Kiliwarrior Expeditions

Old May 10th, 2006, 07:59 AM
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Kiliwarrior Expeditions

I've just been reading Kiliwarrior Expeditions website. I got there from the very impressive Google Earth site they have put together at http://go-safari.com/ which is actually an amazing blend of website and Google Earth and probably is a glimpse of what it to come on the net for travel sites. Anyway on their website they come across as sincere fellows and we would like to consider them for a trip next February - but - and it's a big but - they have done a lot of Kilimanjaro trips but are really new at safari tours. Given there is a lot of money involved and this is a really important, one time trip for us, we want to get it right. Can anyone on this board tell me more about Kiliwarrior Expeditions from a firsthand perspective ? ? Is it worth taking the risk of using a new company or should we stick with someone who has been around and has a solid reputation ??
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Old May 10th, 2006, 01:46 PM
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galiano -

While the "safari" end of Kiliwarriors may be new, they are not new to safaris. Besides their very successful Kili treks they've been booking pre- and post- safaris in conjunction with many of the climbs. What Eben has done is add their own camp to the mix... and a lovely option at that. I wouldn't hesitate in using Kiliwarriors for the climb and/or safari. Eben is totally committed to his endeavors (see what he's done w/ Google Earth, the flight schedules, the various camp details [even those not theirs]) and his commitment to Tanzania and its people. If you have any particular questions or concerns, I'd suggest you write to Eben directly.
 
Old May 10th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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A poster named Mindy recommended them a few times about a year or so ago (?). If you do a search for Kiliwarrior her posts on a few threads should come up.

I haven't safari'd with them--I don't want to climb that dreadful mountain! But for all the reasons Sandi described above, I definitely would feel great about taking a trip with them.

Good luck with your planning.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:04 PM
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galiano,
Here's a thread with Mindy's praise for Kiliwarrior:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34663042
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:05 PM
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If you think about the fact that nearly all of the camp photos and camp information on go-safari is hand-gathered by Kiliwarrior you'll get a perspective on how much careful planning went into the venture, and how much they know about safari tours. I'd say Eben, the owner, is on the fussy side when it comes to transport, guides and the like, and with regard to the money I have a feeling if you discuss this frankly and politely with them you'll get some kind of reassurance.

For extra insurance tell Eben you are going to post a trip report here and he won't be able to show his monicker again around here if he doesn't do a good job - he's a regular poster, but don't worry, this board is not some kind of a masonic lodge thing ;-)

BTW I have no particular feelings about Eben at all but since my interest in East Africa has coincided with his development of the Web site, I have seen the work that has gone in and his posts on northern Tanzania on this board seem to make excellent sense to everyone...

Sorry I can't help you from a first hand perspective...


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Old May 10th, 2006, 07:28 PM
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Thanks for the replies so far.

Sandi : I agree with all you said. Their creative use of Google as a travel aid is quite remarkable and certainly involved lots and lots of work.

Leely : Thanks, I've read the previous posts. There isn't much about them really.

Kimburu : I'm still hoping someone who has used Kiliwarriors will reply with a first hand trip report.

I am interested in learning more about this company as I have lots of concerns about using such a new outfit. Who knows the quality of their vehicles, guides etc etc. I think Eben, one of the owners, posts here as climbhighsleeplow ?? so maybe he'll join in this discussion. Is there some way on this site that I can pull up a list of all his posts to read them ??

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Old May 10th, 2006, 08:19 PM
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galiano,
Type climbhighsleeplow in the search box, locate any thread that has his screen name, click on the screen name and on the left hand column you'll find a list of all of Eben's posts on this board.
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Old May 11th, 2006, 04:50 AM
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I believe the appropriate place to discuss what Kiliwarriors has to offer and your concerns, should be direct to Eben. Personally, I don't believe a service provider should discuss issues with their client (or prospective client) on an open forum. Write to him directly.
 
Old May 11th, 2006, 05:13 AM
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I will be on a Fly-Camping Safari with KiliWarrior Expeditions the last week of June 2006. If July is not too far away for you to make decision on an Outfitter I will be happy to report on my experience with them.
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Old May 11th, 2006, 05:48 AM
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I agree with Sandi. IMHO if Eben did try to talk to you here on the forum, the moderators might consider it advertising and suspend him.
 
