News Archive - Footprints Tours

About Footprints...

Footprints' itineraries are concentrated in the highlands of the Great Rift Valley, the progenitor of the solitary volcanic peaks, the escarpments and the expansive plains.
There is probably no other region in the world where the hot and dry of the desert, the floral richness of the rain forest and the stark cold of the Arctic are within a few driving or even walking hours of each other. <continued>

Testimonials:

Read comments and opinions from previous Footprints Tours adventurers.

"You were along for the trip. When someone is traveling that far and is doing specialized travel, like climbing, you like to know someone is looking after you.." <continued>

Photo Tour:

View an online photo tour of a footprints adventure.

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Hiking at Altitude

Forays up higher than the camp and back down improve the body's acclimatization to altitude. Depending on energy levels, several of these at the end of the day may suffice... <continued>

News Archive

Summitting Kilimanjaro (July 2005)

Question for Footprints Tours on summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro:

I noticed on your itinerary for the hike that you (and other operators) all summit from various camps which are located at about 15,000 feet. Is there no option to camp halfway up from there and attempt the summit and subsequent descent from a higher altitude starting point (say 18,000 feet)? Or is that not recommended due to the altitude? The description of the ascent day with about 7-8 hours of uphill (not to mention the down hill) sounds gruesome!

The Softer Side of Mountain Hiking (Sep. 2004)

Along with animal safaris, most Footprints tours include hiking on mountains. Many potential participants express concern that mountain hiking, is not only not one of their passions, but is one of their worries about a Footprints trip. It may be that they envision hanging terrified on steep craggy cliffs over yawning chasms striving toward a goal that doesn't interest them. This is definitely not the case on a Footprints Tour.

Gift of a Story (June 2004)

In Budadiri, a small northern Uganda village at the foot of the world's most expansive mountain, is a small oasis of hospitality called ‘Rose's Last Chance Bar and Restaurant'. People are beckoned with cold drinks, hot snacks and peaceful lodging. It would be cumbersome to announce on the sign that it is also a hotel, campsite and parking lot, but it is...

Animal Dramas (Apr. 2003)

The lion is called the 'king of beasts'. The regal splendour of the great mane of the male underlines this. And certainly it is the dominant predator of its African domain. The elephant doesn't take guff from any beast and a rhinoceros probably doesn't ruminate much over the threat from a lion. But no animal, more than the lion, can instill fear or at least wariness in the hearts of its neighbours...

Poling Your Way to an Easier Hike (Sep. 2002)

During a hike your arms are along for the ride. You might as well make them participate.

Experienced hikers are often looking for ways to make the trek easier. In the short run, it gives them more range that day and in the long run, it gives them more years on the trail...

Setting Higher Limits, Even at Sixty (June 2002)

"We want to get out and do things while we still can. We don't want to have any regrets." This is the philosophy, which impelled Gillian Mercer at 60, while hobbled by an arthritic hip, to try to live her 45-year old dream of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro...