A Mountain Challenge in Africa, with a message "Conservation Through Tourism." We have to protect these areas with tourism numbers.
In November 2017, our small team of adventures completed a "World - First" expedition by climbing seven mountain summits in Africa in 7 weeks (back to back) in 5 countries.
The mountains included Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Stanley, Mt. Speke, Mt. Meru, Mt. Karisimbi, and Mt. Nyiragongo (active volcano). This achievement is hoping to lead to a bigger goal, a Pan- Africa Mt. Everest Expedition in the future.
7 Summits Africa is an annual expedition of regional mountaineering, created by adventurers and conservationists to bring awareness to the unexplored technical mountains on the African continent. A powerful, beautiful, challenging mountaineering experience is possible by combining mountains and ranges in more than one country.
In 2017 we climbed 7 African peaks in 7 weeks, back-to-back in 5 countries. We wanted to see if it could be done and capture some views from Africa's highest vantage points to promote mountaineering in East Africa and #conservationthroughtourism.
By 2018 we knew it was possible and then some – so a small team attempted ten peaks in 4 weeks in 3 countries and completed 9 of them, including a new route up Mawenzi in the 2018 expedition, before a well-earned break in 2019.
In 2020, we had lofty ambitions and had set our sights on a possible 27 of Africa's highest peaks in just 40 days and three countries. There were more opportunities to participate– for mountaineers and non-technical climbers in the Rwenzori Range, Mt Kenya, Meru & Kilimanjaro. Sadly the Covid-19 global pandemic prevented the expedition.
#7SA2021
Having been humbled by 2020, we are back to climbing SEVEN Summits for 2021 in THREE countries (with a few side peaks where possible).
Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya each offer unique challenges – from the equatorial glaciers in the Rwenzoris to the altitude of Kilimanjaro and the sheer technical slopes of Nelion and Batian on Mt Kenya to end the challenge.
The reasons behind #7SA2021 – Conservation Through Tourism
The mission for every summit we do is simple: to raise awareness of crucial causes that affect the mountains and their surrounding natural environment, people, and animals – from endangered mountain gorillas to melting glaciers.
The overall goal is more challenging: to protect these areas and habitats by stimulating tourism to East Africa. This group of die-hard environmentalists and adventurers knows that there's no chance of preserving nature and wildlife in one of the World's most diverse and achingly beautiful regions without sustainable tourism.
Conservation needs your visit – now more than ever.
Where will #7SA2021 take place?
The team will cross three East African countries.
Uganda: One of Africa's most beautiful and dramatic natural environments, the Rwenzori's, or 'Mountains of the Moon,' are also among its least visited. They offer an example of nature at its most wild and untamed, with a range of scalable peaks.
Kenya: With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of East Africa's most impressive landscapes. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the U-shaped glacial valleys' head.
Tanzania: Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes in the World. It has three prominent volcanic peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Its snow-capped peak and glaciers are the highest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters above northern Tanzania's rolling plains. Add in Mawenzi for the best views of Kilimanjaro.
When is #7SA2021?
November 2, 2021: Start date in Entebbe, Uganda
December 3, 2021: End date in Nanyuki, Kenya (32 days)
Uganda: 01-13 November 2021
Tanzania: 17-24 November 2021
Kenya: November 24 – December 3, 2021
Who can join #7SA20201?
The expedition is open to active and adventurous hikers and mountaineers interested in protecting and preserving East Africa's high mountain ranges – areas of crucial significance and beauty.