Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek Overview Offered Via Green Paw Adventures

The Roots of Change

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Mt.KilimanjaroOverview..................................................................................3

WhattoExpect.......................................................................................................................................3

Preparation.............................................................................................................................................3

GearforRent/Hire+OvernightGear.............................................................................................4

Camera.....................................................................................................................................................4

Water........................................................................................................................................................5

LuggageandDaypack..........................................................................................................................5

Clothing....................................................................................................................................................5

PortersandTips....................................................................................................................................6

Footwear..................................................................................................................................................6

Meals.........................................................................................................................................................6

AltitudeSickness...................................................................................................................................7

Mt.KilimanjaroItinerary...................................................................................................................7

Mt.KilimanjaroChecklist...................................................................................................................9

Safety......................................................................................................................................................10

ContactingGIVE..................................................................................................................................11

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Mt.KilimanjaroOverviewClimbingandsummitingMt.Kilimanjaroisanincredibleexperienceandthefeatofalifetime!ToweringoverAfricaat19,341ft/5,595m,Mt.KilimanjaroisthehighestpeakinAfricaandthetallestfreestandingmountainintheworld.Wehavecompiledinformationforyoutoprepareforyourclimbinthisoverview.TherearemanyotherresourcesforyoutolearnaboutclimbingMt.Kilimanjaroaswell,suchasgoingtoamountaineeringstorenearyoutospeakwithanavidclimberorreadingblogsabouttheclimbonline.

WhatToExpectYourclimbwilltake6days:4daystothesummitand2daystodescend.Mosttrekswillbeafulldaywhereyouwilltakeseveralshortbreaks,drinkalotofwater,andhavesubstantialmeals.Bepreparedtowakeupearlytodepartcampandgetagoodstarteachday.Expectyourbodytemperaturetofluctuateduringthedayasyouclimb.Layersareincrediblyimportantsoyoucanaddandremovelayersaccordinglydependingonyouractivitylevel,thetemperature,etc.ItdoesgetcoldwhileclimbingKilimanjaro,especiallyatnight,somakesuretobepreparedfortemperaturesat/orbelowfreezing!Youwillbeabletorent/hireclothingandhikinggearifnecessary,butwerecommendthatyoubringalltherequiredclothingfromhome,suchashikingboots,waterproofcoat/pants/gloves,handwarmers,etc.Ifyoudon’thavegear,borrowfromfamilyorfriends,buynew,orbuyused.Ifyoudorent/hireclothingandgear,knowthatitmaynotbeasgoodofqualityofwhatyoucouldbringfromhome.Makesureyouhavehighquality,propergear,asthiswillgreatlydetermineyoursuccessandcomfortwhenclimbingthemountain.Therearelimiteditemsthatwedorecommendrentingin-country,foryourpackingandtravelease,suchashikingpoles.

PreparationWhileyoupreparetoclimb,itwillbehelpfultodedicatesometimetowardsfitness.Youdonotneedtobeinexcellentphysicalshapeforyourclimb,however,youshouldfocusonincreasingyourcardioandrememberthatyourdayswillconsistoflonghikesathighaltitudes.Youwillbehikingatleast6-8hoursadayclimbingKilimanjaro.ThebestfitnesspreparationishikingtoprepareyourmusclesandbodyforlongdurationsofhikingoninclinedanddeclinedterrainwithabackpackandthehikingbootsyouplantowearonupKilimanjaro.Itwillbebeneficialforyoutogoonhikesinyourareaand/orsimplywalkforlongperiodsoftimeonterrainthatincludesbothuphillanddownhill.Wealsosuggestdoingsquatsandclimbingstairs,assomeareasonKilimanjarorequireyoutoascendrockyterrain.Duringtheclimb,youwillcarryabackpackwithdailynecessities,suchaslayers

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andarainjacket,andatleast3litersofwater,so,whilepreparing,youshouldpracticedoingthesame.Ifyourhikingbootsarenotbrokenin,thenwehighlysuggestwearingyourbootswhileyouhike,walk,orclimbstairs.YoucanalsobreakyourbootsinwhilevolunteeringattheconstructionsiteonZanzibar.Manyvolunteerschoosethisrouteinsteadofbringingseparateworkandhikingboots.MentalenduranceiskeytoclimbingKilimanjaroandyouwillneedstaminaanddeterminationfortheclimb.Thebestwaytobuildmentalstrengthistospendlongperiodshiking,walking,orclimbingstairscoupledwithremainingmentallypositivewhileyouengageintheseexercises.Bringalongyourideasofgames,riddles,songs,etc.tokeepyouentertainedduringthehike.And,takethisincredibleopportunitytogettoknowyourguidesandporters,aswellasdeepenyourbondswithfellowvolunteers!

