Customer Reviews

Kilimanjaro - a trekking guide to Africa's highest mountain, 3rd: (includes Mt Meru and city guides to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Marangu)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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-to-day trekking are complemented by what I feel is genuine respect for the mountain and the people who live near it. After reading this book, you'll feel that you actually know what to expect; you'll stop worrying about whether you'll make it to the top and start looking forward to all the amazing details of this truly wonderful part of the world.

I endorse this wonderfully all inclusive book. There is so much to know before setting out on this trek. My group was ill-prepared on our first attempt and second time out made it easily having read Mr. Stedman's guide and heeding his advice.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 book is extremely well reviewed but super expensive on Amazon US. Check out the UK site where it is available for ~$20 from AmazonUK. Not sure why sellers are charging $1000 for the US version.

Just returned from climbing Kilimanjaro. This book was with us at all times and became our bible. There were 11 on the climb and everyone was clamoring to read (we had 2 copies with us). Found out that my GPS was the most accurate of the 3 on the trip. Everyone was po-poing my readings but I was about 20' off of the books!