Hear what some of our clients have to say about us:

Follow in the footsteps of Deshun Deysel – Mountaineer

"I was thrilled and, frankly, amazed at how well the 1st for Women team did on the mountain. I was the only female "mountaineer" on the team and Allie had previously been to around 5200m on Kili but most of the other women had never even worn hiking boots. Some of the team are raising families or with grown up children - all are working women leading extremely busy lives but , even so, all volunteered for this expedition knowing that it would be a tremendous challenge that few dare to take on. Their inner strength and sheer tenacity on that mountain showed repeatedly the calibre of South African women and I was honoured to climb Kilimanjaro with them. Each of the women on the 1st for Women team , whether they stood on the top of the mountain or not, should be extremely proud of their achievements - and so should everyone who knows them!

Then there were the 3 guys: Jan (expedition cameraman and previous Kili summitteer), Hannes (sponsor representative ) and Derek who had never been near a mountain before and who joined the expedition in his private capacity to support Allie, his wife, in her climb and to give the mountain his best shot. Each one of them not only faced their own challenges in climbing "shining mountain" but also managed to offer support and encouragement to the rest of the team along the way. Jan and I have been on many mountains together and I know what a valuable climbing companion he is. Derek was a wonderful support, not only to Allie (who must be so proud of her man) but also to others on the team. And then there's Hannes who, in all respects, is one of the strongest climbers I have met. Somehow he is not only able to get himself up the mountain but also to offer support (and incredible encouragement) to anyone who is going through a bad patch, adding their backpack to his own load, and even assisting them physically if that is what was needed. He seemed to be Superman - or should that be Superwomen (given that it was the 1st for Women expedition and he, too, was wearing their pink & white colours!).

I can honestly say that i would not have made it to the summit were it not for him. Having got to Gilman's Point in that appalling weather I truly felt that I just could not make it to Uhuru Peak. I had, in fact, turned around and descended about 150m in altitude when Hannes mentioned "we'll bring you back to Kilimanjaro to fly the 1st for Women flag from the summit". I thought "WHAT??? That means I'll have to climb this mountain all over again! Perhaps I should head for Uhuru Peak and see if I can make it". I wasn't feeling at all good and, in retrospect, it was definitely not the sensible or safe thing to do. I'd always vowed I wouldn't purposely put myself at risk and now I was possibly doing just that. Anyway, with Hannes accompanying me, I climbed back up to the crater and we headed for Uhuru. It took us 3 hours to get there, instead of the usual 2, but we made it, I summitted the 2nd of my 7 Summits and it's in no small part due to Hannes and his incredible support and motivational ability. Also to Augustin, our guide (who lied to me on several occasions! "Only 10 more minutes!" "Only another 20metres!")

In the snow and rain and sleet Augustin took a photo of Hannes and I with the 1st for Women banner and then we started the 3hr slog back to the edge of the crater from where we could begin the 5hr descent to Horombo camp....and sleep!

This is the 3rd time I've been to Kili. The first was in 1995 during the selection process for the 1st SA Everest Expedition in 1996 and then I also saw in the millenium New Year on Kili from where we anxiously watched the lights on the plains below to see whether or not "Y2K" would plunge the world into darkness. They were wonderful experiences, milestones in my life, but so, too, was this 1st for Women expedition and I believe that all of us have returned home forever changed, and made stronger, by the experience." MORE ON DESHUN DEYSEL

Perinet, Nosy Be & Morondava, Madagascar – April 2007
"Thanks for a great Madagascar holiday! Your service was excellent. In fact, if you asked me: If I went again, will I book through you again? The answer would be: Of course, what a silly question! I have promised my middle daughter a trip when she has completed her jewelry design course end of next year, so you'll hear from me again soon!" – Estelle Hopkins (Cape Town, SA)

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – April 2007
“Climbing Kilimanjaro was a life changing experience! It was challenging but the landscape was so beautiful. The whole adventure, the guides, the porters, the camps, it was just amazing! I’ll be browsing your website soon to plan my next active African Adventure.” Karin Freeman (Johannesburg, SA)

