Climb Up: Kilimanjaro pairs the adventure of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with the charitable purpose of helping children with HIV/AIDS, offering participants a life-impacting experience.

If you’d like to climb Kilimanjaro and there are particular dates when you’d like to climb, please contact Tanya at TWeaver@AFCAids.org.

If you are looking to make a donation to a fundraiser’s individual webpage, click on the ‘Apply online’ button below relating to the individual’s team. Then just scroll down the page that opens and you’ll find a section headed ‘Support a Fundraiser’ and you’ll find your friend there.

CURRENT TEAMS


NO CURRENT TEAMS

STEP ONE: THE APPLICATION

Download the application by clicking here or fill in a registration form directly online by clicking on the team you wish to join in the list below.

Complete the application and submit it by email, fax or by mail. Be sure to make your application as complete as possible and include the dates you’d like to travel to Kilimanjaro.

Available Dates

NO CURRENT TEAMS

If you have a group of people who’d like to travel together, but who’d like to go on dates other than the dates mentioned above, contact us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. You’ll need a minimum of 4 people to form a team.

After your application is submitted along with a $500 deposit, you will be part of the team.

STEP TWO: PAY YOUR DEPOSIT

Upon submitting your application, you’ll need to pay your $500 deposit with 14 days to AFCA for the application to be complete. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

You may submit this $500 deposit either online or by mailing a check or money order.

Checks and money orders must be made payable to AFCA and mailed to

American Foundation for Children with AIDS
1520 Greening Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Please ensure you add a sticky note to the back of your check/money order, with your name and ‘Kilimanjaro’.

PAY ONLINE

After you have made your deposit, you are officially on the team! You will be climbing the Machame route.

AFCA teams fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport where someone from SENE meets them. After loading the gear into vehicles, team members will enjoy a drive that takes them through the flat farmlands leading to the lush slopes of Kilimanjaro. The ride will end at Mbahe Farm where climbers relax and enjoy the hospitality of SENE staff for the next 1-2 days.

Mbahe Farm sits at 6,400 feet above sea level and offers climbers the opportunity to acclimate to altitude and enhances the changes of summiting. In addition, Mbahe Farm is tucked into the beautiful countryside and offers peaceful vistas with the ever-present sound of a waterfall in the background.

After this peaceful respite, the SENE staff will lead the team to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro following the Machame Route. Click on the button below for details about the Machame Route. Climbers will spend 6 nights and 7 days on the mountain climbing through four climate zones to reach Uhuru Peak, the pinnacle of the climb.

At the conclusion of every climb, climbers return to Mbahe Farm for a celebration dinner with the guides and porters of SENE. It’s a lively, song-filled evening that brings the Climb Up Kilimanjaro experience to a wonderful conclusion.

MACHAMBE ROUTE ITINERARY

When climbing Kilimanjaro, your gear is critically important. Begin gathering your gear early so that you have time to make exchanges as needed. Also, keep in mind that the closer you get to your climb, the more time you will be investing in training and the less time you will have to collect your gear.

Click on the buttons below for a packing list provided by SENE, the official guide company used by AFCA and additional packing information provided by climbers who climbed Kilimanjaro.

PACKING LIST

ADDITIONAL PACKING INFORMATION

Thank you again for committing to helping children served by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA)!  Our Payment Policies and Procedures guide applies to everybody who commits to a Climb Up Kilimanjaro So Kids Can Grow Up (CUK) fundraising trip, so please read this carefully.

We hope the following guide proves helpful for those of you who are fund raising the financial support necessary to make your trip a reality.  Be sure to review the information here before beginning your fundraising efforts. These guidelines are in place to ensure that you have the opportunity to join others in the mission of AFCA to help provide medicine to children in Africa affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

DEPOSIT AND BALANCE

Once you have applied for a CUK team, you must confirm your place on the team by submitting a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $500 within 14 days to AFCA. The balance of trip payment (trip cost minus the $500 deposit) is due no later than 90 days prior to departure.

Note: if you are part of a “closed group” (church, corporate, civic club or other group that is not recruiting team members outside your organization), please confirm the deposit amount with your team leader, and understand that it is non-refundable.

SUBMITTING PAYMENTS

All payments toward your trip must be made in U.S. dollars to AFCA and designated to CUK program. Payments may be submitted by personal check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Your trip payment covers your lodging, food, ground transportation, orientation materials, your climbing fees, and a donation to AFCA’s programs.  Not covered are: costs of passports and visas; excess baggage charges; immunizations; travel insurance; international airfare; airport departure taxes; sightseeing, game drives or meals not listed in each itinerary; laundry; communication charges; and gratuities.

You or your donors may submit funds by credit card via your personalized fundraising page created on AFCA’s website or by telephone by calling AFCA at (888) 683-8323. You can create your personalized fundraising page as indicated in the section ‘Funding your trip’ below.  Participants and donors who submit funds by credit card will receive an automatic e-mail acknowledgment.

Checks and money orders must be made payable to AFCA and mailed to:

AFCA
1520 Greening Lane
Harrisburg PA 17110

Your deposit and any payments you submit toward the cost of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying your financial obligation only when coded as per the coding donation section below.

CODING DONATIONS

For a check donation to be credited toward your trip, your name and “Kilimanjaro” must be written on a sticky note and submitted with payment to the AFCA office on your behalf.

Online credit card payments should be made either via the ‘Pay Deposit’ button on your team webpage or via your individual fundraising webpage on AFCA’s website. This is a very simple process. See below for more details.

FUNDING YOUR TRIP

  1. Fundraising web page – You can create a personalized fundraising page, by going to the Join a Team tab and click on ‘Apply Online’ for your specific team. Click on ‘Register/Create Fundraising Page’ > ‘Individual’ and then, the option to create your fundraising page. The web site quickly and easily directs you through the creation of your own web page where you can then direct your donors. If you apply to join a team using the online registration form, your fundraising page will be created automatically during the registration process. You can then direct potential donors to your web page where they can learn more about AFCA and your specific trip. This is a GREAT way to get the word out! Contact AFCA for more details.
  2. Matching gifts– Contact your company’s matching gift officer prior to submitting a matching-gift form. Not all companies’ matching-gift policies allow for the matching of participation fees. If applying for matching gifts, notify AFCA.
    Note: Matching gift funds may only be used to offset the final balance owed if they are received by AFCA at least 30 days before the trip departure.
  3. Tax deductibility – Funding raised toward the cost of a CUK trip also includes the cost of food, lodging, climbing fees and transportation during the trip. A portion of the required trip payment supports the charitable purpose of AFCA.  Depending on the participant’s country of origin, this trip’s cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.
  4. Acknowledging donations – All donors who contribute via check or money order payable to AFCA or who make a credit card donation designated to a CUK climber are sent acknowledgment letters by AFCA. Those who donate on line (via a personalized web page or via the link “Donate Now” on AFCA’s website) receive a prompt e-mail confirmation that the donation was received.  Checks should not be made payable directly to you.
  5. Funds raised in addition to the published trip cost – One of the stated purposes of the CUK program is to raise funds for children in Africa who are impacted by the AIDS pandemic. To remain consistent with our mission, AFCA is not able to roll additional funds over to a future CUK trip. AFCA will use any additional funding that you raise towards the children we support.
  6. Fundraising for airfare – Funds raised in excess of the trip cost may not be used to cover all or part of a CUK team participant’s airfare. However, we recognize that some people may want to raise money for their airfare. Please do this on your own.  Participants may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible expense even if the funds are paid directly from the participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a charitable purpose. Team members will need to contact a tax adviser concerning their specific situation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Due to the nature of the government fees and operators’ permits, AFCA must adhere to a strict refund policy.

For all trip cancellations received more than 90 days prior to departure, the $500 deposit is forfeited, as well as the $500 deposit made on your behalf to the guide company.  For cancellations 45-89 days prior, the fee is 50% of the total trip price; 45 days prior or less, 100% of total trip price.

If you feel there is a chance that you may need to cancel a trip, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.

  • If AFCA must cancel – We will make every effort to conduct the trip as scheduled; however if AFCA must cancel, we will attempt to place you on another team. If that is not possible, you may receive a full refund. AFCA cannot compensate participants for the cost of unusable airfare or any other expenses resulting from the cancellation.
    AFCA will contact you to explain how to claim your refund if we must cancel your team’s trip.
  • Delay’s en route – If delays occur en route, or missed or cancelled flights cause you to miss your rendezvous with the team, AFCA staff will do everything possible to assist you in connecting with the team. However, AFCA cannot be responsible for an expenses incurred due to flight problems.

