Climbing Kilimanjaro had been on my bucket list since Aconcagua back in 2001 so a pretty long time. I always thought that I might climb a few of the seven summits but realistically the only other one that is within a reasonable budget is Elbrus so maybe one day. Anyway, I digress. Given that it costs over Three Thousand Pounds to climb is it worth it? The short answer is definitely! Choosing Jagged Globe as the provider was inspired, they took care of everything, right from the free 'Get to know you' weekend, to the flights, to the Hotel booking, everything. The group I climbed with were a good crew and we all got on pretty well I think. Obviously there were different standards and I was pleased to find that all of the training I had put in served me well so that I could enjoy rather than endure the climb.

Kilimanjaro should not be underestimated, despite the numbers that climb it, anything that high is a serious undertaking and many fail. Our chosen route of the Western Breach is not easiest, nor the most popular - two reasons in my view to choose that particular way up. Also the additional acclimatisation climb of Meru is a real bonus. Success on both climbs means that the highest and fourth highest in Africa have been summitted on one trip.

Tanzania is worlds away from anything in the West from a cultural point of view. I was amazed at many things; the villages look poor beyond belief but the people seem to be happy and content. Those that I met always had a smile and enjoyed a joke and were friendly beyond any need. From the hotel staff, porters, guides, even those in the Military that patrolled the parks and acted as our armed guard were friendly and cheerful. They had little money but they did their best for their families, always working to give their children a better life. It was hard not to hand out money to those we got to know to help them, but we had been told it was not a good idea, otherwise it would become an expectation.

Would I go back? Well, in a perfect world I would love to, but it is not cheap and if I save that amount of money again, there are many other parts of the world I would like to see. I have memories and photos that will be with me forever, I can dine out on the experience and of course I will never tire of telling the tales or reliving the experience in my head.