Kilimanjaro

Travel Insurance is a requirement for GVN's Mount Kilimanjaro Fundraising Trek. You will need to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance packages which covers emergency evacuation. While trekking Kilimanjaro, because of the altitude, it is very important that your insurance will cover for emergency evacuation. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a "loss of deposits" cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc (up to US$8,000). If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest "walkable" mountain and does not require previous climbing experience. For that reason many people approach the climb with the attitude that Kilimanjaro will be an easy walk. Mount Kilimanjaro is not an "easy" walk but instead probably one of the toughest physical and mental challenges you will ever face.

The days preceding the final ascent are not extremely physically demanding, indeed a person with a reasonable degree of fitness should have no problems. Yet the final ascent to the peak is the toughest part due to the extreme change in altitude.

The failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air as one reaches higher altitude is the reason a person experiences altitude sickness. Altitude sickness seems to affect people indiscriminately, regardless of age or fitness level, yet becoming physically fit before your hike will increase your chances of having an overall enjoyable trip.

One should be able to walk for several hours without too much of a problem. Aerobic activity, such as cycling or running, is a fantastic way to get and stay in shape. Hiking before this hike is probably the best means of preparing yourself for this adventure. Not only does hiking prepare you for the particular difficulties one faces on a hike but it will also further assist you in your efforts to become physically fit.

After you have been accepted to our Mount Kilimanjaro climb team you will receive a link to our program guide, which describes altitude sickness and physical fitness preparations.

On a scale of 1-5 of mountain trekking Mount Kilimanjaro is a 3/4 trek.

• 1. Easy
• 2. Somewhat challenging
• 3. Difficult
• 4. Very difficult
• 5. Extremely difficult

3. Trek
"Difficult"- For a trek at this level we recommend that you improve your fitness before the trek. Previous hiking experience is a plus but not mandatory. These treks are similar to mountain hiking except they are at much higher altitudes. The average day on a trek at this level is 4-5 hours. You should be able to walk for hours without too much difficulty. Conditioning hikes before the trek are recommended, especially hikes at altitude.

4. Trek
"Very Difficult"- At this level it is important to have total confidence in your physical fitness. Achieving physical preparedness is a must if you are not confident in your strength and stamina. You must have the ability to navigate difficult, glacial paths at altitude. Training at altitude is a must, as is previous hiking experience. Hikes at this level usually involve 6-7 hours of hiking at altitude in difficult conditions.

Mount Kilimanjaro, or 'The Roof of Africa', towers over the African landscape at 19,340 feet/5896 meters. Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in Tanzania, very close to the Kenyan border. This mountain offers the trekker the prestige of climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world, while not requiring that the trekker have any prior climbing experience. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest 'walk-able' mountain in the world, meaning any physically fit person with adequate preparation has a good chance of reaching the summit. This climb is not to be taken lightly, it is a tough hike to the top and requires physical and mental preparedness, but reaching 'The Roof of Africa' is well worth the effort.

Trekking to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru peak, the trekker will pass through four different ecological zones. From the farmlands of the plains, to the lush rainforests at the base of the mountain, to the alpine forest, and finally beyond the trees into the lunar landscape of the summit, the trekker will experience an astounding differentiation of ecology and climate.

Trekking through the lunar landscape the participants will reach Gillman's point, at 18,655 ft/5680 meters, which sits at the edge of the crater rim. Here the participants will be afforded a spectacular view of the Maasai plains below. Those who can go on will then continue to Uhuru peak at 19,340ft/5896m where you are truly standing on top of the world.

After descending Mount Kilimanjaro there will be a celebratory dinner before transferring to Nairobi the following day. Once in Nairobi the group will spend two days visiting and touring the local projects that will benefit from the funds you have raised.

Rongai Route has recently re-opened to the public. This little used route retains the sense of wilderness lost on the commercialized Marangu route. Rongai Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the North, offering a unique perspective of the mountain and the Amboseli Plains below. This route offers an extra day to acclimatize and provides a much needed day of rest before attempting the summit. Indeed recent National Park statistics indicate that an extra day of acclimation increases ones chances of reaching the summit by 20 percent.

The Rongai Route also avoids the often overcrowded huts of the other hikes. Those approaching the mountain along this route will have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro firsthand as participants camp along the trail to the summit. Experienced guides consider the Rongai Route to be one of the easiest and most beautiful ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

There are many ways of achieving and surpassing your financial goals. Once we have received your application and application fee we will send you a fundraising information pack that will help you to fundraise for your adventure in Africa.

Ideas and examples of how to raise money for your adventure include friends and family, your workplace, clubs, raffles, quizzes, fun-runs, and parties.

To get started you can find information on our Fundraising page at http://www.volunteer.org.nz/fundraising/

Although this trip is a great deal, it is still more expensive than most commercialized trips. Yet commercialized trips do not offer the unique opportunities our trip provides.

Firstly, our partner travel organization, World Odyssey, has organized other fundraising hikes (see www.savetherhino.com) and is well respected within the traveling industry. While our trek may be more expensive than more budget trips, it is our philsophy to partner with organizations who treat and pay their staff well. Participating in our hike relieves you of the anxiety of searching for a reliable and established travel organization.

Secondly, this trip gives you the chance to meet other people who feel passionate about helping the global community.  The participants of this trip will automatically have a unique bond because everyone involved will be working together to achieve two goals, summit Mount Kilimanjaro and help house and educate children.

Thirdly, you will be able to witness, firsthand, whom your money will help.  Not only will you be able to see one of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania as you climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but you will also have the opportunity to visit the Maasailand in Kenya.

Fourthly, our first Mount Kilimanjaro Fundraiser was a wonderful success. We raised nearly $40,000 USD and all 20 participants reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. A participant has the following to say about her experience on the trip:

"It was such an amazing experience. It's hard to say which was more rewarding: reaching the top of Kilimanjaro or hearing the sweet voices of the .... children at the airport. I'm leaning toward the latter. I only wish I could have stayed longer … to do more work on the school. I sincerely hope to go back … and see the school when it's finished! I loved the daily walks from the Crocodile farm to the worksite, seeing the children's faces, holding their hands, taking pictures with them and just wishing I could scoop them up and take them home with me. I will never forget this adventure."

Finally, and most importantly, your adventure will provide orphaned children a place they can call home and a chance for a better/educated life.  While participating in 'the opportunity of a lifetime' you are also offering others 'the opportunity for a better life.'

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.