Rhino Climb Kilimanjaro

Rhino Climb Kilimanjaro
Take on an incredible journey of a lifetime to the highest peak in Africa and into the
inner sanctum of rhino conservation. We need valiant climbers to take on the ancient
mountain and save the ancient rhino.
The Legend
Save the Rhino was founded on the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, how-on-earth-did-we-end-uphere? type adventures, when founders Johnny Roberts and Dave Stirling decided to throw
caution to the wind and motorbike from London to South Africa to raise money for rhino
conservation. Then, in 1994, the rhino lovers decided to take on another huge challenge – to
trek from the coast at Mombassa to the top of Kilimanjaro. If this wasn’t enough of a challenge,
they decided to do it in rhino costume!
Douglas Adams and current Save the Rhino Chair of Trustees Tom Kenyon-Slaney walking to Kili in 1994
The late great Douglas Adams joined the trek for a section, taking his turn to wear the
costume. He writes about it in the Salmon of Doubt:
“Great wumps of equatorial heat are coming up at me from the Tarmac…I’m slathered in sunblock, the
road stretches off into the distant heat haze, and my legs are settling in nicely. Dotted along the road
ahead and behind me are other walkers, some striding vigorously, others appearing to just amble, but all
in fact moving at the same speed. One of them is wearing a large, grey, sculptural edifice… A large horn
bobs in front of it. The thing is a grotesque but oddly beautiful caricature of a rhinoceros moving along
with swift, busy strides.
“The other walkers have all been walking for several days now, from the shore at Mombassa along the
main highway to the truck stop at Voi, the local centre of the universe. I joined them here last night… It is
to the peak of Kilimanjaro that the expedition is intending to climb – a small bunch of Englishmen out
walking miles a day in the midday sun and taking turns at wearing a large rhino costume. Mad dogs have
thrown in the towel long ago… This crackpot idea was first put to me by founders of Save the Rhino
International, David Stirling and Johnny Roberts, and I didn’t realise at first that they meant it.”
Since this infamous trip, we have continued Rhino Climb Kilimanjaro for rhino conservation and
now offer a very special trip to Mkomazi (with the legendary Tony Fitzjohn) to visit this very
special rhino programme supported by funds from the climb.
Follow in Douglas Adams’ footsteps and become part of the rhino legend!
Trip summary
For many people, conquering Kilimanjaro is the ultimate trekking challenge. Just under 20,000
ft; the highest peak in Africa; the world's highest free-standing mountain; and yet you can reach
the summit without any previous climbing or trekking experience, given some dedication in
preparation and determination to succeed once on the mountain.
The challenge starts in the rainforest at the base of this huge dormant volcano, home to
elephant, buffalo, antelope and monkeys. Higher up you’ll cross moorland with incredible
Senecio and Lobilia plants. Beyond this lies the rock and ice zone as you slowly approach the
summit. It is an incredible achievement to reach Gillman’s Point on the edge of the crater rim.
The fittest will push onto the Uhuru Peak. Whichever point you reach, you’ll be greeted by truly
stunning views across the Maasai plains and the euphoria of standing on top of the world.
Many companies and charities offer Kilimanjaro challenges; none has Save the Rhino's unique
aspects:



Trek on the little-used Rongai route where you'll see few others and have a real sense of
wilderness
Go on safari in Mkomazi National Park after the trek and track black rhino – this is exclusive
to Save the Rhino and not available with any other operator
Have the satisfaction of visiting the project you'll be helping to support and finding out firsthand the difference you have made
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, the ‘White Mountain’, was revered by the local tribes people for many years and it
was thought that those attempting to reach the summit would be punished by the spirits. The
mountain was first climbed in October 1889 by Hans Meyer, a German geologist, together with
two partners and this achievement has remained an enduring challenge ever since. It is the
highest and youngest of the three large East African volcanoes (Mt Kenya & Mt Elgon being the
other two) with its oldest lava being approximately one million years old.
