Tanzania??

[Niko]

Has anyone here spent time in Tanzania in the last few years? In particular, has anyone climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro? I am planning a trip for next February and am looking for input on guiding companies to the top of the mountain and perhaps other things to do.

[jphripjah]

I did the Kilimanajro climb with a friend in August, 2004. I can highly recommend East African Outdoor Safaris. Their head guide and co-owner, Kapanya, is truly top notch. He is Tanzanian but has also guided trips in Europe for a big American adventure travel company. Their rates are more than most local companies, but far less than booking with a big American outifitter, and you get top notch, luxury type Western service standards but for only slightly more than Tanzanian prices.* *

I forget what we paid, but the price included two nights lodging at a luxury lodge before the trip and one night after. Our party included my friend and myself, Kapanya, two assistant guides,* 21 porters (who carried the food, bottled water, tents, etc.), and 2 cooks.* That sounds a bit crazy but it was definitely worthwhile and much more comfortable than if we had done it on the cheap. The food was a real highlight of the climb.

We did the trip on the "Lemosho" route, which takes about 1-2 days longer than some other routes, but it's a very gradual climb and the extra day is great to have for acclimatization.

Here is the website for East African Outdoor Adventures:

http://www.eaoadventures.com

[samclem]

Hmm, things to do in Tanzania. Well, you could go see the site of the previous US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, destroyed by Islamic radicals in 1998 as a "warm up" to the 9/11 attacks. Killed eleven people, wounded scores of others, almost all innocent Tanzanians.

Of course, some whacko is likely to chime in now that it never really happened.

Never forget

Sorry for the slightly off-topic post.

Originally Posted by samclem

Hmm, things to do in Tanzania. Well, you could go see the site of the previous US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, destroyed by Islamic radicals in 1998 as a "warm up" to the 9/11 attacks. Killed eleven people, wounded scores of others, almost all innocent Tanzanians.

Of course, some whacko is likely to chime in now that it never really happened.

Never forget

Sorry for the slightly off-topic post.

Well, if you eliminated destinations of the world because of the crimes some wacko committed then you'd pretty much have to stay home!

Unless you can think of Major City in the U.S. that has never had a murder? Maybe you think Oklahoma city is OK to visit because a former ex-military Right winger blew up a government building, and that was justified.

[newyorklady]

cottar's is the best but pricey and worth every penny. they are in kenya by the border of tanzania. very nice people, if e-mail them sure they could refer you to a spot in tanzania

http://www.cottars.com/

[Maximillion]

We haven't blown up any U.S Embassies in Canada.

Very interesting comments on Kilamanjero.

[bruce1]

A friend of mine was on this climb for breast cancer. There are a lot of pics of the climb on the site. Could find out who their guide company was of you like. PM me if so.

http://upkili.com/climbers.htm

Bruce

[bearkeley]

Our party included my friend and myself, Kapanya, two assistant guides,* 21 porters (who carried the food, bottled water, tents, etc.), and 2 cooks.

You your bud and 26 of your closest servants.* Sounds like some high adventure and a real back to nature affair did you actually walk or did they carry you in one of those chairs with polls*

Sorry but I think I would rather hike alone or in a small group in the wilderness of the good old USA any day.

Do you need all those people for safety?

It really sounds awful and a logistical nightmare

Originally Posted by bearkeley

Sorry but I think I would rather hike alone or in a small group in the wilderness of the good old USA any day.

Do you need all those people for safety?

It really sounds awful and a logistical nightmare

It sounds like you have a very narrow mind, and a spirit that lacks adventure. Stay home on the porch where you belong!

The Tanania trip sounds fabulous! - don't let the small minded naysayers rain on your adventure! 8)

[samclem]

CT,

I never said or implied that Tanzania was a bad place to visit. It sounds like fun. So does Oklahoma city.