Old May 11th, 2006, 07:03 AM
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Hi Denbasking. I would really appreciate hearing from you after your trip. I am at [email protected] ( remove the + ) What decided you to use Kiliwarriors as your safari company ?
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Old May 11th, 2006, 08:10 AM
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I shall gladly post a report about all my experiences in Africa in early July.

I will be in Tanzania for two weeks before I connect with the KiliWarriors, then Rwanda for four days.

Their website is the short version why I chose to use KiliWarrior Expeditions.
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Old May 11th, 2006, 11:00 PM
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Denbasking.. What's the deal with the fly-camping safari - do Killiwarriors have information posted on this or have they tailored something to what you want to do?

I can wait for your trip report if you are still not completely sure yourself! ;-)
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Old May 12th, 2006, 06:58 AM
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Kimburu: I guess this would be a tailor made safari.

This is starting to get into the long version of how I chose the KiliWarriors but here goes…

The KiliWarriors helped to organize my trip to Rwanda and due to the availability date of a gorilla permit I had an open time gap to fill (with nowhere to go!) between the end of the first part of my trip in Tanzania and Rwanda.

So, since they already knew me a little and that I was traveling on my own I emailed the KiliWarriors again hopeful they could help me with my new opportunity to be in Africa a bit longer. I sent the dates I needed coverage for and the itinerary of the first part of my trip which covers Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater etc.

This is part of the email I sent…

A friend suggested to me that I should try to experience the Serengeti wildlife privately or by filling in a tour. She and a few friends had stayed at a budget lodge called Seronera Wildlife Lodge after their work in Tanzania around the same time last year. That is probably booked and very touristy at this point. I am up for camping, combo lodge & camping, walking or what ever I could possibly do at this time...even pay to volunteer somewhere if necessary! I like the idea of the smaller tented camps, slow rhythm, slow food, and slow cultural experiences. Since I am on my own I certainly don't need anything fancy and would prefer not to spend too much as this is "the second extra trip addition" but I realize it could be a combination of nice, casual and budget because of availability. I would enjoy the luxury tented camps much more when my husband can join me!

That's the deal and how they chose the fly-camping safari for me - I did not pick anything from the website but after I got my KiliWarrior Packet with all the details I did remember seeing the semi-luxury tent photographs on their site somewhere.

So far Service has been most Excellent - I will know more when the rubber hits the dirt roadish!
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Old May 12th, 2006, 07:18 AM
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Thanks Denbasking... Have a good time and look forward to hearing a little about it when you get back.
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Old May 12th, 2006, 11:27 AM
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Here are some pictures and descriptions of Kiliwarriors' versions of luxury and semi-luxury mobile camping - http://www.kiliwarriors.com/safari_tented_camps.htm

Their "semi-lux" looks a bit more lux than most other operators' definition of semi-lux.

Denbasking,
Have a great trip and look forward to your report!
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Old May 12th, 2006, 11:37 AM
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To climbhigh, if/when you see this, wow, I just looked at the new KiliWarrior site and I must say it is fantastic! Really great job. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering how impressive the go-safari site is.
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Old May 12th, 2006, 12:54 PM
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I believe that first photo is of Sabora Camp at Grumeti Reserves. The air conditioner is the giveaway.
 
Old May 12th, 2006, 01:29 PM
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Thanks Kimburu, Patty and Leely.

Patty, thank you for posting the link, I should have done that but I agree with Leely-WOW-the website looks fantastic! It looks nothing like it did the last time I was there and I was not sure I could find it quickly! I have only been going to the http://go-safari.com/ link since I made my decisions and have not done that in sometime either.

Even though I chose the KiliWarriors because of their educational content on the website it did take me awhile figure the whole thing out (3 websites in 1) as I was hitting the whole process cold. It all became clearer as I learned more about Africa and Africa Stuff but it is very cohesive now!

Galalino: In my recent trip updates about my Guide and Cook that I am just checking through I was also sent a fresh trip report link: http://www.mytripjournal.com/philo5 This reminded me of an earlier one that I had received: http://www.tanzania2004.com/ Sorry I did not think of this earlier, my brain has been full from all this and I had to start deleting some information to make room for even newer African treasurers!
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Old May 12th, 2006, 02:00 PM
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Sorry, I forgot to say look at the pics further down the page. Didn't mean to imply that the Grumeti Reserves photo was Eben's idea of "semi-lux" camping

I thought the A/C was a giveaway too!
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