On the 10th of February, seventeen members of our Pride expeditions, Kilimanjaro team made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Leaving Barafu camp at midnight the first team reached the summit at 8am and the final team members reached the summit at 10am. This was the pinnacle of achievement for the team who had walked for seven days to get to Barafu Camp. The team was supported by 35 Tanzanian porters, 2 cooks, and 8 local guides.

At 5,895m, Kilimanjaro is a huge challenge. The darkness and the sub-zero temperatures, as well as the altitude, combine to make the summit day incredibly tough. The success of our team was down to the incredible support of our Tanzanian guides and porters who helped us every step of the way. They laughed with us, sang for us and showed great care and concern when we were struggling. They made us complete and helped us to achieve our dreams with a selflessness you don’t often see. We can’t thank them enough.

This year the team was headed up by a female head guide. It is extremely rare to see Tanzanian women working in the trekking industry in Tanzania. She had battled her way up through the ranks fighting prejudice and discrimination against a woman who was determined to be a leader. Her inner strength and determination showed.

What was most apparent to us as a Queer group trekking in a country where gay people regularly face harassment and persecution was that she accepted us for who we are. We did not have to hide who we were nor pretend to be something else. She created an accepting and harmonious team working towards our goal above the clouds. She had an incredible ability to command respect from her team of 40 men through hard work and unwavering faith.

It was a sad day when it all ended and our team disbanded. Our Tanzanian team gave us a remarkable send-off at the end of the trek. Wishing us a safe and enjoyable stay in Tanzania they sang that with faith you can achieve! Our female guide had had many struggles in her life to become a guide on Kilimanjaro in a male-dominated society and industry. At times the odds seemed against her, but her faith and hard work had seen her reach the top.

After a tough time on the mountain it was time for some rest and relaxation. Safari time! The team boarded three safari jeeps and headed for the Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara national park. These iconic parks are teeming with wildlife and it was a good chance for the team to recover from the trials of the past week.

Our safari was organized by another remarkable woman who is pushing for women’s equality in Tanzania with her safari business. We spent three days with Sophie and her team of female safari guides. They showed us that not all Tanzanians are sexist and homophobic. That said, there is an awfully long way to go to make Tanzania welcoming for all but there is hope.

Sophie’s company is Matriarch Hill Safaris. They greeted us with joy and accepting arms. A matriarch is a company that empowers women through employment and the promotion of Women’s rights. They actively sought to make us as comfortable and at home as possible during our Tanzanian safari. It was an adventure safari provided by a woman on a mission to make life better for Women in Tanzania!

Our expeditions often visit countries that have not fully embraced equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Quuer and Trans people. We do not shy away from these countries, but reach out to support people in them and foster relationships among pro-equality organizations working within the community.

A big Thank-you goes to those who work with us in Tanzania and support our pro-equality ethos. They have truly understood that it should not matter who you love. In return, they get our support, our love, and our business! Good luck to them in their quest to empower women in Africa!