GearforRent/Hire+OvernightGearWehighlyrecommendthatyoubringyourowngearfromhomeforyourclimb.Thisespeciallyincludesyourunderlayers,likeflannels,socks,andlongjohns.Ifpossible,pleasebringahighqualitysleepingbag,downjacket,andouterlayers(*waterproofwinterjacketandpants).Ifyoudonotowntheseitems,askfamilyorfriendstoborrowtheirsorgotoasecondhandmountaineeringshoptofinddiscounteditems.Ifnecessary,youcanrent/hireitemsthatyoucannotbringforyourclimbfromGreenPawSafarisfor$15.00USDperitem.Beforeyoubeginyourclimb,youwillmeetyourleadguidetoreviewalistofrecommendeditemsanddecidewhatyouneedforrent/hire.Note:theasterisk(*)onthepackinglistindicatesitemsavailableforrentinTanzania.Yourporterswillsetupyourtentsbeforeyouarrivetocampeachnight,whichyouwillsharewithoneotherfellowGIVEr.Whenyouarrive,youwillchooseyourtent,sleepingbag,andsleepingpad.Notethatyoumaynothavethesametent,sleepingbag(unlessyou’veboughtyourown),orsleepingpadeverynightastheymayrotatewithyourfellowclimbers.Werecommendyoubringasleepingpadandsleepingbagdesignedfor0Fahrenheit/-17Celsiusdegreeweather.GreenPawSafari’soffersmountainsleepingbagsforthewholeexcursion.Warmsocksarealsoincrediblyimportantforsummitnight.Youcanalsobringhandwarmerstohelpkeepyouwarmatnightorduringyoursummit.

**Youwillbeprovidedatentandsleepingpadfreeofchargeontheclimb.Pleasebringyourownsleepingbag(orrentonefor$15)andhighqualitycoldweathergearifpossibleasthetemperaturesgetverylowonthemountain.

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CameraYouwillnothaveanopportunitytochargeyourcamerawhileclimbingKilimanjaro,somakesureitisfullychargedwhenyouleaveouraccommodationsinArusha.Duringyourclimb,keepinmindthatyou’llwanttohaveachargedcamerabatteryonthesummittotakephotos.Wesuggestthatyoubringanextrasetofbatteries,extrabatterypack,orasolarchargertochargeyourcamera.

WaterItisextremelyimportantthatyoustayhydratedduringyourclimb.Dehydrationmaycontributetoaltitudesicknesssymptoms.Itisrecommendedthatyoudrink3-5litersadaytostayproperlyhydrated.YourwaterwillfreezeontopofKilimanjaro,soyoucanbringathermalwaterbottleforthatportionofyourclimb,althoughitisnotnecessary.WerecommendnotusingaCamelbackwhenyousummitasthehosecanfreeze.Thenationalparkdoesnotallowdisposableplasticwaterbottles.Itisrecommendedtobring2largereusablewaterbottlestocarryatleast3litersofwaterwithyouinyourdaypack.Therewillnotbeopportunitiestorefillonceyouleaveyourcampsiteeachmorning.Yourporterswillboilwatertopurifyitfordrinkingwater.Asanextraprecaution,werecommendbringingpurificationtabletstopurifyyourwaterontheclimb.