THANK YOU!

Once again, we appreciate your dedication to AFCA’s mission and your willingness to participate in a Climb up Kilimanjaro trip. Thank you for complying with AFCA’s Payment Policies and Procedures guidelines and please let us know if we can be of any additional help.

Keep drinking! It’s VERY easy to dehydrate at altitude. The air is very dry so you breathe off more moisture. Also, your body adjusts to the high altitude by eliminating more water. Keep replacing it. SENE guides will keep reminding you to drink water – they know how much it helps, so drink up!

Make sure you eat plenty! Most people lose their appetite at altitude, but the cold weather and the long days mean your body burns through a lot of calories. Keep replacing them. You will need them. High carbohydrate foods are better than fatty foods. SENE will be providing you with healthy and plentiful food to make sure you have the energy needed to climb to the top. Eat it! It is freshly cooked and your body needs it, whether it feels hungry or not.

Keep warm! Take the correct gear because staying warm will lessen your risk of succumbing to altitude sickness. What should you take with you? SENE has provided a suggested packing list for you to consider. Some of these items can be rented if you aren’t an avid hiker who will use them again and don’t want to spend the money to purchase new items.

Keep your day pack light. Only take what you really need. Every extra pound needs extra oxygen to carry.

And last but not least, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and sleeping tablets.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a walk in the park. It’s also not Mt. Everest. So how do you train?

First, there is no technical climbing involved when climbing Kilimanjaro. This means you do not need ropes or rock climbing skills. But, you will be hiking uphill several miles each day with decreasing levels of oxygen. This makes cardio and endurance training essential.

We strongly encourage you to consult with your physician before registering for the climb. Talk you your doctor if you have any concerns, especially related to your heart, lungs and/or leg joints as this climb is physically demanding.

Once your doctor clears you to climb, it’s time to begin training. There are countless ways to approach training for your climb and the American Foundation for Children with AIDS does not endorse one training over another. Instead, we encourage you to do some research and create an exercise regimen that progressively builds your stamina and your cardio strength. Here are a couple links to get your research started.

http://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/preparation.htm

http://www.mountkilimanjaroguide.com/kilimanjaro-training.html

While we do not recommend one training over another we strongly encourage you to:

  • Hike often wearing the boots you will wear for your climb and progressively increase the length of your hikes. Include as much elevation as possible.
  • Hike wearing your day pack and build up to hiking with 15-25 lbs in your pack.

Each climber must raise a minimum of $8,000 (air fare is NOT included) in order to participate in this event. This cost covers transportation from Kilimanjaro Airport to base camp; lodging; food while on the event; guides (not tips); water; snacks; Kilimanjaro Park entrance fees, and a $5,500 donation to AFCA’s work in Sub-Saharan Africa. Not included are: air fare, passport, visas, vaccinations, alcoholic beverages, tips, laundry, and souvenirs.

Fundraising can be a bit daunting, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from being part of Climb Up Kilimanjaro. We are here to help you with brainstorming and to answer any questions you have. Please contact us at tweaver@AFCAids.org with questions but also check out our fundraising tips. Maybe one or two of them will help you get on your way to your fundraising goal.

STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY FUNDRAISE:

