My name is Safiel Mteta nick name "Safi", and my story begins on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the most challenging in the world.
When I first stepped onto that mountain, I wasn't dressed like a climber. I wasn't equipped like a guide. I wasn't even confident. I was simply a young man trying to survive.
I began my mountain life as a porter, carrying heavy loads for climbers—sometimes up to 20–25 kg on my back and head. My gear was simple: jeans and a pair of sport shoes. That is all I had. No proper boots. No proper cold-weather clothes. But I had something stronger: determination.
With time, I grew stronger. I learned how to pace myself, how to breathe, how to endure the pain and the cold. Eventually, I became a summit port—one of the few trusted to take clients all the way to Uhuru Peak, the very top of Africa.
Standing at the summit with clients who celebrated their achievement, I realized something powerful: I wasn't just carrying loads — I was carrying dreams.
After years of hard work, learning from experienced guides, and proving myself again and again, 2003 became my year of transformation. I finally became a professional mountain guide.
That day changed my life. I felt proud—not because someone gave me a title, but because I earned it through sweat, sacrifice, and endless persistence.
As a guide, I discovered my true calling: motivating people. Clients come from all over the world, full of hope but also full of fear—fear of altitude, fear of failure, fear of the unknown. And I see myself in them. I know what it feels like to struggle on that mountain. I know how hard each step can be.
Today, I stand with 22 years of guiding experience, and every year has given me new wisdom. I've climbed in storms, in snow, in rain, and under the burning sun. I've seen people cry, laugh, collapse, and rise again stronger than ever.
"Never give up. Never underestimate anyone. Respect everyone — clients, crew, and the mountain itself."
Looking back at the boy who started with jeans and sport shoes, I feel proud. I didn't come from privilege. I didn't start with the best equipment. But I had a dream. And I had the courage to keep moving.
Today, as a professional guide on the Roof of Africa, I can say this with a full heart: I love my job. I love the mountain. And I love helping people believe in themselves.
My story is proof that no matter where you start, no matter how hard the road is — if you don't give up, you will rise.
— Safiel Mteta
"Safi" • Professional Mountain Guide
