Africa Overland with Absolute Africa

Reaching Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, is attainable by most people of normal fitness levels, however in order to ensure that the climb is an enjoyable event rather than a tortuous slog some physical preparation is required.  It is never too early to begin training for the climb, however to give yourself the best opportunity to build up stamina, strength and fitness your training should commence no later than 2 months before your climb.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is basically an extended trek rather than a true mountaineering experience.  It involves a gradual uphill walk that will last between 5 and 7 days, with the final day being by far the steepest and made more difficult by altitude.  Although more people fail to summit due to altitude sickness than due to a lack of the necessary strength or stamina, your ability to acclimatize and cope with the altitude will be influenced by how fit you are, so training is vital.

SO WHAT SHOULD THE TRAINING INVOLVE?

Walking. All aerobic activities such as walking, running, swimming and cycling are great ways to increasing your general fitness, however the best preparation for the trek is to get out walking, especially in the outdoors, up and down hills and on uneven ground.  For those of you in more urban settings, you can train very productively on a stair master machine. If you have no access to trails or a gym, then try to walk as much as you can, with extended walks on the weekends. 

If you’ve never hiked before, you should start with a shortish, slower pace walk, and carry no weight (in your day pack).  Gradually increase all of the above as your fitness level improves.    On Kilimanjaro, you will walk slowly for prolonged periods, and carry probably no more than 20 lbs, so in training it is better to increase the time/distance and keep a slow pace than to shorten the time/distance and increase the pace. You want to aim to be able to walk for 4 – 6hrs a day for several days in a row.

Walking may not sound like much, but without training it’s very likely that after two or three days of walking for hours  you’ll be feeling the strain, so this preparation not only increases your chances of making it to the summit, it also will increase your comfort level and ability to enjoy the climb.

Altitude sickness affects people randomly, and a person might not suffer from it on one climb and then get hit hard the next time on that same route. That said, if you have access to a mountain to train on, it is a good idea to do so. Even better than one long hike at a high altitude is doing hikes on back-to-back days and camping outdoors overnight.  Part of the difficulty in climbing Kilimanjaro is sleeping at altitude and not having a hot bath and comfortable bed each night to recharge yourself.

Altitude heavily taxes your endurance as it restricts your ability to quickly draw in breath.  Altitude sickness usually begins to be an issue for some people around 10,000 feet. It is however not just a result of the absolute height you are at, it also dependant on how fast you attain that height. So the key to preventing it is taking your time. Many are tempted to choose their Kilimanjaro route and climb time based on price.  Every day on the mountain will add a few hundred dollars to the price but statistics prove that only about 25% of people that opt for a 5 day trek actually reach the summit so it’s well worth spending the money on an extra day.

Ironically extreme fitness can be a trap as very fit people tend to be the first to under-estimate the mountain. They don’t feel the strain, go too fast and use lots of oxygen.  So remember “Pole pole!” – Swahili for “slow and steady”.  You will be stunned by how slow your guides make you walk so be prepared everything on Kilimanjaro is done in extra-slow-motion.

Weight training- You will have porters to do most of the heavy carrying and therefore don’t need to train for carrying a heavy pack.

Train in same boots and socks and carry the day-pack you will be using on Kilimanjaro so you know they are properly broken in and comfortable.  Never set off on a significant hike or climb in new or borrowed boots, as you are likely to experience severe blisters or some other related problem within a day or two.   Your daypack will contain your rain gear (the weather on the mountain is unpredictable and you can have rain even during the driest seasons) and water and you should be capable of walking between 4 and 6 hours a day with it weighing about 20lb.

Rest up before the climb. Your longest/hardest workouts should be performed two to four weeks before your departure. For the last two weeks, you should taper off your training and in the final days, rest so that your body has time to recover before your actual climb.

Physical training is just one component of getting in shape. If you have been leading an unhealthy lifestyle this is the perfect motivation to change.. Reduce your red meat consumption and eat more fruit and veg. Don’t drink or smoke. Get eight hours of sleep per night.  And finally, remember a positive mental attitude can work wonders for you when fatigue and doubts arise.

At 5,895 metres, the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of the world’s largest free standing mountains accessible to walkers. There are six different routes up Kilimanjaro, with Rongai being the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north near the Kenyan border.

