Nestor Sarumbo's Biography

Duma hired Nestor Sarumbo as its second Kilimanjaro head guide in June 2006. Nestor has extensive mountain and medical training and specializes in Duma's Crater Camp ascents. Nestor also guides during some of Duma's Ngorongoro Highlands treks.

Nestor began climbing Kilimanjaro in 1996 as a porter. Since then, he has climbed the mountain approximately 200 times. Nestor began his career as a mountain guide after successfully completing Kilimanjaro National Park's guide training course in 1999.

In 1998, prior to completing his official guide training, he spent six weeks on Mount Kenya with the National Outdoor Leadership School. During this time, Nestor was trained on wilderness safety and technical mountain climbing. In 1998, Nestor also completed a mountain training course sponsored by the Dav Summit Club of Germany. In 1999, Nestor completed a third training course with the Wilderness Medical Society of the United States. This course was six weeks long.

Nestor's work experience includes five years of guiding with African Environment and three years with Abercrombie and Kent. He also worked for three months as a guide during the production of the Kilimanjaro IMAX film.

In addition to Kilimanjaro, Nestor has climbed Mount Meru, Oldonyo Lengai and Mount Kenya. He has also visited the Northern Tanzania safari parks and Maasai Mara and Tsavo National Parks in Kenya.

Nestor's advice to those wanting to climb Kilimanjaro is to spend as many days as possible on the mountain. The longer someone spends on the mountain, the more likely they are to reach the top. Also, read as much information as possible on climbing at high elevation before reaching Tanzania.

Nestor enjoys working for Duma because guides and porters are paid and treated well. Additionally, the management is open to changes suggested by mountain crew.

Nestor lives in Arusha Town. He has two brothers who also work in the tourism industry, one as a safari guide and the other at a luxury hotel in Zanzibar.