Zanzibar ,Tanzania - April 2007
"The highlight of our trip to Zanzibar was swimming with the dolphins on the south coast - to be recommended to anybody who loves that kind of thing. Saw plenty dolphins and a huge whale shark that practically scraped past me, it was a memorable experience. We also went on a sunset cruise in a dhow which is to be recommended. We walked to the nearby Nungwi village where there is a beautiful beach and bars on the beach, we spent most days just relaxing on the beach and in the water, it was a very nice relaxing holiday." – Chris Barnard (Johannesburg, SA)

Magaliesberg President’s Award Expedition, South Africa – March 2007
“ The boys loved the time in the Magaliesberg. The activities were exciting and even though the abseiling was scary, everyone did it and I was so pleased that everybody managed to beat their fears. There has been a change in their outlook since returning, they are more confident and positive of their future. They especially thought that swimming in the pools was a healing experience. I am so pleased with the outcome of the trip. – Tumi, mentor at Bosasa Youth Centre (Krugersdorp, SA)

Garden route, South Africa and Mt Kenya, Kenya - December 2006
“I loved my time in South Africa and Kenya was very inspirational. I will definitely be returning to Africa!!!” - Noam Newman (New York, USA)

Nosy Be, Madagascar – November 2006
“Thank you for all your help on my trip to Nosy Be, Madagascar. It was awesome, fun, very hot, very rustic but beautiful and restful. I will certainly go again, and recommend my friends to use your services.” – Gwyn Gray (Port Elizabeth, SA)

Fish River Canyon, Namibia - September 2006
“My love affair with Africa continues and I have found an adventure company and guide I will certainly go back to for further adventures.” – Jerome Griffin (London, UK)

Okavango Delta, Botswana + Kruger & Garden Route, South Africa, September 2006
"My clients had a WONDERFUL time and enjoyed all aspects of the trip. They especially enjoyed meeting you and having you help them secure that overnight hotel in JNB when their flight from Maun was delayed. They were so pleased with all the arrangements made by Firecloud so you can be assured that I shall use you again when I need an FIT to South Africa. Hopefully, I will get to plan a trip for myself one of these days! Again thanks for planning a superb trip, Cherelle! I will look forward to working with you again, hopefully soon!" – Travel Agent, Linda Van Buuren (California, USA)

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – June 2006
“It was the hardest thing I have ever done, if it hadn’t been for our guide John and his endless patience I am not sure I would have made it up the summit. Climbing Kilimanjaro was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so chuffed to have achieved it. Thank you for convincing me to go!" – Lorraine Milton (Johannesburg, SA)

Nosy Be Honeymoon – March 2006
“Thank you for all your help in planning our honeymoon.” - Jaco Crafford (Stellenbosch, SA)

Nosy Be, Yacht cruise & Mt Ambre – December 2005
“Thank you for all your assistance in getting our Madagascar holiday together, your service has been great! – Lorna Wilks (Johannesburg, SA)

Madagascar, November 2005
"Our trip to and in Madagascar was a real success. Everything went exactly as per programme, without any hitch or problem.Many thanks for your good care and services." Jos Graindor (Centurion, SA)

Desert Horse Safari, Namibia – September 2005
“Thanks again for all your trouble getting this organized with so little notice.” – David Nathanson (New York, USA)

Kilimanjaro Machame Route, August 2005
"You can hear all the stories in the world about Kili, but it is something that you cannot fully grasp without experiencing it. To climb this mountain requires a resolve, a determination to keep going when (at least for me) everything in you screams that it wants to give up. It is within the reach of “ordinary people”, but it is not for the fainthearted. You’ve got to want to get to the top." - Heather Brownell (Johannesburg, SA) [more]

Kilimanjaro Machame Route, August 2005
"Take a short trip, add some beautiful people, mix together with a dash of ethusiasm and eagerness, bake for 6 days in awe inspiring surroundings and you get a recipe to be on TOP OF THE WORLD!!!!! Well done maties!!!!" - Wayne Morgan (Johannesburg, SA)

