2018 KILIMANJARO MISSION/FUNDRAISING TRIP
Basic Information
Who I am…
My name is Jim Price. I am the recently retired Senior Pastor of Diamond Canyon Christian Church where I have served for over 37 years. I am totally committed to Wild Hope International, a first class, effective ministry in East Africa. I have visited Wild Hope often and know the Russells very well. I am excited to lead this trip with Tammy Russell whom I have known since she was in High School. I’ve led 85 people to successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro giving them an incredible life experience and also raising money for missions. I am not paid in any way to organize or lead these clkimbs; it is my labor of love.
What the plan is…
This is an opportunity to achieve a life dream and leave a life legacy. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a major life achievement and a great thrill. From the summit, just below 20,000 feet you can see the curvature of the earth as the sun rises over the African plains. Kilimanjaro is the greatest mountain on the African continent and the largest single massif in the world. It is so big that it creates its own weather.
We will take the scenic Marangu Route. This will be one of the greatest, most memorable, vacations you have ever taken. You will never forget this experience. The cost to you for this trip is far below any other Kilimanjaro trek you could find. REI charges $3,999 for the trek alone, not including airfare, and they spend one less day on the mountain than we do. We use a trusted trekking organization that provides two porters per person as well as guides and cooks. No technical climbing skills are needed since a hiking trail all the way to the summit. You will hike through tropical rain forest all the way to arctic conditions. The “snows of Kilimanjaro” are no joke, the glaciers at the top, while receding, are still massive.
Cost…
The planned cost of all ground expenses in Tanzania is $2646, which includes lodging, time in Arusha at Wild Hope, the National Park fees, Kilimanjaro climbing with porters and all meals throughout the whole trip July 24th to Aug. 2nd. Not included is airfare (which varies between $1,200 and $2,100), yellow-fever vaccination, traveler’s insurance with evacuation coverage, and your $100 visa. You will need an international health card showing you have had the yellow fever vaccination and you will need to provide proof of your traveler’s insurance. The entire trip, including airfare, should be under $4,300.
Raising money for the mission…
The idea is that you pay for your own trip. After you pay your trip cost, we will advise you on getting sponsorships, which will not be hard. Each person is asked to raise a minimum of $5,000 each. Please respectfully remember that this is a fundraising endeavor and commit yourself to this aspect of the trip. The money you help raise will pay for accommodations and facilities to be able to host Wild Hopes discipleship participants on the Wild Hope Retreat/Training Center. Our goal is to raise $100,000 for Wild Hope! All of the pledged money goes to the ministry with almost no overhead or administrative costs for this endeavor. You can do this, and in doing this, not only will you have a great time and achieve a life-worthy dream, but you will also leave a life legacy that will benefit people in Africa for generations to come.
Deposit to hold your place…
If you are interested in going on this life adventure, you need to get a $575 deposit in immediately (this is non-refundable) since only 20 spots are available! However, the $2,000 for the rest of the ground expenses are refundable.
Mail Deposit to:
Kilimanjaro-2018
Wild Hope International
P.O. Box 40576
Pasadena, CA 91114
(Indicate your name and that this is your deposit for the climb.)
How to designate your future funds…
Ground expenses: Money should be sent in with a note that says your name and “TZ Ground Expenses”. We will need your ground expense funds in full by June 15th, 2018.
Fundraiser money: Money should be sent in with a note that says your name and “Kili Fundraiser”. This will be credited to your fundraising goal so you can know how much you’ve raised to date.
A tax deductible receipt will be sent to you or your sponsor who sent in the money for the fundraiser. However, the ground expenses are not tax-deductible and no tax-deductible receipt will be sent.
Refund policy upon cancelation …
We are working both with Wild Hope staff in the US as well as in Tanzania, and a trekking company that will be making arrangements in advance for your trip including making deposits to hold spots. In the event that you need to cancel your trip all of the funds you’ve sent in to Wild Hope for your ground expenses in Tanzania will be reimbursed to you minus your deposit of $575 which is non-refundable. However funds donated to Wild Hope on your behalf for the fundraiser side of things cannot be reimbursed.
Details…
Here are a few details to get you started in signing up for a life changing trip.
We will arrive in Arusha, Tanzania on July 24th and our time climbing together as a team will be completed on August 2nd when we leave the Springlands Hotel at the base of Kilimanjaro.
