Kilimanjaro Expedition Highlights 2025
Sunday, Day 0: Briefing at the Keys Hotel,
Altitude: 850m | Zone: Cultivation (792-1,800m) | Elevation Gain 0m | Distance 0km
And just like that, it begins. Our group gathered at the Keys Hotel in Moshi for our pre-climb briefing. There’s a quiet buzz in the air, nerves, excitement, focus, the calm before the climb. We met our local guides, Godliving and Able.
Godliving, our lead guide, has that calm, commanding presence that comes from deep experience. Articulate, thoughtful and warm. Able, a little quieter but full of heart, greeted us with a broad, genuine smile. Together, they walked us through the plan, safety essentials, tent systems, and what to expect on Day 1. No drama, just clear confidence, the kind you only see from those who’ve done this many times before.
Martin Sharp, Pat Falvey and their team outside Keys Hotel, Tanzenia
Around the table, the team was still learning each other’s names and stories. But the energy was good. Friendly. Supportive. The right mix. Ruth, who I’ve known for years, was here for her own reasons, ready to show her resilience so others might grow theirs. Pat, our trip organiser and group lead from Ireland, is a true adventurer and one of life’s genuine people. Bryan, Pat’s son, was returning to Kilimanjaro 30 years after his first climb. Currently on sabbatical from his role as an Enterprise Architect, he’s already ticked off Everest Base Camp and the Camino de Santiago. Fergus, who I climbed Carrauntoohil with earlier this year, shares my love of the mountains. Steady, strong and grounded.
Phil, my tent mate for the week, is an American cybersecurity expert and world traveller, thoughtful, practical and sharp. Patsy, a retired accountant and choir singer with a passion for hurling and the hills, brought a gentle humour and warmth to every conversation. Then we had Brenda and Alan, newlyweds on honeymoon, whose shared love of trekking, canoeing and the outdoors brought them together, and now to this mountain. Nine of us. Different backgrounds. One shared goal. Tomorrow, we start walking.
Monday, Day 1: Machame Gate ➝ Machame Camp
Altitude 1,950m ➝ 2,980m | Zone: Rainforest | Elevation gain +1,159m | Distance 12.7km
The adventure truly began today. We left Moshi’s bustle behind, fields of maize, bananas, coffee, and beans giving way to dirt tracks and villages—before reaching Machame Gate, where organised chaos reigned: gear weighed, bags logged, porters loaded.
Daypacks on, we stepped into the rainforest—lush, vibrant, alive with colour and sound. Every shade of green wrapped around us as we moved pole pole (slowly, slowly), sharing “jambo” greetings with others, while porters flew past, balancing loads with effortless strength.
Martin Sharp Machame Gate
Breaking through the clouds, Kilimanjaro revealed her summit for the first time—majestic, towering, calling us higher. By sunset, we reached Machame Camp, tents ready, the ritual of mountain life beginning.
Dinner was a marvel: Peter, our quiet camp chef, somehow created vegetable soup and spaghetti Bolognese from a tiny canvas kitchen—pure magic after the day’s climb. We ended the night with stories, laughter, and plans for tomorrow when the real climb begins.
Day 2: Machame Camp ➝ Shira Camp + Shira Cave acclimatisation hike
Altitude 2,980m ➝ 3,840m | Zone: Heather & Moorland | Elevation Gain +778m) | Distance 5.1km
The day didn’t start perfectly, stomach cramps made the night restless (altitude… or maybe too much bread and beer before the climb 🥴). But health checks, reassurance from the guides, and a few laughs soon lifted the mood.
We climbed steadily up Shira Ridge, rainforest giving way to open moorland. Shrubs, flowers, and ravens replaced towering trees, and the views opened wide. Spirits rose again when Coleman appeared at lunch with tables laid out and hot food waiting—always a welcome sight.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
The afternoon trek was tougher—bigger steps, slower breathing—but porters met us near camp, smiling as they took loads from anyone struggling. Their strength and generosity amazed us every single day. At Shira Camp, there was no rest yet—an acclimatisation hike up to Shira Cave tested our lungs and legs. On return, our 42-strong porter team welcomed us in song, voices echoing across the mountain. One by one they introduced themselves, proud, smiling, unstoppable.
As the sun dipped, Kilimanjaro glowed with streaks of glacier white, and later, a midnight sky revealed the Milky Way in all its brilliance. Harder than the first day, but worth it! A reminder that every challenge carries its own beauty.
Day 3: Shira Camp ➝ Lava Tower ➝ Barranco Camp
Altitude 3,840m ➝ 4,637m ➝ 3,950m | Zone: Alpine Desert | Elevation Gain +655m | DIstance 11.5km
Coffee at dawn, a steady breakfast, and we set off pole pole (slowly, slowly) into one of the toughest days yet. Thankfully, I woke up strong—no stomach issues, full of energy, ready for the challenge.
The climb took us higher and higher, vegetation thinning until only barren rock remained. By midday, we reached Lava Tower at 4,600m, a stark black outcrop rising from the desert slopes. Lunch—fried chicken, chips, and salad—felt like a feast at that altitude.
30 minutes from Shira Hut
From there, the trail dropped into a valley alive with streams and towering alien-like groundsels. But beauty turned to drama when the ground crumbled under Ruth's step. She fell hard, twisting her knee badly. Supported by Able, she fought her way down every step of the descent, reaching camp just before dark.
By Barranco Camp, her knee was swollen, and tomorrow was uncertain. Yet the day reminded us of two truths: resilience isn’t only your own strength—it’s how you support others. And the mountain always humbles you.
Day 4: Barranco Camp ➝ Karanga Camp
Altitude 3,950m ➝ 4,030m | Zone: Alpine Desert | Elevation Gain +454m | Distance 7.1km
The day began with Ruth's brave decision. Still in pain from yesterday’s fall, she chose not to continue: “I’ll only slow the team down further.” Within minutes, Kili Med Air Rescue was on its way, and Emmanuel volunteered to guide her down. By breakfast, the mountain air echoed with helicopter blades as we watched her lift gently into the clouds. A sobering moment of loss for the team.
Ahead lay the Barranco Wall, steep, imposing, but surprisingly fun once we began scrambling together, finding rhythm and balance on the vertical climb. At the top, the views stretched to Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro’s summit itself, before clouds rolled in and swallowed it all.
At Karanga Camp with the Porters
The walk to Karanga Camp offered time to reflect. Only a few of us would go to the summit, but behind us, the unseen work of porters, cooks, and crew made every step possible. They raced ahead to pitch tents, prepare meals, and carry impossible loads—all so we could chase the summit. Humbling doesn’t begin to describe it.
That evening, Patsy pulled out his hurley and sliotar, sparking laughter and play at 4,000m, before night fell. Below us, Moshi city glowed in the distance; above us, stars stretched endlessly beyond the summit’s silhouette. Today reminded us that every climb is built not just on strength, but on sacrifice and service.
Day 5 Part 1: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Altitude: 4,030m to 4,600m | Zone: Alpine Desert | Elevation Gain +494m | Distance 4.43km
I woke after a solid night’s sleep, the first in days where both body and data agreed I was fully recharged. Something had shifted, I felt back in peak form, just in time. After a steady breakfast, we began the climb to Barafu Camp, our base camp for the summit attempt. The trail was short but steep, yet we quickly fell into rhythm, covering 4.5km and 600m of ascent in just three hours.
The Team at Barafu Camp
By early afternoon, we reached camp. Our support team had already staked out a prime spot near the exit, ready for our summit push later that night and our swift departure the next day. Lunch was hearty and welcome, followed by a chance to capture photos in the clear sunshine with Kilimanjaro looming majestically behind us. Moments of joy, laughter, and gratitude with my rafiki, friends who had shared every step so far.
Then came the waiting. Four hours of rest, preparing body and mind. Dinner. More rest. And then the silence of anticipation. Excitement and nerves hung heavy in the air. Everyone knew what came next, the nighttime climb to the summit. This was the calm before the storm, the pause before the push.
