Strength Training Anatomy by Delavier Review
Exodus and African Walking Company Review
Exodus 5/5
We did (and by 'we' I mean my partner) a huge amount of research into various different companies we could have booked our Kilimanjaro climb with. Out of them all Exodus just seemed the most professional and with fantastic reviews to boot.
Their website is hugely useful and easy to use. We actually used the website an awful lot in the run up to the trip, checking the route, looking at pictures etc.
Customer care is amazing and answered any questions we had, either via phone or on online chat. We received a really clear and concise equipment tick list so we could tick off each item we had. This was really handy as it was our first adventure of this kind, so it really gave us a good idea of what we needed to get or what we might have already.
They have a really good set up with the African Walking Company, sending us the Exodus bags, which are the perfect size and shape for the AWC Porters to carry.
The flights were fine (although I'd not like to venture on an Ethiopian Airlines flight again if I could help it), saying that they were on time and clean enough, and isn't really a reflection on Exodus. All our connections and transportation were on time, and all the stop over hotels and lodges were fantastic.
Hiring equipment through exodus is super easy and the equipment is of a high quality and clean. It makes sense to hire the big awkward items like walking poles, sleeping bags and big arctic coats etc.
All in all I'd definitely recommend Exodus to go on any trip with, they do some amazing ones, just take your pick. And if you're planning on doing Mt. Kilimanjaro then please read on about the African Walking Company.
The African Walking Company 5/5
What can I say about the African Walking Company? Brilliant, fantastic, amazing. They are the most friendly, upbeat and professional people I've ever met. Each guide was fantastic in their own way, as well as each porter. Lead guide Abraham met us on our first night to go through the climb and hand out any hired equipment. All the guides and porters were all just so easy to talk to and would answer any questions you had about the climb, Africa, their homes, literally anything and would love to hear about England and your home.
The food, oh the food. The food was incredible, and I was in constant disbelief that the cook could make these amazing meals all the way up a mountain. We had three courses for pretty much every meal, for snacks we had popcorn and fruit to keep our energy up. For really long days we'd have lunch boxes made up with fruit, chocolate and even savoury pancakes or boiled eggs.
The tents and amenities were also great, especially the toilet tents as some of the long drops leave a lot to be desired. Plus the bright blue of the toilets tents were always easy to spot from a while away from camp so you had something to aim for on the last parts of the trek, weird but true.
The African Walking Company was just so friendly, professional and reliable. I can't recommend them highly enough, I would always choose The African Walking company for any trip that they do.
I hope this review helps you make a decision on choosing the companies you'll choose to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with, if you have any questions I am always more than happy to help, just leave a comment below or tweet me @NF_fitness.
Zanzibar
We landed on Zanzibar full of excitement. It was warm, sunny and we all felt so relaxed already. We hopped on the connection bus and made our way to our hotel. On the way the driver randomly stopped by the side of the road and after much deliberation on the price (we guess), handed us a bunch of tiny bananas, they were delicious, sweet and probably one of the best bananas I'd ever eaten. Great ploy by the driver to get a bigger tip, worked.
After a very bumpy ride we came upon the hotel. Wow, what a sight to behold. The hotel lobby is a huge wooden building, with a tall pointed roof, looking out to the sea. The bluest sea I'd ever seen, the beach the whitest beach, palm trees, everything you'd see on TV as the perfect place of paradise.
The 'rooms' were actually little lodges, each split into two sides. Petals laid out on the bed, it looked beautiful. On the porch was a lovely table and seat, and a hanging bed to lounge in.
We dropped off our stuff in the room, and headed straight to the beach to check out the views. The views were absolutely incredible and the hotel hugely comfortable, we felt so spoilt, especially after our gruelling climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This was pure luxury.
We spent a lot of the time relaxing on the beach, playing beach volleyball with the rest of the group and football on the sand. On one of the days we took a trip to Stone Town, as we'd heard much about it.
Stone Town was beautiful, fantastic architecture and winding streets. This was the perfect souvenir getting expedition, every shop had lovely trinkets, art, scarves and spices. I enjoyed the town but after a while I did find the constant badgering of the street sellers to be a bit of an annoyance. We visited a lovely little restaurant and got munched by mosquitos whilst we munched our food.
Whilst in Stone Town we visited a food market in one of the squares every smell and sight a real treat. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.
The staff at the hotel were all really friendly too and would do anything for you. The cocktails at the bar were especially good, but my favourite drink was their ginger beer, Stoney Tangawizi. It's so weird going to other countries and yet the Coca Cola company is everywhere. There was even a hotel dog, a lovely old fella who slept mostly but enjoyed some cuddles every now and then.
In the evenings we'd have a lovely meal and all the group would chillout together playing cards, games and drinking. It was an amazing experience, one I'll never forget.
Exodus Travel Company and African Walking Company reviews coming soon!
