Adventure Alternative - Kilimanjaro

Adventure Alternative is a UK-based adventure travel company founded by Gavin Bate in 1991, when he began guiding on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya while living in Nairobi. Gavin is an International Mountain Leader and seasoned Everest mountaineer who successfully summited the world's highest peak in 2011 after six expeditions. The company operates in Tanzania, Kenya, Nepal, Morocco and Borneo, and takes its social responsibility seriously through its connection to Moving Mountains Trust, a non-profit that funds community projects and education programmes in the regions where it operates. Adventure Alternative's Kilimanjaro programme has maintained a 95% summit success rate, which it attributes to a firm policy of never running trips shorter than seven days.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Adventure Alternative

At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the most sought-after trekking objectives in the world. Adventure Alternative offers four established routes to the summit, each with a different character and duration. The Machame Route is a popular seven-day camping trek beginning on the south-west side of the mountain. The Lemosho Route can be completed in seven or eight days and is valued for its scenery and relatively light foot traffic. The Rongai Route, which approaches from the north, benefits from a drier climate as it lies in the mountain's rain shadow. For those seeking the most comprehensive experience, the Northern Circuit is a nine-day traverse regarded as the connoisseur's choice. All itineraries are designed around proper acclimatisation, ascending gradually through cloud forest, high moorland, volcanic desert and alpine ice to the vast crater rim above the clouds.

Expert Guides and a Track Record Since 1991

Gavin Bate began guiding on Kilimanjaro in 1991, and the company's Tanzania operations are run in partnership with Castro Capelo, an experienced local operations manager based in Moshi. The team is professionally trained, first-aid qualified and guided by the same exacting standards Gavin applies to all of his mountaineering expeditions. Clients fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and stay at a hotel in Moshi, forty minutes from the trailheads, where guides and porters are briefed and final preparations are made. Private bespoke bookings for groups are available, and the company can arrange wildlife safaris in Tanzania to follow the climb.

Moving Mountains and Responsible Tourism

Adventure Alternative operates as a social enterprise. Gavin Bate founded the Moving Mountains Trust alongside the company, channelling a portion of trip revenue into education, health and community development projects in the areas where expeditions take place. Choosing Adventure Alternative for a Kilimanjaro trek has therefore always meant contributing directly to the welfare of the local communities involved in the climb, from porters and cooks to guides and hotel staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Adventure Alternative still operating?

Yes. Adventure Alternative continues to run guided climbs on Mount Kilimanjaro and expeditions in Kenya, Nepal, Morocco and Borneo. The company was founded by Gavin Bate in 1991 and is still active as of 2026.

What is Adventure Alternative's summit success rate on Kilimanjaro?

The company reports a 95% summit success rate, which it attributes to its policy of never offering itineraries shorter than seven days. The extended duration allows climbers to acclimatise properly to altitude before attempting the summit.

Which Kilimanjaro route does Adventure Alternative recommend?

Adventure Alternative offers four routes: Machame, Lemosho, Rongai and the Northern Circuit. The best choice depends on the number of days available and the type of experience preferred. The Northern Circuit, at nine days, is described as the most complete traverse of the mountain.

Who founded Adventure Alternative and what is their experience?

The company was founded by Gavin Bate, a British mountaineer, International Mountain Leader and Everest summiteer. Gavin has led or guided on Kilimanjaro since 1991 and successfully climbed Everest in 2011 after six expeditions to the mountain.

What charity is connected to Adventure Alternative?

Gavin Bate founded the Moving Mountains Trust alongside Adventure Alternative. The charity manages community development, education and health projects in the regions where the company operates, including Tanzania and Kenya.

Does Adventure Alternative offer safaris after the Kilimanjaro climb?

Yes. The company offers safari extensions in Tanzania to follow the climb, and bespoke private group bookings are arranged at no additional cost over the standard trip pricing.

This brochure is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Adventure Alternative. For current details, visit the company's official website.