TANAPA's Public Relations Manager Pascal Shelutete (left) and Wings of Kilimanjaro Coordinator Paula Mc Rae addressing the media during the launch of the first ever paragliding event in Tanzania to be held in Mount Kilimanjaro.
By Pascal Shelutete
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) in collaboration with an Australian company “Wings of Kilimanjaro” will host the first ever Paragliding event on Mount Kilimanjaro from 27th January, 2013 to 6th February, 2013.
A group of more than 100 adventurers and philanthropists from 25 countries from aroundthe globe will come together to Tanzania to climb and fly from the Roof of Africa. The team, who will be one of the largest ever groups to attempt the world’s tallest free standing mountain, aim to ascend the 5,895mhigh peak and fly from the summit.
Wings of Kilimanjaro will donate 100% of money raised to support the charities of “One Foundation”, Plant with Purpose” and “WorldServe International”. These organizations are undertaking ground-breaking work in East Africa to address the severe problems of poverty in rural communities, deforestation and humanitarian issues including clean drinking water, education and nutrition.
The whole expedition will have more than 600 porters, guides and crew who will support the 100+ adventurers. The group will spend seven days making the trek to the peak where the pilots will launch.
The paragliding event, whereby pilots will be flying from the Roof Top of Africa will take place on 5thor 6thFebruary, 2013 depending on the weather at Kibo. The team of pilots have chosen the grounds surrounding the Umbwe High School and Kibosho Vocational Training Centre between the villages of Machame and Kibosho. The public is highly welcomed to witness this important touristic event.
Paragliding participants currently include several newsworthy individuals from the world of adventure sport, adventure travelling and philanthropy including the 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Sano Babu Sunuwar from Nepal.