20 Sep 2024
We had such a great time with Emmanuel‘s Tanzania Joy Tour and all his Partners! Emmanuel and his sister Mary find a solution for everything. Very professional.
The Kilimandjaro trek was so great. A huge thanks to the porters, so strong and so nice, Togolai Gerevas Gerard Godefroy Elias Thomas Bon Kolokolo Rashid Mohamed Ali (that's two persons), cook “Mr. Delicious” Jeremia, and guides Patrick and Lennard. They all took extreme good care of us and we managed the summit. Patrick knows his mountain and his team very well, Lennard is the Pacemaker. We chose the 8 Days Lemosho route for best acclimatization of the body, so it was pole pole (slowly slowly) and successful ;) The summit ascension (from midnight to 7am, so at night) was very cold so to any layers you plan to wear, take an extra fleece jacket in the backpack just in case.
It was important for us to give the tips directly to each of them, which was accepted by the guide. It was good to see joy in the eyes of each of them. If this is also important for you, make sure to plan it with the guide (he knows who does what exactly - some porters take extra tasks). You may feel some friction, apparently some guides keep a percentage of the porters tips for themselves - remember, this is YOUR gift to each team member, so it is YOUR decision to give it personally to each of them. Now it is important to discuss the best time with the guide, to not jeopardize his organization - usually at the very end, when all tasks have been completed. Make sure to take USD bank notes printed after 2006 as the older ones cannot be used in Tanzania. EURO bank notes are also accepted for the tips.
Then we had a great 4-day-safari with guide Roger (he knows so much! And is very kind) and cook Rashid.
Thanks TJT for everything!