Your Kilimanjaro crew
Kili Vikings
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
PL
Email Jan Androsiuk | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable, excellent value for money
We've done 7d lemosho between 08-14.09.
There were 5 of us (climbers) and the crew size was 23:
- 15 regular porters
- 1 tent porter
- 2 summit porters
- 1 waiter
- 1 cook
- 2 side assistant guides (Conrad & Mwana)
- 1 head guide (Isack)
The quality of rented equipment could be better. Some zippers in sleeping bags failed, but that was expected. In general it's good idea to bring as much of your own stuff as possible.
If I'd do this next time, I'd consider chip-in for chemical toilet. Public toilets were more challenging than the majority of the trek (except for summit night:D)
The food was OK, shoutouts to John!
The only time we felt little hungry was the summit night. We lacked some extra snacks and tea but it's fine.
Guides and porters did a good job. There was a fire otw to shira 2 camp and we managed to walk it around.
We didn't have troubles in communicating our daily needs.
The only uncomfortable part was the tipping ceremony.
As young adults we precisely calculated our trip budget given information from Charlie.
The information we got was that expected rate is 15% of the total cost per person. This is what we prepared, even a bit more cause we really appreciated the work of the crew.
1 hour before the ceremony we got information that there are presumably minimal rates based on the role of crew member. Taking those into account would mean 21% which is quite a big increase.
As an anti-fan of tipping in general, I assumed it was a rip-off trial, but turns out in other agencies it's the same thing. It's just not transparent, because then it's easier to manipulate the customer.
To support this claim, consider the fact that amounts you give are read out loud in front of the whole crew during the ceremony...
We ended up giving something in the middle which was seen rather unfavorably:/
I do not come from the wealthiest country in the world and I'm against such shady practices.
CH
Email Lucia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience! The guides and the other support workers were all very professional, kind, and ready to help and support whatever our problem was! The experience was great we did the Rongai Route and we could reach the top in only 6 days without Problems! There were very few people on the Route and we felt really in Connection with nature. The Equipment was good and Food was amazing. The group was very good organised and we didn’t have any Problems. Our guides were John and Joseph and we had very good experience with them till the top!
RU
Email Olga | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
10/10 once-in-a-lifetime experience
1. Surprisingly easy to book and arrange everything. Basically you pick any route at any date, and it all can be arranged. We had to change the dates just two weeks before the start and the company was totally cool about it. Moreover, the couple who was supposed to climb with us cancelled just several days before the start - and we still managed to do the tour, just the two of us, with no change of the price.
2. The price really does include everything except for the tips and gear rental - no hidden expenses
3. The team of guides, porters and chefs were just amazing, very professional, helpful and friendly. Highly recommend climbing with Joshua and Patrick, two great pros with over 15 years of experience. Also special thanks to Charlie who was always staying in touch ready to answer all the questions during the preparation period.
4. I was a bit surprised when no one asked us about our hiking experience or health conditions before booking. Also our gear was not checked before the start which I guess would be better to do just to be on a safe side. Medical reports during the hike are also not very comprehensive, so up there you can rely only on your guides' professionalism and experience.
5. As for the tips. At first we were advised 10% but the figures recommended by professional unions and associations are quite different so we ended up with 25%. Absolutely deserved!
6. If you're not professional climbers or athletes I would personally recommend you to do as many days as possible. We did a 7-day Lemosho route and I wish we did 8 days. We reached the summit anyway but the headache was just impossible.
7. Karanga river lodge in Moshi is absolutely beautiful, with kindest staff and best breakfasts ❤️
IT
Email Paolo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very very nice
The trip has been amazing! Charlie has helped us a lot during the organization of the trip and with our questions regarding material. Moreover the guide John has made sure that everything went smooth on the mountain. There really nothing critical I can think of, everyone was very kind and professional