Mt. Kilimajaro

On February 9th 2003, Warren and Hamisi Lugonda, a 19 year old Tanzanian farmer born with no arms, became the first physically challenged joint Australian/ Tanzanian team to climb to the 5,895m summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. Hamisi and Warren took just 18 days to reach the summit via the mountains arduous Umbwe and Arrow Glacier routes before descending via the Mweka route. Click HERE to view a video clip from the climb.

The climb was managed by Elizabeth Stroud, director of Discovery Learning Training & Development, Western Australia. Hamisi Lugonda is the inspiration behind the "Hamisi Lugonda Centre for the Physically and Mentally Handicapped" in the Nzega district of Tanzania. The aim of the expedition was to raise funds for the centres ongoing operational costs. Please contact Discovery Learning for further details. The expedition would not have been possible without the generous support and contributions made by the organizations, businesses and individuals listed on the "Sponsors" page. Many thanks once again.


Hamisi Lugonda at home in Nzega, western Tanzania.		Visiting Upendo leper Centre on the outskirts of Arusha prior to setting


Hamisi signing the Kilimanjaro National Park log book at their Moshi office.		Moving across the moonscape at 4800m between Lava Tower and Arrow Glacier camp.


The crux of the climb, Arrow Glacier. Seen here at 5300m, Warren spent 11 hours climbing ice and scree before reaching a "safe" bivy site.		The Crew inside the crater at 5750m. Front Row: (L-R) Jeremy Smith (photographer), Nagabona (guide), Russel Hawkins (filmaker). Centre: Warren and Hamisi. Back: Msaro Mkuru (assistant guide), Chris Pilley (Exedition organiser- Tanzania), Brenda Goss (Hamisi's carer), Antje Berbick (sound/ camera assistant).


Having left camp inside the crater at 5am, the team climb the final 150m to the summit under a breaking dawn and difficult conditions of snow and ice.		Hamisi and Warren on top of the world! 5895m.

Meet our Tanzanian crew HERE