My hike to Kilimanjaro started a year before I even set foot on Tanzanian soil.

I was on a domestic flight in neighboring Kenya and the pilot announced that if we looked out the window to our right, we could see the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest peak in Africa. I decided there and then that I would climb this iconic mountain – and I did. 

Kilimanjarois a popular peak, high on the list of ultimate treks (along with Mt Everest and Machu Picchu in Peru), taken on by many who covet the title of climbing the tallest mountain in Africa. We humans love superlatives – the biggest, the tallest, the oldest. But do not be fooled into thinking that just because many have gone before you, it will be a walk in the park. Oh no – this is the most challenging thing I have ever done. But I couldn’t recommend it more.