KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN CUISINE CHEFS - EXCELLENT & EXPERIENCED

One of the most mind-boggling achievements on a Tanzanian trekking expedition is the production of tasty hot meals in the very challenging conditions of a Mt. Kilimanjaro high-altitude climb. Consider a team of 5 trekkers with their 5 mountain head leader guide and personal support guides, 5 personal porters for each client’s own gear and 10 or more are needed to carry all the provisions, tents, tables, chairs, portable toilets, camping stoves, fuel, other supplies and emergency equipment and your dedicated cook. On an Uhuru Trails trek by AfricanMecca, you are looking at more than 20 people needing, satisfying, tasty high-calorie meals.

The higher you climb, the more difficult a cook’s job becomes. For every 500 feet of elevation, the boiling point of water decreases by one degree Fahrenheit. It does not matter how much more you heat it, or for how long, boiling water at over 1000 meters of altitude will not brew a decent cup of tea. Everything takes longer to cook and presents different problems at different heights. At the last camp before the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, a three-minute egg may take ten minutes to set and its water will boil off in the reduced air pressure, unless there is a tightly sealed lid.

Fried food will burn outside and be uncooked within. Bread will rise twice as fast as usual, then fall and be heavy and gooey. The cook needs all his experience and ingenuity to work in decreasing air pressure at increasing altitude. He also needs to produce appetizing food for people who are tired and listless.

On this unusual African mountain vacation, all their energy is being used in survival mode, with little left for digestion, but they need far more than normal calorie allowances to fuel high energy exertion, keeping warm in freezing cold temperatures and adapting to altitude. Picture a tent, packed with shivering Kilimanjaro tour trekkers around three or four kerosene stoves where a cook is endeavoring to prepare rice, pancakes, minced meat & spaghetti, vegetables and a protein ingredient.

Potatoes will not soften. There is little room to move. There are limited utensils, and the freezing wind is howling outside, flapping the tent canvas. The cook is exhausted from the hike, having carried much of his equipment and provisions, but he is confident and smiling as the guides and porters clap to a rhythmic chant, celebrating their achievements of the day and their expectations for the meal.

A song-leader makes up a descriptive line, such as, “We are lions climbing the Kilimanjaro”. The chorus chants the response, which you can easily learn, as it does not change. It may be “But we are very hungry”, sounding like “Lakini sisi tuna njaa sana”. Then another line from the soloist, “Our cook is preparing a tasty meal”. Chorus: “Lakini sisi tuna njaa sana”. Solo: “And it is ready now”, followed by the same response.

The soloist changes and so does the endless commentary. Soon you will find yourself clapping with them, smiling and actually enjoying the waiting and serving time. Eventually, you will receive a platter of temptingly spiced, colorful, high carbohydrate, hot food, plenty for everyone. Your appetite will have returned.

Scrumptious & Filling Food During Your Climb

So what kind of food can you expect on a Kilimanjaro trip? It will vary depending on whether you have previously notified any special dietary needs or preferences. It will also change as you climb higher. Food is harder to digest at altitude and re-supply is increasingly difficult. Dried foods, grains, pulses and nuts are easier carry than tins and heavy items like potatoes. So you would get potatoes in most of the mountain zones, with fresh meat. But eggs, macaroni, rice, vegetable, fruits, sausage, poultry chicken and cheese are more energizing foods before your summit attempt.

Also special Swahili breads, such as mandazi, sweet and fluffy East African donuts, are soft and fresh lower down the mountain, but become too dry and doughy as you ascend, so pancakes are a more practical option. A normal breakfast menu would include warm porridge, followed by fruits, sausage, bread, scrambled or boiled eggs cooked slowly and with care as they burn all too easily.

Packed lunches with sandwiches, chicken, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit are eaten whilst climbing the Kilimanjaro mountain. Evening meals will be memorable Tanzanian mountain tour experiences, prepared from fish, mince meat, chicken, rice, pasta, fruits, varied vegetables and more at lower and higher altitudes depending on your day.

When it gets colder, rich soups and stews will feature in the menus. Jam, honey and biscuits will provide energy, with popcorn and peanuts as snacking tea-time comforters. There will be tea, coffee and water to drink, but you are advised to bring your own energy preferred drinks and energizing bars. Alcohol is a terrible idea on a trekking tour of Kilimanjaro so do not bring any. Growing excellent Arabica coffee is one of the main Chagga sources of income, so fresh pestle-ground coffee is a real treat. As the route gets tougher, comforting drinks of hot milk and chocolate are served before turning in with biscuits.

Your mountain chef will have his own repertoire of favorite successful local dishes for his crew but you can tempt your appetite, many based on traditional recipe foods, especially those of the Chagga people who live on the foothills of the rooftop of Africa. Their staples are maize, beans, peas, yams, bananas etc. Vegetarian options include more salads, tomatoes, carrots and cucumber as sandwich or burger with egg as an option if you prefer, with nuts, bananas, bean-based and varied vegetable dishes, savory pancake, Chinese rice, sautéed potatoes, noodles and many more.

Wherever possible, evening meals have a high fluid content, with warm soups and fruit dishes to counteract dehydration. Your diet is specially planned to maintain optimum health during your Mt. Kilimanjaro uphill walking safari with AfricanMecca.

Review Below Details Of Uhuru Trails Guides, Porters & Cooks For Your Kilimanjaro Trek

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