MEET OUR Mountain Guide:
Joseph Jeremiah Mapima

The Kilimanjaro mountain crew members help each other and cooperate as a team. On the mountain, they carry heavy luggage and ensure the trekkers enjoy their time. While the crew carries heavy equipment, they still always help the trekkers and teach them many things about their culture, and they are friendly and very welcoming.

The mountain is beautiful, especially when you look at the glaciers, such as the Diamond glacier, which are huge. Walking on the ice and snow at the top is incredible when walking in the lower elevations is sunny and hot. The sunrises and sunsets seen from above are quite beautiful. Walking on the crater rim, where you can see down on each side, is a different and unique experience. Glaciers are on one side, and on the other, the crater. Stars can be seen from the top. With all the challenges you go through, it is unbelievable when you make it to the top. Most people do not believe that they can make it.

My favorite route is the Lemosho route, taking eight days. Lemosho is a route on which most trekkers make it to the summit: the success rate is high compared to other routes. The main reason is that it is good for acclimatization. It allows you to climb high and then sleep low, which helps trekkers avoid developing altitude sickness. The trekkers on this route can see all three peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro: Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. On this route, you see many flora and fauna found in Kilimanjaro. You can see different sides of the mountain. The mountain looks like a pregnant woman lying down from the western part!

My favorite month of the year to climb Kilimanjaro in August, as it is during the dry season. Most trekkers are afraid of rainy conditions, so we recommend that people travel in August when there is less possibility of rainfall. Rainfall on the mountain may cause a negative mindset and prevent trekkers from summiting. So, if you travel in August, you can be comfortable and have a positive mindset to submit. 

Jambo, which means ‘hello.’

Mambo, which means ‘what’s up?’

Poa,this is a response to the above, and it means ‘I am fine.’

There are many challenges involved when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.  Altitude Sickness: you can develop altitude sickness due to ascending rapidly, which means you are walking too fast for the body to adjust. Altitude sickness can be evident from the following symptoms:-headaches, a loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. You need to walk slowly and take your time.

Walking long distances: normally, on Kilimanjaro, the shortest distance is 5km a day, but usually, it is about 10 to 11km per day. This does depend on the route and the overall number of days taken.

Weather changes: wind and rainfall can be a challenge. If one lacks sufficient or appropriate gear, this won’t be easy to manage. The weather can also affect trekkers, crew, and equipment. It can also cause mountain sickness. Sometimes the weather may change so badly that the trekkers can no longer continue.

Hikers must ensure they always walk slowly during the trek. This will give you time for your body to adjust from low altitude to high altitude. Also, you do not overuse your energy. Do not compete with others; follow the pace your body tells you to use.

Hikers must ensure they have been prescribed altitude pills by their doctors. These help the body to adapt to the high elevation. The more you use these, the more they help you avoid altitude sickness.

Drink enough water during the hike—a minimum of three liters daily. You walk long distances, the sun is strong, and you can dehydrate. This can make your muscles weak. So, to avoid this, you need to be hydrated and drink enough water.

Always cooperate with the mountain guides; Mountain guides will advise and instruct you according to your health and physical condition. This will increase your chances of making it to the summit.

Trekkers must be fully transparent about any problem, health condition, or medical background, and this information must be shared as soon as possible. This helps the mountain crew to prepare and plan well to get you to the top. It would help if you were honest about everything when on the mountain.