Travel stories

Without reaching the top, I found everything

When was the moment you thought, ‘Wow, I’ll never forget this’?

That moment came during the first few days on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Alone, walking in silence, far away from everyday life. As the landscape changed and the altitude became noticeable, I realised that this climb would be a personal pilgrimage. A place where grief, effort and nature came together.

What surprised or moved you about Tanzania?

The naturalness of attention and care. Everything is done with calm, dedication and respect. For each other, for nature and for the moment. What initially seemed like a physical challenge gradually became an inner journey. Tanzania gave me space to feel, instead of having to.

How did you experience meeting the people and the culture?

Even though I was climbing solo, I never felt alone. From guides to porters and staff, everyone contributes with attention and commitment. There is a strong sense of connection and deep pride in the work they do. You are not seen as a customer, but as a person whom they guide safely and carefully.

What would you recommend future travellers not to miss?

Go with an open mind. Let go of expectations and trust in the rhythm of the country. Sometimes that means accepting that you have to stop, even if you are well prepared. Illness forced me to abandon the climb. At first, it felt like failure and disappointment. But it was precisely there, in letting go of the ultimate goal, that I found the greatest value. The real reward is not in reaching the summit, but in what the mountain teaches you along the way.

What will you take away from this trip, in your mind, heart and/or travel bag?

I came home different than when I left. Calmer. Stronger. With the realisation that grief is not an end point, but a movement. The climb completed something and at the same time opened something up. Tanzania showed me that, even alone, you can be carried. And that sometimes you don’t have to achieve what you thought you would, to find exactly what you needed.