Peter Olomi
Summit porter
Born and raised in Arusha, and a guide in the making. Alongside his own load he has helped our trekkers up the mountain more times than we can count.
About us
A Tanzanian company, run from Arusha
Northern Wonder Expeditions is a proudly Tanzanian-owned tour operator dedicated to creating unforgettable travel experiences — built by a guide, for travellers who want the real thing.
The founder
Isack Lyimo
Founder, and a professional mountain and safari guide — fifteen years on Kilimanjaro and over a decade guiding it and the northern parks.
He grew up in Arusha, in the shadow of Mount Meru, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon. He first went up Kilimanjaro as a porter, carrying loads for other people's expeditions, and learned the mountain from the bottom up. He studied Wildlife Management at college and moved into guiding professionally — first on safari in the northern parks, then leading on the mountain he had already climbed many times over.
Northern Wonder Expeditions came out of a straightforward frustration: watching travellers arrive on trips sold by people who had never walked the route, priced by people who had never carried the load, and guided by whoever was cheapest that week. He thought it could be done better by the people who actually live here.
“We combine professional experience, local expertise, and a genuine love for Tanzania to create safe, authentic, and unforgettable journeys.”
The crew
The people you will actually be walking with
Isack does not carry the mountain on his own. Every expedition goes up with a crew of guides, cooks and porters, most of whom grew up within sight of the peak they are climbing. These are some of them.
Fedrick Choda
Mountain and safari guide
Born and raised in Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. One of our lead mountain and safari guides, with more than twelve years of experience and a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) qualification.
Innocent Chami
Mountain guide
Born on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and still living in the region. One of our lead guides on the mountain, with over ten years leading groups on Kilimanjaro and Meru and more than 200 successful summit trips behind him.
Our mission
Safe, authentic, unforgettable — in that order
To provide safe, authentic and unforgettable Tanzania adventures, led by experienced local guides who are deeply committed to your safety, your comfort and the success of every expedition.
The order matters. Plenty of operators will get you up a mountain. Fewer will tell you when you should not be going up it.
What we stand on
Four things we will not compromise
Safety above all
Every decision — route choice, pace, equipment, whether to continue — is made against safety first. It is the one thing we will not negotiate on.
Honesty in every interaction
If a route is wrong for you, we say so. If a month is a bad time to travel, we say that too, even when it costs us the booking.
Respect for people and place
For Tanzania's wildlife, its landscapes and the communities who live alongside both. Fair wages, sensible group sizes, and leaving places as we found them.
Personal service
You are a person planning a significant trip, not a booking reference. You will deal with the same people from first enquiry to the drive back to the airport.
Responsible tourism
Tourism that leaves something behind
Tourism is one of Tanzania's largest employers, and how it is run decides whether that money reaches the people doing the work. Ours is a small company and we cannot fix the industry, but we can run our own part of it properly.
- Guides, cooks, porters and drivers hired locally and paid fairly
- Porter numbers set by the route and the load, and park load limits we actually observe
- Community fees for village visits agreed directly and paid directly
- Everything we carry up the mountain comes back down again
- Group sizes kept small enough not to crowd wildlife or trails
Supporting local communities, employing local guides and porters, minimising our environmental impact, and preserving these places for the people who will still be here long after the season ends.
The promise
What every traveller gets
At Northern Wonder Expeditions we believe every traveller deserves honest advice, professional guidance, transparent pricing, and a safe, unforgettable experience.
10+Years guiding professionally
15Years on Kilimanjaro, starting as a porter
6Kilimanjaro routes we run
4,566mMount Meru, an hour from the office
Start planning
Come and see for yourself
Ask us anything — about routes, timing, cost, or whether the trip you have in mind is realistic. There is no obligation and you will get a straight answer.
Enquiries are read Mon–Sat 8am–6pm and Sun 9am–4pm (EAT).