Our Africa Trip
Meet the crew.
David Buckner
David turned 56 on the trip and fulfilled a life long dream of climbing Kilimanjaro. He was the connection point for the group since he knew all the others prior to the trip. He was the best man at Koby's wedding many years ago. He and Doug worked together and became fast friends during some tough projects. He met Bob several years ago through his partner Melissa and Bob's wife Katherine. One night while he and Bob were enjoying several adult beverages, he managed to con Bob into taking the wild journey.​​
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Koby Olson
A longtime friend of David's, they met in the military at El Toro Marine base over 30 years ago and became best friends. David was even Koby's BestMan at his wedding to Julie in CA.
They have kept in touch over the years, and when David was turning 55, he wanted to do something epic – Let’s climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, but timing didn't work out that year.
The following year, David sent out an email to a group of people and even though this was not on Koby’s bucket-list and still not recovered from Cancer surgery, his answer was simple: When are we going? This was going to be a great way to catch up.
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Doug Howland
Doug put out a call on Facebook, looking for suggestions for his next big adventure. David responded, mentioning that he and three friends were planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although Kili had always been on Doug’s bucket list, he never thought he’d actually get the chance to cross it off. But with everything already organized, Doug only needed a minute to decide—and said yes. Surprisingly, his fear of heights never even crossed his mind.
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Bob Wilson
Bob, a Canadian-born software engineer, now lives in Florida with his wife and daughter. When he’s not working, he enjoys staying active through hockey, both playing and coaching, as well as inline skating and snowboarding. A passionate traveler, Bob and his family have lived in various parts of the world, always eager to explore new destinations and immerse themselves in different cultures.
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Bob was introduced to David through his wife, Katherine, and David's partner Melissa. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro wasn’t originally on Bob’s radar, but when David invited him to join the adventure in November 2023, Bob didn’t take it too seriously at first. However, as it turned out, David was serious, and Bob soon found himself preparing for the challenge. In the end, he has unforgettable memories.
NO REGRETS!
Find Bob on LinkedIn
The Guides
Freddie, Armani and Eugene took amazing care of us during our trek. Fredy was the lead guide and Eugene is his younger brother. Their father was a guide until the age of 71. Armani was the youngest of the crew and was an absolute beast. They were all quick to smile and provide words of encouragement. They were the epitome of professionalism and made our journey successful and enjoyable.
Chef and Waiter
Chef Amocha made the most amazing food and belongs in a Michelin 5-Star somewhere in the world. How he made some of the dishes on the side of a mountain, with only a kerosene cook stove is still a mystery. Waiter, Hotie Masawe, always served us with a smile and had whatever we needed ready and waiting for us in the dining tent. We know these guys got less sleep than everyone else, but yet still provided great service.