Travelogue from Kilimanjaro: Tears and triumph on Kilimanjaro

Many have a dream about travelling to somewhere extraordinary. For our travel specialist, Cat, climbing Kilimanjaro had been a lifelong dream, and in March 2024 she finally did it! Read about Cat’s huge achievement in her travelogue.  

I understand why so many of our guests ask me which Kilimanjaro route I think is the best – and maybe I am biased, but I always answer Lemosho. It won me over, and I know it will win over anyone who climbs it.

Kilimanjaro is not an easy undertaking – it is something that should be trained for, not just physically, but also mentally – you need to anticipate that you will have a lot of time in your own thoughts, and a lot of downtime. But for me, that was one of the things that made it so magical!

The Lemosho Route is one of our most popular routes – not just for the very high success rate, but also because of the beautiful scenery, with many different terrains and landscapes crossed. From the first few days in the rainforest, to the moon land, to the alpine desert, and the summit itself – I felt like I’d journeyed through the whole world, on just one mountain!

There is so much to say about the climb itself, and I am sure I could spend hours talking through the different equipment I used (both my own and rented from Springlands): but you can read all about what you will need in our ultimate guide and packing list for Kilimanjaro.

I could also write about the conditions of the toilets (rent a toilet tent!), the food (a huge abundance, and always freshly cooked – my compliments to the chef!), or the washing facilities (hot water in a soapy bowl not so glamorous!)

But all this really pales in comparison to the emotions that the climb left me with.

You can prepare yourself physically, and you can prepare yourself with your equipment – but nothing will prepare you for the overwhelming beauty that you will witness. Waking up each day to the sun rising over the highest free-standing mountain in the world – and going to sleep each night in pitch darkness with the most vivid starry sky you can imagine. I even didn’t mind having to get up during the night to go to use my toilet tent when it gave me an extra excuse to look up!

The first monkey I saw in the forest, the almost alien-like trees, the ‘everlasting’ flowers of the mountain and the snow-capped peak towering over us always. All were some of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen.

The snow-capped peak in particular is truly a sight to embrace. As you gradually approach it, the mountain seems almost sentient, as if it is watching and waiting for you. And the nerves and the excitement start to increase as you get closer.  It wasn’t until the final journey to Base Camp that we saw it up close – close enough to see its melting glaciers – and we knew that it was ready for us.

And we were ready for it! That final night, after all the equipment checks, the oxygen level checks, the sleep, the snacks – we finally set off to meet it. The journey was long, and it was tough – the cold mixed with the higher altitude, meant I really had to find the strength in myself. But the feeling of getting to Stella Point, and then onto the summit, just in time for the sun to rise – there is truly nothing I can compare it to. Overwhelmed with emotion, I cried and I cried. It was a moment when every imaginable feeling surged through me, marking the culmination of the most incredible journey of my life.

So, there are really no other words left, other than thank you to Kilimanjaro and thank you to the Lemosho Route, for allowing me to experience your beauty.

/Cat

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller