KILIMANJARO
The Roof of Africa

Mt. Kilimanjaro - Tanzania, Africa

Unplug. Reset. Meet the Challenge of a lifetime

Return to Arusha and JRO
Departure Home

Kilimanjaro Descent and Return to Coffee Lodge
Two Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Wilderness Lodge

Kilimanjaro Ascent
Summit Climb via Rongai Route
Individual and Group Immersion

Flight to Kilimanjaro (JRO)
2 nights at Tanzania Coffee Lodge
Gear check, Expedition Prep
Individual and Team DevelopMent


Expedition Itinerary
December 3 - 13, 2025

Individual practices to reset, recharge, and recommit to the values, actions, and commitments that define you - unplug from the daily noise and demands and step back into yourself. 

Join a team of 12 like-minded men in community, camaraderie, trust, and vulnerability. Become an integral part of the ascent.

Climb the only wilderness route on Kilimanajro: The Rongai Route. Ascend trails via five camps, through four climate zones, towards a summit ascent of the highest mountain in Africa. 

THE INNER ASCENT

THE TEAM

THE PERSONAL CHALLENGE

Expedition breakdown

Live in community and camaraderie with purpose and focus

Reconnect body & spirit in wilderness - Daily individual & group practice

Digital detox and personal reset

Safari to Ngorongoro Crater 

Summit Kilimanjaro - 19,341 ft via the remote Wilderness ascent Rongai route

This EXPEDITION:

03
02
01

Flight to Kilimanjaro (JRO), two days of team development and expedition preparation. seven day ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route, two day safari to the Ngorongoro  Crater.

THE EXPEDITION & SAFARI

Three team sessions prior to expedition departure: June, September, and November. Meet 1:1 with Matt to discuss your training plan and personal gear check. 

TEAM DEVELOPMENT

12 Spaces available. Join the team by completing an application and submitting your deposit. 

ENROLL TODAY!

Join 12 Men on an Expedition as Deep as it is tall

This adventure opened my mind and heart to an entirely new world. Matt and his team of local guides are the best on the mountain. The adventure of a lifetime.

Bruce E.
Leadership Consultant

This isn’t what I thought I would come here to find. I thought I would come here for the adventure, for the experience—and both were excellent—but I find myself leaving with a better understanding of the part I play in group dynamics. It was eye-opening to witness how I repeat certain patterns and behaviors (good and bad) regardless of the environment - I awakened to my habituated way of being and began to make changes immediately. Thank you to Matt and thank you to this team - amazing experience!

Steve L.
Finance

This is the most alive I can remember ever feeling. The challenge. The sene of well being. Being in nature. This mountain. This is everything.

Keith B.
Tech Leadership

Expedition Perspectives

Matt Walker, Meditations on Adventure
Adventure is not outside, it is within. But the path inward begins outside.

ITINERARY

Depart country of origin for Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (JRO).

Rongai ROUTE 7 DAY ITINERARY - expedition KILIMANJARO

Day 0

Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pick up and transfer to Arusha Villa Karmu in Arusha, Tanzania.

Day 1

Orientation and gear check. We meet over breakfast at the hotel followed by a detailed group orientation covering all aspects of the climb. After lunch, we have a thorough equipment and gear check followed by poolside relaxation and jet-lag reset or a walking tour (offsite) of Arusha, before a team dinner. Overnight at Arusha Villa Karmu.
Following hotel breakfast and a final guide briefing we drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park for registration, permits, and transfering our gear and duffle bags to our porter team. After registration and lunch, we will be shuttle a further 70 kilometers on forest service roads to the Rongai Start Point at 6,398 feet. Our trek begins from Nale Moru village and follows a gradual and winding trail through maize and potato fields before entering the rainforest After 4-5 hours of ascent we arrive at our first camp, Simba Camp, where we meet our entire porter, cook, and support team. The sounds of Howler monkeys will echo through the evening as the day closes. 