Kilimanjaro is for many people the ultimate trekking experience because it is generally accepted
as being the highest ‘walkable mountain’ in the world. It is therefore a considerable achievement
to reach the summit, though no technical climbing skill is required. It is a long, hard trek which
reaches an altitude of 5,896 metres, but those who do make it to Uhuru Peak are rewarded with
stunning views across the East African plains.
We avoid the busy Marangu route, preferring to approach the mountain from the north by the
lightly used Rongai route. This route starts just south of the Kenya/Tanzania border and is
considered by experienced guides to be one of the easiest and most beautiful of all the routes.
The Rongai route begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest, with the possibility of some
wildlife viewing, and as you climb higher opens out to give stunning views of the plains below.
This trek includes an extra day to the standard five days itinerary to ensure maximum
acclimatisation and give you the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery.
Recent National Park statistics indicate that the chance of reaching the summit increases by at
least 20% if an extra day is spent acclimatising. The deviation to Mawenzi Tarn is very beautiful
and on a little-used trail through moorland. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and
offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
Mkomazi rhino project
Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent 3,270 square kilometre Park in northern Tanzania along
the Kenyan border. Together with Tsavo National Park to the north, it forms one of the largest
protected ecosystems in Africa. In 1987 the Government of Tanzania invited the legendary
to Tony Fitzjohn OBE of the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust to work on the
rehabilitation of the Mkomazi Game Reserve, and to develop breeding programmes for critically
endangered Black rhinos and African wild dogs.
The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary within the game reserve is Tanzania’s first rhino sanctuary, now
holding approx. 13 Critically Endangered Eastern black rhino. The hope is to increase rhino
numbers and manage the animals by moving them into other protected areas in Tanzania.
Rhinos, being one of the “Big Five” are invaluable in terms of conservation and conservationlinked tourism, and the Mkomazi rhino population is already an integral component of
Tanzania’s efforts to recover and breed up populations of D.b. michaeli in Tanzania over the
next few decades.
Vital to the work of the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust is the outreach work that is
being undertaken to involve local communities in conservation. A specially designed
Environmental Education programme called “Rafiki wa Faru”, which means friend of the rhino in
Swahili, works with schools from the 41 surrounding villages to link conservation with school
children in particular. By bringing the children to visit the reserve and through school visits by an
Environmental Education Officer, it is hoped that the next generation of Tanzanians will work for
the conservation of the Tsavo ecosystem and its biodiversity.
the Mkomazi Visit
Rhino Climb Kilimanjaro includes a very special and unique trip to the inner sanctum of rhino
conservation at Mkomazi. The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is managed by the legendary
conservationist Tony Fitzjohn OBE and his lovely wife Lucy. Tony began his career with George
Adamson at Kora National Park in Kenya, rehabilitating lions and reintroducing them into the
wild. He then moved to Mkomazi where he transformed it into a National Park and established a
black rhino sanctuary and a wild dog breeding and release programme. You can read about his
experiences in his recent book ‘Born Wild, The Extraordinary story of one man’s passion for
lions and for Africa’.
We can’t tell you how special the Mkomazi visit is. But one of our 2011 climbers Mark Worsfold
can:
“Kilimanjaro was done and dusted and receding nicely in the rear view mirror. Now came the best part of
our trip - three days and two nights at Mkomazi. Not many people visit Mkomazi, yet, and we were to find
that we almost had 3,700km of African bush all to ourselves. I have seen and met most of the crowds on
the Serengeti or in the Masai Mara and this made Mkomazi seem a pristine and complete wilderness.
“Lucy Fitzjohn greeted us all, shook hands and ushered us into a large marquee. Lucy was a fantastic
host and soon made us all feel at ease. We were led out on a tour and towards the ‘workshop’ where
Tony was working on an old tractor. Then it was ‘all aboard’, and off for a whirlwind tour of the camp.