Rongai is ideal for those who are less confident of their ability being an easier route with a gradual and steady climb. It is popular because of its remoteness with opportunities of seeing wildlife on the first days. The walk takes you through unspoilt rainforest and wilderness areas and descends via Marangu route on the southern side, so you get to see both sides of the mountain. We add an extra day to the standard five day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatization and the best chance of reaching the summit.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – After completing registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer to Rongai and the climb begins from the attractive village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small path that wind through fields before  climbing gently through attractive forest which shelter a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro colobus monkey. The forest begins to thin out and we camp on the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]

Day 2 – This is only a steady uphill morning walk, with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim, up to the “Second Cave” (3,450 m.). The afternoon can be spent enjoying the view over the Kenyan plains or doing a short acclimatisation walk up towards Third Cave. [3-4 hours walking]

Day 3 – A short and steady morning ascent takes us to the “Third Cave” (3,900 m.). The weather and the scenery change, and the huge bulk of Kibo seems very close to our camp at “Third Cave” [2-3 hours walking]

Day 4 – We cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent! [5-6 hours walking]

Day 5 – We start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m.  We walk slowly, in the darkness, on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (5,685 m.).  We enjoy a short rest whilst enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.  Those who feel strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to our campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 6 – A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu and head back to a welcome hot shower at our hotel. (1,830 m.). [5-6 hours walking]

Price   £1,000. (Please note there is no local payment on top of the price.)

What’s Included
• Two nights bed and breakfast in Moshi at Panama Hotel, one night before and one night after the climb.
• Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro airport.
• Transfers from Panama Hotel to start point and return.
• Services of experienced and dedicated local guides, porters and cooks, supervised by Samson Lauwo.
• 3 meals a day and drinking water.
• All park fees including park rescue fees.
• Air Ambulance, emergency medical & air evacuation included with FAR Knight Support.
• Quality camping equipment including finger pulse oximetres, a mountain mess tent for meals to keep out the wind and cold. Incl. Kelty and North Face Mountain tents.

Other
• Equipment available for hire. Contact us for further details
• Transfers to and from Nairobi (either the airport or The Heron Hotel) to Moshi can be arranged, as well as from Arusha.
• Tipping is expected for good service on the route and can work out between 250 – 300 USD including tips to your guide, cook and porters.

1. Be there at the right time – Take the early morning drives on safari even though that often means getting up while it’s still dark. By doing this your chance of wildlife sightings will improve as animals tend to hide in the shade and not move much in the heat of the day.

2. Appreciate the little things - Most first-time visitors want to tick off the Big 5, but it’s worth finding out more about other species.  There are a multitude of insects, birds and smaller creatures that can be just as interesting if you take the time to look and to find out more.

3. Bring a good pair of binoculars – remember some Africa parks are bigger than some European countries and . . . . . . the animals generally wear camouflage.

4. Train your vision. Fixed stares from a herd of zebras or gazelle may indicate the presence of predators.  A cloud of dust may indicate a large herd on the move.  Bark and branches torn off trees are generally evidence that elephants have passed by.  Look for small details like unusual movements in trees, strange shadows in the open or awkward sounds.  Animal spoor/tracks and dung provide vital information about what has passed by and how recently it was there.  A good wildlife guidebook will have illustrations of many species’ dung and their spoor.

5. Listen to the sounds of the bush. Baboons, monkeys, squirrels, and birds give raucous alarm calls in the presence of predators. Kudus bark when frightened and nothing beats the low rumble of elephant communications.

6. Watch bird behaviour. Vultures wheeling above may also indicate the presence of predators.   Follow the flight of oxpeckers and you’re likely to locate a herd of animals as the birds survive off the ticks and other insects that cling to animal hide (particularly buffalo). Cattle egrets dine on the insects and earthworms kicked up by grazing herbivores.

7. Be quiet, move slowly & have patience- Many animals have become rather habituated to the noise of car engines but will run away if you are too loud.  Sudden movements can also frighten them.   Unlike zoos, national parks and game reserves are vast wild areas, so do not expect to see lions, rhinos, leopard and elephants every kilometer!   Persistence is the key and it is usually when you least expect it that you bump into the most exciting and rewarding sighting. 

8. Never feed the baboons and monkeys that hang out at picnic sites & camp sites as this is tantamount to signing their death warrant, as they then become increasingly aggressive and may have to be shot.

9. Drink lots of water – Travelers to Africa are at risk for dehydration as your body may not be accustomed to the hot sun and dry air of the bush.

10. Talk to your guide – ask questions about the area and take the time to refer to any reference books available.  You may see the animals on the game-drive but you will often only real learn about them as you discuss the day’s sightings around the campfire.

SIMBA SOUNDS  – Check out this featured trip

NOW ON SPECIAL:

 Was  £490 . . . . NOW £465           (Local Payment US$840 )

A 26 day overland adventure –  Starting and finishing in Nairobi.

