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MM Guide Ben Mality Takes You To the Roof of Africa
You can say it takes a village to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This is very true as you climb with Mountain Madness; with well trained guides, hard working porters, and professional cooks, it is possible to reach the roof of Africa.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=7f518ef4c23c8bc39bdea5e5b8bd124e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=7c64d1e29025a307057ebe1df390fa7b 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=a65ef57eb077d2f07f39fc8f566a7863 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dfea1d8bdcae9cb93c680dd6848d5086 782w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=27d5f367f961a1232afa62c983fcf8b0 782w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=f3657fc905614aae9505aae9e72d2da4 782w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=a14c3c657adb98389858ebe96387ec9a 782w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1-ItikoniBriefing.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=27e08affcab90b702fa7430101eeff4a 782w)
Trip briefing at Itikoni special camp lounge (6,500ft.). Ben Mality photo
I (Ben Mality, Trip Leader) do a trip briefing before the climb. Everyone concentrates deeply and listens. It is very important to understand everything about the entire climb.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=d09abc4413f199ecb7e8c578de27e07c 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=b45def2ec3fa6d764057f4931a68cc19 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=495740853d38b19bf9c240d29411375a 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=57d9eab9a372eb063d192732381efdc2 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=618268265257f2cdee3cac599f9e332c 820w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=8295cd10aaa88e162d563df6f47a5c14 820w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=b207db0642bc7d314f47350ac80d5a88 820w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2-MaioWaterfalls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6dd85cd5133378b508e628e137efd807 820w)
Maio Waterfalls. Ben Mality photo
Maio Waterfalls is a famous place we visit to acclimatize on our second day at Itikoni camp. It is a very beautiful place that you do not want to miss.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=839401a2eea980efb607c8164efc0d10 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=78cbefdc307ec2ece1b8f4a3de62dcd0 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=a20267075c2354be982f50af842ffbfa 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=88886dce9aac6f7b8a5cad066c5e2db5 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=e878304770435d0c8691619866df4efc 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=124710ed110262a199df6b771e4e7ee4 1179w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ed7aa977835e5f43e8a1737e7d6c4dcd 1179w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3-Sundowner.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=03d045d0ce85f0cc0d08cf9e937dd3ad 1179w)
Sundowner above Itikoni camp. Ben Mality photo
Behind us you see part of the ridge on Mount Meru; further behind the clouds where you cannot see is Kilimanjaro.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=66d900304d1ade6080bc6adfaef0fb8a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3fe52968ec73c55327bd343b83148bcd 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=6502237e39461a2a0fc6f5b2153e2d6d 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=73f5dd80483c5c75c48ef5f690c34d62 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=39c7716df8670526a2ab0876695879b2 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=47cbf9904258d475e8a4d68b5c356cc2 1103w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=1177606ff620e0593a0c03bab464bb48 1103w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F4-SheddingLayers.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=f1cdb340cdfcc39d475b798a4e529225 1103w)
The rain has stopped and it is time to shed layers. Ben Mality photo
If you ask me, is it going to rain today? My answer is always YES! This held true and we had some rain in the forest on day one of the climb.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=70b252d82e3f4787b64ae9c516c79b55 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a47a35f27d1e90213f91901b37007c51 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=fcb47d869701fe0f2eaebb836912c7a1 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=2ffbbce59dfea1133c2a32a93faf98a2 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=d1c313f8861a86f5789d0fb1e7dfe7c4 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=adc9efdec78d4be0ea92701caf85bc9c 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3e181a49915f1c7943ac60150d565e2d 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5-DomeCave.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=1c18a04ab4d61737210acfda70101dfa 640w)
Dome cave. Ben Mality photo
Just behind our Crater camp we have discovered a new small vent. There might be some temperature change within the area though you cannot feel it. The only way to tell is how the Glacier has melted and made this pretty dome cave. It is my favorite place; it’s nice to camp in the crater and get a chance to see this. You never know how long it will last.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=879afe819784a17a20232725b5cb88d2 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3d43f098b83724190bd9362794ed0241 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=bf921c2bfcc07fbd20384341fa2af8e2 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=17ae233cc390fe7c692d9e59317cec31 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=0489f23c600625d5e097969c6849932b 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=b6b94062134c1fdbeefd0a7f36dede1c 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=673cf3ee34c67add1490d15adfd26bf5 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6-FurtwanglerGlacier.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=25f25335c0f34f8f9fd2a7a56f1a0a61 640w)
Separated section of Furtwangler Glacier. Ben Mality photo
This part of the Furtwangler Glacier in the Crater used to be part of the big glacier but now it is separated. Behind it is where the vent is located. It is sad to see how the glaciers are melting so quickly.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=46d337784da0c3a1e17e46d1549f8850 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=d73b96d531fd52a9f94ba77328955899 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=df014e8d870e0592e346d88369a03e82 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=36a93982b248cd2dcbfe69ed2091c717 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=255711d623e634ee9d02df1b5ea21b98 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=9b35023c8106e0c28db47695577e7420 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=a2cf0584d34b167e7139899dcf10abef 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7-TopOfAfrica.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=ae011f2472d6e489344089db9fb37d8b 640w)
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Kilimanjaro Summit. Ben Mality photo
This is the Top of Africa with Mountain Madness. 100% success!
Porters and guides singing after the climb at Mweka camp. Ben Mality video
After the hard work of climbing in freezing wind and rain, everyone deserves to relax, sing and drink. Moivaro is the best place for that.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6d861e4359251c166fadb72128c4eb9d 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=f86fa25c964aa300b6aec62a9524aa79 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=3e2b26f285df2817c44020f2cad9c284 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=158e619375ab9cd7478981075153fa65 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=0fbe860fbceb310dcce58c87dc65bff1 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a6a59a1ca04d244c56b7049c762251ec 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=72049dc3c617eaa8853452b4fe51459e 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F8-MoivaroAfterClimb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9fbdb020b1ba06badd118fdb90de813a 640w)
Relaxing after the climb. Ben Mality photo
Jokes after the climb sound good at this location and I am good at that. Be careful and do not get drunk as you still need to drink more water. I say, “Save water, drink Beer!” and “If you can’t climb it, drink it.” It is KILI TIME!
Those who do a safari with Mountain Madness have the best opportunity to see lots of animals with very experienced driver guides and trip leaders who are well trained with the longest experience.
~MM Guide Ben Mality