The original post mentioned a prospective trip to Tanzania. I thought it appropriate to offer a comment pointing out that the current war against the US/war on terror had an opening "battle" in Dar es`Salaam. Any traveler to the country would probably want to know about these events of 1998, it is very likely to come up in conversation while there, after all.

If a person mentioned they were going to Charleston, SC, I'd recommend they see Ft Sumter.

In what part of my post do I in any way justify the Oklahoma City bombing?

There are posters on this board who lose no opportunity to bust on President Bush, the present policy of taking the fight to the terrorists, and/or to critique the war in Iraq. Methinks these folks maybe get a little "sensitive" if they read any reminder that our present fight began long before "W" and our involvement in Iraq.

[newyorklady]

Mt. Kilimanjaro sounds great. never been climbing but think it would be amazing. the serengeti is the most magical place i have ever been. went a few years back to kenya and tanzania (just over the border). nothing like it. fyi- went right after the terrorist attack in kenya, some botched attempt to fire at that israeli airline- el al i think. i got a discount trip and also felt like i wouldn't let jackoff terrorists scare me away. i won't give them that power.

[Niko]

I was out all day today on an 18-mile death march, but thank you to everyone who replied with your comments! I may pm one or two of you with some follow up questions. We have agreed to go, but it is still most of a year away, so we have some time to plan.

Barry

[Niko]

Originally Posted by samclem

I thought it appropriate to offer a comment pointing out that the current war against the US/war on terror had an opening "battle" in Dar es`Salaam. Any traveler to the country would probably want to know about these events of 1998, it is very likely to come up in conversation while there, after all.

I appreciate your gesture; however, I was already aware of the 1998 bombings. Regardless, I generally don't eliminate travel destinations because a country has a tumultuous history.

[Niko]

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat

It sounds like you have a very narrow mind, and a spirit that lacks adventure. Stay home on the porch where you belong!

The Tanania trip sounds fabulous! - don't let the small minded naysayers rain on your adventure! 8)

Don't worry, CT, I ignoring naysayers is almost as easy as ignoring infomercials! I've noticed that far too many people (perhaps a vast majority of people in this country) come up with too many reasons to avoid doing something in their lifetime. That's okay. They can watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every day until they die.

[Lancelot]

Barry,

I was in Arusha, Tanzania in 2002. I'm not a mountain climber, but, in general, I found Tanzania to be laid back and quite enjoyable. Tusker beer is delicious, they have ATM machines and a (90 day?) visa on arrival for US $50

Go for it,

Lance

[samclem]

Barry,
Have a great trip. I'm with NYLady and you -- if the terrorists scare off visitors and bring things to a halt, then they have achieved a victory. Why give them that?

[astromeria]

Will Robert Redford will be there to play Mozart and wash my hair? I'm in

[azanon]

I've noticed that far too many people (perhaps a vast majority of people in this country) come up with too many reasons to avoid doing something in their lifetime. That's okay. They can watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every day until they die.

I go for choice C. I dont want to watch Wheel of Fortune everyday anymore than i want to end up like the self-described adventurer, Nick Berg.

Originally Posted by Azanon

I go for choice C. I dont want to watch Wheel of Fortune everyday anymore than i want to end up like the self-described adventurer, Nick Berg.

The thread was about Tanzania, not Iraq! - Being a tourist is totaly different than working for an invading country.

Not that I ever wanted to go, but I would rule out traveling the Middle East until the World has drastically changed its view of America - Don't hold your breath on this one!

[eridanus]

Originally Posted by bearkeley

You your bud and 26 of your closest servants. Sounds like some high adventure and a real back to nature affair did you actually walk or did they carry you in one of those chairs with polls

Sorry but I think I would rather hike alone or in a small group in the wilderness of the good old USA any day.

Do you need all those people for safety?

You're required to have all those porters. It's for the local economy.

It's not exactly roughing it, and not quite mountaineering, but if you're gonna go, go now before the glaciers melt.