How To Choose The Best Kilimanjaro Operator
What signs do you need to look for when choosing a tour operator to take you on a trek up
Mount Kilimanjaro? It’s a hugely important decision, so do your research well and early, says our expert, Safari Wanderer.
Safety First
There’s no reason why a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro should be
dangerous, but choosing a bad operator could make it exactly that. This
decision is probably the most important one when you’re doing your
planning. After all, your operator will be responsible for your safety
on the mountain, your comfort and your chances of reaching the summit.
So, you need to make sure that they measure up on a number of fronts.
Book Local
Some people are more comfortable booking with an operator in their
own country – but why? Many of the foreign-based operators actually use
local trekking agencies to provide the guides on the mountain, so
booking with a Tanzanian operator for your Kilimanjaro trek means that
everything is controlled and managed by them locally. And in this day of
internet, e-mail and Skype, you can ask a Tanzania-based operator all
the questions you want, whenever you want. Search out a good, Tanzanian
operator to take you to the summit!
Plan ahead, book ahead
Book your Kilimanjaro trek well in advance and you will benefit from
the advice of your Kilimanjaro operator. A good operator will be able to
advise you on important matters such as getting fit, sourcing the right
equipment, what to bring in your daypack. And by planning ahead, you
will have time to do some practice walks, trying out your boots and
specialist clothing.
Read the reviews
However good your operator claims they are, you can get extra comfort
from using the feedback given by those who’ve climbed with them before
you. Don’t just spend a few seconds on this: read the reviews in detail.
Have any concerns been expressed by visitors about safety, the food or
the quality of the tents on their Kilimanjaro trek? What are people
saying about the quality of their mountain guides? How do they treat the
porters? Remember that climbing Kilimanjaro is a serious exercise and a
poor quality operator who doesn’t pay attention to these matters may
not get you to the top in comfort – or at all! If you don’t like what
you read, if you have concerns, then it’s simply time to move on and
find another operator.
Read The Operators Website
A good operator has to care about your safety on the Kilimanjaro
trek, and they will want you to be prepared before you arrive. Check
their website pages carefully – they should have something called ‘Trip
Notes’ or something similar, giving you detailed information on how to
be ready for your climb-of-a-lifetime. Are their mountain guides
experienced and trained? Ask yourself: if the operator hasn’t prepared
this information for its future visitors, is it likely to be your best
choice to take care of you on the climb itself? On the other hand, if
the information is helpful and comprehensive, then it is probably good
evidence that they are professional. Enjoy your Kilimanjaro trek!
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