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Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa’s Highest Mountain
This is the second edition of the bestselling travel and trekking guide to Kilimanjaro. First published in 2003, this book quickly became the established guide to those wishing to reach the summit of Africa’s highest mountain.
About the Kilimanjaro guide
For this second edition we have improved and updated the book in a number of ways. As a result, this book:
- Is the only one with full descriptions of each of the trekking routes up Kilimanjaro by somebody who has climbed all of them.
- The only one to include town and city guides to Arusha, Moshi and Marangu, the three towns and villages that will be your base before and after your climb.
- The only book with a review of the trekking agencies, both in Tanzania (Arusha, Moshi and Marangu) and those tour operators in the UK/US/Europe/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa. As it is the tour companies and the guides they hire that, more than anything else, will make or break your trip, this is a vital part of the book and should be required reading for anybody before booking a climb. We do not accept sponsorship and our reviews are completely unbiased and based on our dealings with the companies and from readers’ letters and recommendations.
- The only book with up-
to- altitude readings (other books are still using inaccurate and out-date and accurate maps and of- date maps and altitudes that are widey accepted by tour operators and park officials alike to be inaccurate). - Full run-
down of Kilimanjaro’s nature including full-colour flora guide .
We also provide
- A thorough health and fitness section to help you stay healthy in East Africa, increase your chances of making it to the top and ensure you make it back down again;
- Advice on how to book your trek and what to look out for in the agency’s contract;
- Comprehensive pre-
departure information including advice on what to take – and what to leave behind! - Details on flights to East Africa;
- City guides to Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the two cities that you are most likely
to fly into, as well as an introduction to the newly-
opened Kilimanjaro International Airport; - A thorough practical information section (including visas, currency, budgeting, transport, food etc) on travelling around Tanzania and Kenya;
- Advice on how to look after your porters and crew on the trek;
- The most comprehensive sections on the history of Kilimanjaro and Tanzania;
- A look at the culture of the local Chagga people who inhabit Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes;
- Photos and illustrations (from both contemporary and historical sources, including
some wonderful pen-
and- ink sketches by the first Europeans to see Kilimanjaro, way back in the nineteenth century). - Over thirty maps covering every stage of climbing and descending from the mountain.
. . . everything, indeed, to help you get from the safety of your favourite armchair at home all the way to the very summit of Africa’s highest mountain. And no other guidebook can provide anything like that kind of comprehensive coverage.
In addition, for the second edition the book now has:
- a full description of the Mount Meru trek, following recommendations by a number of our readers that this should be included.
- We also have worked closely with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) to highlight the plight of porters and how trekkers can help to alleviate their suffering.
- And if that’s not enough, this book is still the cheapest and the most up-
to- all the new park fees and regulations included.date available, with
Reviews
The following are all the reviews from Amazon.co.uk (you can find those from the
American Amazon.com below). All these reviews are genuine!
A brilliant guidebook, 22 Nov 2006
By Andrew Halston (Leics, UK)
What a great guidebook! We had to wait ages for this book to arrive (it finally arrived
last month), as apparently there was some delay in publication. But we were determined
to wait after reading all the rave reviews to the first edition. And after spending
the best part of a month reading through it, we're glad we did. Though we have yet
to climb the mountain, this book has already come in useful with its extensive reviews
of trekking companies in the UK and Tanzania, whilst its descriptions of the routes
are by some distance the most detailed we've come across. It's also a surprisingly
funny and well-
Fantastic!! No need for your Lonely Planet or Rough Guide!!, 24 April 2006
By N. Patterson (Jersey, Channel Islands)
I bought this book a few months before I actually went away to climb Kili as well as buying a Lonely Planet and Rough Guide for Tanzania. There was no need to buy either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide as you get everything and more in this book.
Quite simply, if you are new to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or if you think your interested in doing it, BUY THIS BOOK. Its all you will need in the form of a guidebook (and probably more) and it is small enough to fit in your rucksack for when you do go to climb it. Im sure that even some of the suggestions assisted me in getting to the top!
Having checked the market for competitors, this book is the finest by a long, long way.
