EXPERT’S EYE VIEW

Rob Joh■so■ MIC www.expeditionguide.com CAN I DO IT?

“Kili is a very big mountain and is often underestimated – it needs to be treated with a huge amount of respect. It is an amazing experience, as you cross through several climate zones as you gain height, and the flora and fauna are absolutely incredible. The local guides and porters are wonderful too. They are very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hard-working and will give you a brilliant experience. Expect to walk slowly, take as long as possible to aid acclimatisation and pay more to do it properly. Don’t go for a trip that is less than 10 days and if you can afford it go for longer and do Mount Meru first – it is a brilliant mountain in its own right, gives you a lovely safari experience and will allow you to be better acclimatised for Kili.”

WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?

“You need to be hill fit. You also need the ability to walk slowly – a common refrain of the guides is ‘pole-pole’, meaning slowly-slowly. And to eat and drink lots!”

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? “Around £2500, plus flights. Find a reputable company like Jagged Globe to go with. It is a requirement to have a guide on Kili – they won’t let you in without one. Get a good training regime planned and stick to it – you need to be hill-fit for two weeks of trekking.”