With game drives in the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater and Nakuru National Park.  Trek to see Mountain Gorilla & visit a chimp sanctuary. Enjoy a  game cruise down the Kazinga Channel and a cycle through Hells Gate National Park. Help out in a local school or orphanage, bungee jump, quad biking and white water rafting.  

THE LOW DOWN . . .

Days 1 – 7  KENYA   Visiting conservation projects and have a fun night out in Nairobi.   A game viewing extravaganza including game drives in the famous Masai Mara, and Nakuru National Park.  The opportunity to enjoy a game-cycle in Hells Gate National Park or a guided walk to Green Crater lake.   Lake Naivasha and visit to Elsamere the home of Joy Adamson of “Born Free” fame.

Days 8 – 16 UGANDA   Traveling via Eldoret to Jinja for a few days of action packed adventure on the While Nile – – white water rafting, bungee jump, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.   We visit Bujagali Falls, Kampala, Lake Victoria, drum markets, and a chimp sanctuary and cross the equator.  In Queen Elizabeth National Park we enjoy a game cruise in Kazinga Channel. 

Days 17 – 19 RWANDA   We now travel through to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills where we gorilla trek in the Virunga Mountains.  Stopping in Kigale, the capital, we visit the Genocide Museum and Memorial.

Days 20 – 25 TANZANIA    Leaving Rwanda, we camp by Lake Victoria at Mwanza.  From here we are back in the bush, camping in the wilds of the Grumeti on the edge of the Serengeti. Our game viewing really heats up as we drive on to the endless Serengeti plains and then into Ngorongoro Crater for guided game drives.  We travel via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, were Maasai display their ebony carvings, spears & beadwork.  On our final night in Arusha where we celebrate and reminisce all over a group barbeque.

 Day 26 TANZANIA-KENYA  Morning shuttle transfer through to Nairobi.

SELECTED DEPARTURES ON SPECIAL:

Was  £490 . . . NOW £465           Local Payment US$840 

 So. . . . . . . What’s includes? 

·        The Masai Mara

Happy Happy Kibii seriously impressed people with how fast he ran the Jinja Marathon so they figured that a little jog through the streets of London wouldn’t be too much for him!    He has taken up the challenge and hopes to use the event to raise as much money as possible for Soft Power Education.  

Funds raised will go towards work at AS Lubani Primary School which  is located along the dusty road between Bujagali and Butagaya. There are seven classrooms and an office/store but they are all in urgent need of renovation. The roof is seriously leaking, the walls are not plastered and the floor is not cemented meaning the 500+ pupils often suffer from jiggers munching on their little feet.   You can help Kibii transform this school into the inspiring learning environment that it should be by supporting his marathon run on  http://www.justgiving.com/KibiiLondonMarathon

 SoftPower hope  people  will head to London  to support Kibii.  They hope to see the streets of London lined with Soft Power Education t-shirts and banners chanting ‘Happy Happy’!   Softpower will be holding an after-party in London – a perfect opportunity to meet up with old travel buddies!

The Okavango Delta is a labyrinth of lagoons, islets and hidden channels covering an area of over 17,000 square km.  Located deep within the landlocked, arid lands of Botswana, the area is a powerful magnet for wildlife.  In addition to Africa’s big five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard), the Okavango Delta is home to cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, giraffe, African wild dog,  and warthog  as well as a myriad of  antelope species include lechwe, majestic kudu and stately sable.   The over 400 bird species in the area include the crested crane, the gorgeous lilac breasted roller and the aptly named hammerkop (kop meaning head in Afrikaans). 

The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world.   So how does an inland delta come about?   Each year between about March and June, about 11 cubic kilometers (that is 11,000,000,000,000 liters) of water flow into the area from the Angola Highlands and literally dead-ends in here in the Kalahari sands.   The Delta is incredibly flat and as the waters slowly meander through this mosaic of land and water approximately 60% of it is consumed by plants, 36% by evaporation, 2% percolates into the aquifer system, and only about 2% finally flows into Lake Ngami. 

Sometimes called a ‘swamp’, the Okavango is anything but.   The remarkably clean and pure water moves, mysteriously and placidly from a wide and winding channel before spreading through, almost unnoticeable channels that creep away behind walls of papyrus, into an ever expanding network of increasingly smaller channels.  Here too we find crystal clear pools, forest glades and grassy knolls are shaded by palms, ancient leadwoods and stunning wild mango trees.

