Pristine Trails - Top 9 photos of 2020 - top nine photos of the year

These photos of 2020 received so much love on our Instagram feed this year, so here we are taking a closer look at the top nine of the year.

Table of Contents

9 – KILIMANJARO ON FIRE

On 11^th October, a wildfire broke out on Mt. Kilimanjaro. It proved a challenge to contain due to the dry conditions and tough wind at this time of year. With the effort of different stakeholders, including our Tanzanian Association of Tour Operators, we were able to support in the efforts to extinguish the fire, which lasted for about one week.

A rocky path winds through a charred landscape under a blue sky with clouds, reminiscent of photos from 2020. Sparse vegetation grows amid the blackened ground, and a distant mountain is visible.

8 – WHERE TO STAY

We have launched #WhereToStayWednesday on our social media platforms, with the goal of highlighting beautiful tented camps and lodges to inspire you, places you can stay during your Tanzanian safari. Lake Natron Lodge was our first highlighted property and it was highly liked.

The interior of the safari tent, reminiscent of photos from 2020, features two beds, a cozy sofa, chairs, and a small table adorned with a cup and kettle. The woven rugs underfoot add to the inviting atmosphere.

7 – WORLD SAFARI DAY

The first official World Safari Day was launched last year, 25^th November, as a reminder of the importance of preserving and rejuvenating the different elements that make up a safari – experiences, people, conservation, and culture. This photo of animals up close to our safari trucks won hearts.

A lion stands beside a white safari vehicle on a dirt road, its regal presence captured perfectly in photos of 2020. The vehicle boasts two spare tire covers labeled "PRISTINE," adding to the scene's untamed allure.

6 – RISE AND SHINE: DESCENT FROM UHURU

The African plains are known for their epic sunrises – cue Rafiki introducing Simba on pride rock – but nothing beats a sunrise from Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro. This post was in celebration of Earth Day.

Three people hike on a frosty mountain trail at sunrise, capturing photos of 2020 with an expansive view of the horizon. — Travel blogger, Diana Chen, took this photo while trekking with us in 2018. She documented her experience on her popular blog.

5 – WORLD HERITAGE DAY: NGORONGORO CRATER

This picture is of one of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ngorongoro Crater, a part of the greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The site has significance for biodiversity conservation due to the presence of globally threatened species like the black rhino, the density of wildlife inhibiting the area and the annual wildebeest migration in the north bordering Serengeti.

A vast open landscape featuring rolling hills, lush green vegetation, and cloudy skies paints a serene picture reminiscent of photos from 2020.

4 – MILKY WAY

Photos of 2020 of the Milky way above the snows of Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro night skies make for epic celestial shots like these.

The Milky Way galaxy spans across a night sky above a silhouetted mountain peak, captured in stunning photos of 2020. Stars are densely clustered, creating a bright band of cosmic light.

3 – RAISING FUNDS FOR THE PRISTINE TRAILS TEAM

We are beyond grateful for our guests who have become our friends. So many reached out to help our crew in this significant time of need the pandemic brought the tour industry to its knees. This photo is one Pristine Trails group on the mountain with their crew.

A group of people posing for a photo outdoors in front of tents and a majestic mountain, capturing the essence of adventure reminiscent of photos from 2020.

2 – FIRST TREK OF THE SEASON

After a season that should have been filled with tourists, in August we were finally able to host our first visitors since March. This trek brought a lot of hope to all of us (from the sales office to the mountain crew and drivers) and was reminiscent of the good ol’ days celebrating our guests’ successes as they conquered Kilimanjaro.

Two hikers in protective face coverings pose for photos of 2020 in front of a sign at Kilimanjaro National Park's Machame Gate, showcasing trekking distances and times for various camps.

1 – JACARANDAS BLOOM BENEATH KILIMANJARO

We usually post photos that our guests and guides share with us from their trips throughout the year. Since this year has seen few people traveling, we have been relying on photos from the eyes of local Tanzanian content creators. Our most liked photo of the year is from the incredibly talented photographer, Osse Greca Sinare. These Jacaranda trees dotting Moshi town, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, bloom every December.