Journey to the Summit

ROAR AFRICA is thrilled to introduce a brand-new experience we have been building behind the scenes: A Journey to the Summit; the ROAR AFRICA Kilimanjaro climb of a lifetime, which will take place this coming December in Tanzania. After 18 years of changing lives through safaris across our home continent, we know nature is our greatest source of freedom and joy. To summit this peak, either solo, with friends or with your loved ones in tow, is the pinnacle of experiential travel in Africa. This trip will be unlike anything you have ever done before. While Kilimanjaro is the largest freestanding mountain in the world, Tanzania’s iconic peak is also one of the more accessible mountain climbs, which we will ascend, slowly and thoughtfully via the spectacularly beautiful 7-day Machame Route, led by world-class mountaineer and adventurer Oliver Browne and ROAR AFRICA.

After a soft landing with ample time to acclimatize at Arusha’s stunning Legendary Lodge, surrounded by a coffee plantation, our trek begins with a gentle hike through pristine rainforest toward the Materuni waterfall before settling down for the night. The following days settle into a rhythm of relaxed pace climbing through diverse scenery that spans jungle, forests and later on, desert until we reach the summit—after which, we’ll descend by Tropic Air helicopters. The duration of the trek is intentional, allowing guests to embark on this adrenalizing adventure toward the ‘roof of Africa’ at their own pace, with one guide per person and all the thoughtful luxuries signature to ROAR AFRICA. The acclimation to altitude is done gradually and gently, “in fact, it’s counter-productive to go fast,” Oliver states, and incidences of altitude sickness on the Machame Route are incredibly rare. This journey is not a race but a meditation in motion, replete with comfortable sleeping arrangements, excellent chef-cooked food, ample porters, and a highly experienced doctor with us every step of the way for your comfort and peace of mind.

At ROAR AFRICA, we only work with the top experts in their field whom we know personally and trust. Our partner on the adventure, Oliver Browne, has led countless successful Kilimanjaro summits and is one of only a handful of people who have ever rowed across the Atlantic and been on Everest expeditions. From Oliver’s expert perspective, Journey to the Summit is achievable for anyone with a sense of adventure, determination and an intermediate fitness level. You’re already in great shape if you can walk up to 10 miles on a fairly flat surface (just under five hours of walking). However, beyond fitness, preparation and the climb itself, the true beauty of this journey is the sense of camaraderie one shares with your fellow climbers and the Tanzanian support team who sing, laugh and clap your way up Kilimanjaro. That feeling of being a part of something, of community, is so integral to the human experience. You cannot help but feel heartened, uplifted and inspired. The positive impact so inherent to this journey begins long before you arrive…and stays with you forever.