KILIMANJARO ADVENTURE KITCHEN
FUEL YOUR PASSION
Your climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro requires determination, grit, and most importantly, fuel to nourish your dream. That's why Tusker has partnered with the prestigious Culinary Institute of America to train our mountain chefs who provide you with the nourishment you need to fire up your adventure.
Each day begins with a hot breakfast, served with the finest locally grown coffee or tea, to give you the energy you need to tackle the day ahead. During the climb, you enjoy hot meals prepared at our favorite lunch spots on the trail. And after a long day of trekking, you roll into camp to find a sumptuous feast waiting for you, prepared by Tusker Trail's superb Culinary-trained mountain chefs.
WHAT DO OUR CLIMBERS HAVE TO SAY
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
As you set out on your climb, you'll be privy to the fruits of our long-standing relationship with the renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Every meal in the dining tent is a testament to the expertise and training of some of the best chefs in the world.
We have enlisted the help of CIA Master Chef James Hanyzeski, one of only 65 Master Chefs in the United States, and the Institute’s Director, Chef David Kamen, to design our menus and impart their knowledge and skills to our own chefs. And, to ensure that every meal is of the highest caliber, Chef James even joined us on the climb, overseeing the preparation and execution of each dish.
When you combine the exceptional training of these culinary masters with the rich, locally sourced ingredients, you get one thing - the finest meals on Kilimanjaro.
CHEF TRAINING
The chef in the tall white hat surrounded by Tusker chefs, is James Hanyzeski CMC. He is a rare bird - one of only 65 Certified Master Chefs in the United States.
When Tusker contracted with the CIA to inspire our cooks, Chef James accepted the challenge and flew to Tanzania with a set of knives and a pair of climbing boots. Hanyzeski has taught all over the world and came to Tanzania not just to lend his expertise training to Tusker’s chefs, but to climb the mountain and learn from them as well.
NUTRITIOUS MEAL PLANNING
Our entire meal plan has been crafted by Tusker's own nutrition expert and owner/guide, Amy Frank, in collaboration with Chef David Kamen, a professor of culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America. Together, they spent weeks designing a climbing menu, using only the freshest, locally grown vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats produced in the foothills of Kilimanjaro.
The result of all this planning and training is an array of meals that will stun your imagination. Our Kilimanjaro chefs, armed with only portable gas burners, turn out these delectable meals at extreme altitudes, a challenge unto itself. But their focus was two-fold: not only to tantalize your taste buds, but also to nourish and fuel your body for the climb ahead. As you savor each delicious bite, you'll know that you're not just fueling your body, but also fueling the adventure deep within you. And with each step you take towards the summit, you'll be reminded that the climb is not just about reaching the peak, but about the journey and the experiences you have along the way.
AMY TALKS...
"Nothing feels so good at the end of your hike than to walk into the mess tent, plunk down, and dive into a delicious three-course meal. Climbing Kilimanjaro is tough but it doesn't mean that you have to give up the things in life that mean so much to us."
WELL BALANCED MEALS
When the rugged peaks of Kilimanjaro call to you, there is one truth that cannot be denied: Food is fuel. As you plan your ascent, the importance of proper nutrition may not immediately come to mind. But as you embark on a long, multi-day climb through extreme weather and rugged terrain, it becomes clear that proper nutrition and balanced meals are the key to success. And as you climb higher and higher, and sleep at ever-greater altitudes, this becomes even more vital. Your meals during the climb are not just sustenance for your body, but also a key to adapting to the changing nutritional needs of your body.
Here’s how the food works for you:
- Carbohydrates give your body energy
- Protein feeds your muscles and repairs the wear and tear on your muscle tissue from the long days of endurance trekking
- Fat keeps you satiated and feeling full between meals.
FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE
As you wander the bustling markets of Moshi, your senses will be tantalized by the incredible array of fruits, nuts, and vegetables on display in the stalls of the market vendors. From branches heavy with ripe bananas to massive avocados and exotic fruits and vegetables, all the ingredients for your climb are there for the taking. And our chefs know just where to find them.
At the foot of Kilimanjaro, you'll find our chefs wandering a massive local fresh food market where they buy all the meat, fruits and vegetables for your climb. All the food comes from surrounding farms and villages, ensuring that you're nourishing your body with the freshest, most delicious ingredients.
