Choosing an operator

Choosing your operator is probably the most important thing to do. It is also one of the most difficult things to do.

The basic requirements are fairly obvious from picking a reputable company with good experience, good references, good kit and very importantly excellent ethics when it comes to employing porters and guides.

You are quite literally putting your life in their hands.

Then there is the cost to be considered. I trawled through tonnes of information online and found it quite difficult to make a choice.

I had to repeatedly ask for quotes, compare them in price, understand what those prices included. Judging suppliers by their response time and willingness to answer stupid questions over and over again.

In the end the choice was a tough one, but for me the company that came up tops was Destination Africa Tours. You can view their website at:

http://www.climbingkilimanjaro.com/

I'm particularly impressed with their personal experience in climbing Kili. Their knowledge and advice has been invaluable. I've received a 72 page document designed to answer every question imaginable (and more!) regarding this adventure.

It covers everything from routes, gear, nutrition, detailed exercise programmes, vaccinations, information on acute mountain sickness, altitude sickness, visa requirements, insurance - THE LOT.

They (we) have had a tough time trying to secure this adventure, what with the dollar all over the place in the past few months and then with Air Tanzania being grounded in mid-December. 

Nikki has been marvelous with arranging alternatives, advising on kit to rent versus kit to buy.

We're not quite there yet, but so far I have nothing but compliments for Nikki & the team at DAT.