Kilimanjaro Summit - 20/09/2025
Altitude 4,600m ➝ 5,895m | Zone: Arctic | Elevation Gain +1,294m | Distance 17.9km
This is it, Day 5 part 2, the summit push to Uhuru Peak. Sleep was elusive, but at 22:00 we rose, dressed, ate lightly, and stepped into the night. The sky blazed with stars, our headlamps cutting through darkness as Godliving whispered: “Pole pole. If others pass, let them. We will be successful.”
The climb was relentless. Water bladders froze. Fatigue crept in. At 5,550m, dizziness hit me hard — spinning, drowsy, falling to the ground. Instantly, the guides surrounded me: checks, Diamox, words of encouragement. Emmanuel stayed close, steadying me, singing softly: “Don’t sleep. You can do this.” Those words carried me forward.
Martin Sharp At the Summit of Kilimanjaro
Step by step, we reached Stella Point just as the sky exploded in colour — red, orange, blue — glaciers glowing like ghostly ships above the clouds, Africa sprawling endlessly below. From there, the last 140m to Uhuru Peak felt eternal. Head pounding, poles digging, Emmanuel urging me on… until finally, the sign appeared: 5,895m. The Roof of Africa.
We celebrated with flags, photos, banners, even champagne for Alan & Brenda’s honeymoon — and Patsy launched the highest poc fada in Africa, sliotar flying off the summit and over a glacier. The descent tested us in new ways — a 90-minute scree-ski back to Barafu, quads and glutes burning. But the sun was up, layers came off, and smiles returned. Halfway down, our team greeted us with cheers and hugs: “Congratulations, you made it!”
Uhuru Peak | Team Lead by Pat Falvey Adventures
That’s when it sank in. Reaching the summit is only halfway. True success is returning safely. And Kilimanjaro wasn’t done with us yet. One Dream, One Team! We made it to the roof of Africa! Now to head back down.
Kilimanjaro Descent Days 6 & 7 Barafu ➝ Mweka Camp ➝ Mweka Gate
Altitude 4,600m ➝ 3,100m ➝ 2,000m | Zone: Arctic ➝ Alpine Desert ➝ Rainforest | Distance +20.83km
After the summit, rest was short-lived, just an hour before the long descent began. From Barafu we pushed 10km down to Mweka Camp, legs heavy, minds foggy, but hearts full. The trail was brutal at times, rocky and muddy, but camp brought singing, gratitude, and Peter’s comforting banana stew. That night, real sleep finally came.
Kilimanjaro Bon Voyage Sign
Day 7 was gentler. The rainforest welcomed us back with lush green and birdsong, laughter easing the aches as we descended another 10km to Mweka Gate (2,000m). There, cold Kilimanjaro beers and certificates marked our success.
We celebrated at the Blue Zebra bar with one last feast from Peter, before returning to the Keys Hotel exactly one week after setting out. One journey complete, yet a lifetime of memories made.
Safari National Parks - Tarangire • Ngorongoro • Lake Manyara
From the summit of Kilimanjaro, we had looked out across the vast African plains. After the climb, we finally stood among them, enjoying three unforgettable days of safari adventure.
Tarangire National Park
Elephants in family herds, giraffes moving with slow elegance, wildebeest and zebra stretching across the plains, lions resting in the shade, cheetahs poised in silence. Ancient baobabs stood like guardians of the land. That night, zebra came to the lake by our lodge as we ate breakfast — wild Africa woven into every moment.
Ngorongoro Crater
A natural amphitheatre of life, where buffalo herds held their ground, flamingos painted the lakes pink, and hippos wallowed lazily in the marsh. We picnicked by the water as cranes and kites wandered through, a reminder that here, everything coexists in balance. Standing in this ancient caldera felt like stepping into the Garden of Eden itself.
Lake Manyara
Small but alive with character — elephants moving through the forest, blue monkeys darting in the trees, giraffes gliding through acacias, and flamingos shimmering across the flooded lake. Visiting a Maasai village brought the human spirit into focus: tradition, resilience, and pride carried forward into the future. From summit to safari, every step in Tanzania showed us resilience, beauty, and the raw rhythm of nature. A journey we’ll never forget.
Martin Sharp on Safari in Africa
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