Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

People come to Tanzania to climb the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Actually, I hadn't even thought about it. I was really focused on humanitarian experiences, and then I didn't plan it in my budget. However, after hearing about it, I became more and more interested in it, and the desire to realize this adventure only increased. So I decided to go for it!

I chose to entrust the organization of my ascent to my friend Ben, who is a travel agent and guide (BENSAFARIS). He also accompanied me throughout this expedition.

We preferred to take the Marangu route, also known as Coca-cola route, the only one with huts to sleep at each camp. The best way to spend a good night and charge my camera.

Day 1:

Once all the paperwork had been sorted out to enter Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, the climb started in the early afternoon. The departure point is at an altitude of 1860m. The hike begins with crossing an extremely dense and humid forest. The path runs along the river. We started « pole pole » ("slowly" in Swahili), lulled by the trickle of small waterfalls. After about 4 hours of walking, we finished this first stage at night, using the front lamps. I had never hiked at night: it was fun. We got to the first camp, Mandara Hut, at an altitude of 2700m.

Day 2 :

We left in the clouds around 9:00 a.m. The wet cold was harsh: it felt good to get active. At first, we deviated a little to go through Maundi crater, from which we could see part of Kenya. Then climbing up and gradually coming out of the canopy, the sky began to clear. The vegetation has changed a lot, as the climate became drier and colder. The floor was covered mostly with immortals, one of my favorite flowers. I would stop far too often to breathe his sweet and spicy scent. We walked almost 6 hours before arriving at the second camp, Horombo Hut, at an altitude of 3700m. We arrived in the day, and we had time to enjoy the sea of clouds that surrounded us, before the sunset.

Day 3 :

We were still in great fit. It was the last step before « The Big day». We walked, very quietly, for 5 hours, before arriving at Kibo hut, the last camp at 4700m altitude. Ben started to have altitude sickness, with a very high heart rate and a big headache. He was very, very cold. He had to put on all the clothes (down jacket, gloves and bonnets included), plus two sleeping bags and a hot water bottle, to be able to warm up and sleep. I still felt good.

Day 4 :

Finally, it was THE day! We started at 00:30 am.

It was a full moon night, what a chance! We didn't even need our headlights so the moon was bright. The last few miles were incredibly intense and hard. Despite the beautiful moon that accompanied us, it was night and cold. The climb was very steep and oxygen was running out. We followed a zigzag path of volcanic sand. With each step forward, I felt like I was going down two steps! After 6 hours of walking, which seemed extremely long and slow, we stopped at Guillmans point, at 5681m of altitude. We could admire a wonderful sunrise on this lunar scenery. After such a night, these first rays were so precious and joyful!

But it was not over. We then skirted the crater to reach the meeting point with the other roads. There were a lot of people. Ben could no longer go up and decided to stop. As for me, despite I was feeling like throwing up and extreme fatigue, I managed the last steps to the highest peak in Africa, at 5895m altitude, with the huge help of my guide, Samson.

When I got up there, I couldn't hold back my tears of emotion and exhaustion. I made it, and I couldn't believe it! Of course, we took the famous photo in front of the congratulatory sign, then we quickly went back towards the camp, because the altitude sickness was difficult to endure. Almost arrived at the camp, two porters came to meet us with fruit juice, and cleared our bags. A very nice little detail in this kind of moment. Once in the hut, I went straight to bed. I had just 2 hours of rest before I got back on the road, to get off at Horombo Hut camp, where we spent our last night in Kilimanjaro National Park.

Day 5 :

The end was coming... The weather was nice. We enjoyed a good breakfast in the mild morning sun. A suspended moment !

Before we left, the BBC Tanzanian journalist, Salim Kikeke, who was also climbing up with us, interviewed us about how we felt about the journey. He asked me two questions: "What was my feeling after reaching the highest peak in Africa?" And also: "Scientists predict that glaciers will disappear within 10 years, due to global warming, so would I continue, without the famous Kilimanjaro snows, to want to make this ascent?" I replied: "yes, for me, although I'm very much affected by this climate change mainly caused by human activity, it was adventure and overachievement that attracted me. Snow was just another detail. And I don't think the landscape and the achievement would be any less impressive without it."

The time had now come for us to descend the mountain and leave the park...

Almost at the exit, in the forest, I had the chance to see a wild dog. It looked like a wolf. We looked each other in the eyes, those few seconds seemed magical, it was so close.

Back in town, I joined the whole team to toast our achievement and receive my certificate!

I haven't specified yet but this was made possible thanks to the team that accompanied me. Samson, my guide, gave me a lot of explanations about the fauna and flora throughout the trip. He helped me a lot to get to the top. Ben and Odinga, to always have motivation and joy. Daudi would bring me a hot water pool to wash up every night and morning, and he would serve me every meal. Yona, the head chef, used to cook me good hot soups. And finally, Arnold and John, the porters, without whom it would be very hard to climb. I'm very grateful for their work.

I would like to thank again Bensafaris for organizing this exceptional adventure and I highly recommend him!