LuggageandDaypackYouwillcarryadaypackeverydaywhileclimbingKilimanjarocontainingonlywhatyouneedfortheday.Yourporterswillcarryyourotherbagwithclothingyoudon’tneedondailytreks.Yourdaypackshouldeitherbewaterprooforyoushouldhaveawaterproofcoverforyourdaypack.Werecommenda20-30literbackpacklargeenoughtocarryatleast3litersofwater,yourcamera,raincoat,snacks,warmlayers,toiletpaper,hat,andsunscreen.Itisimportantnottooverpackyourdaypackwithitemsyouwillnotneedeachdayasyoucanpacktheseitemsinyourotherbag.Rememberthatyourporterswillcarryyourdufflebag,soitisimportanttoonlybringwhatyouwillneedontheclimb.YoucansafelyleaveclothinganditemsyouwillnotneedonyourclimbatouraccommodationsinArusha.SinceyouwillonlybringaportionofyourbelongingsupKilimanjaro,it’ssmarttobringasmallduffelbagorcollapsiblebaginyourluggagetoTanzania.LeaveyourlargerluggageatouraccommodationsandonlybringyoursmalldufflebagorcollapsiblebagwithonlyclimbinggearandclothingtoclimbKilimanjaro.

**Youwillneedonesmallbackpackanddufflebag/backpackforallyourMt.Kilimanjarogear(theporterswillcarrythis).DonotbringyourentireluggageforyourexcursionupMt.Kilimanjaro–onlybringwhatyou’llneedforthetrek.

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ClothingItisrecommendedthatyoutakeseveralthinlayersofclothingthatallowventilationasopposedtoafewthickones.Itiseasiertoaddorshedlayersasneededthroughoutthedaybasedonyourbodytemperature.Clothesmadefromsyntheticmaterialsarerecommended,aswoolclothingtakeslongertodry.

PortersandTipsOnaverage,ittakesabout3porterstocarryoneperson’sgear,food/water,tents,etc.So,ifyouhaveagroupof10climbingKilimanjaro,thenyouwillhaveabout30porters.Yourportersareincrediblysupportiveduringtheclimb.Thereisalotoftimetotalkwithyourporters,learnmoreabouttheirexperienceandculture,andgettoknowthem!Tipsareasignificantportionofyourguideandporter’ssalaries.ThetipsforyourguidesandportersarenotincludedinthecosttoclimbKilimanjaro.Youmustbringaminimumof$150USDtogivetoyourleadguide,whowilldispersetipstotheotherguidesandporters.This$150tipisaminimum,andwesuggestbringingmoreifpossible,asyouwilltrulywanttorewardtheporterswhoworksohardforyou!YouwillbeabletostopatanATMonthewaytoorfromMt.Kilimanjarotowithdrawalmoney.

Footwear

Yourbootsshouldbewell“brokenin”toavoidirritation,blisters,andpain.Wesuggestthatyoubringbandagestopreventblistersifyoufeelonecomingon,orincaseyouactuallygetblistersorhotspots.It’simportanttohavecomfortablesocksandatleastonethermalpairforthecoldsummitnight.It’salsorecommendedtobringlinerstokeepyourfeetdryandavoidblisters.Wehighlysuggestwearingyourhikingbootsasmuchaspossiblepriortodeparture.Also,youcanbreakyourbootsinwhilevolunteeringattheconstructionsiteonZanzibar.Manyvolunteerschoosethisrouteinsteadofbringingseparateworkandhikingboots.

MealsEachday,you’llhaveahotbreakfast,eitherasackorhotlunch,andahotdinner.Thechef,Mr.Delicious,cooksamazingmealsandtendstosurpriseyouwithdishesyou’vebeencraving!Acommonappetizerishotsoupandtea,hotchocolate,orcoffeebeforeyourdeliciousmeal.

**Donotforgetthemoneyforyourtip!YouMUSTbringatleast$150foryourguides

andporters.ThiscanbeinTanzanianShillingsorUSD.

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Ifyouhavespecificdietaryneeds,tellyourleadguideatthemeetingatouraccommodationspriortoyourKilimanjarotrek.Theycanandwillaccommodateanydietaryrestrictionsduringthetrek.

