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24th of August till the

2nd of September  2024

Price: €2785

The Trip:

-Climb Kilimanjaro

-Visit a local school with real insights (no tourist attraction)

-Go on Safari

-Relax on the bounty beaches of Zanzibar

Project: Kilimanjaro Challenge

Freeing children from child labour

What is the problem of the Kindergarten of Joy?

Currently there are many problems for the Kindergarten of Joy. Problems like there is not enough money for food, teachers are underpaid (and sometimes not even paid), there are not enough facilities to teach, there is no money for school uniforms and transportation is a problem for children to get efficiently to and from school.

In 2024 we will together, challenge ourselves. We will climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. By doing so, we will together as a team raise funds to build a school and free children from child labour.

We are challenging people who always wanted to make a change, to actually take action and make this change now. We give you the chance to live up to your words. Children aged 4-17 years old are challenged every day while working in terrible conditions, make Kilimanjaro your challenge.

The programme:

Kilimanjaro and visitation of (y)our project

The programme for this projects consists out of hiking mount Kilimanjaro and visiting a project on location. Climbing Kilimanjaro will take 7 days, we will climb the mountain with a certified agency who is authorised to take tourists up the mountain. During the climb you will sleep in tents. The reason why you cannot hike up the mountain at once is because your body has to get used to the altitude. Otherwise you get altitude sickness (AMS). During your hike to the top you will cross 5 climate zones, from a dense tropical forest to the icy, in snow covered top. The oldest man ever to reach the top op the mountain is a 87 year old French men, the hike is not difficult, but demanding.

We will bring you to the villages and to the primary school. Here you will see the harsh circumstances the children and people are living. People are friendly to you, but are not used to outsiders. When children see you they will scream “Mzungo” and they want your attention. During this stay you will also get to know some of the children of the school and you will get to understand the daily struggles in Africa.

Pictures of the Kilimanjaro challenge 2021 and 2023

About Kilimanjaro

Rising majestically above the African plains, the 5895 meter Mt. Kilimanjaro has beckoned to climbers since the first recorded summit in 1889. Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

 

Also called a stratovolcano (a term for a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock), Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant and could possibly erupt again. Scientists estimate that the last time it erupted was 360,000 years ago. The highest point on Kibo’s crater rim is called Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.” The mountain is also known for its snow-capped peak; however, scientists warn that the snow might disappear within the next 20 years or so. 

 

The mountain and its surrounding forests were designated a game reserve in the early part of the 20th century. In 1973 Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was established to protect the mountain above the tree line as well as the six forest corridors that extend downslope through the montane forest belt. The park was designated an UNESCO world heritage site in 1987.

 

The forests of the southern slopes and surrounding areas are home to elephants, buffalo, and eland (oxlike antelopes). Smaller mammals inhabiting the forests include black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and bushbuck and duikers (small African antelopes). The forests also host a rich variety of birdlife, including the rare Abbot’s starling.

About our project(s)

Yearly an ambassador of The Next Smile travels to Mafinga, Tanzania. The Kindergarten of Joy is located in Mafinga, Irginga Tanzania. This is one of the poorest regions of Tanzania, where average GDP equals to $40. Sometimes even less. When our ambassador arrived, he noticed that people would eat as much breakfast as they could, simply because they wouldn’t know if there was going to be lunch or dinner that day.

It is normal to see children aged 4-12 years work hard labour on the lands in this region. It is considered normal here and people on the street would not look twice at them. Those children work because one simple reason: food. Parents of those children often passed away, are in prison, or earn not enough money to buy food. There is no money to go to government schools for these children so they end up working to survive.

 

People in this region also live under hard circumstances, no electricity, no running water and there is no good transport. Everything is a problem here. Making it even more difficult to escape this circle.

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Why should I join this project?

This is a priceless, life changing experience. Climbing mount Kilimanjaro is majestic, you need to pull yourself together. But when you make it to the top (and we all will) the reward is bittersweet. The views are amazing and the climb you will never forget. When you have been to the school, have met the children, you wished you could do more for them. When this trip is over, you will feel proud with what you have accomplished and how far you have become.

 

Without this project there will be hundreds of children who can not go to school, who have to continue working on the lands, mines or for other people as slaves. When you join this project, such an incredible change will be made with the funds you have raised. 

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The average GDP per capita in Tanzania: $1.2K

Number of Children in labour in Tanzania: 4.1 Million

HIV positive in Tanzania: 1.4 Million

School enrolment rate: 33.35%

Your Task

We are looking for people who do not give up. The challenge is to climb Kilimanjaro and have a target of €750 per person. So that more schools can be build and more children could be freed from child labour. This is a serious and difficult challenge, but a team of The Next Smile will help and support you with fundraising. We will give you tips and tricks on how to do it. You have about 6 month’s time to raise €750, but 4 months is normally enough. From experience we know that this goal is easily reachable, and majority of the participants fundraise more than the minimum amount. The fundraising part is going to be really fun. 

