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About Kilimanjaro
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One of the most magnificent sights in Africa has to be Kilimanjaro's snow capped peak which climbs 5,000 metres over the surrounding plains. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, made up of 3 volcanoes, Kibo (5896m), Mawenzi (5149m) and Shira (3962m), all of which have been lying dormant for centuries.
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The name has been a source of debate. One of the more popular translations is the Swahili "Mountains of Greatness".
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Kilimanjaro Charity Climb
Our fundraising adventure takes us to the remote north-eastern side of Kilimanjaro, and follows the Rongai Trail. Above all other walking routes, Rongai retains a true sense of wilderness. The benefits of the route are that there are usually less hikers (usually one-tenth that of Machame) and it is generally considered to be one of the easiest of the quality routes on the mountain. |
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Charity Events and Expeditions Responsible tourism- our policy for charity walks, challenges and events. In Kenya our charity expeditions have contributed a great deal to both the local community and impacted positively on the conservation of the fragile eco-system. We have a formalised Porter Policy that conforms to the guidelines laid out by the International Porter Protection Group. It is a fact that the benefits of your charity walk or challenge are far more widely reaching than you can ever imagine. To see more of our responsible tourism policy in action go to 'About ATD' in the menu, or click here. |
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A little bit of history
The fact is that nobody really knows where the name 'Kilimanjaro' came from although many claim it was named after the beer! 'Mountain of Caravans, 'Mountain of Whiteness' and ' Mountain of Greatness' are all names that can be derived from the local Swahilli, Machame and Chagga dialects. All of them are a great improvement on the original German colonial name of Kaiser Wilhelm Spitze, quite a mouthful and not nearly as attractive for marketing purposes! It was a German adventurer, Johannes Rebmann, who was the first European to see Kilimanjaro who recorded that his local guide tried to bring down silver from the mountain that mysteriously turned into water. Charles New a British missionary recorded his attempt to scale the mountain in 1872 with the Royal Geographical Society. He noted how the local chief, Mandara warned him that the spirits of the mountain jealously protected hoards of silver and precious stones and that anybody trying to reach the summit would be attacked with illness and severe cold. It was not until 1889 that the summit of Kilimanjaro was reached by a German geology professor by the name of Hans Meyer, an alpine guide Ludwig Purtscheller and Yohannes Lauwo a local guide from the village of Marangu. |
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Other highlights include: Camel Trekking in Kenya. Surprise — East Africa isn't all about game parks and wild animals. Get beyond the tourist areas and see what really makes Africa hum — its people. Take a trip into the remote desert region of northern Kenya on the back of a camel. Most trips are accompanied by Samburu morani, or warriors, and they give you the chance to get a feel for the life of Kenya's northern nomads — at times it feels as though the 21st century has yet to even come close to this area. Camel treks range from five to ten days, although the really adventurous can hire camels — or even donkeys — and guides by the day and just head off for as long as they want. If you're in this area in late summer, don't miss the International Camel Derby held in Maralal — camel-racing teams from all over the world flock here for this wildly colorful event Dive off Zanzibar, Evocative of the days when Arabic dhows plied the coastal spice trade and sultans ruled the island, Zanzibar retains the feel of a different era while serving up some of Africa's best beaches and snorkeling. The legacy of Arab rule is a captivating town of bazaars, mosques, squares, narrow streets, and whitewashed houses that could have come straight out of the Middle East. Scuba shops line the oceanfront, a testament to the sport's popularity here, and to the fact that pristine coral reef surrounds the island. To lose yourself entirely, head over to the island's east coast, where white sand and solitude rule. The island is accessible in just a couple of hours by fast and comfortable boats from Dar es Salaam. Visit Ngorongoro. An ancient hole in northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best wildlife-viewing spots. How come? The crater, 12 miles in diameter and 2,000 feet deep, acts like a natural cage; the crater's depth makes for a difficult escape for some animals, but most have no need to leave, finding plenty of resources inside. For the traveler, it means not only awesome wildlife viewing, but incredible views from accommodations on the crater's rim. Descend to the crater floor in a four-wheel drive; and once there just cruise around slowly and take in the scene — on any given day you'll likely see lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, zebra, and reedbuck. The small soda lake inside the crater is also the seasonal home of thousands of flamingos. As with the Serengeti, safaris can be arranged in Arusha. Allow three days to get the most out of this fascinating destination. |
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Useful Links Adventure Racing for charity. A series of ultimate challenges in some of the worlds most inspiring locations. Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Training. Comprehensive medical training for medical professionals or people working in remote locations far from medical help. Corporate Social
Responsibility Projects. Programs that act to remove team barriers
contribute proactively to the wider community and challenge the individual |
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