an advert. I was successful at the interview, and so from there, I started to work with Easy Travel as a mountain guide. Since I started working with Easy Travel, my experience has been that it is a very well-organized company with good management that looks after its staff and the safety of its travelers. I enjoy working with Easy Travel.

I currently live in the Sokoni One district of Arusha City with my wife, with whom I have been married for ten years. We live with our twin boys, who are seven years old.

Favorite Park in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro National Park.

Favorite Route

The Lemosho Route, undertaken over eight days, is my favorite route up Kilimanjaro

Favorite Food

My favorite dish is Ugali and samaki sauce with Mboga. This is corn flour with fried fish and vegetables. I love this dish because it is full of proteins and vitamins and easy to digest

Favorite Hobby

My favorite hobby is soccer, and I am a big fan of my local league team, the Simba Sports Club. In the English Premier League, I support Manchester United.

Favorite TV Show

The Discovery Channel is my favorite channel because it mostly shows programs about nature, as well as interesting scenery from different parts of the world

Favorite Singer/band

I enjoy listening to the reggae music of Morgan Heritage

14 Questions and answers with Iddy

1. Why is climbing Kilimanjaro the trip of a lifetime?

Not only is Kilimanjaro the highest freestanding mountain in the world, but it is also the only one with a permanent glacier at the top. And this is despite being located near the equator! Climbers are proud when they reach the summit because, to do so, they have passed through five different climatic zones within only a few days. These are the woodland or cultivated zone, the montane forest zone, the heath and moorland zone, the Alpine desert zone, and the Arctic (summit) zone. Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic peaks, Shira peak, Mawenzi Peak, and the highest, Kibo Peak. Kilimanjaro is a true wonder of the world!

2. Which is your favorite route that Easy Travel offers and why?

The Lemosho Route, undertaken over eight days, is my favorite route because it is the most successful route and gives trekkers enough time to acclimate day-by-day with its shorter daily walks. It also has excellent scenery and landscapes. This route offers a more ‘wilderness’ experience with a greater variety of large and small animals. Climbers might encounter baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, buffalo, and antelope. Climbers on this route also cross the second biggest plateau, the Shira Plateau. As some sections of the Lemosho route are flatter, this makes it more suitable for disabled or inexperienced trekkers to trek via this route.

3. Why is Easy Travel the best choice for trekkers to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Easy Travel has good management and staff, from its owners to the workers in every department. That ensures that they provide a good service. Easy Travel’s priority is the safety of its trekkers and crew. It has guides with extensive mountain experience and is well-trained in Wilderness First Responder. The porters are also well-trained in First Aid.

4. What is your favorite month of the year to climb Kilimanjaro?

My favorite month to trek is August because, during this time, the weather is good. There is less rain and wind and clear mountain views on all sides. You can experience beautiful sunrises and the full moon.

5. What is your favorite part of Mount Kilimanjaro?

My favorite part of the mountain is from the summit rim at Gillman’s point up to Uhuru peak, where you can see the amazing glaciers, the crater rim, and Kilimanjaro’s ashpit.

6. What is something people don't expect about Mount Kilimanjaro?

The weather is very cold on the mountain, and temperatures drop as low as minus 25 degrees Centigrade. Glaciers are on the top of the mountain, although close to the equator. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not easy, and it is hard to get to the top. Also, even some people with disabilities can make it to the top, though only with the support of guides and porters.

7. What is your favorite part of Tanzanian culture?

What I like most about our culture is the good relations between our many tribes, expressed by the many inter-tribal marriages and the sharing of our national language, Swahili. We live together in harmony, despite our different religions and cultures.

8. What three phrases should guests learn in Swahili, and what do they mean?

Asante Sana, which means ‘thank you very much.

Karibu Sana, which means ‘you are very welcome.’

Rafiki, which means ‘friend.’

9. What would our guests be surprised to learn about you?

They will be surprised by how much knowledge and experience I have about the mountain and my training as a Wilderness First Responder. Also, my ability to organize the crew and my teamwork in an emergency.

10. What advice would you give others on preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

I would advise that they should first look for a good company which will provide good service and great guides with a deep knowledge of the mountain and how to deal with emergencies. All climbers must prepare well physically and mentally. For the physical preparation, I advise them to do some exercises such as walking, running, cycling, etc. These activities will prepare the body to be ready for climbing the mountain. Climbers should also consult with their doctor if they have any medical issues.

Regarding mental preparation, having a positive mindset about climbing Kilimanjaro is important, as this will motivate you to reach the summit. It is a good idea to also prepare in terms of food consumption, eating more carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and especially fruit and vegetables. Finally, give proper attention to your equipment: trekking boots, warm clothing, hiking poles, sleeping bags, and a reusable water bottle.

11. How many times have you climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as a guide?

I have climbed Kilimanjaro more than 150 times since 2012.

12. What are the challenges of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

Firstly, harsh conditions include strong winds, rain, and cold. Another significant challenge is getting sick on the mountain, such as altitude sickness. Exhaustion due to the long walks and difficulties with getting to sleep are other issues, as is a potential loss of appetite.

13. What advice would you give to hikers on how to prevent altitude sickness?

I recommend climbing slowly. Also, (between 3 and 5 liters per day) to properly hydrate the body. Eat well during the trek to increase calorie intake. Climb high and sleep low to let the body acclimatize. And rest as much as you can when you reach camp each day.

14. What challenges have you faced as a mountain guide when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

Dealing with sick trekkers poses the biggest challenge. On a few occasions, we have had to evacuate a climber, and once I had to walk for nine hours non-stop because we had to carry a climber from the summit down to the base camp as they were in urgent need of medical treatment. There we met up with the park rescue team, who gave further assistance.