September 26, 2018

The ‘before’ picture. (Thomas Joseph)

Andy checked in from 10,000ft on Kilimanjaro today reporting that all is well. The trek from the Machame Gate (6000ft.) to Machame Camp (10,000ft.) goes through the rain forest / jungle where it’s likely to rain a bit, today was no exception. Despite the rain, the team had a great hike and by the time they were settled into camp the rain had subsided.

They’re all tucked in now and looking forward to their hike up to Shira Camp (12,000ft.) tomorrow.

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

September 25, 2018

The team stops for a photo at the market in Moshi. (Andy Polloczek)

IMG Senior Guide Andy Polloczek checked in from Moshi, Tanzania today reporting that his next team of Kilimanjaro climbers all arrived with their duffels, the best start to any expedition! Today was reserved for gear checks and an afternoon visit to Moshi to see the market and run a couple errands.

With all the ‘to dos’ done, the team is now back at the hotel having dinner and getting dialed in for their departure for the trailhead tomorrow morning. They’ll be in the van by 8am, and after getting checked with Kilimanjaro National Park, they should be on the trail by mid-morning. The trail tomorrow takes them through the jungle and up to Machame Camp, which sits at 10,000ft. This team is ready,

All is well in Moshi!

Tye Chapman

September 21, 2018

That’s a wrap for our current Kilimanjaro Program. They enjoyed their third day of safari inside the Ngorongoro crater. The crater is bigger than most people think. It is roughly 16km by 19km and home to almost all of the animals of the Serengeti. There are 5 prides of lions in the crater. One in each ‘corner’ and one the in middle. There are also over 500 hyenas, 30 rhinos, several hippo pools, elephants, countless zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, etc. Noticeably absent was the Giraffe because there are little or no acacia trees (Giraffe food) in the crater.

After enjoying the crater they made their way to the Farm House, their hotel for the night. The Farm House sits on a working coffee plantation. There is also an amazing garden where they grow all of their own fruits and vegetables for the restaurant. The team will kick back here until lunch tomorrow after which they’ll begin the long journey home. Everybody except Andy that his, he’s sticking around for another climb. The next team arrives in about 48 hours!

Tye Chapman

September 20, 2018

Just one of the highlights of Days 1 & 2 on safari. (Andy Polloczek)

IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in from the Serengeti after another incredible day on safari. The team has seen most of the big mammals already and they haven’t even been to the Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 2 on safari started out with a gourmet breakfast followed by a morning game drive. They returned to camp for lunch then ventured out for an afternoon game drive. Once back in camp they hit the showers, enjoyed a cocktail then sat down for a nice dinner. The evening was capped off with a couple hours around the campfire under the stars. Not a bad day at all!

All is well on the Serengeti!

Tye Chapman

September 19, 2018

The team at the hotel before flying to Arusha (Andy Polloczek)

IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in from the Serengeti this morning (his evening) reporting that the team had a nice flight from Arusha to the Serengeti. The roughly 1 hour flight puts them down on a dirt runway right in the middle of the Serengeti. The Team hopped in their awaiting pop-top Land Rovers and were immediately surrounded by wildlife. Zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, elephants, were just a few of the animals they saw on their half-day safari today.

They wrapped up the day with a hot shower and a nice dinner at our luxury wilderness camp. This is glamping at it’s finest! Keep in mind that this camp does not have fences which means the team needed to be escorted to their tents after dinner. Once in their tents they’re able to relax and fall asleep to the sounds of the Serengeti.

Tomorrow they’ll load up after a gourmet breakfast and head out on Safari again. The safari is the perfect reward after a tough climb of Kilimanjaro. You can just kick back and soak it all in.

Tye Chapman

September 18, 2018

The IMG Kilimanjaro Team wrapped up their climb with a nice hike out to the trailhead at the Mweka Gate. Once they were checked-out of Kilimanjaro National Park they were picked up and back in Moshi for lunch. The afternoon was spent showering, relaxing and preparing for their safari adventure tomorrow.

The team reconvened for a celebration dinner in the evening to celebrate the wonderful climb and give thanks to the Chagga Guides that mean so much to our program.  It sounds (and looks) like a great climb.

Tomorrow morning they’ll be up and out of the hotel at 8am and on their way to Arusha for their flight to the Serengeti. They’ll be spotting zebras and wildebeest by 2pm!

All is well in Tanzania!

Tye Chapman