When climbing Kilimanjaro, safety is the top priority. To put it simply, it must. Having the appropriate gear and clothes, climbing with knowledgeable and responsible guides, consuming nutritious food, and selecting a route that allows you to acclimatise appropriately are all necessary steps and components.
You will need to be prepared for any eventualities when climbing Kilimanjaro. Although climbing Kili is a safe experience for the most part, you will undoubtedly want to be safety conscious during your climb. On the mountain, there are first aid responders and air evacuation for climbers in an emergency. This evacuation is not often required but can be necessary under certain circumstances to ensure the safety of climbers suffering from altitude-related illnesses. By employing the most advanced and reliable insurance underwriters, we can guarantee a flawless safety net for those needing evacuation during their Kilimanjaro climb. With Tranquil Kilimanjaro, you can be secure knowing that your safety is our number one priority. One of the most meaningful safety choices you will make is to hike with an experienced guide. At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we are committed to only hiring the best guides on Kilimanjaro. Our guides are some of the most knowledgeable and well-trained guides on the mountain. This fact, combined with their impeccable safety record, ensures the safest possible experience for our clients. When you trek with a Tranquil Kilimanjaro guide, you will never feel like you are in a dangerous situation. Although our guides will support your decision with the utmost professionalism, they will never hesitate to turn around and cancel a climb should they consider it unsafe. High altitude trekking presents countless risks, but with a Tranquil Kilimanjaro guide, you can rest easy in the knowledge that experienced decision-makers are in control.
Here, we go over everything in detail!
Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is a challenging mountain to climb, and one must never undervalue its difficulty. Despite this, a great number of people do underestimate it!
To begin with, around fifty per cent of all climbers who attempt to scale the mountain do not truly succeed in reaching the final destination. On top of that, around one thousand people are removed from the mountain each year, and roughly ten deaths are documented each year.
If you do not conduct the essential study and preparation, you are putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. By failing to select a qualified Kilimanjaro tour operator as your climbing partner, you are putting yourself in danger and playing with fire.
Kilimanjaro safety overview
Here are the key factors to consider when it comes to Kilimanjaro’s safety:
- Altitude sickness
- Experienced Kilimanjaro guides
- The right safety equipment
- Choosing a qualified tour operator
- Nutritious food and safe water
- Malaria
Below, we go into greater detail about each of these subjects.
Take notice that the objective of this post is not to terrify you but rather to educate you on the subject matter. We at Tranquil Kilimanjaro place the utmost importance on ensuring your safety. The safest approach to climb Kilimanjaro is something that we want you to be aware of from the beginning.
Although climbing Kilimanjaro is not dangerous, it is only safe if you are well-informed on the potential dangers and how to prevent them.
Why safety must come first
We want to highlight three reasons why your safety on the climb should be your top priority, along with your tour operator’s, before we go over the four factors to take into account to ensure you have a safe Kilimanjaro climb…
1. You’re in a remote location
When you are hiking Kilimanjaro, it is essential to keep in mind that you are physically located in a secluded area. In the event that something terrible takes place and you become ill or injured, there is no hospital located right around the block. Before being driven to the hospital, you will typically be required to make your way down the mountain.
If you travel with a tour operator with a good reputation, the mountain crew you will be traveling with will be trained to respond promptly and efficiently to accidents and illnesses, particularly altitude sickness. They are also equipped with a stretcher in case any of their customers cannot walk off the mountain on their own.
In spite of the fact that Kili MedAir provides a helicopter evacuation service, there are seldom any locations where a helicopter can land without risk of damage. When it comes to properly treating diseases or injuries that may occur on Kilimanjaro, the most dependable technique is to quickly descend the mountain on foot or by using a stretcher.
2. There is extreme and unpredictable weather
At higher elevations on Kilimanjaro, the temperature can drop to below freezing rather frequently. During the nighttime hours, snow or ice conditions are likely. In addition, the weather might change in an instant.
Every climber must have the appropriate gear and apparel to protect themselves from the elements. To assist you in determining what you will need and making preparations for it, we have compiled a detailed packing list for Kilimanjaro.
3. You trek to a very high altitude
Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, standing at an elevation of over 6,000 meters above sea level. Some people may not think of Africa as having very tall mountains, but in reality, the continent is home to a great number of extremely tall mountains. In fact, many of its mountains are far taller than the highest mountains in Europe!
You probably didn’t know this, but Kilimanjaro is over a thousand meters taller than Mont Blanc. In comparison, Mont Blanc is 4,696 meters tall, whereas Kilimanjaro is 5,895 meters.
Altitude sickness is one of the risks that can be encountered when walking at high altitudes. A condition known as this one manifests itself when the body is not given the time to react to the decreased amount of oxygen that is taken in with each breath.
Altitude sickness that is moderate to severe is an issue, although mild altitude sickness does not present any problems. Due to the fact that severe altitude sickness can result in death, this is a very serious subject, and we will go into further detail about it in just a bit.
