Happy New Year from the Serengeti!

December 31, 2023

Visiting the Maasai Village (Phunuru)

Happy new year IMG family and friends. I hope this year is full of happiness new experiences and joy for you. Hope we have an amazing year ahead.

Together, we had a fantastic Safari seeing more than 100 species including 4 of the Big 5, only missing the leopard. We did have the fortune of seeing a record 7 rhinos in the Crater!

The crew is having a blast! We will continue to have fun and celebrate the New Year!!

2023 has ended in a fantastic fashion. Cheers to an even better 2024!

Phunuru Sherpa

Aconcagua Team 1 On The Move, Team 2 Doing Final Prep

December 31, 2023

The Vacas River along the hike to Pampa de Leñas (Tincho Lucero)

Fresh meat on the grill for dinner! (Tincho Lucero)

The team on their way to Pampa de Leñas (Tincho Lucero)

Team 1 rounded out 2023 with a lovely hike to Pampa de Leñas (9,678′)! Tonight, they are planning a small NYE dinner celebration before carrying on in the AM to Casa de Piedras (10,629′) where they will spend the night.

Team 2 is poised in Mendoza doing their final preparations before departure to Penitentes tomorrow.

Audrey Simonson

Aconcagua Team 1 ready to go!

December 30, 2023

The team all packed up and ready to go! (Tincho)

Aconcagua Team 1 led by Tincho & Tyler is off! The team is all packed up and is out the door from Mendoza. Team 2, led by Stu, is just a couple days behind.

All is good in Argentina!

IMG Kilimanjaro Climbers arrive to Serengeti

December 29th, 2023–

Giraffe spotted on Safari (Phunuru)

IMG Senior Guide Phunuru let us know the team arrived excitedly to the Serengeti National Park, the second largest National Park in Africa. Climbers spent the evening viewing all big 5 animals and relaxing while watching the sunset. The team looks for a restful night at their deluxe wildlife camp before another day in the Safari.

Elephants grazing during sunset (Phunuru)

Large hippos in nearby lake (Phunuru)

Elephant in Serengeti National Park (Phunuru)

Colorful and peaceful sunset while on Safari (Phunuru)

IMG Kilimanjaro Team Celebrates in Moshi

December 28th, 2023–

IMG Kilimanjaro Team with summit certificates (Phunuru)

IMG Guide Phunuru let us know the team has safely and excitedly arrived back to Moshi in celebratory spirits. Climbers received summit certificates and enjoyed showers and a filling dinner before a restful night at a nearby hotel. Tomorrow the team will have lunch in Arusha before flying to Serengeti for the Safari. Congrats, again, to our Kilimanjaro team for an 100% success!

IMG Kilimanjaro Climbers, Guides, and Staff on a bright day (Phunuru)

100% Kilimanjaro Summits!

December 27, 2023

Phunuru reports the Kilimanjaro team had a gorgeous summit climb with nice weather and a spectacular sunrise from the Crater Rim on the way to Uhuru Peak (the true summit).

: On the crater rim between Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (Phunuru)

: Looking out over the summit of Mawenzi Peak at dawn (Phunuru)

: Ice cap on the summit of Kilimanjaro with Mt Meru behind (Phunuru)

Now the team has completed their descent back to Barafu Camp. After some lunch and a rest break, they will continue their descent to the thick air down at Mweka Camp (about 10,000 ft). Well done team!

Eric Simonson

Kilimanjaro team is ready to climb!

December 26, 2023

Phunuru reports that the team had a nice hike today from Karanga Camp up to the Barafu Camp (about 15,000 ft), which they reached in time for lunch. Then, they spent the afternoon resting, hydrating, and getting ready to climb tonight. After an early dinner everyone headed to the tents for some more rest before their planned departure at midnight.

: On the way to Barafu with Mt Meru in the background (Phunuru)

: At Barafu Camp (Phunuru)

The weather report is good and we’ll be looking forward to hearing news of their climb. Best wishes to the team!

Eric Simonson

Merry Christmas from Karanga Camp!

December 25, 2023

Phunuru dressed up as Santa at Karanga Camp (Phunuru)

This morning our Kilimanjaro team wished us all a Merry Christmas from Karanga Camp! The team had a lovely hike up and over the Barranco Wall and pulled into camp before lunch so the team was able to have a restful afternoon. Tomorrow the team will have a shorter day travelling to Barafu Camp where they will go to sleep early to be prepared for their summit attempt!

Audrey Simonson

Kilimanjaro Climbers Arrive at Barranco Camp!

December 24, 2023

Hanging out at Barranco Camp with the Breach Wall behind (Phunuru)

Our Kilimanjaro climbers had an excellent hike up to Lava Tower today for acclimatization where they had lunch, looking out over the vast landscape. After lunch, climbers descended to Barranco Camp, situated at the base of the Baranco Wall, where they enjoyed a delicious roast chicken Christmas dinner with the entire team. Tomorrow, the team will tackle the infamous Barranco Wall and end up at Karanga Camp tomorrow night.

All’s well for our Kilimanjaro climbers!

Audrey Simonson

Kilimanjaro climbers reach Shira Camp

December 23, 2023

On the trail between Machame Camp and Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro team at Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Kilimanjaro poking out of the clouds from Shira Camp (Phunuru)

Phunuru Sherpa reports that the team had a smooth trip up to the Shira Camp at about 12,500 feet. Their hike today was punctuated by some rain, which required donning their rain gear until the showers passed. Later in the afternoon, it cleared up and the sun came back out. Welcome to Kilimanjaro weather! Phunuru says that the team is enjoying the new more spacious tents that we sent over, with lots of room for everyone!

Tomorrow the team will climb up to Lava Tower, before descending to Barranco Camp. Everyone is feeling healthy and having fun. All’s well on Kilimanjaro!

Eric Simonson