October 6, 2017

IMG’s Kili team is relaxing at the Farm House after a third amazing day on Safari. The team spotted a Black Rhino in the Crater rounding out the Big 5 for us.

To sum up: Close Leopard encounter in the Serengeti on day 1. Check. Lots and lots of close and cool lion encounters every day. Check. Angry buffaloes a plenty. Check. Herd of elephants – including lots of babies — passing right in front of our vehicle. Check. Lone Black Rhino roaming the Crater. Check.

That’s the Big 5 and I haven’t even scratched the surface of what we saw. You can’t really ask for any more, but super comfortable accommodations, terrific food, and Kilimanjaro beers around a camp fire under a full moon certainly added to the amazing experience.

The group said it feels like two entirely different trips (climb and Serengeti) and I couldn’t agree more. No better way to work off the soreness of the climb than with 3 days and nights of world-class game viewing. After a final dinner tonight we’ll head to the airport tomorrow stopping for a few souvenirs in route. Another amazing and successful trip to Tanzania!

Dustin Balderach

October 5, 2017

Dustin called in again after he and his team had wrapped up dinner at their deluxe wilderness camp on the Serengeti.  He reports that they had an excellent day on safari. He proved it by sending in the above photos.

The sunset was capped off by some time under the stars around the campfire.

Tomorrow they’ll head to the Ngorongoro Crater and keep their eye out for their main objective at this point, a rhino.

Tye Chapman

October 4, 2017

Dustin called in to report that he and his team had a great first day on Safari. Right out of the gates they were greeted by several big cats. They saw a lion, a leopard and a cheetah all with in 20 minutes of each other.  They also saw giraffes, antelopes and countless zebras. The team was blown away and this is day 1!

When Dustin called they had wrapped up their dinner (tender beef, mashed potatoes and apple tart) and were heading to bed.  The soreness from the climb is fading quickly!

Happy campers.

Tye Chapman

October 3, 2017

Well another climb of Kilimanjaro is in the books! Dustin and his team are safely back in Moshi. They’ve showered up and enjoyed a great celebration dinner. The team is tucked in a bed for the first time in a week and are all dreaming of the safari that awaits them in the morning.

Dustin jumped on the wifi and cranked out some photos of their climb. Enjoy!

More from Dustin tomorrow from the Serengeti.

Tye Chapman

October 2, 2017

Here’s Jen grabbing a solo summit shot after the team photo. Nice!

One great call from Dustin overnight and an even better one this morning. The first was from the summit of Kilimanjaro, we love getting those calls. The second was from Mweka Camp saying that all is well and the team is safely down to camp, we love these calls even more!

Dustin said it was a tough climb but the team did extremely well were strong on the descent, a good measuring stick guides use when looking back on climbs.

Right now they’re sacked out getting some well deserved rest. Tomorrow they’ll make their way back to Moshi for showers and beers! Tomorrow night will be their celebration dinner.

The safari awaits.

Tye Chapman

September 30, 2017

A happy team on top of Barranco Wall. (Dustin Balderach)

Moving from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp is a relatively short day, but there’s one big objective that needs to be tackled right out of camp, the Barranco Wall. When Dustin checked in he and his team had already cruised up and over the Barranco Wall. He said the team did very well on the trail and really enjoyed the scrambling. For a lot of our Kili climbers this one of the highlights of the climb.  The clouds stayed low giving his team some tremendous views.

Once at the top of Barranco Wall the trail then crosses three little valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp. At just 4 hours or so the team pulled into camp just in time for lunch.

Tomorrow is another shorter day. They’ll make their way up to Barafu Camp and get ready for summit day. If all goes as planned they’ll summit on Monday (Tanzania time).

Tye Chapman

September 29, 2017

Giant Groundsels near Barranco Camp (Dustin Balderach)

Dustin checked in from Barranco Camp on Kilimanjaro. They had another great day on the trail today. From Shira Camp to Barranco Camp is one of the longer days, but not necessarily the toughest. The trail is nice and gradual, not rocky or very steep. The views are amazing, with the south side of Kili in view all day. The route goes up to around 15,000ft at the Lava Tower before dropping down to Barranco Camp (13,000ft), one of Dustin’s favorite campsites.  The camp sits in a protected little valley with views of the winding path up the Barranco Wall, tomorrow’s objective.

For now, it’s dinner time then bedtime!

All is well at Barranco Camp.

Tye Chapman