Good morning! By now you’ve probably heard that we are (virtually) headed to Mount Kilimanjaro for Walk Challenge 2020! Today we want to introduce you to our new friend and Kilimanjaro trail guide, Daniel. Enjoy…

Greetings from here Africa – TANZANIA, my beloved homeland and home of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Mosh Region.    I am Daniel Kilango, born and raised in Tanzania, Africa, in a family of 9. I have been a mountain and safari guide since 2009- 2020. I am 35 years old, with three boys, two in school and one not yet in school. I went to school in Tanzania, and then I became interested in tourism and studied that. I got the chance to train as a Kilimanjaro mountain guide in 2009. Luckily, I did well in all my exams and got my license guide to lead people or guests up Kili and lead safaris as well. I went on to apply for a job as a mountain guide. I started as a trainee guide for few months then I was promoted to assistant guide. Finally I became a full route Head guide! I have met different people from all over the world. I do briefings and check all the gear and other safety items need during the trek. And I have been able to share my experience with them.  Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is the highest free standing mountain in the world. It boasts three definite peaks: 1. Shira to the WEST 4045 M formed 800,000 years ago. 2. Mawenzi to the EAST 5148 M formed 500,000 years ago  3. Kibo, the higest point 5895 M formed about 300,000 years ago.  On Kilimanjaro we had five zones/belts.1. Cultivated belt – E.g. Agro forest and home gardens  2. Mountain/rain forest belt – E.g. Flora and fauna  3. Heath and moorland belt – E.g. Short vegetation, flowers, and rocks  4. Highland or alpine desert belt – E.g. Open space, rocks and streams  5. The summits or arctic belt – E.g. Desert (very little vegetation), cold, windy and freezing

Kilimanjaro National Park, has been a national park since 1973, and has been open to the public since 1977. Kilimanjaro was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It was voted as a one of the seven Wonders of Africa in 2013. Kilimanjaro had 6 trekking routes:1. Lemosho route, 8- 9 days2. Machame route, 6 -7 days 3. Longai route, 6 days 4. Londross route, 7 days 5. Marangu route, 5 days 6. Umbwe route, 5 days The west side of Kilimanjaro, is called land of the Masai people and the northern side is called the land of the Chagga people.  Each route to get to the roof of Africa has different challenges to be conquered. The biggest issue on each of the routes is altitude sickness. This can begin from day one and last to the very last day, or your body may get acclimated after a couple of days.  Some signs and symptoms of altitude sickness that you may experience are: 1. Mild headache 2. Tiredness 3. Loss of appetite 4. Nausea 5. Poor sleep These are normal signs and symptoms you might see most every day on your trek up and it is easy to monitor them if you are walking slowly, eating well, and drinking water (at least 3- 4 liters a day) More serious symptoms are: 1. Pulmonary edema 2. Cerebral edema 3, Heart attacks An experienced guide is always monitoring guests and is careful and will make the necessary decisions to keep you safe.   For me a good guide means happy clients and winning people’s hearts. I always tell my guest to follow five simple rules during hiking time.1. Slowly, slowly – using walking poles 2. Drink enough water 3-4 liters minimum a day3. Eat well! Eat every meal provided 4. Communicate with your guide 5. Don’t walk off the trail without a guideIf you can follow all these simple rules you can enjoy climbing Kili.

The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is from June – October, and December- March. (Good think we’re doing it virtually in November!) I choose to work as a mountain guide because:1. It is an opportunity to shine 2. Meet new people 3. Opportunity to travel to the new and exciting places 4. Networking potential 5. Suitable for retired person I loved meeting Mom Katherine in 2013 when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro over 9 days. She was like a gift from God. She was a very, very STRONG MOM, and she was so nice and helpful to me. It was through her that I was able to come on a trip to explore the USA in 2015. We had so much fun while I was in the States and she really changed my life and my vision in this world. Thank you so much, mom Katherine and stay safe and strong forever – “Nakupenda sana sana” (Means I love you very much in Swahili)  Sincerely,Daniel Kilango Thank you Daniel! Let’s tweak his guidance for the virtual trail and get to training for Walk Challenge 2020. Slowly, slowly – go at your own paceDrink enough water – not sure how many liters but certainly 64 ouncesEat well – eat the rainbow!!!Communicate – stay in touch, stay connected, share your progress!Don’t walk off the trail without a guide – follow the advice of your doctor and stay safe!