At Dirty Freedom® Adventures, we may be a tiny family company, but we offer BIG adventures with a personal touch. Our Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru climbing expeditions are rooted in a deep commitment to ethical travel. With our chief guide’s 82 successful Kilimanjaro summits and 19 Meru summits (and counting), you’re in the safest and most experienced hands. By choosing us, you’re not only embarking on the adventure of a lifetime but also joining a team of fun, friendly, and experienced guides who treat you like family.
We specialize in creating unique retreats tailored to your needs—whether you’re seeking a transformative yoga climb, a corporate team-building adventure, a family reunion, or a wellness retreat focused on reconnecting with nature. Our team ensures your experience is not only unforgettable but also ethically responsible and full of joy. And once you spend time with us, you become part of our Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru family.
THE MEANING OF DIRTY FREEDOM
The name "Dirty Freedom" is not a new concept, but it was new to me as I prepared for and climbed Kilimanjaro in September 2016. Before we tell you about us and our company, I want to send a holla! out to Heather Thomson of Real Housewives of New York fame (and much more!) for giving us the inspiration about the name of this company--and for the opportunity to climb with her! If you see her, tell her "mambo" from Badger and RG3!
Now back to us. Before coming to Kilimanjaro in September 2016, I was a busy litigator in Seattle, spending entirely too much time (including most nights and weekends) “driving a desk,” steeped in high levels of stress. The nature of the work required almost constant mental attention and agility—often at 3:00 in the morning. I loved my work and had the best clients in the world, but it was all-consuming and not always so good for one’s health. A few decades of hard work had left me pretty much mentally and physically exhausted. I needed a serious break.
In April 2016, I received an email asking for women to apply to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with Heather Thomson (for more info, see my September 3, 2016 blog post on my site badgerblogspot.com). It was just what the doctor ordered. It had been a while since my last really epic challenge (riding my bicycle from Seattle to San Francisco in 2008), and it was time to distance myself from work for a bit and concentrate on ME, While climbing with our incredible team, I forgot that I was a lawyer for a little while and immersed myself in nature and teamwork: two things I love. I think I brought a good sense of humor and lots of support to the other climbers while getting myself to the summit. Ultimately almost all of us made it, proving to the world that women of all sizes, shapes, and ages can conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges. I want to remind people that they shouldn’t judge a proverbial book by its cover. My desire to do my Kilimanjaro journey can really be summed up in a simple quote ostensibly made by Jack Kerouac: “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. CLIMB THAT GODDAMN MOUNTAIN.” And that’s exactly what we did in September 2016. And you can, too. AND YOU SHOULD! It will change your life for the better.
For me, the story didn't end after reaching Uhuru Peak on September 25, 2016. I had the good fortune of pairing up with professional Chief Guide "RG3", a Kilimanjaro native and Kilimanjaro expert extraordinaire. RG3 and I became good friends, and I owe my life to him for safely getting me to the summit. He believed in me even when I didn't, and his excellent intuition allowed him to always know how far to push me, and how fast. RG3 and I have been a happy couple since our trek in 2016, and we want to share the Kilimanjaro experience and Tanzania with others.
Did you know Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits? Standing at 5,895 meters / 19,341', it is the highest point in Africa. Choose from one of our routes to start your adventure to the Rooftop of Africa.
No trip to Tanzania is complete without a safari. See the majestic Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and much, much more.
Mount Meru is smaller in height than Kilimanjaro, but don't underestimate her! She's got a steep pitch at the summit that you will have to scramble a bit to get over. But the views are worth it. And--Meru makes a great warmup hike for Kilimanjaro.
Although there is a 3-day option, we strongly recommend against it. Most hikers have trouble getting to the park exit by 6 pm, which will attract another day's park fees. Give yourself that extra day to avoid wearing yourself out and to also enjoy the after-summit.
Tell me: Is your life a little too "clean" and boring for your liking? Too stressful? Feel like you're going nowhere quickly? Do you crave adventure? Got some stuff in your bucket list that you want to check off?
That was me in April of 2016. I cured my ailment by coming to Africa and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. You can, too.
Click the button below to read about my story. See if any of it sounds familiar. And then come and climb with Dirty Freedom Adventures, and start your own transformation.
Our philosophy is simple: Life is a safari. It has its ups and downs. Accept all of it, but don't waste another minute doing the same damn thing if you're not satisfied. Come to Africa, get dirty, and find freedom!
Africa is a beautiful and mystical place. When you come, you will leave your "normal" life behind you, at least temporarily, whether you like it or not. Turn off your cell phone (or at least the part that receives a signal) and use it only to take pictures and videos of your surroundings here in Tanzania. Forget stress, unhappiness, illness, strife, politics, war, grief, or anything else that doesn't serve you. Empty all negativity from your soul, leaving it wide open and prepared for the adventure that you are about to embark upon. You will need lots of room for the joy and fulfillment that is about to fill that space.
Our philosophy is different from other companies in that we believe your journey doesn't start when you reach your park gate. Rather, it starts the minute you sign up for your journey. We will work with you to ensure that you get the most out of the time leading up to the climb so you can enjoy it to the fullest, both mentally and physically. As you will read elsewhere, most of the effort to get you to the summit is mental, not physical. Without the mental tenacity, even the strongest person can fail. We want to help you build up that mental fortitude so that you can increase your odds of success, not only in summiting, but in what you take home with you from your experience afterwards.
We don't know what your "dirty freedom" will look like. We can't even promise that you will summit, because high altitude is an equal opportunity discriminator. But we do know that your life will never be the same after you return home from Africa. And it will be for the better.
Finally, although your safety is our absolute highest priority, we want you to crave more. The magic of Kilimanjaro and Meru don't lie in simply an athletic endeavor; it is a journey that will change your views--about yourself, others, and the world. Not only will your life not be the same: YOU won't be the same. People will wonder what changed. And they will want to have what you're having.
Send them to us.
Onward and upward!