When fundraising, a team from The Next Smile will help you can give you tips and tricks on how to get the full amount together. 

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Preparations

Climbing the Kilimanjaro is not nothing. To climb it you have to be at the top of your fitness level. The Next Smile will provide training schedules to every participant made by a personal trainer. There will be training days (if corona allows) where we come together before the trip to train and socialise together. We will be in touch with each other through a WhatsApp group where we can help and motivate each other.

We will also provide a checklist for what to bring when climbing mount Kilimanjaro.

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route begins in the west and rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. 

The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.

Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It is our favourite route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate. Thus, Lemosho comes highly recommended. 

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Important information

  • Price: €2785 p.p. Including all taxes and permits. Excluding donations.

  • To confirm your spot: 30% is to due up front. 

  • Deadline sign up: 28th of April 2024.

  • Lemosho route, a longer route which will allow you to get used to the heights. Due to permits extra days in the national park are expensive, but it is inculded.

  • Dates of the trip: 24th of Aug - 2nd of Sept

  • Duration: 10 days: 6 days Kilimanjaro, 4 days to explore, go on safari, relax at the hotel and to visit the local schools.

  • There is an option to stay 5 more days on Zanzibar to relax and reflect on your experiences.

  • There is the option to fundraise for projects of charity The Next Smile. A team of The Next Smile will give you tips and guide you on how to do this.

  • Quality food during the trek on Kilimanjaro.

  • There is an option to go 2 or 3 days on safari.

  • Including a 3 star hotel, good and clean hotel.

  • At Kilimanjaro you sleep in tents with the most amazing views on the mountain.

  • The National park fees are included (€1010 per person).

  • Included experienced and certified tour guides (speaking Dutch and English).

  • Included is the food for the full 16 days (excluding travel days).

  • Transport is included.

  • A personal trainer will help you reach your correct fitness level to climb the mountain.

  • Excluding visas. But we will advise you on how to attain one. 

  • Group size: 6-10 people per group (possibly we have 2 groups).

  • This trip is organised in collaboration with the travel agency Daily Nomads.

  • Visitation of a school near Moshi.

  • The rooms/tents are shared by 2 during the trip (this is also a lot warmer during the night). A private room/tent is possible for an additional €620 per person.

What is included

  • Transportation to and from your selected route

  • All personal and group tents (2 persons per tent)

  • English speaking guides

  • All Tanzanian National Park Fees.

  • Government Climbing Taxes

  • Taxes

  • Climbing permits

  • All Meals on Kilimanjaro and safari

  • Daily Briefings

  • Sleeping pads

  • Purified water

  • Good hotel 3 star

  • School visit and transportation


Safety Equipment:

  • Emergency oxygen

  • Pulse Oximeter

  • First Aid & Injury prevention kits

  • Portable Stretcher

  • Mobile communications (satellite phone)

  • Hot drinks at every meal

What is not included:

  • Airfare (air travel)

  • Personal Gear

  • Tanzanian Visa

  • Staff Gratuity

  • Personal gear

  • Corona Test if required at time of travel

  • Insurance and travel insurance

  • Private tent

More information and bookings below.

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Day to Day

(10 days)

Climbing the Kilimanjaro is not nothing. To climb it you have to be at the top of your fitness level. The Next Smile will provide training schedules to every participant made by a personal trainer. 

 

Day 1

Arrival day at Moshi, you can arrive here by arriving through Kilimanjaro airport or by flying to Dar Es Salaam, taking a bus transfer from the airport, or by taking a bus from the bus station at Dar Es Salaam (thi ride takes 12 hours. In the evening of arrival day, information sheets will be handed out for the next days alongside a brief meeting.

 

Day 2

On day 2 we will wake up early, to visit one of the local primary schools. You will be able to meet the children at a primary school/kindergarten. For some children it will be the first time they see and interact with foreigners. Here you will see who you are helping with your raised donations.

 

Day 3

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From
here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest
trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

 

Day 4

Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 5

Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Day 6

Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Day 7

Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Day 8

Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).


From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka

village guides

to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). 

Day 9

Back in town, option to go on a safari (not included in price) or to go back to the primary school. 

 

Day 10

Departure day. But there also other options: you can take a 2 or 3 day safari to visit the national park near Mt. Kilimanjaro and spot wild animals like giraffe, elephant, zebra’s, lions and a lot more!

 

Or the 2nd of September you could depart from Kilimanjaro airport to Zanzibar. For tailor made trips to Zanzibar based on your needs and wants, tell us! It is also possible to depart to Zanzibar on the 18th or 19th of September if you also want to do a Safari.

Pictures of Safari's and Zanzibar: