Kilimanjaro

Above the Clouds: The Final Push on Mt. Kilimanjaro

The summit of Kilimanjaro consists of volcanic scree, glacial ice, and thin air (8/8/2017).

In light of the approaching snowpocalypse, I thought a couple of pictures from Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania might be appropriate.

Reaching Stella Point: The Hardest Part is Over

The shot above was taken from the trail above Stella Point. Once the climber has reached Stella (18,885’), the really tough push is over. From here, with good timing, the sun breaks over the horizon to warm the blue and reveal gently undulating ridges. It’s just a hour’s stroll to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kili (19,341’).

Surviving the Cold: Summit Temperatures on Kilimanjaro

If your water-bottle isn’t riding in a sock and deeply buried in your coat, it will freeze solid. Average temperatures along these ridges swing from 20 degrees F to -20 degrees F. On a cold morning, with wind chill, it can feel like -35 degrees F. That’s cold. Brain-numbing cold.

Thinking of tackling “the Roof of Africa”? Wear your woolies.

to read more on Kilimanjaro

If you want to read more about Kilimanjaro (we’ve summited twice), scroll down the sidebar on the Bible Land Explorer website to “Mountaineering” or “Mt Kilimanjaro.”

Step back for a look at the mountain in this post, Mt Kilimanjaro: The Roof of Africa.

Interested in an African safari? Email us here.

Three numb dudes who will never forget the sunrise of August 8, 2017 (Jason Wilcoxon, MZ, and Tommy Baker).

Why the Superb Starling is Superb

Close-up of a Superb Starling with iridescent blue feathers and white breast band near Mount Kilimanjaro.

Arrival at Kilimanjaro: Meet My First Subject

Arrived at Kilimanjaro safely today. Trying to stay awake by playing with a new (used) camera body, lens, and a Superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus)!

You might wonder: why is this bird officially “Superb”? After spending an hour tracking one through the lens, the answer is clear.

It’s All About the Color

The iridescent plumage is breathtaking. Flashes of metallic blue, black, and green meet the eye at every turn. Because their color comes from the structure of their feathers rather than pigments, the sheen across their chest, back, and wings seems to shift and transform depending on how the sunlight hits it.

  • The “Necklace”: Unlike their look-alike cousins, adults have a distinct white breast band that separates their shimmering blue chest from a fiery orange belly.

    Note: For more on their look-alikes, see our post “Hildebrandt’s Starling: The Colorful African Cousin of the Common Starling

  • Piercing Eyes: They sport striking creamy-white eyes that give them a sharp, alert, and slightly mischievous expression.

Personality & Attitude

These birds aren’t just eye candy; they are incredibly social and smart. They live in large, chatty flocks and are famously unafraid of humans, often hopping around picnic sites or safari vehicles with bold curiosity. They are the perfect “welcoming committee” for any African expedition.

See the Superb Starling for Yourself

You really need to see one in person to believe the intensity of their colors. They are living, flying gemstones of the savanna.

2026 Update: Our February expedition is officially SOLD OUT. All seats are taken!

Planning for 2027? Don't miss out on the next adventure. Email us here to get exclusive updates and be the first to know when 2027 reservations open.

An uncomfortable arrival

An uncomfortable arrival

I hoped it was Arusha when we slipped in. It was hard to know in the dark. The tinting film stuck to the “taxi” windows, bubbled and peeling, made it even more disorienting. There were few working streetlights; those that did work revealed a shantytown in eerie hue. The driver, grimfaced under a stocking cap, looked straight ahead and never spoke a word. Vicki was unnerved.

5 gifts from Africa

5 gifts from Africa

Africa, even though my backpack does not show it, I carry home many gifts from you. I will treasure them as memories for the rest of my life.

The eighth wonder of the world

The eighth wonder of the world

The land yawned like a Wyoming dawn. The opportunity in front of us was equally wide. We had a full day to spend in Ngorongoro Crater and I was pumped.

Come and see, the moon is dancing

Come and see, the moon is dancing

Jason turned on a small speaker clipped to his packstrap. The speaker pulled tunes from a phone. It  bounced as he walked. So did we. And we sang. And it was magic.

The LFMW

The LFMW

The ten of us sat around the long wooden table. We looked like members of the board, but this was no committee meeting. Robert, sporting the "please-recover-my-body" orange of Kandoo Adventures, introduced himself as our lead guide. I liked him immediately.

Ptolemaic puzzles (part 2)

Ptolemaic puzzles (part 2)

I knew Kili was up there and quite close, its hoary head peering down. But from Stella Maris, it was impossible to discern where the giant lay. 

How do you hide a mountain? I thought. Especially the highest one in all Africa?

Ptolemaic puzzles (part 1)

Ptolemaic puzzles (part 1)

The earliest mentions of Kilimanjaro are shrouded in the mist.

Elevated faith . . . and doubt

Elevated faith . . . and doubt

"You know," Godfrey answered, still in reflective mode, "Some people say that Jesus climbed to the top of this mountain."

"Really?" I queried. I was curious where this could go.

"Yes. With his twelve . . . " He searched for the next word.

"Apostles?" I filled in.

"Yes. Apostles. They came here to pray."