Don't forget to like this post, comment and follow me on twitter @NF_fitness.
After a very bumpy ride we came upon the hotel. Wow, what a sight to behold. The hotel lobby is a huge wooden building, with a tall pointed roof, looking out to the sea. The bluest sea I'd ever seen, the beach the whitest beach, palm trees, everything you'd see on TV as the perfect place of paradise.
The 'rooms' were actually little lodges, each split into two sides. Petals laid out on the bed, it looked beautiful. On the porch was a lovely table and seat, and a hanging bed to lounge in.
We dropped off our stuff in the room, and headed straight to the beach to check out the views. The views were absolutely incredible and the hotel hugely comfortable, we felt so spoilt, especially after our gruelling climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This was pure luxury.
We spent a lot of the time relaxing on the beach, playing beach volleyball with the rest of the group and football on the sand. On one of the days we took a trip to Stone Town, as we'd heard much about it.
Stone Town was beautiful, fantastic architecture and winding streets. This was the perfect souvenir getting expedition, every shop had lovely trinkets, art, scarves and spices. I enjoyed the town but after a while I did find the constant badgering of the street sellers to be a bit of an annoyance. We visited a lovely little restaurant and got munched by mosquitos whilst we munched our food.
Whilst in Stone Town we visited a food market in one of the squares every smell and sight a real treat. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.
The staff at the hotel were all really friendly too and would do anything for you. The cocktails at the bar were especially good, but my favourite drink was their ginger beer, Stoney Tangawizi. It's so weird going to other countries and yet the Coca Cola company is everywhere. There was even a hotel dog, a lovely old fella who slept mostly but enjoyed some cuddles every now and then.
In the evenings we'd have a lovely meal and all the group would chillout together playing cards, games and drinking. It was an amazing experience, one I'll never forget.
Exodus Travel Company and African Walking Company reviews coming soon!
Don't forget to like this post, comment and follow me on twitter @NF_fitness.
The Way Down #2
We awoke in a buzzing camp, feeling much warmer than the previous mornings. Following some great grub it was time for the tipping ceremony. It's customary at the end of each climb to tip the guides and porters for all their hard work. A member of the group is nominated to thank each party and give out the tips. Both before and after this all the guides and porters sing to all the climbers.
For the next hours of trekking downwards all that could be heard were the hums of joyous adventurers, humming the tune of their song.
We travelled back down through the forest, even spying a few cheeky monkeys along the way.
After many, many hours we reached a point in the path that was only metres away from the final gate. Some of our group were still a way behind us so the guide with us, Declan, took us on a little detour to a beautiful, dazzling waterfall. The rocks around it and the water itself seemed to shimmer with gold.
Once we'd taken in the awe of the waterfall we made our way back up to reunite with the others. Walking just a few metres around the corner was Marangu gate, the official end to our climb.
We waited at the shop for a while for the others and bought t-shirts and passion fruit fanta. It was incredible how much of a treat a fizzy drink was.
I gave Joseph, the guide who helped us on the final day up the mountain, my hat and buff as I noticed he didn't have either. I hope he still carries them with him. He's a true friend and we still exchange emails together.
A bus greeted us and off we went to a lodge to rest up in preparation for our flights to Zanzibar. Arusha airport is the smallest airport you'd ever see in your life. After being waved through 'security' we boarded our tiny 15 seater plane.
The pilot was a lovely chap and the tininess of the plane made us feel all the more adventurous, Indiana Jones style. After a really short flight we touched down in gorgeous Zanzibar.
To be continued...
For the next hours of trekking downwards all that could be heard were the hums of joyous adventurers, humming the tune of their song.
We travelled back down through the forest, even spying a few cheeky monkeys along the way.
After many, many hours we reached a point in the path that was only metres away from the final gate. Some of our group were still a way behind us so the guide with us, Declan, took us on a little detour to a beautiful, dazzling waterfall. The rocks around it and the water itself seemed to shimmer with gold.
Once we'd taken in the awe of the waterfall we made our way back up to reunite with the others. Walking just a few metres around the corner was Marangu gate, the official end to our climb.
We waited at the shop for a while for the others and bought t-shirts and passion fruit fanta. It was incredible how much of a treat a fizzy drink was.
I gave Joseph, the guide who helped us on the final day up the mountain, my hat and buff as I noticed he didn't have either. I hope he still carries them with him. He's a true friend and we still exchange emails together.
A bus greeted us and off we went to a lodge to rest up in preparation for our flights to Zanzibar. Arusha airport is the smallest airport you'd ever see in your life. After being waved through 'security' we boarded our tiny 15 seater plane.
The pilot was a lovely chap and the tininess of the plane made us feel all the more adventurous, Indiana Jones style. After a really short flight we touched down in gorgeous Zanzibar.
To be continued...
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