On many of our overland trips we visit this gorgeous environment traveling deep into the Delta on traditional mokoro safaris of 1, 2 or 3 days.  Flights can also be arranged over this remarkable setting. Traditional mokoros are used to manouevure our way through the waterways. Traditional mokoros are made by digging out the truck on a large straight tree such as the African Ebony or the Sausage Tree, however for ecological reasons modern mokoros are increasingly made of fiberglass.  The boats are propelled through the shallow waters of the Delta by the professional trained boatsmen who stand in the stern and pushing with a pole.   As you travel deeper into this special ecosystem you can experience a beautiful silence, broken only by the swish of water on the sides of the makoro and the sounds of nature, the grunt of hippos and the call of a fish eagle.  We stop on islets for guided walks before setting up our overnight camp in the midst of this watery wonderland. A mokoro safari is a very real African bush experience

For more information about overland trips that visit the Okavango Delta, as well as the best months to visit and other details for planning your Africa trip visit http://www.absoluteafrica.com/

Africa’s lion population is declining at an alarming rate. Despite the creation of wildlife preserves in the late 20th century to curtail hunting, African lion numbers have dwindled from 100,000 in the early 1990s to no more than 30,000 and possibly as few as 16,000 today. So what is endangering Africa’s best known carnivore and what is being done to halt this trend?

Habitat loss and conflicts with humans are considered the most significant threats to the species. In the mid-1990s a mysterious disease spread through the lion populations of Tanzania and Kenya. Studies revealed that jackals and hyenas were contracting canine distemper from dogs in nearby villages and in turn passing it on to lion. The spread of the disease was quickly halted and today lion numbers in the affected areas are back to previous levels, but this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the influence that humans are having on lion populations.

With an ever-expanding human population, cattle herders push further into lion habitat. Some cats developed a taste for the easy-to-kill livestock and farmers often kill the predators to protect their livelihoods. For the farmers to better protect their herds the solution may be as simple as a stronger fence, but where does the money for this come from?

As with most conservation efforts in Africa, tourism can play a major role in protecting lion populations. Tourists pay considerable amounts to see the big cats and if that income can be funneled into local communities, it creates a strong financial incentive within those communities to protect the animals.

As lion populations dwindle those that remain are often geographically isolated, which can lead to inbreeding, and reduced genetic diversity. The African lion is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and it is essential that we find the money and political support to implement plans that will allow people to learn how to live with lions. . . . . .or we will soon be living without them.

A few interesting Lion Facts:

• Lions are the second largest living feline species, second only to the tiger.  
• Both male and female lions roar, and that roar can be heard over five miles away!
• Females do almost all of the hunting, they are smaller, swifter and more agile than the males, and unencumbered by the heavy and conspicuous mane, which causes overheating during exertion.
• Although lions have very sharp teeth they usually kill prey by strangulation.
• An adult lioness requires an average of about 5kg (11lb) of meat a day, a male about 7kkg (15.4lb).
• A lioness may mate with more than one male when she is “in heat”, and during a mating bout which can last for several days, the couple copulate 20 – 40 times a day and are likely to forgo eating.
• Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at least two years.
• Lionesses in a pride often synchronize their reproductive cycles so that they cooperate in the raising and suckling of the young. The synchronization of births has an advantage in that the cubs end up being roughly the same size, and thus have an equal chance of survival.

Visit http://www.absoluteafrica.com/ to choose from 31 safaris varying from short 4 day tours to  71 day overland safaris.

Visit our facebook page for more images and insights into this magnificent beast.

Camera Memory – Make sure you have loads of memory, remember you are going to be in the middle of the bush with no access to shops. The worst thing you want to happen is run out of memory just as you arrive at a sighting of a leopard stashing it’s kill in a tree!

Camera Power – Make sure you have a backup of whatever power source your camera uses and a the necessary adapters and chargers to recharging the batteries. Electricity should never be taken for granted in Africa, so carry more backup than you would normally and recharge at every opportunity.

Camera Sounds – Turn off all the noises on your camera. . . . . there is nothing like your camera beeps chasing of timid wildlife to make you unpopular with your fellow passengers.

Know your equipment – Animals are unpredictable and unlikely to give you enough time to fiddle with the camera before they disappear into the bushes. You normally won’t get any second chance so make sure you are well acquainted with your equipment before you leave for your safari.

Camera Shake – To keep your pictures pin sharp, a sandbag or a compact travel tripods (like the fexible Gorillapod) can be invaluable, especially when using a large telephoto lens or zoom or when photographing in the low light of dawn and dusk when the animals are most active. The sandbags are great as you can travel with them empty and then only fill them once you arrive in Africa.

Composition & the rule of thirds – The temptation is to compose images with the subjects bang in the middle of the picture. There are always exceptions but your photographs will generally improve if you apply the rule of thirds. In your imagination draw lines dividing the image vertically and horizontally into thirds with grid lines, where the lines intersect give the four optimal locations to put the focal point of the picture.

