On the Couch: What it's Like Being a Female Guide On Kilimanjaro

If you’ve ever climbed Mt Kilimanjaro or trekked to the top of Kala Pattar then you’ll understand just how important our guides and crew are to summit success.
We set the benchmark when it comes to investing in our worldwide team. Each year in Kathmandu we hold week long training courses for our Himalayan guides, on the topics of wilderness medicine and first aid, minimal impact travel and client service expectations. And each year we cover the costs associated with one of our Mount Kilimanjaro guides to complete courses in tourism geography, tour administration, mammology, hypertology and ornithology.

World Expeditions' operation on Kilimanjaro actively encourages women to break into the male dominated world of guiding. We have 2 female guides on Kilimanjaro. Here is an interview with one of them, Angela. 

Angela is from Karatu, adjacent to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

How long have you been a guide on Kilimanjaro?

Angela first worked as a porter on Kilimanjaro in 2012. She made her first ascent to the summit the same year and also obtained her guides license.

How much training did you complete to become a guide?

I completed the normal National Park course, as well as first aid training and some other guided skills training. My father also holds a chief guide and worked on the Kilimanjaro when he was younger so he taught me many useful things.

What is the best part of your job?

Meeting clients from all around the world and learning about them and their countries.

Do you encourage other women to become a guide on Kilimanjaro?

Yes I actively encourage other women to break into this male dominated work on Kilimanjaro as it allows them to earn a good living in an enjoyable way. Now we have two female guides, one female cook and around 40 female porters in the mountain crew database so whilst I am in the minority I am certainly not alone as a female on Kilimanjaro.

Find out more about our Kilimanjaro trips here.