Now the North Face climb group are encamped on the north side of Kilimanjaro. Their location is a completely new camp on a level, sheltered strip of land below a vast scree slope and steep rocky ridges.
Today the adventurers climbed up onto the rock ridge and trekked to a point just above 5000ms to gain altitude acclimatisation. This was important preparation for their summit bid tomorrow. Continue reading At the foot of the new route up the North Face of Kilimanjaro – day 6
Yesterday saw the North Face climbers make the long journey from Barranco Camp to Moir Hut, a little-used camp situated on the north-western face of Kilimanjaro. Continue reading Crossing the Shira Plateau to Moir Hut – Days 3 and 4 of the Kilimanjaro North Face Climb
It’s day 2 of the North Face climb, and our team of intrepid trekkers have just ascended all the way to Barranco Camp via the very steep, and rarely-trodden, Umbwe Trail.
Group leader Wayne called in with two phonecasts, which you can listen to here: Continue reading Thursday at Barranco Junction – Day 2 of the Kilimanjaro North Face climb
The North Face team have begun their ascent! Reaching Umbwe Gate at 12 noon today, they are now trekking through the forested slopes to Umbwe Cave Camp, at 2,850ms: Continue reading Kilimanjaro North Face climb – Day 1
Our intrepid North Face climbers have landed in Tanzania, after an overnight flight from Heathrow – complete with spectacular view of Kilimanjaro’s summit as they arrived into East Africa this morning! Continue reading Kilimanjaro North Face climbing team land in Tanzania
On 26 June, 5 adventurous climbers will depart from London on a flight to Kilimanjaro. They are to attempt to summit Kilimanjaro via its northern flank, in what will be the first official summit attempt via the newly opened North Face Route.
The group will be raising funds for the Special Boat Service Association, and are being supported by the Hogg Robinson Group.
Keep an eye on our blog over the coming weeks, as we provide regular updates from the climbers as they progress towards the summit of Africa’s highest mountain. Continue reading The first official ascent of Kilimanjaro’s North Face – departing in two days!
In November 2016, six special needs students travelled to Oman on a life-changing expedition organised by Gane and Marshall. Here, Rich Berry from Sky College, one of the two schools involved, recounts the experience:
As part of our aspiration to provide life changing experiences we embarked on an overseas visit to the Middle East. Staff and a group of four students travelled four thousand miles to Oman where they trekked through the mountains and deserts whilst carrying out roles to develop both personal skills as well as team skills. The senior leadership team had difficult decisions to make as over a dozen students showed an interest in the challenge, but only four places were available. Several students from year nine to eleven completed small challenges along the way as part of the selection process. Continue reading Oman School Expedition, Nov 2016 – Trip Report
I hold Zimbabwe completely responsible for my enduring addiction to Africa, for it was during a visit to this most unique of countries over 25 years ago that my passion for the continent was first ignited. I fell completely in love with its outstanding wildlife, open spaces and welcoming people.
We have some wonderful footage of the Rwenzori Mountains to share, courtesy of seven of our climbers who travelled with us to the “Mountains of the Moon” earlier this summer.
Mahmoud, Ale, Shahid, Jassim, Waleed, Ammar and Zubayr spent 8 days in the Rwenzoris. Heavy rains put a damper on their climb, but didn’t stop them from capturing some beautiful footage of the mountains, which you can view on youtube via the links below:
Thank you to the climbers for sharing their excellent footage!
If you’d like to learn more about trekking and climbing in the Rwenzoris, visit our Rwenzori trekking and Mt Stanley destination pages.
Gane and Marshall Africa and wildlife specialist Sarah Williams recently returned from a one-week stay in the Republic of Congo. Read on for her account of her Congo safari, which she spent exploring the forests and waterways of Odzala-Kokoua National Park on foot and by kayak.
Snip, snip, snip…. This was the subtle sound made by the trackers in the early morning as we searched for a family of Western lowland gorillas. Unlike East Africa, where they use a low rumble to alert gorillas to their presence, these trackers use the unlikely sound of secateurs to announce themselves as they cut a path through the thick vegetation.
I was in the Ndzehi Forest area of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, which surrounds Ngaga Camp in the Republic of Congo. This is where a research couple have been responsible for habituating two gorilla family groups – Neptuno and Jupiter – and where they are currently working on habituating a third family. The entire Ndhezi Forest area is well populated with gorillas, as there are many other unhabituated families in the region, though these latter groups tend to be nervous and are not often seen.
Our gorilla trek began early when our small group of four followed the tracker into the forest and to the gorillas’ last known location, their overnight nest. A path was then cut through the marantaceae – a large leafed plant and a favourite of the gorillas – until we were in a position to observe the gorilla family at a safe distance. We had a wonderful sighting of a whole family in a tree, for well over an hour, as they completely ignored us while enjoying the delicious ripe fruits!
Taking a break from the gorilla tracking, during the late afternoons we would accompany our guide for walks in the forest, where we saw troops of putty nosed and moustachioed monkeys, as well as several interesting birds, insects and flora.
After a few days in the jungle we moved on to Mboko Lodge which is situated a couple of hours drive away but in a completely different environment. The lodge stands in a huge expanse of savannah, punctuated by massive red termite mounds. The spacious accommodation overlooks an attractive river.
The activities from this lodge are predominately water based, with boat trips along the river, kayaking and walking through the bais and streams. Although you will get wet, the streams are clear and warm so I found these activities to be a highlight of my stay and not an uncomfortable experience.
On a long adventure walk we passed through several ecosystems, from thick forest where we saw forest hogs, forest elephant and colobus monkey, emerging into an area of savannah where we had to crouch low in the tall grass, while buffalo slowly walked passed us!
We then waded through a beautiful deep stream, the trees and flora surrounding us creating curtains of greenery; it was one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen and not what I expected of the Congo!
I have to make a special mention of the accommodation, which was of a much higher standard than I imagined. The lodges are unusual but in keeping with their surrounding and very comfortable, the cuisine is outstanding… be prepared for delicious meals served by delightful chefs and staff!
Travel to the Congo won’t appeal to everyone but if you have a sense of adventure and are looking for somewhere which is genuinely off the beaten track – often said but rarely achieved! – then you should certainly consider a Congo Safari… it just may surprise you, as it did me!
Visit our Congo destination page to learn more about safaris to the Congo. For a safari itinerary similar to Sarah’s, consider our Explore the Congo Basin 10-day programme.