Where to focus – Ensure that you decide what aspect of the shot you want to capture and focus on it. In general wildlife photograph where the subjects eyes are out of focus loses a lot of its appeal however there are times where other parts of the anatomy can be as captivating such as the pads of a lions paw or a gorillas hand.

Create Space – Leave space for animals to “move” when you frame your images. So of the animal is walking towards the right compose it so it is on the left of the photo so it’s walking into the picture rather than out of it.

Continuous Shooting – Most cameras have a continuous shooting or burst mode function which allows you to take multiple shots very quickly. Burst mode is especially useful in catching an animal that is moving, follow the animal with your camera taking multiple shots, you can then select the best ones later and delete the ones that don’t make the grade.

Small is Beautiful – Most people go on a safari to see Africa’s large mammals and when they think of African wildlife photography, they thinking elephants, lions & giraffe. Africa’s smaller creatures will however provide you with some incredible opportunities if you just keep an open mind.

Colours and Textures – Make an effort to capture the colors, textures and patterns that are symbolic of Africa and its wildlife special. A cheetah’s spots, the tracks of a dung beetle, the texture of an elephants skin!

And finally . . .cheat – Using digital zoom tends to result in loss of quality. If you have a decent pair of binoculars you can sometimes get a better result by using your bino’s as your zoom. Line the lens of the camera carefully with the eyepiece of the bino’s (taking care not to scratch either) and snap. This lion cub photo was taken with a pocket digital but through a good pair of Leica Bino’s.

Visit  http://www.absoluteafrica.com/ to find the perfect safari where you can put these tips into practice.

 RIVERS OF AFRICA – Check out this featured trip and escape to the sun!

NOW ON SPECIAL:

 Was  £666 . . . NOW £580           (Local Payment US$677 )

A 6 week overland journey –  From the White Nile to the Zambezi River! With a gorilla trek, game drives across the Serengeti and in Ngorongoro Crater, staying on the tropical island of Zanzibar to snorkel and scuba dive, and by Lake Malawi. Game cruise down the Kazinga Channel, visit a chimp sanctuary and help out in a local school. Rhino trekking, lion walking and elephant rides, bungee jump, gorge swinging, quad biking and white water rafting – adrenalin activities plus!

THE LOW DOWN . . .

So. . . . . . . What’s includes? 

• Ngorongoro Crater game drives
•  Queen Elizabeth National  Park
•  Kazinga Channel Game Cruise
•  Mikumi National  Park
•  South Luangwa, or Matopos with a  rhino trek
•  Maasai village visit
•  Fully equipped Overland  truck  incl – fridge, gas, tents, sleep mats
•  Camping whilst with the truck
•  Breakfasts and dinners whilst with the truck
•  All road tolls and taxes
•  Services of Absolute Africa  Crew

Christmas in Africa comes with a few differences!  Snow is replaced by tropical heat and afternoon thunderstorms, reindeers replaced by donkeys and your Christmas trees may be anything from a thorny Acacia to a piece of driftwood.

For most of us in the west the season starts with shopping . . . .  cards, presents, decorations, gift wrap.  In Africa most people do not have the financial resources to buy gifts let alone all the other commercial trappings of the season, and even if they did there is no e-shopping and the nearest town is often a good day away.  So, in Africa it’s more about presence than presents.  Friends and family come together to rejoice in the fact that they have each other and Christmas is a time of celebration for all . . . . . . . . . . well unless you happen to be a goat, chicken, or cow!!!

In Kenya, Nyama Choma (roast goat meat) and Tuskers Beer is the order of the day and as a result,  goat rustling reportedly can increase in the weeks before Christmas.  Ugandan’s also favour goat often accompanied by matoke (green bananas – steamed), posho, groundnut sauce, cassava and yams. In Rwanda beef is more common & cake shops and patisseries do a roaring trade as “sweet teeth” is a legacy of the countries Belgian Colonial past.

On Absolute’s big yellow trucks we celebrate the “Absolute Africa’ way. . . . . secret Santas and decorations, the occasional bog or two stuck in the mud and always there is an ample supply of good beer . . .ahh sorry I mean good cheer!  

Our trips are planned to enable you to spend your Festive season in some of Africa’s most outstanding destinations.  Whether it is spent trekking to see the endangered mountain gorilla in Rwanda,  on game drives in Kenya’s premier game park, The Masai Mara,  in style at Tanzania’s safari capital of Arusha or partying on a houseboat on Lake Kariba  it is bound to be a “Chrissy” to remember.

Visit http://www.absoluteafrica.com/news.lasso to choose where you would like to spend this Christmas.