AltitudeSicknessItishardtodeterminehowyourbodywillrespondtoincreasingaltitude.Altitudesicknessoccurswhenyougotohightoofastorremainathighaltitudesfortoolong.Ifyouexperiencealtitudesickness,descendingtoaloweraltitudewillmakeyoufeelbetteranddecreaseyoursymptoms.Therearemanyprecautionsthatyoucantakeduringtheclimbtomitigatealtitudesickness,suchaswalkingslowtoacclimatize,drinkingenoughwater,andgettingadequatesleep.Kilimanjaroisnotarace–takeyourtimeclimbingthemountainandlistentoyourbodyandyourguides.Itisimportanttomaintaingoodcommunicationwithyourguidesandletthemknowifyoufeelstrangeorexperiencesymptomsofaltitudesickness.Therearemedicinesavailableforaltitudesickness,whichyoucandiscusswithyourdoctor.TherearealsomedicationsavailableatthepharmacyinArushaifyou’dprefertopurchaseincountry.

Mt.KilimanjaroItinerary

Day1:KilimanjaroOrientationandPreparationSaygoodbyetoyourfellowvolunteers,whoarenotclimbingKilimanjaroastheydepartforhome.Packforyourclimb,relaxinyourexcellentGIVEaccommodations,andsaveyourenergyforyourdeparturetoKilimanjaro!YourleadKilimanjaroguidewillmeetwiththegrouptodiscusspreparations,clothing,theitinerary,andgeneralinformationabouttheclimb.Ifyou’dlike,youcangotothestoretopurchasesnacksforyourclimbafterthismeeting.Notethatwesuggestbringingsnacks,energybars,waterpurificationtablets,etc.fromhome,astheseitemscanbelimitedinTanzania.Day2:MachameGatetoMachameCampGetanearlystartforthedrivetoMachameGate,stoppingatalocalshoponthewayforadditionalsnacksandotheritemsyoumayneed(liketoiletpaper).Onceyouarriveatthegate,yourguidesandporterswillpackyourequipmentandsupplieswhileyouenjoylunch.BeginyourtrekonawindypaththroughtheincrediblerainforestuntilyouarriveatMachamecampsite.Bepreparedforrainwhilehikingintheforest,asthereisahighpossibilityofrain,especiallyinthewettermonthsfromNovemberuntilMay.Afteryousettleinyourtentatthecampsite,youwillhaveawarm,deliciousdinner.Habitat:MontaneForest;Trek:5-7hrs;Distance:Approximately10.8km;Overnight:MachemeCamp(10,100ft/3,100m).

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Day3:MachameCamptoShiraCampLeavethegladesoftherainforestandhikethroughthemoorlandzone.Continueonanascendingpath,crossingalittlevalleytoasteeprockyridgecoveredwithheatherstotheShiraplateau.TheroutethenturnsWestintoarivergorgeandafterashorthikeyou’llarriveattheShiracampsite.Habitat:Moorland;Trek:5-7hrs;Distance:Approximately5.2km;Overnight:ShiraCamp(12,500ft/3,800m).Day4:ShiraCamptoLavaTowertoBarrancoCampContinueyourtrekEastintoasemi-desertandrockylandscapetothemassiveLavaTower,whichiscalled“TheSharksTooth.”Thisdayisgearedtowardsacclimatizationandyoumayexperiencesomeminoraltitudesymptoms,likebreathlessness.ReachthearrowglacierandcontinueyourdescenttotheBarrancocampsite,whereyouwillspendthenightatthegreatBarrancoWallandshouldseeanincrediblesunset.Habitat:Semi-desert;Trek:5-7hrs;Distance:Approximately10.7km;Overnight:BarrancoCamp(13,000ft/3,950m).Day5:BarrancoCamptoBarafuCampAscendthemightyBarrancoWallonasteepridge,whichisaneasierascentthanitlooks!TakeabreakjustbelowtheHeimGlacier,wherethebreathtakingmountainwilltoweroveryou.FollowtheroutedownthroughtheKarangaValleyandtakeintheviewofthetwopeaks:MawenziandKiho.You’llrefillyourwaterbottlesduringlunchatKarangaHutandporterswillfillwaterjugsashereaswell,asnonaturalwaterstreamavailableatBarafuCamp.ContinuehikingtoBarafuCamp,enjoydinner,andprepareyourgearandthermalclothing.You’llgotobedintheearlyeveningtosleepbeforedepartingforthesummitaroundmidnight.Habitat:AlpineDesert;Distance:Approximately9.4km;Trek:8-9hrs;Overnight:BarafuCamp(15,000ft/4,600m).Day6:BarafuCamptoUhuruPeaktoMwekaAfteralightsnackoftea,coffee,biscuitsandcookies,beginyourtrekjustaftermidnight.Makesureyouwearyourthermals,windbreakers,andheadlamps!AscendasteeptalustowardsthecraterrimatStellaPoint(5745m).ThetrektoStellaPointistypicallythemostmentallyandphysicallychallengingportionoftheentireroute.TakeashortbreakatStellaPointandsoakintheviewbeforecontinuingtothesummit,UhuruPeak.YouhavenowreachedthehighestpointinAfrica5,895meters!!!Afterenjoyingthesummitandtakingphotos,descendbacktoBarafuCamp.Haveashortrest,packyourgearandheaddowntoMwekaHut,whichisintheupperforest.FromthesummitdescendtoMwekaCampsite.Habitat:Stonescreeandice-cappedsummit;Distance:Approximately4.5kmascent,10.8kmdescent;Trek:5-8hrstoUhuruPeak,6-8hrsdescenttocamp;Overnight:MwekaCamp(10,000ft/3,100m).

