‘Roof of Africa’: Cambridgeshire Army Cadets summit Mount Kilimanjaro
Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force is always looking for new ways to achieve its central goals – to develop and inspire young people, and our 14 day expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, in August of this year, did exactly that. The generous donation from The Ulysses Trust played a vital role in making this possible, by funding an expedition that developed teamwork and leadership skills and created memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Between 16th and 29th August 2025, eight Army cadets aged 16-17, from Cambridgeshire, backed by eight adult volunteers, including an Army Doctor to help ensure the safety of the group, summited Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m). In doing so, they proved a point: teenagers, properly led, can handle serious mountains!
The expedition was the idea of Major Colin Wells.
“I first floated the idea in September 2023 — ‘a stupid idea’, by my own dry admission — precisely because no other Army Cadet county had attempted anything like it. The goal was simple and ambitious: build a trip that stretched young people, kept them safe, and delivered a genuine once-in-a-lifetime outcome.”
Cadets and adults were chosen purely on merit, with applicants writing letters stating why they should go, and the very best being chosen. Then came the difficult parts: getting permissions from Regional Command (Army HQ), conducting a full risk assessment, medical plan and action safety plan, and raising funds. The Ministry of Defence hierarchy scrutinised all our plans, before authority finally came from a Brigadier.
£3000 was needed for each team member to go, and with further additional costs also, fundraising was a significant challenge. All team members had to take part in collecting donations in public places, and various organisations were approached for help. The group also needed to train. Although there was no way to acclimatise to the high altitude in the UK, the team undertook walking expeditions in the Lake District and Wales to bond as a team and check their equipment.
The team flew from Heathrow to Nairobi, on 16th August and connected to Kilimanjaro International Airport where they were met with an unexpected escort. Impressed by the presence of a British Colonel, (our Commandant, Colonel Lesley Deacon), the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force provided a full military escort that halved the road time to Moshi, the municipality which includes Mount Kilimanjaro.
For many members of the team an early highlight of the trip proved to be a visit to Moshi Kids’ Centre. Cadet Lance Corporal SX said:
“The best part of the trip was visiting the Kids’ Centre, as they were so pleased to see us, they ran out and gave us hugs! I learnt a lot about their culture. They have a lot less than us, but they are grateful for what they do have. They get quite a lot of visitors, but most people don’t stay and play with them like we did. We took them gifts, such as colouring books and jigsaw puzzles.”
On 19th August the expedition arrived at the mountain. The first day was simple trekking, hard, but rewarding work. Cadet Sergeant AD highlighted the mental and physical resilience gained:
”It challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. The altitude, exhaustion, and cold made every step feel impossible at times, but I discovered a resilience in myself that I didn’t know was there.”
The high altitude necessitated a slow ascent, to allow their bodies to adjust, and they had to be constantly alert for signs of altitude sickness. The next day delivered the first clear view of the summit. On 22nd August they passed the Lava Tower, an incredibly impressive 90 metre high tower of molten rock. Our team also saw the famous “Kissing Stone,” a rock with a local tradition that you kiss it when you pass. The group dealt with extreme, changeable conditions, including heat and thick fog. As they climbed higher, Cadet Cpl JG said:
“It was incredible when we climbed above the clouds and could see the summit and great distances below us. The view was insane!”
The group reached the summit (5,895m) on 26th August. SX said: “The climbing had been hard, but we spent most of the time talking to each other and getting to know one another. Reaching the summit was one of the best feelings I have ever had. We had put in so much work, and finally, we were there. It was brilliant.”
On the way down the group passed through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Major Wells described the experience:
“Birdsong, black-and-white Colobus monkeys, slick paths demanding care. A kilometre from the gate the group dropped into dry air, and, unexpectedly, we were met by porters and the off-mountain escort, all singing.”
The expedition will have a lasting impact on all who took part. JG said,
“The trip made me push myself further and improved my teamwork. We came from different detachments, but we had to work together. A lot of the teamwork was about keeping up morale, giving encouragement to each other, making sure no one was left out.” SX said, “I am really proud of myself that I went, and I feel much more confident. I made such close friends. I became so close with the others that I know we will remember each other for ever.”
Major Wells, a veteran who served with The Royal Corps of Signals, said:
‘This was a life changing experience, not just for the cadets, but for the adults as well – even for me, with my Armed Forces experience. It took the cadets out of their comfort zone, taught them about leadership and resilience and gave them a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Overall, it taught us all a lot more about ourselves.”
This expedition has been fantastic for its participants, and also for our organisation as a whole. We believe that Cambridgeshire ACF is the first Army Cadet unit to successfully summit Kilimanjaro, an achievement that all our members are incredibly proud of. With your help, we were able to show that a team of young people and adult volunteers from Cambridgeshire ACF could pull off a spectacular achievement; to put their boots on the roof of Africa — together. Thank you from us all.