Good luck for when you attempt!!!
indispensible guide to the mountain, 13 Jan 2006
By "welshdave"
Went up Kili last year, found the book extremely useful before departure and during the trek (Machame route) The section on acute mountain sickness should be compulsory reading for anyone attempting to get to the top.
5895 Reasons to Read, 18 Oct 2005
By Andy Nolan
Having just, successfully, undertaken the Rongai Route (up) and the Marangu Route (down) I can highly recommend this book to anyone planning to scale Africa's highest mountain.
Full of good tips and advice this book will be invaluable when preparing for your journey, helping you to ensure you have the right kit before you arrive in Moshi or Marangu.
Use the route guide to decide which is best for you -
Kili, 31 Aug 2005
By D A GARNER (Leics, UK)
I am now officially allowed to call it Kili, having successfully reached the summit in July.
This book gave a truthful account of each days trekking on the Rongai Route and it made sure I was prepared for the assault on the summit. The description of the trek from the crater rim to Uhuru Peak encouraged me to go on, eventhough I was totally exhausted.
The information on the equipment we needed to take and altitude sickess tablets amogst other things made sure I was totally prepared and the background information on Tanzania as well as interesting facts about other people who had attempted the summit made the book very entertaining.
I cannot recommend it highly enough!!
An amazing guide and essential reading. 29 Mar 2005
By "taviabentley2"
This book is brillant and essential reading for anyone intending to climb this magnificent mountain. I'm going next year and it has opened my eyes to all the preparation you need to do, training, visas, inoculations and the all the gear you need to take.
The sections on the history and geology of Kili are really interesting. And I found the chapter on Altitude Sickness particularly helpful! I just hope I don't suffer from it when I'm on the last stint to the summit!
Excellent, 8 Dec 2003
By Lorrie Cassidy (Rye, Sussex)
My husband and I used this for our climb up God's Greatest Mountain (to quote the author) this year. And it is a great book. Really helpful, really entertaining and really accurate. We can't recommend it highly enough, and from speaking with some of the guides who lead the tours, this is the book they use to learn about Kilimanjaro.
Review of Kilimanjaro, 1 Jul 2003
By Louise Payne (London United Kingdom)
Henry Stedman's book on Kilimanjaro was an absolutely invaluable text on our visit
to climb Africa's highest peak. It includes lots of practical tips and recommendations
that would be useful for the experienced and inexperienced traveller alike. The advice
offered around planning a climb up Kilimanjaro was incredibly helpful: Stedman provides
really clear comparisons of the different agencies available, which is useful if
planning a trip from home, but nothing short of a lifesaver when negotiating the
agencies trying to sell you a trek out there. Although we walked the main route on
the climb, it was really interesting to know our options and certainly it fuelled
enthusiasm to return to try some of the lesser-
Henry Stedman's book also gives information about the surrounding towns in the area
(e.g Moshi, Arusha and Marangu), and city guides to Nairobi and Dar Es Salam. It's
great to have all that info compacted into one book, rather than needing a different
text for different legs of the journey. The book comes into its own on the trek itself
-
The book brings alive the delights of spending four days walking up Kilimanjaro,
and provides a wealth of information about the history of the mountain, local culture
and customs, and the plants and wildlife you'll encounter along the way. There's
a photographic guide to flora and fauna included which is really helpful for identifying
the species you come across. Stedman is clearly someone with a great passion for
Kilimanjaro and African culture and his humorous and encouraging style means that
you can't help but feel passionate about it too. He provides some fantastic quotes
and extracts that bring alive the trials and tribulations of Kili through the eyes
of long-
In short, this is a compact and affordable text, that provides all you need to plan
and enjoy climbing Kilimanjaro. It's a delight for a practical guidebook to be so
well written, witty and informative as well -
The following reviews are from Amazon.com:
This book is exactly right!, September 28, 2007
By Darla (Kentucky)
I bought this book as a gift for my brother John last Christmas because he had a trip to Kilimanjaro scheduled for July.
