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

September 17, 2018

Classic sunrise shadow on Kilimanjarol (Greg Vernovage)

IMG Senior Guide Andy Polloczek called in last night (10pm Seattle / 8am Tanzania) from the summit of Kilimanjaro! He said the team had an excellent summit night. The weather was mostly clear with a slight breeze, but cold! The cold part shouldn’t be a surprise; summit day on Kilimanjaro, more often than not, is bone-chilling cold requiring a big down coat, big warm gloves and multiple pairs of socks…. hand & foot warmers are a nice touch too.

After celebratory photos on the summit, the team descended to High Camp, and on down to the thicker air at Millenium Camp (12,500ft).  They’ll have a few hours on the trail tomorrow but should be back at the hotel in Moshi for lunch and hot showers!

Tye Chapman

September 16, 2018

Kili on the hike to Barafu (Dustin Balderach)

Andy checked in from Barafu Camp on Kilimanjaro today. The team had a great day on the trail today and made it to High Camp in just a few hours. The team is feeling strong and looking forward to their summit attempt. The plan is to wake up at 11pm, have some coffee and a snack or two, then hit the trail between 11:30pm and midnight. If all goes as planned they’ll be standing on the summit tomorrow morning around 8am (Tanzania time).

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

September 15, 2018

IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in this morning (his evening) from Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro. He said the team had a blast climbing the Barranco Wall and made it to Karanga Camp in good form this afternoon. They’ll move to high camp tomorrow. If all goes as planned they’ll try for the summit on Monday.

All is well at Karanga Camp!

Tye Chapman