Your Adventure Kitchen is regularly re-supplied with sumptuous produce from the surrounding farms and villages every few days during your climb. And all the dynamite meals you'll enjoy on the mountain are crafted from these fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
DIET PREFERENCES
When you think of climbing Kilimanjaro, the meals on your adventure are typically the last thing you think about, unless you have a special diet. If so, you’re not alone. We have decades of experience in customizing meals for climbers with dietary preferences. If your diet isn’t right on the trail, your body won’t have the essential nutrients and energy it’s going to need to thrive in this challenging high-altitude environment. If you have a special dietary requirement, let us know as soon as you book your trek, and we’ll discuss your specific needs.
ADVENTURE DINING
As you make your way to the dining tent, you can't help but feel a sense of excitement. This isn't just any ordinary dining experience, this is a feast fit for royalty, set on the slopes beneath Kilimanjaro’s stunning Kibo Peak. The large all-weather dining tent, designed to seat your entire group comfortably, protects you from the elements while you dine.
As you take your seat in a comfortable chair at the dining table, laid out with colorful African cloth, you'll be transported to a different world. The panoramic views of the mountain provide a breathtaking backdrop to your meal. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular setting to enjoy a fantastic meal than on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tusker Trail’s Adventure Kitchen.
A SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST FUEL
As the first light of dawn breaks over our camp on Kilimanjaro, the crisp mountain air awakens your senses. And there's no better way to start your day than with a hearty breakfast that will fuel your body and fire up your spirit. The dining tent is where you and your fellow climbers gather eagerly for a warm cup of coffee or tea and a hot breakfast to get your motor running.
The French toast topped with warm fresh fruit might be the perfect way to start your day, or perhaps pancakes drizzled with syrup will hit the spot. Oatmeal, omelets, and porridge are also great tasty options to fuel your start to the day.
A sample of our breakfast menu:
- Porridge (oats or millet)
- Eggs (scrambled, poached, omelet, fried)
- Bacon or sausage
- Toast
- Peanut butter, jam, honey
- Cheese
- Fresh Fruit
- Tea, coffee, cocoa, juice
LUNCH RECHARGE
You'll find that your lunchtime sustenance is not just an afterthought, but an essential part of fueling your journey. A mere peanut butter sandwich is not going to cut it. Instead, think Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Falafel, Pita with Hummus Salad, finished off with fresh fruit and cookies. This is just one example of how Tusker Trail reinvents your mountain lunch.
Hot midday meals served in our roomy dining tents take on a southwestern flair, with dishes like Fajitas with bell peppers, onions, and beans, a trek favorite, and Tacos and Carnitas coming in a close second.
A sample of our lunch menu:
- Vegetable soups
- Falafel
- Fajitas
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Pasta Salad with Tuna
- Vegetable Pie
- Roasted Sweet potato
- Hard Boiled eggs
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Crepes
- Grilled Cheese
- Desserts (cookies, fritters, brownies)
- Fresh fruits
A DINNER TO REMEMBER
One of your dinners is a true introduction to the flavors of Tanzania: a local dish of chickpea and vegetable tagine, pronounced TA-JEAN. A North-African inspired dish that showcases the creative use of vegetables.
Your other dinners will take you on a culinary tour of the world, with flavors from Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. And don't forget to save room for dessert! Each dish is carefully crafted to provide the perfect balance of taste and nutrition, ensuring that you're well-nourished and ready for the journey ahead.
A sample of our dinner menu:
- Vegetable soups
- Moroccan Spice Sautéed Tilapia
- Potato Salad with Olives and Red Peppers
- Sausage and Chicken Mountain Paella
- Jerk Chicken
- Pork Schnitzel
- Spaghetti Bolognaise
- Vegetable and Potato Stew
- Vegetable sides (zucchini, greens, carrots)
- Starch sides (rice or potatoes)
- Desserts (trifle, apple pancakes, biscotti, crepes)
- Fresh fruits
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
With Tusker Trail, Eddie and Amy Frank have always aimed to exceed expectations. For the past 47 years, they have been setting the standard for all to follow. As passionate foodies, they have a deep love for cooking and eating sustainably and healthily. And that same passion and love for cooking is evident in Tusker's Adventure Kitchen. As you make your way up the slopes of Kilimanjaro, you'll find that the food you'll eat is just as good, if not better, than what you'd find along the streets of Paris or New York City. The meals are carefully crafted to provide the perfect balance of taste and nutrition, ensuring that you're well-nourished and ready for the journey ahead.
EXPLORE MORE
Discover Kilimanjaro's challenge.
Find out the differences.
We’ve led thousands of climbers up Kilimanjaro with a 98% summit success rate.