He told me before the trip that he was suprised how detailed the info in the book actually was....very helpful in planning and knowing what to expect.
When he returned after the trek he said the book was very accurate indeed. He showed me a few photo copied pages he had taken along with him.
Now normally he is not a big talker so for him this was like gushing about this book. I think this is THE book to buy if you are planning to visit Kili.
Kilimanjaro Climbing Resources, August 5, 2007
By Jonathan Tetzlaff "Jonathan" (New Jersey)
I purchased the Second Edition (September 2006) of "Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain" in July 2007. Within a week (as I was sitting on airplanes far too often and had time to read), I had read the 300+ page book cover to cover.
The book is excellent, informative, and often humorous. The trail descriptions are detailed and precise, and the other guidance (medical, financial, logistical) is essential. With a little effort, I matched the trail descriptions to a superb map that I purchased at the same time and quickly gained an understanding of the various routes, options, outfitters, and issues. (The map is "Kilimanjaro Map," scale 1:62,500, 3rd edition, ITMB Publishing.)
One comment: there are many trails (or potential trail combinations) offered by the various outfitters and trekking agencies on Kilimanjaro, so you will likely find yourself flipping back and forth through the book to follow YOUR route. Give yourself time to absorb the book thoroughly. And be prepared with your highlighter and notepad close at hand so that you can identify the portions of the book most relevant to your specific route and itinerary.
If you're considering a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, or have a friend or family member considering doing so, you will find this book to be very useful.
Apparently a great book.., May 9, 2007
By S. Hudson
My husband is planning to trek Kilimanjaro, and apparently this has been a helpful, great starting source!
Plan Your Kili Adventure, April 12, 2007
By Marina Kushner "Truth About Caffeine.com" (SCR Books)
Detailed maps and route information make this guide to Mount Kilimanjaro a must-
Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain -
By Amparo C. Mcdowell "Traveler" (Brooklyn, New York United States)
This is a great book. I encourage anyone wishing to climb Kili to read it.
I climbed Kili and prior to the climb I learned all about the route I was taking (Shira Plateau). The maps are great.
I also went for the Lava Tower climb and the Reusch Crater, and as the book says: "If you reach the Ash Pit, you can truly say that you have conquered this mountain."
This is the Kili book to buy, June 8, 2006
By D. Batten "deebat"
I climbed Kili in January 2006. In the months preceding the trip, I pored over numerous
books on the mountain, including this book by Henry Stedman. This book was head and
shoulders above the rest. Stedman's excellent descriptions of the day-
Excellent, April 7, 2006
By Felipe Hernandez
My first time in Africa and trekking up Kili!! And everything I needed to know was in this great book. If you are planning to climb Kili, do not hesitate and get this book.
Kilimanjaro Guide, March 13, 2006
By J. Smith "world traveler" (South Bend, IN)
An awesome book. There is a lot of information that answered a lot of my questions I had.
Most definitely the one to use for Kilimanjaro, January 31, 2005
By sandler1001 (Boonville, CA)
I endorse this wonderfully all inclusive book. There is so much to know before setting
out on this trek. My group was ill-
Best guide ever read!, October 22, 2004
By Benjamin G. Baumann (California)
I've read alot of climbing guides, which I always do before a climb, but this one is the best. I returned other Kilimanjaro climbing guides, and used Stedman's book by itself. This book gives insight into everything that goes along with a Kilimanjaro trip including the travel, the country, and the people.
This is the One, June 6, 2004
By A Customer
If you are looking for a book to help you plan a Kilimanjaro climb, this is it. I've read several of the others as well and can attest that many of them are not worth your time. Stedman is a bit flippant in style, but he makes for interesting reading. Most importantly, the information is comprehesive and mostly accurate.
AT LAST -
By "philipfrench722" (Buffalo NY)
At last, a USEFUL guide to climbing Kilimanjaro! For 7 years I organized treks in
East Africa (retiring last year -
Buy this
to get you up the mountain, and the big National Geographic book to remind you of
your trek afterwards.
To buy from Amazon.co.uk (British readers):
To buy from Amazon.com (US readers):