Start: Rongai Gate trailhead 6,398 ft.
End: Simba Camp 9,300 ft.
You will wake to the first morning of your new routine: coffee in bed and waking to the sounds of Kilimanjaro. After breakfast, and packing your daypack and duffle bags for porters to carry, we begin the day ascending uphill through the rainforest towards Kibo. For most of the day you will be walking up slopes flanked with heather with emerging views of the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro – Mawenzi and Kibo. En route we will have our first  glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. On our final approach to camp, Second Cave, our cook will welcome us with a grand feast, the first full team dinner. The evening leaves time for games, relaxation reading, and photography.


Start: Simba Camp 9,300 ft.
End: 2nd Cave Camp 11,300 ft.
Elevation gain: 2,000 ft.
Today is an excellent acclimatization day as we travel and keep a steady elevation about 11,000 ft. From Second Cave the path takes an abrupt south-easterly turn directly towards the jagged peak of Mawenzi. Traversing open moorland you arrive at Kikelewa Camp, situated next to a series of caves by the Kikelewa River; giant groundsels and lobelias flourishing nearby. The views open dramatically and from Kikelewa Camp and we will take in the massive eastern flank of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Start: 2nd Cave Camp 11,300 ft.
End: Kikelewa Camp 11,811 ft.
Elevation gain: 500 ft.
Though this stage to Mawenzi Tarn is relatively short in distance, it is a crucial day in our ascent and our acclimitization. The climb ascends steeply from camp as we steadily gain 2,349 feet toward camp.660m. The Mawenzi Tarn Camp is situated in one of the most spectacular settings on the mountain, a cirque with a lake beneath the jagged teeth of Mawenzi. After an early arrival at camp, we will rest, and then have an evening ascent of the west ridge for further acclimatization. The evening stars open to one of the most amazing dark sky experineces of the summit of Kilimanjaro beneath the Milky Way.


Start: Kikelewa Camp 11,811 ft.
End: Mawenzi Tarn Camp 14,160 ft.
Elevation gain: 2,349 ft.
The day begins with a short backtrack of the previous day before we strike out west-wards, crossing the ridge and dropping down slope to the barren pass at the northern edge. With massive expanding views in all directions, today is hands-down the most striking visually, each scene feels like it is pulled from a nature documentary. Our destination for today will be Kibo Campsite, which offers you again a spectacular view on the Kibo.

We will arrive at the camp with time to rest and prepare for our summit bid. In the afternoon, we will cover the summit day experience and pack our bags for an early departure. Dinner is served early and we are off to bed early. Our summit climb wake time is just around the corner at 11:30pm.
Start: Mawenzi Tarn Camp 14,160 ft.
End: Kibo Camp 15,430 ft.
Elevation gain: 1,300 ft.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Under starry skies, we begin with an early alpine start with a hot drink and some biscuits to begin our ascent to the summit. Our initial climb begins with headlamps as we make our way up the mountain, passing landmarks to help you track your progress towards the summit: William’s Point at 16,834 ft. and Hans Meyer Cave at 17,254 ft.

At Gilman’s Point, 18,638 ft., we will emerge at the summit crater for an astounding sunrise over the mountain and Tanzania: dawn over the plains of Africa are truly like nothing else. After a rest to hydrate and fuel, we will make our last push along the summit ridge toward the true summit: Uhuru Peak at 19,341 ft. 

Following our summit success we will begin our descent toward high camp to pack our gear and rally onward and downward to warmer temperatures and thicker air at Horombo Camp.
Start: Kibo Camp 15,430 ft.
Summit: Uhuru Peak 19,341 ft.
End: Horombo Camp 12,205 ft.
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft.
Elevation loss: -7,136 ft.

Day 8

We wake to a final morning on the mountain: coffee in bed and a celebratory breakfast. One final duffle bag and camp pack up and we begin our descent toward Marangu Gate. As we exit the trail we are met by our entire team for a final celebration, feast, and an opportunity to share our gratitude to all of the members of the team. We then load our van and head towards the Mt. Meru hotel in Arusha - ready for a shower, a cold beer, and creature comforts. 