Workshops here, trucks there, generators here and storage containers over there. We were whisked past
various members of staff, shown the rhino enclosure fence and finally into the rhino reserve itself. We
were signed in, made a few introductions before hurtling off again across a rickety cattle grid and into the
bush.
“Eventually Tony pulled up in a clearing and grabbed a bucket of carrots from the footwell. He mentioned
that I might like to stay in the car! A guard came ambling over and chatted to Tony in Swahili. Together
they used a radio antenna to triangulate something hidden in the thorny scrub. Then Tony started calling
out to whatever it was hidden in the vegetation.
“Eventually and cautiously, like a mischievous puppy a rhinoceros appeared, head held high, wondering
who had disturbed its peace. Tony was out the car, rattling the bucket of carrots and calling the rhino’s
name. It came over and stuck its head over the side of our Land Rover. We all eagerly took photos and
fed it the bucketful of carrots. After 5 minutes ‘play’ we were off again to another part of the reserve. Two,
much larger, Black rhinos this time. Tony stayed in the vehicle this time as the large male made repeated
threats to keep Tony’s vehicle repair team busy for months. We drove back to Babu’s camp totally
mesmerized and fully under Tony Fitzjohn’s spell. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
“We had been invited back the following day. Tony showed us around his Cessna (similar to the
wreckage of one we happened to see on Kilimanjaro). Superb in flight entertainment was provided by Mr
Fitzjohn and the most amazing way to view the wildlife and experience the vast vistas of Mkomazi.
“We flew around the area for about an hour while Tony checked on various projects under construction
and in progress. We toured the wild dog holding areas and met the guards when Tony announced that he
would release the pack we had come to see. This he duly did by opening the gate to the pen.
“We also went on to visit the ‘rhino viewing bunker’ (now with a metal door to prevent it becoming a
‘human viewing bunker’ by the rhinos) and the Education and Outreach classroom and outpost on the top
of a hill. Here we met other members of Tony’s team and watched a video presentation on a bigger
screen than I have at home.
“The funds that we raised have gone to support a schools program. So now it is my task to raise more
money for Save the Rhino and the causes they support; and if you are reading this then I can only urge
you to do so too.”
We can’t guarantee that all Mkomazi visits will be exactly the same as Tony and Lucy are very
busy people, but we can tell you that it will be special.
Save the Rhino International
Save the Rhino International is a passionate and adventurous charity that works to conserve
genetically viable populations of critically endangered rhinoceros species in the wild. We do this
by supporting innovative and sustainable solution-based rhino, ecosystem and community
conservation projects in Africa and Asia. Through our work, we empower people to make a
difference to ecosystem protection, be it through community-led conservation enterprises in
wildlife-rich areas or daring fundraising challenges by our loyal supporters.
Save the Rhino has a pragmatic approach to species conservation, using the iconic and
distinctive rhinoceros to stimulate conservation awareness. By focusing on viable rhino
populations (rather than individual animals), we protect entire ecosystems and create
opportunities for income-generating activities for local communities.
Save the Rhino is best known for our bold fundraising challenges, which we often undertake in
our famous rhino costumes, like the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert or the
Comrades Marathon. Alongside these, we have built up a reputation for creating strategic
partnerships with like-minded organisations and partners to add value to the projects with which
we work, by introducing pro-bono help and raising profiles.
Above all, we are seen as a friendly, honest charity that punches above our weight and offers
our supporters value for money. We employ a pragmatic approach focused on viable
populations. We support the sustainable use of natural resources for the mutual benefit of
wildlife, habitat and local communities. We support the sustainable use of wildlife provided it is
legal and the profits are ploughed back into conservation. We do not create or run our own
projects in the field; rather, we fund good rhino conservation projects and work with them on a
long-term basis, rather than making one-off or ad hoc grants.