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Day7:MwekaCamptoMwekaGateEnjoybreakfastandasmallcelebrationbeforedescendingtotheMwekaParkGate.YouwillreceiveadifferentsummitcertificateifyoureachedStellaPointorUhuruPeak.SaygoodbyetoyourguidesandportersanddrivebacktoArushawhereyou’llprovidetips.HeadbacktoouraccommodationsinArushaforawell-earnedmeal,shower,andgoodnight'ssleep!Habitat:Forest;Distance:Approximately8.5km;Trek:4-6hrs;Overnight:MwekaCamp(10,000ft/3,100m).Day8:Relaxatouraccommodationswithahotshowerandbigmeal;you’veearnedit!Getreadytodepartforhomeandsayyourgoodbyes!

Mt.KilimanjaroChecklist

ThebelowinformationandchecklististoassistyouasyoupreparetoclimbthetallestmountaininAfricaafteryourGIVEexcursion!GreenPawAdventuresdoesnotallowsuitcases;theysuggestwaterproofrucksackorduffelbagsfortheclimb.GIVEstronglyrecommendsthatyoubringatravelingbackpackforyourentireTanzaniaexcursionthatcanalsobeusedfortheclimb.Youonlyneedtopackwhatyouneedforthetrek,leaveyourotherclothesandotherbelongingsbehind.ThiswillbemucheasiertotravelwithandyouwillbeabletoleaveanyunneededpossessionsinalockedroomatourArushaaccommodationsbothatthebeginningofyourGIVEexcursionandbeforeyourKilimanjaroclimb.Yourpossessionswillbelockedandsafe.NotethatyouwillnotcarryyourownluggagewhileclimbingKilimanjaro.Theportersonyourhikingteamwillcarryyourbags.ThemaximumweightforyourluggageduringtheKilimanjaroclimbis33lbs/15kgs,andtherewillbeachargeforanyluggageoverthemaximumlimit.Becausetheporterswillbetakingthebulkofyourpossessions,youwillonlybehikingwithasmalldaypacktocarryyoursnacks,awaterbottle,sunscreen,andothersmalleritemslikeextralayersofclothesandacamera.Checklistofrequireditems(*youcanrent/hirefromGreenPaw):

o $150MinimumRequiredforPorterTips(canbeisUSDorTZS)o Hikingdaypack(waterprooforwithseparatewaterproofcover)o Smalldufflebagortravelbackpack45-60L(waterproof!Thisisforporterstocarry

yourKilimanjarogearandsuppliesupthemountain)o Waterresistanthikingbootsthatareworn-ino Shoesforleisurearoundcampsite(optional)o Balaclava/bufftoprotectyourfacefromthewindo Woolhat/beanieo Snowgogglesorsunglasseswithdarklensesforeyeprotectionfromthesuno *Gaiters(usefulwhenencounteringsnow,etc.)o Snowglovesandmittens/liners

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o Fleecezip-upo Downjacketo *Waterproofandwindproofpants(expectrainandwind)o *Waterproofandwindproofjacket(thisisyourouterlayer,expectrainandwind)o Shorts&t-shirt(forfirstdayofhiking,moisture-wickingfabrictostaydry)o 1-3longsleevethermalshirtso 1-2thermallongunderwearo 6pairsofsockso 1thermal/polertexpairsofsocksforsummitnighto Smallwashkitorwetwipeso Waterbottles/Camelback(camelbackhoseswillfreezeonthesummit)

Note:3litersofwaterwillbeneeded,minimum,perdayinyourdaypack.Thenationalparkdoesnotallowplasticwaterbottles.

o Energysnacks(i.e.Cliffbarsorenergychews)o Firstaidkit,includingBand-Aidsforblisters,eyedrops,headachetablets,

painkillers,fluandcoldtabletso Sunscreen(SPF30+)o Lipbalm(SPF30+)o Insectrepellanto *Headlamp(preferredoverflashlight)o Sparebatteriesforflashlight/headlampo Handwarmersfornighttimeandonsummitnighto PlasticorZiplocbagstoprotectcameraandothergearfromrainanddusto Toiletrybasicso Toiletpapero *WalkingPoles(plantorentthese)o Camera(withextrabatteries)o *Sleepingbag(canrent,butwerecommendyoubringyourownforbetterquality)o Sleepingmat(providedfor2017treks,butyouarewelcometobringyourown)

*Youcanrent/hirefromGreenPawfor$15.00USDanitem.WehopethisinformationandchecklisthelpsyouprepareforyourjourneytothetopofAfrica!Thesimpleruleofwinterexpeditionsistostaydryandwarm.Chooseclothinglayersthatwickmoisture,dryquickly,insulateandarewaterproofandbreathable.Byadjustingtheselayers,youcanregulatetheamountofwarmthyouneed.The3basiclayers:BaseLayer:Thisisbasicallyyourunderwearorthelayernexttoyourskin.Syntheticandmerinowoolfabricsworkbest(avoidcotton).Theywickperspirationawayfromyourskintoouterlayerssoitcanevaporate.Theydryquicklysoyouspendminimaltimeinwetclothing.Whensnowcamping,it'scommontowear2baselayers:alightweightormid-weightlayer,thenathickerheavyweightlayer.MiddleLayer:Thisisyourinsulatinglayer.Itisprimarilydesignedtohelpyouretainbodyheat.Fleeceormicrofleeceshirts,pantsandjacketand/oragoosedownjacketaregreatmiddlelayers.

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Outerlayerorshell:Thisisyourwaterproof/windproof/breathablelayer.Gore-Texwillprovidepremiumprotectionorchooselessexpensiveoptions,suchaspolyurethane-coatedfabricsthatareequallywaterproofbutsomewhatlessbreathable.Lookforcoreventsandunderarmventsthatexpelexcessheatandmoisture.

Safety

ItisimperativethatyourespectandadheretotheadviceandinstructionsgivenbyyourKilimanjaroguides.Aboveall,thisiswhatwillcontributetoyoursuccesswhileclimbingKilimanjaro.Ifyouhaveanymedicalconditions,tellyourleadguideyourcondition,symptoms,andtreatmentduringyourpreparationmeetingatouraccommodationsinArusha.Pleaseunderstandthatthistrekisoperatedunderthecareandguidanceoflocalprofessionals.WhileGIVEfullyendorsestheaptitudeandprofessionalismoftheservicesprovidedbyGreenPawAdventures,theMt.KilimanjarotrekisnotoperatedunderthecareofGrowthInternationalVolunteerExcursions.Pleasenotethatyouwillbewithothervolunteersfromyourtripontheclimb,butyourGIVEguideswillnotbeontheMt.KilimanjaroAdd-On.Therewillbeseverallocalguidesand3portersperpersononthetrekwithyouthroughthedurationoftheclimb.Aftertheclimb,youwilldrivebacktoouraccommodationsinArushafordinnerandanight’srest.Airporttransportationhasbeenarrangedtotakeyoutotheairportthefollowingday.

GIVEContactInformation

Phone USA +1 (206) 973-7991 Phone AUS +61 (02) 8011-3174 Phone UK +44 (207) 193-3163 E-mail info@givevolutneers.org Skype info.give Mail 2442 NW Market St. #425

Seattle, Washington 98017 USA Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you and we are excited to see you in Tanzania!