You can fly into either Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania where a 1 hour taxi ride will bring you to the Wild Hope base, or Nairobi, Kenya and then take a 6-7 hour bus ride to Arusha and a 20 min taxi to the Wild Hope base. Flying in and out of Nairobi is usually significantly cheaper but then of course you have a bus ride with that option.
From the US we usually fly through Zurich, Istanbul, London, or Amsterdam but there also is a flight from LAX with a brief stop in Dublin, Ireland for refueling and then on to Kilimanjaro via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. You will want to insure that you arrive at the Wild Hope base by July 24.
Here’s a schedule break down of what your time in Tanzania will look like.
Day 1 July 24: Arrive at Wild Hope in Arusha, Tanzania for BBQ and Orientation
Day 2 July 25: visit Wild Hope and Arusha
Day 3 July 26: Bus to Springlands Hotel at base of Kilimanjaro by 3 p.m. Dinner. Orientation with Guides
Day 4 July 27: Enter Kilimanjaro National Park and hike to Mandara Huts. 9,000 feet
Day 5 July 28: Hike to Horombo Huts. 12,000 feet
Day 6 July 29: Acclimation day. Horombo Huts
Day 7 July 30: Hike to Kibo Huts. 15,000 feet
Day 8 July 31: Summit. 19,400 feet. Return to Kibo Hut. Hike down to Horombo Huts.
Day 9 August 1: Hike out, receive certificates, Springlands Hotel
Day 10 August 2: Debrief at Springland’s breakfast. Trip ends.
Additional Trip Possibilities:
Enjoy a 1 -7 day add-on safari to see Tanzania’s incredible wildlife and/or beaches (see Addendum below) or fly home via Kilimanjaro or Nairobi airport
Information meetings and training hikes …
We will be having an information meeting in the So. Cal area as well as conditioning hikes for those who want to start getting ready. We will announce the dates of these shortly. We will get information to you on clothing and climbing boots and other information as well. Don’t worry if you are not in Southern California as we will send you all pertinent information.
More Information about climbing Kilimanjaro…
Two excellent books on climbing Kilimanjaro are the Cicerone book: Kilimanjaro: A Trekker’s Guide, by Alexander Stewart; and A Trekking Guide To Africa’s Highest Mountain, 3rd edition by Henry Stedman.
If you’re interested …
If you are interested in joining us please send the following information as soon as possible to: brittany@wildhopeinternational.org
-Full Legal Name (as appears in your passport)
-Age/Sex
-Street Address
-Preferred Phone Contact
I’m excited to climb to the Roof of Africa together!
Jim Price
ADDENDUM
We can get you in touch with a reputable safari company after your climb if you desire to visit Tanzania’s famed game-parks and/or beaches afterwards. This will be at your own expense and direction.
Example of a possible add-on safari …
Tarangire/Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater
Day 1:
Arusha/Tarangire National Park: Pick up from your hotel in Moshi at 0900am and drive on tarmac road 120km to Tarangire National Park for game drives. Lunch picnic there. After lunch, continue with afternoon game viewing in the park, a home to Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Python, Zebra, Oryx, Impala and more… Over 450 species of birds have been observed. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Roika Tented Lodge/Sopa Lodge/Zion campsite.
Day 2:
Tarangire National Park/Lake Manyara National Park: Breakfast at 0700am. Pick up from the Lodge/Campsite at 0800am and drive on tarmac road 60km with lunch box to Lake Manyara National Park on the base of the Great Rift Valley, for the Afternoon game drives. The park is home to Lion, Hippo, Elephant, Zebra, Buffalo, Giraffe, Baboon, Blue and Vervet monkey, Warthog and more…About 350 species of birds have been recorded. This small park contains also five distinct vegetation zones. Thus supporting a large variety of birds and animals. The Manyara National park is also famous for its large flocks of flamingos. Canoeing has recently been added to the tourist activities in this park at extra cost. This is a great way to see the park from a new perspective. Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge/Serena Lodge/Twiga campsite.
Day 3:
Lake Manyara National Park /Ngorongoro Crater Floor/Arusha: Wake up early morning for breakfast then at 0730hours descend into the Crater floor for game drives. All the big five (Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant) live in this wonderful caldera; others are Zebra, Hippo, Wildebeest, Hyena and more…Birds includes flamingos on the Soda lake, Geese, Storks, Vultures and more…Your lunch will be served in the picnic site in the crater at Ngoitoktok swamp – a Hippo pool. After lunch proceed with fame viewing while ascending the crater and drive to Arusha for the drop off at your hotel.