The GO2KILI Story

Where Passion Meets Purpose

The GO2KILI Story

By Kefas Mollel, Founder of GO2KILI

Like many others in this industry, I started as a porter on Mount Kilimanjaro. But here’s the thing—I never planned on working in tourism. I wasn’t drawn to guiding, didn’t speak much English, and honestly, I just needed a job.

In Arusha, where I grew up, tourism is everything. It’s the backbone of the economy, especially when it comes to Kilimanjaro treks and safaris. If you need work, chances are you’ll find it in tourism. That’s exactly how I ended up on the mountain.

From the Mines to the Mountain

Before I stepped onto the mountain, I was working in the Tanzanite mines. And let me tell you, mining is a brutal way to make a living. It was one of the hardest, most dangerous jobs in the world. We weren’t even paid wages—just the hope that one day we’d strike it rich.

Then, one evening, something inside me shifted. I realized I hadn’t seen my family in almost a year. I thought about my friend lying in that hospital bed, and for the first time in a long time, I asked myself:

What am I really doing here?

That night, I made the decision to leave the mines for good and head back home.

A New Path: Becoming a Porter

My family tried to help me find work—small jobs, like selling fruit in the market. Then, one of my relatives stepped in. He worked in a hotel that also organized Kilimanjaro treks, and he found me a job as a porter.

Working as a porter on Mount Kilimanjaro was no joke. It was tough—really tough. But after what I had been through in the mines, this felt… survivable. Hard, yes. But at least I was getting paid. I worked hard, did everything quickly, and didn’t complain.

I worked my way up fast and soon received a new role—camp manager. That meant I was in charge of carrying and setting up tents before the trekkers arrived.

After that, I got another role—waiter. Now, this was even harder. As a waiter, I had to be up before sunrise, working alongside the chef to prepare everything for the trekkers. I was the one waking them up, bringing them water to wash, making sure they were comfortable. It was long hours in the cold, but I liked the responsibility.

Finding My Place on the Mountain

Being a waiter changed everything for me. It was the first time I got to interact with clients. I started learning their names, their routines. I paid attention to the food we served, the way meals were prepared.

Without even realizing it, I was getting hooked on the industry.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t want to leave. This was my place.

By this point, I had spent so much time around the chef on Kilimanjaro that I naturally picked up the skills. I learned by doing—watching, listening, practicing. No culinary school, just hands-on experience. Eventually, I became a mountain chef, cooking for climbers at high altitude.

Then, everything changed again.

The Opportunity That Changed Everything

One day, I met a client who took a real interest in me. He liked my work ethic, my toughness. I was also working as a summit porter, which meant I helped clients all the way to the top.

This particular client noticed my dedication. I helped him and others reach the top, and after the climb, he pulled my guide aside.

“I want to help this guy go to school to be a guide,” he said. “He has potential. He can become something more.”

That offer caught me off guard. I had never thought about school. I had seen firsthand that guides had a different kind of job. They weren’t carrying heavy loads—they were leading the expedition, managing the experience, and handling the clients.

And now, for the first time, I saw a real opportunity to step into that role.

Becoming a Guide

The only problem? English.

So, I started from the very beginning. After mastering the basics from an excellent teacher who pushed me, I moved on to phase two—the real mountain guide coursework.

The coursework was intense, with multiple projects and practical training, but I pushed through. And after years of working my way up—I qualified as a full-route mountain guide.

The Birth of GO2KILI

I’ve now been a guide on Mount Kilimanjaro for over 12 years. I’ve worked with over 10 different companies, learning the industry inside and out. But after years of working for others, I knew it was time.

It was time to build something of my own.

But for me, GO2KILI was never just about me. That’s why I built GO2KILI from the ground up—to create a direct, honest, and locally-driven way to climb Kilimanjaro. A company where every dollar spent goes directly to the people who make these climbs possible.

GO2KILI wasn’t just going to be another trekking company. It was going to be a company with purpose. A company that supports its people, community, and environment.

For me, this has always been about more than climbing. It’s about helping people achieve their dreams—both the climbers reaching for the summit and the local team making it all happen.

That’s why, from the very beginning, my focus has been on community.

Reaching the summit is incredible—but what matters just as much is the experience you have along the way. The people you meet. The connections you build. The moments that stay with you long after you’ve left the mountain.

Kilimanjaro is unique.

And if you want to dream, we’ll carry your dream.

If you want to explore, challenge yourself, and meet incredible people, we’re here to guide you—every step of the way—to the Roof of Africa.

Come experience Kilimanjaro.

This is GO2KILI.

How GO2KILI Became a Partnership

Some partnerships are built on strategy. Others? Out of passion, shared vision, and the right people crossing paths at the right time.

Before it was a company, before there was a website, a logo, or a name—it was just Kefas and Kevin, two people from different worlds, brought together by one mountain.

Kevin first dreamed of Kilimanjaro in 2002 after watching To the Roof of Africa. It took 18 years to make it happen, but in 2020, he finally stood on the mountain—with me as his guide.

What stood out most to Kevin wasn’t just the mountain, but the people—especially, me.

Kevin, with a background in marketing and customer experience, saw the potential in GO2KILI.

I knew the mountain and Kevin knew how to bring the story to the world.

Together, we built something different—a trekking company that supports summit dreams while immersing you in the unfiltered experience of Kilimanjaro, its people, and the place we call home: Tanzania.

The GO2KILI Story

Where Passion Meets Purpose