  1. Make a list of everyone that you know – friends, family, co-workers, professors, wedding guests, spouses/significant other’s family, people you do regular business with—dentists, doctors, gas stations, stores you regularly frequent, coffee shops, insurance agents, bakeries, brokers, gyms, anyone.
  2. Prioritize – put the people you know best first. Remember, people give to people. By asking the people you know best first, you will have success and it will make you more confident in asking those you don’t know too well.
  3. Download the sample letter and press release or create your own. Personalize it…make it exciting by printing it on brightly colored paper.
  4. Be specific. People like to know what is expected of them. If you know someone can only give $5 then ask them for $5. If someone can give $50, ask them for $50. By asking for a specific amount, you will be more effective.
  5. Keep track – get a 9×12 envelope and keep a record of everyone who has given you money and the amount and keep this record in the envelope along with the forms and checks. If someone gives you cash, deposit it to your account and write a check for that amount. Never send cash through the mail.
    Mail checks and the record form ahead of time to:American Foundation for Children with AIDS
    1520 Greening Lane
    Harrisburg, PA 17110
  6. Get the word out. You can hand people the letter, you can email it or you can mail it to them. To ensure that people will return the form with a check at a higher rate of return, put an extra size 9 self-addressed stamped envelope in the letter with your address on the outside.
    To create an online fundraising page go to the Join a Team tab and click on ‘Apply Online’ for your specific team. Click on ‘Register/Create Fundraising Page’ > ‘Individual’ and then, the option to create your fundraising page. The web site quickly and easily directs you through the creation of your own web page where you can then direct your donors. If you apply to join a team using the online registration form, your fundraising page will be created automatically during the registration process, you just need to claim it. You can then direct potential donors to your web page where they can learn more about AFCA and your specific trip. This is a GREAT way to get the word out!
  7. Emphasize charity. American Foundation for Children with AIDS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so all donations you receive are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Make sure that checks are made out to the AFCA and make sure you keep track of who gives you cash and their addresses so we can send them a thank you note.
  8. Give thanks. It is important for you to personally thank your donors. AFCA will send a formal thank you to donors by mail.

You are ready to go! Keep remembering that you are asking people to help make a difference in the lives of others. Remind people that by giving a dollar a day, less than what they would spend on a cup of coffee, they can save a child’s life.

Please note: Funds raised toward the cost of a Kilimanjaro climb cover guiding fees, food, lodging, park fees, and in-country transportation during the trip. Only a portion of your payment supports the charitable purpose of AFCA’s programs. Depending on your country of origin, the trip’s cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.

Fundraising for airfare: Funds raised in excess of the trip cost will not be used to cover all or part of a participant’s airfare. However, we recognize that some people may want to raise money for their airfare. Please feel free to do so on your own. If paid out of pocket, participants may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible expense even if the funds are paid directly form the participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a charitable purpose. Participants will need to contact a tax adviser concerning their specific situation.

Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience (SENE) and the American Foundation for Children with AIDS have partnered to provide the best Kilimanjaro experience possible to hikers who want to have a great adventure while helping children.

Karibu! Welcome!

Simon Mtuy invites you to join him and his company, Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience, for an adventure of a lifetime in Tanzania. SENE offers a variety of unique trips, ranging from extreme active endeavors to leisurely luxurious escapes. We lead expeditions up Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa and tallest free-standing mountain in the world. We have expert guides that take you on exciting 4-wheel drive safaris through remote parts of the Serengeti and other fabulous wilderness parks.

Simon will accompany you on backroad bicycle rides around the base of Kilimanjaro, all the way to the Indian Ocean, or just for a day through the village coffee farms at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Then savor your experience while relaxing on a tropical beach on exotic Zanzibar Island, just off the coast of Tanzania, and the site of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Before or after your adventure, Simon invites you to spend a few days in Mbahe Village, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, in the hand-built guest cottages on his family homestead where he was born and raised. Enjoy this unique opportunity to encounter Africa on a personal level as the local people, the Chagga, warmly welcome visitors into their community.

SENE offers some of the best safari experiences in Tanzania. To participants in AFCA’s Kilimanjaro climbs, SENE has generously discounted the price of safaris.

Depending on the time of year, there are options from which to select. Here are two of the most common safaris, but please do contact us if you are interested in something different or if you’d like to visit Zanzibar, watch the wildbeast migration in the Serengeti, stay longer or shorter of if you’d like to hear your other options.

Safari I (December – May)

Safari II (June -November)

The cost for safaris is not tax deductible.

Feel free to contact SENE directly for safari options:

www.nomadicexperience.com
info@nomadicexperience.com
1.866.417.7661 (toll free in North America)

SENE is a Partner for Responsible Travel with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, International Partner of Leave No Trace environmental ethics, and member of the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, International Ecotourism Society, Sustainable Travel International, and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators.

READY TO GET STARTED?

We make getting started is easy and will be here for you every step of the way.

Questions? Contact us at anytime!

You can either join an existing team or if you have a group of 4 or more people you can choose and form your own team!

STEP ONE: THE APPLICATION
STEP TWO: PAY YOUR DEPOSIT

TIME UNTIL THE NEXT KILIMANJARO CLIMB UP