Kilimanjaro Machame Route, August 2005
"Whilst preparing for Kilimanjaro, I read many articles from people who had experienced the climb and there was one common statement throughout. 'It was the toughest thing I have ever done.' After experiencing it first hand I have to agree. But as exhausted as I was on the summit, I left Kilimanjaro feeling alive and motivated for the next summit." - Eileen Osborne (Johannesburg, SA)

Kilimanjaro Machame Route, August 2005
"The climb had it's ups and downs" - Malachy Condon (Sydney, Australia)

Kilimanjaro Machame Route, August 2005
"To experience Kili, as we fondly nick-name this ageless wonder, is to drink deeply of all that she offers to my soul on the way up to the heavens, from which her crowning crater seems to be just a little bit lower than." - Leandra Lombard (Johannesburg, SA) [more]

Nosy Be, Mt Ambre & Morondava, Madagascar – July 2005
“We came back safe and everything went well with our holiday in Madagascar. The country was very nice and the accommodations were clean and nice. Thanks very much.” Genevieve Foulquier (Johannesburg, SA)

Zanzibar Tanzania, July 2005
"We’ve just got back from Zanzibar. It was absolutely amazing and we had a great time! Even though our departing flight was delayed by two hours due to the airport strike, the tour guide and driver were patiently waiting for us and without any further delay had our luggage and us on the way to our hotel. They were really great the whole time and on time for all the transfers. In Stonetown we had a romantic sunset dinner at the rooftop restaurant of Emerson & Green and I can really recommend it! The shopping in Stonetown is a must for everyone. The nice thing was that there were no beggars! We felt very safe, even at night. The resort stay in Nungwi was absolutely brilliant although we spent hardly any time in our room. The restaurants and food were great (yes, we tried them all) and the little coffee shop nearby had the best chocolate cake and coffee!!! To top it all off the sunsets are truly amazing. Thank you for all your help in making this a wonderful holiday!!" - Audrey Biddulph (Johannesburg, SA)

Southern, eastern and central Madagascar, April 2004
"Our stay in Madagscar was very interesting, and it was nice to see the culture of the country. The driver was superb and the hotels were all very good. The La Varangue has, I’m sure, the best restaurant in Antananarivo, their food is excellent! We had a very nice stay, thank you." - Valerie Hirsch (Johannesburg, SA)

Indonesia, December 2004
"Thank you very much, we had wonderful experience all round. All the arrangements and flights went very smoothly even the internal flights. The guide was very pleasant and helpful and we now know the ins and outs and the places to go in Bali and of course we would love to do another trip like that again one day. Once again thank you for all the travel arrangements and hopefully we will be asking you to do the booking for another trip one of these fine days." – Rod Kohler

Nosy be, Madagascar, July 2004
"My trip to Madagascar and Nosy Bé would not have been so enjoyable and effortless, had it not been for Cherelle's excellent service and attention to detail. I highly recommend Firecloud Adventures." - Zani Kemp

Turkey, 2004
"Early in 2004 I approached Cherelle Gordon to assist in planning a trip to Greece and Turkey. The flexibility she afforded me was great, in that I changed my plans frequently. Prior to me finalising my booking with Firecloud Adventures, I compared Cherelle's quotes with other agents. I found her prices to be incredibly competitive. Cherelle's experience both as a traveller and travel agent, left me with an assurance that her advice was based on personal experience and not merely second-hand recommendations. The hotels we checked into in Athens and Istanbul were recommended by Cherelle and turned out to be in great positions, near to the main tourist sites and of a first class standard. She also made reservations for us on the Fez Bus. This is a hop on - hop off bus that travels through Turkey. All these arrivals and check in’s were absolutely hassle free. Not once were our arrivals unexpected and transfers arranged by Cherelle were always on time. On the Island of Patmos, our ferries were cancelled due to bad weather. These ferries were not arranged by Firecloud Advetures. I called Cherelle for help and she readily made inquiries to airlines for solutions to the delays caused by the ferries. I found Firecloud Adventures to be a complete one-stop shop, who could assist me with all my travel arrangements. I found Both Cherelle and Firecloud Adventures to be most pleasant and helpful to deal with at all times. I had an awesome trip thanks largely to the efforts extended by Cherelle. Thanks so much!" - Tim Horn