Start: Horombo Hut 12,205 ft.
End: Marangu Gate 6,046 ft.
Elevation loss: -6,158 ft.

Day 9

Following a solid night's sleep, we wake to breakfast at the hotel and drive to Ngorongoro National Park for a safari drive. Our safari will take us into grasslands for viewing of: elephant, lion, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, spotted hyena, leopard, and monkeys. A sunset safari drive and we will overnight at a safari lodge on the edge of the crater.
Following a solid night's sleep, we wake to breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) - our expedition concluded and we return home: tired, content, and emotionally and physically reset. 

Day 10

Day 11

Matt Walker

Dan Doty

YOUR GUIDES

How Difficult is this climb?

This trip is the perfect introduction to mountaineering. You don’t need to have any previous experience, though any experience with backpacking, camping, or climbing will help - the more comfortable and relaxed you are in the environment, the more enjoyable it will be. 

Matt will work with you, and your trainer is appropriate, to make sure your training and fitness sets you up for success. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Come Alone or Can I bring Another?

Yes. And yes! Climbers join MWA programs each for their own unique reasons: a personal challenge, a desire to take a retreat and dive deep, connect and share an experience with a solo, with a sibling, parent/child, or close friend. Join by yourself, with another, all are welcome. 

What is Included in the Expedition?

  • Professional Mountain Guide with over 26 years climbing and expedition experience around the world & advanced wilderness medical training
  • 1:6 climber to US guide ratio and 1:2 climber to Tanzania guide on summit day
  • All lodging, airport transfers, and transport in country
  • All meals in country and on expedition, all team and technical equipment
  • Satellite emergency communication



What is Not Included in the Expedition?

  • Airfare to JRO
  • Personal clothing and camping gear, equipment list provided. Some items may be available for rent, inquire directly. 
  • Personal snacks and drinks in country
  • Gratuity for support staff

What is the payment schedule and cancellation policy?

A $750 USD non-refundable deposit is made at registration, this payment is required to reserve your place in the program and initiate the permit and logistics process. The remaining balances are divided and due 30 days following registration and 120 days prior to departure. In the event the balance is not received 90 days prior to departure, your reservation will be cancelled and no refunds will be issued.

MWA highly recommends trip and rescue insurance, our go-to is Global Rescue


  • Within 24 hours of booking – full refund
  • Cancellations made 120 days prior to the expedition start: t50% refunds, less the nonrefundable deposit
  • No refunds pro­vid­ed 120 days or less before depar­ture date

What happens If I, or another team member, gets sick or has to turn around early on summit day?

As a team, we always plan to go to Uhuru, the true summit of Kilimanjaro, together. However, in the event of a medical emergency that would require the lead guide’s attention, rather than an African guide, would be the only reason that your lead guide would not join the team on the summit ascent. 

In the event of a scenario that leads to your personal departure from the expedition, MWA highly recommends trip and rescue insurance, our go-to is Global Rescue.

Also, we will be joined by a team of African guides, for a total of five guides, on a typical summit attempt. In the event you, or another climber needs to turn around for any reason during the summit ascent, they will be guided down under excellent care and supervision. This support allows all team members to move and ascent at their own pace without impacting the success or well-being of another. 

Am I Fit enough for Kilimanjaro?

Likely yes, and if not at the moment, you can be fairly quickly with some dedication and focused time.

The trekk involves 5 – 8 hours per day with large ele­va­tion gains of 1,000 – 2,000+ feet per day. Mul­ti­ple days of this lev­el of trekking will occur through­out the trip. You should be in great phys­i­cal shape and par­tic­i­pat­ing in 4, 1‑hour work­outs per week before the trek. At least 1 to 2 days should include hik­ing with a small pack, lead­ing up to sev­er­al walks of 5 – 7 hours, with alti­tude gain if possible.

Connect directly with us to discuss your training plan.  

@MATTWALKERADVENTURE