MEET OUR Mountain Guide:
Roland Alex Kimath

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the trip of a lifetime because you get to experience so many amazing things up on the mountain. You meet different people each time you climb and spend time with the crew, who are local Tanzanians. But these local Tanzanians can be from many different tribes and cultures, so I can get to know a lot about them and an insight into their daily lives and diverse culture.

You also experience local food on the trek, such as ‘macharali,’ a stew of bananas and potatoes. This healthy meal is made of natural foods and is recommended for trekkers. You also drink local coffee or tea with your daily meals and eat local porridge.

Mount Kilimanjaro also gives opportunities to the local people to make a living, either through the various farming and plantations on the lower slopes or by employing the porters and guides who go up the mountain.

My favorite route is the Lemosho Route, which is over eight days. This route, being longer, gives trekkers more time to acclimatize. It also offers amazing views from many points along the route. The weather conditions on this route are also different compared to other routes: for example, there are a lot of open and flat areas, so that it can be windy. The camps are relatively close to each other.

Easy Travel is the best choice because they are committed to delivering exceptional service to their crews and trekkers. The entire crew (cooks, porters, and guides) has a deep knowledge and experience of the treks. And they are all motivated and passionate. Easy Travel is among the best companies in Tanzania.

My favorite month of the year to climb is June because it is during the high season. This is also the dry season, so the chance of rainfall is low. You can sometimes see snow falling near the summit. There is less sun and less wind during the daytime, and it is a popular month for trekkers.

My favorite part of the trek is the Barranco Wall. Trekkers experience this at an elevation of around 4000m on either the Machame or Lemosho routes. Climbing the Barranco Wall is fun because once you reach the top of this, you get confidence in how strong you are.

‘Jambo,’ which means ‘hello.’

‘Hakuna Matata’ which means ‘no worries.’

‘Pole Pole,’ which means ‘slowly, slowly.’

The most important advice is to get great mental and physical preparation for the trek. Physical exercises such as running, squats, and cycling are all excellent. Mental preparation involves believing that anything is possible – keeping a positive mindset. It’s also important to give yourself enough time to climb instead of rushing.

First of all, the main challenge is the weather conditions on the mountain, as these can change and bring rain, strong winds, and snow. When there is rain, it becomes difficult for trekkers to reach the summit because their gear gets wet, and it is difficult to get it dry again. As well as making trekkers uncomfortable, the wet conditions mean they can miss out on the view and taking pictures. If the weather conditions become really bad, it is difficult to reach the summit.

Trekkers can sometimes fail to cope with the altitude of the mountain. Some trekkers have never been to a high elevation, as they come from a flat region or country without big hills. To succeed in this climb, trekkers must listen to the advice and guidance given by their mountain guides. Some trekkers have a slow pace and arrive late at the camp each day, which causes the trekker to have insufficient time to rest before the next day’s trek.

Some trekkers can become sick due to the elevation. Sometimes a headache can create doubt in a trekker’s mind, so they think they cannot reach the summit. This negative thinking should be avoided, if possible, as it will affect the trek. Lack of sleep or loss of appetite can also occur due to altitude.

The nature of the trails varies, as there are flat trails and steep sections. Some trekkers have never climbed on steep or even gradually ascending trails. Some routes, such as the Marangu Route, are difficult because a trekker has not had enough time to acclimate.

The biggest challenges I have faced are when trekkers become sick. This might occur far from the nearest emergency facility, so the trekkers must be taken back down.

The changes in the weather are another challenge. Weather on the mountain is unpredictable, and a sudden rainfall can make the trekkers unhappy, while a strong wind or a hot sun can cause trekkers to become unwell. Also, the altitude can cause a loss of appetite or stop trekkers from drinking enough water. Another challenge is when trekkers do not have enough clothes.