What This Award Actually Represents

When I started Legend Expeditions, our first trip was done in the most basic fashion imaginable. I was ringing everyone I knew, trying to fill spaces on the mountain. Fast forward three years and we are operating to the highest standard I know how to deliver: stand-up tents, cot beds, oxygen carried throughout, food resupplies, Wilderness First Responder guides, private toilets and showers, one-to-one support on summit night, and staff paid at a level that reflects what they actually contribute.

That transformation did not happen because of me sitting behind a desk. It happened because of the people on the mountain.

The porters who carry extraordinary loads across extraordinary terrain. The chefs who produce hot, nourishing meals at 4,600 metres when everyone is exhausted. The guides who stay calm, read the mountain, and get our clients to the summit and back safely. I genuinely love working alongside these people, and every date we fill on the calendar is another opportunity I can give them.

That is what this nomination is really honouring.

A Personal Thank You to Jackson

I want to give a specific shout-out to Jackson, our head guide and one of the most important people in the Legend story. You can read more about him here.

Jackson has been instrumental in helping Legend operate and perform at the highest level — all whilst welcoming two new children into his family over the same period. That kind of commitment, maintained through everything life throws at you, deserves to be recognised publicly.

Jackson, thank you. What you do matters.

The Legend Foundation: Building Something That Lasts

Last year we soft-launched the Legend Foundation in Moshi. The goal is straightforward: to begin giving back to the communities living around and working on the mountain.

So far, we have funded educational lessons and courses for people in the area, and we have built a home for a family in genuine need. It is a start. My intention is to grow the Foundation in direct proportion to the growth of the business — the more trips we run, the more we can do.

This is the part of building Legend that means the most to me. Running expeditions at the highest standard is what we do. Building something lasting for the people who make those expeditions possible is why we do it.

How to Vote for Legend Expeditions

If you have climbed Kilimanjaro with us, been on safari with us, or simply followed what we are building — voting takes five minutes and it means a great deal to the entire team.

Here is exactly how to do it:

1. Go to worldtravelawards.com/vote

2. Create a free account and submit your details

3. Check your inbox and validate the confirmation email they send you

4. Once logged in, search for Africa

5. Scroll down to Tanzania's Leading Tour Operator

6. Select Legend Expeditions and submit your vote

That is it. One vote, five minutes, and it tells the team that what they are doing is being seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have travelled with Legend Expeditions to vote? No — the World Travel Awards is a public vote and anyone can participate. That said, if you have climbed with us or been on safari with us, your vote carries real personal weight, and we would be grateful for it.

Is it free to vote? Yes, completely free. You create an account on the World Travel Awards website, verify your email, and cast your vote. There are no charges involved.

How long does the voting process take? Around five minutes from start to finish. The longest part is waiting for the verification email to arrive — keep an eye on your junk folder if it does not appear within a couple of minutes.

When does voting close? World Travel Awards voting periods are time-limited, so I would encourage you to vote sooner rather than later. Head to worldtravelawards.com/vote now to check the current deadline.

What is the World Travel Awards? The World Travel Awards has been running since 1993 and is widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition programme in the global travel industry. A nomination for Tanzania's Leading Tour Operator is voted on by travel professionals and the travelling public alike.

What does this nomination mean for Legend Expeditions going forward? Recognition like this helps us attract more clients, fill more dates, and give more employment and income to the team on the mountain. It also strengthens the foundation we are building in Moshi. Every vote genuinely contributes to that.

A Final Word From Me

I have put everything I have into building Legend over the past three years. Not for an award. But because I believe that a Kilimanjaro expedition, done properly, can be one of the most significant things a person ever does — and the people who make that possible deserve to be part of something they are proud of.

This nomination gives the team the recognition they deserve, and that means more to me than I can easily put into words.

If you would like to vote, please do — the link is here. And if you want to talk about joining us on the mountain or on safari, drop me a line at jack@legendexpeditions.com or book a call with me directly. I would love to hear from you.

— Jack