Love was in the air—19,341 feet in the air, that is—for two adventurers who recently got engaged at Mount Kilimanjaro’s iconic Uhuru Peak! Calling the moment “surreal,” one half of the couple said it was the perfect culmination of a week of trekking: a ring, a fiancé, and breathtaking views of the Tanzanian plains stretching endlessly to the horizon. For some, the idea of getting engaged at Uhuru might seem as lofty as the peak itself. Here at I Artist Adventure, we spoke with the couple to hear how they made it happen!

Trekking Together

From the start, the couple knew they wanted to get engaged on Kilimanjaro. Uhuru Peak—the Roof of Africa—was the perfect place, a fitting elevation to match their new emotional height. “You’re probably not going to reach a higher altitude in your life,” said one of them. “And it was a great photo opportunity at the Roof of Africa.” They took a scenic 9-day route offering excellent acclimatization time and a daytime summit bid. With five distinct climate zones ranging from tropical rainforest to frozen tundra, this route is one of the most accessible yet challenging paths on the world’s Seven Summits. In many ways, the trek was a surprise: used to carrying all their own gear on past backpacking trips, this time porters handled the heavy loads and had camp set up by the time they arrived. “For us, this was a truly luxurious experience,” they said.

Bonding at Barranco

Getting hitched on Kilimanjaro wasn’t without its challenges. Long trekking days and mental hurdles stood between them and the peak. They spent many hours in close quarters in their tent at night, tired and unshowered. The joke was: the trip would end with them either engaged or single! One of the hardest parts was the Barranco Wall—a steep cliffside path known as one of the most demanding sections of the trek. “I didn’t like the Barranco Wall,” they admitted. “Heights aren’t my thing.” With honest communication to the guides beforehand, they received support and encouragement to conquer the climb. Reaching the top brought a huge sense of accomplishment—and a realization that the trip was forging a deeper bond. “What we love about adventure travel is the way it challenges us,” they said. “This journey brought us closer. We did something really tough together.”

And the Ring?

Carrying a precious stone on Kilimanjaro takes some planning. The proposal planner came up with a smart way to keep the ring secure. “In my daypack was a small, zippered interior pocket,” they explained. “I tied a ribbon to the ring, then tied the ribbon to the zipper—double-secured. I checked every day to make sure it was still there.”

Summit Ceremony

Summit day started at 4 a.m. After seven hours of hiking—mostly in the dark—they reached Uhuru Peak. Exhausted but elated, they took photos, savored the views, and celebrated their achievement. Then came the moment: one knee bent, ring presented, and the unforgettable question. “At one point, I was just hoping he wouldn’t drop the ring on the rocks!” the partner recalled. “But when he asked me to marry him, in front of the Uhuru sign, of course I said yes.” Their guides and porters celebrated with the Tanzanian wedding song in Swahili, while the newly engaged took photos with a cardboard sign that read, “I said yes!” “It all came together perfectly,” they said.

Coming Down

While the trek ended, their engagement journey was just beginning! After descending, they extended their trip with some well-earned rest and relaxation on the beaches of Zanzibar. “Coming off Kilimanjaro newly engaged—and after nine days without showers—it was such a wonderful way to celebrate,” they said.

What’s Next?

They plan to elope in the Canadian Rockies, followed by a honeymoon trekking the Himalayas in Nepal—a truly adventurous itinerary. At I Artist Adventure, we love hearing stories like these. Tanzania’s landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments, and we’re here to help you create your own. Ready to experience Tanzania like never before? Book your next safari or adventure with I Artist Adventure today!