Itineraries and costs
We have set dates where you can join with other rhino supporters to take on the Kili challenge
and visit Mkomazi. If these dates don’t work for you, or you’d like to arrange your own group
trip, we can also offer flexible departure dates throughout the trekking seasons - July to
October, and December to February.
Option 1 – One person or more
Day 1 (Saturday)
Day 2 (Sunday)
Day 3 - 6 (Monday Thursday)
Day 7 (Friday)
Day 8 (Saturday)
Transfer from Nairobi to Arusha and then on to Kilimanjaro Mountain
Resort for overnight stay
Commence 5 nights / 6 days Rongai route climb
Rongai route, summiting on day 7
Final descent and return to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort for overnight
stay
Transfer to Arusha in the afternoon, shuttle bus to Nairobi for return flight
Unfortunately we can’t offer the Mkomazi trip for fewer than 6 people. However, we do have set
dates in the year where you can join in with a group of other rhino supporters to climb Kili and
visit Mkomazi. Email events@savetherhino.org for details.
£300 registration fee, plus
either:

£2,550 sponsorship
(75% to be paid no later than 6 weeks prior to departure, 25% to be paid within 4 weeks
of return. £500 will be donated to Mkomazi rhino project)

£1,265 costs paid direct plus £500 sponsorship
(To be paid 6 weeks prior to departure. £250 will be donated to Mkomazi rhino project)
or:
Included: trained Kilimanjaro Guides (1 guide to 2 clients), all relevant Kilimanjaro Park fees &
rescue fees, emergency medical evacuation, all accommodation as described in the itinerary
above, all meals and drinks on the hike (water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate), camping
equipment, all meals and activities at Babu’s Camp, all transfers as described in the itinerary.
Not included: international flights and taxes, entry visas, gratuities, beverages in hotels,
alternatives to the itinerary, airport departure taxes, laundry, hospital bills and international
evacuation in the event of an emergency, visas, travel insurance, items of a personal nature
(phone calls, internet etc.)
Option 2 – Groups of 6 or more with Mkomazi Visit
Day 1
Day 2 (Sunday)
Day 3 – 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Transfer from Nairobi airport to Arusha and then on to Kilimanjaro
Mountain Resort for overnight stay
Commence 5 nights / 6 days Rongai route climb
Rongai route, summiting on day 7
Final descent and return to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort for overnight
stay
Transfer to Mkomazi Game reserve and Babu’s Camp (an intimate
luxury tented bush camp) with safari game drive in the afternoon
Full day visit to Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, visit the Wild Dog breeding
programme and have the chance to see a critically endangered rhino
Morning game drive. Transfer to Nairobi for return flight
£300 registration fee, plus
either:

£4,100 sponsorship
(75% to be paid no later than 6 weeks prior to departure, 25% to be paid within 4 weeks
of return. £1,000 will be donated to Mkomazi rhino project)
or:

£2,095 costs paid direct plus £1,000 sponsorship
(To be paid 6 weeks prior to departure. £500 will be donated to Mkomazi rhino project)
Included: trained Kilimanjaro Guides (1 guide to 2 clients), all relevant Kilimanjaro Park fees &
rescue fees, emergency medical evacuation, all accommodation as described in the itinerary
above, all meals and drinks on the hike (water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate), camping
equipment, all meals and activities at Babu’s Camp, all transfers as described in the itinerary.
Not included: international flights and taxes, entry visas, gratuities, beverages in hotels,
alternatives to the itinerary, airport departure taxes, laundry, hospital bills and international
evacuation in the event of an emergency, visas, travel insurance, items of a personal nature
(phone calls, internet etc.)
Full fundraising and training advice will be provided on registration, and we like to get the team
into the office for a ‘beer and crisps night’ to talk you through your trip.
Registration
If you would like to know more, please contact events@savetherhino.org or call 020 7357 7474
We will then send registration forms out, which each participant should complete and return with
their registration fee
become part of the
rhino legend!
Mark Worsfold at the Summit of
Kilimanjaro