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BMF Trek Kilimanjaro

Trek to the highest point in Africa to the very summit of Mt Kilimanjaro and the world's highest free standing mountain with BMF! Watch the stars turn above you and see the eastern horizon glow with the approach of an African dawn and breathe in the freshest of African air!

Spend seven days on the mountain and experience trekking on, arguably, one of the world's most romantic mountains. Trek from the equator through the tropics and onto the poles as you ascend from equatorial ground level to the artic summit 5895m above you while you marvel at the wide expanse of the African plains that stretch off into the horizons far below you.

Rising up from the surrounding plains of East African Kenya and Tanzania and dominating the landscape in every respect, Kilimanjaro is, in fact a massif of three volcanoes called (from east to west), Mawenzi, Kibo and Shira. Shira and Mawenzi have long since been extinct and have eroded to what they are now.

But Kibo is a geological youngster and the "baby" of the block, some say "only" 300 000 years old, and gives shape to the mountain we know as Kilimanjaro today. Nobody knows when the next eruption may occur as she is only dormant!

So huge is this mountain that it completely dominates this part of East Africa and so it creates its own unique weather systems, and its own endemic plant species, while it guards the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

Nobody is absolutely certain of the origins of the name Kilimanjaro, but some think that it might mean "Mountain of Light" or "Mountain of Greatness" or even the "Mountain of the Caravans" and the Maasai know it as "the House of God". But whatever the origin, and meaning of the name, the mountain is unique across the world and arouses strong emotions in all those that are connected to her.

It has a mystique all of its own and permeates every aspect of the psyche in this part of Africa and is a symbol recognisable anywhere in the world. Upon her independence from the British Commonwealth, the first president, Julius Nyerere, had a light lit at the summit now called Uhuru Peak (Swahili for "Freedom") and he told the world of the symbolism with the words, "We, the people of Tanganika, would like to light a candle and put it on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which would shine beyond our borders, giving hope where there was despair, love where there was hate, and dignity where before there was only humiliation."

Contrary to popular belief, Kilimanjaro was never given to the Kaiser Wilhelm, Queen Victoria's grandson, as a present! Rather, the less interesting story is that this boundary between Kenya and Tanzania was established during "the Scramble for Africa" and a curve was made in the boundary line to accommodate the massif as the map was drawn up!

Like any large mountain, getting to the top is difficult, demanding and challenging. Some have even said that reaching the top is more painful and difficult than childbirth! But anybody can get to the top! The youngest to summit was just nine years old and the oldest was 87!

Reaching as high as you possible can on this great mountain will likely be the hardest thing you will ever do. But, undoubtedly, it will be the most rewarding too!

BMF have 30 places available for March 2010.

 

 

  

Proposed route

We think that 7 days on the Lemosho Route is a fantastic way to see, experience and feel what this most majestic mountain has to offer, and give you a very good chance of getting to the summit of Africa's highest mountain.

We start on the western flanks and climb up through rainforest onto the Shira Plateau before heading into the Barranco Valley on the south western flank of Kibo. After which we climb out of the Valley via the famous Great Baranco Wall and then onto the Karanga Valley before the last push up to the summit by way of Stella Point via our last high altitude camp at Barafu. After a quick re-fuel stop at Barafu base camp, we head down the south flank to our last night's stop before it is back into Moshi town for a beer and a bath!

Prior to committing yourself

Prior to committing yourself, we strongly recommend you have thoroughly read through all the information within this page as it is important you know what you are taking on. Climbing Kilimanjaro is tough, but at the same time extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

There are some specific kit/visas/vaccinations/requirements that you will require to take part on the trek. Prior to the trek you will receive a very detailed list of kit and descriptions of what is needed, but in the meantime, a brief list is shown below (all kit show be well broken in or used and not being pulled out of its wrapper for the first time on Kilimanjaro):

• Soft 65l - 80l holdall - your main item of luggage on the mountain and carried by the porters.
• Daypack - approximately 30l - 40l capacity
• 4 seasons sleeping bag
• Head torch and spare batteries
• Water drinking system (camelback/platypus), min 2l
• Sunglasses
• Trekking poles
• Clothing
• Well worn walking boots/ trekking shoes (No trainers to trek in)
• Sandals or trainers for night time wear
• Two fleeces; one thick and one thin
• Water and wind proof jacket and trousers
• Sun hat
• Beanie and scarf
• Warm gloves
• Thermal base layers
• Vaccinations and medical protection

Don't forget to as for Kili kit for Christmas!

BMF's insurance requires that all participants have the following vaccinations / medication while in Tanzania:

• Malaria
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Hep A
• Typhoid
• Diptheria

Please note that you may be required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate as well.

Please consult your health care provider or appropriate NHS service for further information with regard to what medical precautions you need to take as this field of medicine in constantly changing. Please also be aware that some vaccinations need to be taken a minimum of 7 days prior to travel. Some may even require multiple doses up to 7weeks prior to travelling, so leave yourself plenty of time! 

 

Visa

A visa is necessary to enter Tanzania and is usually available on arrival for $50USD (at the time of writing). However, BMF strongly recommends that you acquire your visa BEFORE you travel. Visas are obtainable from the Tanzanian Embassy/Commission in London.

Passport

A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of travel is a pre-requisite. Please ensure that your passport allows you to travel.

Insurance

Every participant must have travel insurance in force for the duration of the event to cover the cost of cancellation. BMF arrange insurance cover for your participation and this is included in the event costs, this  includes medical cover and repatriation, in the event of accident or illness as well as a certain amount for kit and personal belongings, however if you wish to bring any expensive  camera's  / ipods etc then you should insure these seperately. Also most importantly if you chooose to stay on for a holiday afterwards any extension to your trip would need to be covered by your own travel insurance.

Should you require any assistance or have any queries regarding insurance, please contact Crispin for more information.

Mountain Facilities and Conditions

You must come prepared to cope with basic conditions, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when they may occur in Moshi and on Kilimanjaro. Even with the best and meticulous planning, things can go wrong, so a sense of humour and patience is a real bonus!

Toilets on the mountain are very basic and are of the long drop kind! This trek is best suited to those that are prepared to "rough" it and don't expect any pampering or that everything will turn out exactly as planned.

Altitude

There are no pre-determining factors that indicate who will, and will not, suffer from altitude sickness. Everybody will be affected by the higher altitude, but everybody's response is different.

Oxygen content remains the same throughout the atmosphere, but as you ascend higher the air pressure drops about a tenth for every 1000m gained. So the air pressure at the summit is approximately 50% that found at sea level. This drop in air pressure affects the body in a variety of ways.

Since the body is wonderfully adaptive, one of the surest methods of helping to prevent the onset of AMS (acute mountain sickness) is to go pole, pole (Swahili for slowly, slowly and pronounced "pool-lay, pool-lay") from the word go. Going slowly, slowly allows the body to slowly adapt to the lessening air pressure. Drinking plenty of water from the outset seems to greatly help your acclimatization too.

The expedition manager, the head and assistant guides have extensive experience on guiding trips to the summit and know the right pace to set to help you acclimatize.

Fitness

You do not need to be marathon fit to climb to the top of Kilimanjaro. But, by being in very good physical condition, it will allow you to enjoy being on the mountain more and experiencing the majesty of such a place to the full. Hence, the better your physical condition, the better your enjoyment. BUT this is no guarantee that you will not be affected by AMS.

Being in very good physical condition will give you great comfort in the fact that you can walk for 8hrs per day for 5 days in a row UP a mountain. It is only on the last two days that you head DOWN the mountain.

We strongly recommend that you start on improving your fitness as soon as possible. It is never too early to start!

We strongly recommend that you spend time training to build up your base level of fitness, strength and stamina so that you achieve a good whole body and CV fitness standard as well as spending time in the mountains and on the hills. "No mountaineer got fit in a gym" as the saying goes!

Trip briefing and fitness assessment

A trip briefing will take place at BMF head office in London on Saturday 9 January 2010 from 09h00. The briefing will be followed by a fitness assessment.

Everybody will be getting together in the morning for a final event briefing which will help you with any kit / clothing / equipment and any other event info. Afterwards, there will be a fitness assessment. The benefits of this day are:

1. You will get a chance to see just how fit you are while still having time to improve your fitness if it is not quite up to scratch.
2. You will get a chance to meet all the other participants.

To ensure that a reasonable level of fitness is attained, we would like everybody to be a minimum level of BMF's fitness assessment RED group and preferable in the upper half of the red group at the time of paying the deposit.

The fitness test is not a pass or fail test. It simply offers an opportunity for you to evaluate your own fitness levels and to re-assess your training programme in the run-up to the Trek.

      

Grouping

Depending on the numbers that come along, we will have two equal sized groups. Both groups will be led by a BMF Mountain Leader, a trained head guide and 4 assistant guides as well as the appropriate numbers of porters.

Once signed up for the Trek:

As soon as reasonably possible, you will be sent all the paperwork, VIA EMAIL, that you must complete and return to us in the BMF head office. This paperwork includes a variety of forms that require you to read through thoroughly and complete. Once you have done this, all these forms must be completed and returned to BMF by the date displayed on the form.  

Medical questionnaire

You will also be required to undertake a medical examination. Your doctor must complete the appropriate paperwork. This must be returned to us too. Again, nothing to worry about, it's all just standard to ensure your safety, and the safety of all those taking part on the Trek.

Payment reminders

You will receive payment reminders 2 weeks prior to your payments being due. Please adhere to payment deadlines to ensure your place on the Trek.

Getting fitter

Start getting yourself fitter. Part of your paperwork will be a suggested list of exercises and similar to help guide you in this respect. You could also join your nearest BMF class, if you haven't already done so!

Getting to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

We strongly recommend contacting Emerald Travel for all your flight bookings. We have worked with them for years now and they are familiar with our requirements. Our contact there is Lee, and you can reach her on 020 7312 1700 (ext. 207).

You must arrive at the joining hotel in Moshi, Tanzania by no later than 1700hrs on Sunday 7 March 2010 for a 1800hrs compulsory briefing.

There are three flights options (all subject to availability and cost):

• Option 1: Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Also the cheapest with the best timings.
• Option 2: Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.
• Option 3: KLM via Amsterdam.

Please email us to let us know your flight arrangements once you have made them.

Getting to Moshi from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

You will also need to organise your own travel arrangements to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania, and further information on this can be found below.

Since the airport is approximately 40km from Moshi, taxis to and from the airport are approximately USD$50 each way. Taxis shared would reduce transfer costs.

After Kilimanjaro

The trek finishes with a beer, a wash and a good wholesome buffet dinner on Monday 15 March, and return flights should be booked from Tuesday 16 March.

However, there is plenty to see and do in Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar; and even Kenya and Uganda beyond. You may wish to stay and see the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti or even have a few days on Zanzibar. There are many options. Please be aware that BMF can not offer advice for your traveling options after the event, you will need to research and book these yourself. 

Event Briefings

To help you prepare for the Trek, we will have an event briefing on Saturday 9 January 2010 starting at 0900hrs. 

For those signing up as individuals, don't worry about not knowing anyone! The event briefing prior to the Trek will help, so that everyone will be a familiar face by the time your arrive at JRO!

Important dates and times

You need to be in Moshi, Tanzania by 1700hrs on Sunday 7 March 2010. There will be an extensive compulsory pre-trek briefing at 1800hrs on Sunday for all participants.

The trek will start in the morning on Monday 8 March and ends in the afternoon on Sunday 14 March. 

However, the whole event officially starts in Moshi at the joining hotel from 1700hrs on Sunday 7 March 2010 and ends in Moshi on Monday 15 March 2010 after breakfast; a total of 8 days / 7 nights.

Costs

The cost of the Trek is approximately £1,696 per person.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the final balance may change due to fluctuations in the USD exchange rate (all business transactions in Tanzania are conducted in USD and are therefore subject to changing exchange rates) BMF will not pass on minor fluctuations so we hope this price will be accurate. Kilimanjaro National Park fees (also payable in USD) are also subject to change without prior notice and 2010 park fees have not been finalised.

Inclusions

Included in your payment above is a £300 non-refundable deposit that secures your place.

This cost includes everything for your time in Moshi and on Kilimanjaro, except the following:

• Your airport taxi transfer - approx. $50USD per taxi per journey.
• Tips for the mountain staff - $120 per person
• Lunches on Monday 8 March and 15 March
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, snacks, laundry, souvenirs, optional excursions.
• Please be reminded that your flight is NOT included in the above cost. Your flight is at your own expense and is generally approximately £600 return.

Cancelation policy

A cancelation policy is in place and full explanations will be provided with the paperwork that will follow.

Please note that all deposits are non-refundable.

Payment

To reserve a place on our Kilimanjaro Trek, please click here to visit our online shop and pay your £300.00 deposit.

The final payment (£1,396) must be paid by 18th December 2009.

Terms and conditions of payment and cancellation are available on request.

Further Information

An excellent resource is Henry Stedman's "Kilimanjaro: Trekking to Africa's highest mountaim" available from Amazon.co.uk.

If you require any additional information, please email events or call on 0207 751 9742.

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