Korean Job Discussion Forums

cwemory · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Location: Gunpo, Korea

After reading several dozen articles about the fast disappearing snows of Kilimanjaro, I am considering climbing it before the ice cap is gone. Perhaps I read too much Hemingway in high school. While I am a fairly experienced mountain climber, this would be my first visit to Africa. I would probably go for six weeks during one of my long holidays (either August or January).
Am I being foolish? Would a trip to Africa just to climb a mountain (and maybe a safari too) be worth it? I know quite a few posters here have experience in Africa. Has anyone here climbed it? Is anyone fairly knowledgeable about Tanzania in general? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Zark · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

Tanzania is incredible. Go!

Climbing Kilimanjaro - would not be my cup of tea. But the Serengeti is magnificent! As is Ngorogoro (sp?) Crater. Both just a few hours drive from Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Some rough roads though.

If you do go on a "safari" it is very worth going with a friend - and you'll find that hiring a private driver and Land Rover is only a little more than going on a pre-organized tour. Then you can decide for yourself what you want to see - and your driver will organize all of it for you.

Hiring a private car and driver is an important issue - as in a group tour you will spend large amounts of time waiting for others and stopping to photograph monkeys - when there is SO much more to see. The value of your trip will be much much greater.

I wanted to see big cats - and the whole tour was organized around that - it was great - still saw a mountain of other things, but also saw what I wanted and didn't leave disappointed.

I lived in Botswana for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer - and saw a lot of wildlife there - so I thought I would be rather blase' about Tanzania - I wasn't!

iluv2fly1 · Joined: 10 Feb 2006

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania for 2 years so you can Pm me for any info you want. Overall I agree with Zark. Its a great place. I reccomend it as long as you realize that Tz is not very well developed and hence it will take some time to plan things and get from point a to point b.

TOGirl · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I have to agree with the other replies. I did a tour in Kenya and Tanzania for 24 days and it really was the most amazing experience I have ever had.

I thought that Masai Mara in Kenya was much better than the Ngorongoro Crater, I saw many more unique and exciting things in the Mara. I also hired a Land Rover and personal driver which made a huge difference and he really took care of us (I was travelling with 2 other girls) and so we got to see things that really interested us instead of the tour group route.

I didn't climb the mountain but I have friends who have and said it was an amazing experience. Two of my friends (experienced climbers) though got really ill with altitude sickness so that was a big drawback for them.

If you want to check out my Africa pics you can visit my site.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro? I heard its a relatively easy hike as far as famous mountains go - meaning no special equipment - crampons or otherwise.

iluv2fly1 · Joined: 10 Feb 2006

Most of the routes take 5 or 6 days and don't require any equipment. There are some more difficult ones which require some actual climbing, but not sure how long those take.

Yesanman · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Chungnam

Also went to TZ and loved the place. Highly recommend it. I twould be a great holiday if coming from Korea. Complete opposite.
Did the safari. Unforgettable.
Didn't clim Kili because it is so damn expensive. There's no way I could have told my African friends that I had spent $700 to climb a mountain.
But it sure looks beautiful.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003