Altitude sickness
One of the adverse effects of high altitude on one’s health is known as altitude sickness. Read more about altitude sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro here.
At sea level, the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere is around 21%. The proportion does not change as you ascend higher; however, the number of oxygen molecules taken in with each breath decreases. When you are close to the peak of Kilimanjaro, you take in approximately fifty per cent fewer oxygen molecules with each breath. So, when there is less oxygen in the air, it is difficult for the body to adjust and continue functioning normally.
Acclimatization, also known as adaptation, is the process by which the body adjusts to a decreased amount of oxygen intake. Altitude sickness is the result of this failure. The unpleasant symptoms that come from this condition include things like headaches, nausea, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and dizziness.
Don’t rush to the top
“Pole, pole” is a saying that you will hear rather frequently while you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This phrase, which means “slowly, slowly” in Swahili, ought to serve as your mental compass during this magnificent voyage. There is no need to hurry. Take your time and take in the splendor that is all around you.
Altitude sickness is common
Having said that, experiencing minor altitude sickness is very natural and should not be unusual.
When climbing Kilimanjaro at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, more than seventy-five percent of climbers experience at least one kind of moderate altitude sickness, which is also referred to as acute mountain sickness, or AMS. On account of this, it is highly probable that you will encounter some form of moderate altitude sickness symptoms when climbing Kilimanjaro.
It is important to keep in mind that you will be required to abandon your ascent and descend to a lower altitude only when your altitude sickness becomes relatively moderate to severe. Those who are experiencing only minor altitude sickness are able to continue their ascent; however, their guide will continue to keep a close eye on them for any indications that their condition is getting worse.
You should make an appointment with your primary care physician before climbing Kilimanjaro so that you may discuss the fact that you will be going on a high-altitude trek. For the purpose of preventing and alleviating the symptoms of altitude sickness, some individuals prefer to bring a drug like as Diamox with them that they can take during the ascent.
It is typical to experience signs of minor altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro; however, you need not be concerned about these symptoms.
Do fit people get altitude sickness?
Your age, gender, and level of physical fitness do not affect the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness, which may come as a surprise. In addition, the fact that you have never experienced it before does not guarantee that you will not experience it on a subsequent trip. Therefore, everyone ought to get ready for it.
It’s important to choose a good route
There is a wide variety of Kilimanjaro routes to choose from. Certain ones provide more favourable acclimatization than others.
To be more specific, the Machame route, the Northern Circuit, and the Lemosho route all provide excellent options for acclimatization opportunities. Because of this, the success rates for reaching the peak on certain routes are the highest. Also, this is a significant reason why you choose to climb the mountain in the first place!
Some routes have poorer (or less effective) acclimatization profiles than others, which means that they are more likely to cause altitude sickness. The Umbwe route and the Marangu route, for example, have low success rates in terms of reaching the summit since they require trekkers to scale the mountain in a very short amount of time. When climbing these routes, a relatively significant percentage of hikers do not acclimatise enough and end up developing acute mountain sickness (AMS).
When it comes to acclimatisation, the Shira route is likewise considered to be a dangerous option. This is due to the fact that it begins at a commencement position that is 3,600 meters high. You will begin your journey on the majority of the other routes somewhere between 1,600 and 2,300 meters. It is significant that this is the case. You run the danger of experiencing altitude sickness immediately at the beginning of your journey if you begin at such a high altitude.
Learn how to choose the best route for your Kilimanjaro trek.
It’s good to ‘climb high, sleep low’
We adhere to the ‘hike high, sleep low’ approach here at Tranquil Kilimanjaro to get the most out of our altitude adjustment. To put this into practice, you hike to a high altitude and then descend the mountain to a lower height for the night so that your body can adjust to the new environment.
The Lemosho, Northern Circuit, and Machame routes allow you to accomplish this step. One primary reason we favour these routes over others is that we take great pleasure in witnessing our climbers standing and smiling at the top of the mountain.
The Rongai, Umbwe, and Marangu routes do not provide any opportunity to climb high and sleep low when it comes to opportunities. One of the reasons why they do not have as high of a success rate at the peak as some of the others is because of this.
Experienced Kilimanjaro guides
It is of the utmost importance that you climb Kilimanjaro only with the assistance of a knowledgeable mountain guide and a mountain crew. It is your support network on the mountain that you climb with the people you climb with. The fact that they are unable to respond appropriately in a crisis situation puts your life in jeopardy.
At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we make certain that our guides have the necessary education, previous experience, and expertise to assure your safety. When it comes to preventing, recognizing, and treating altitude sickness, each and every one of our Kilimanjaro guides has immense experience in the field. Wilderness first responders (WFRs) are also certified, and Tranquil Kilimanjaro guides belong to this category. As a result, they possess the expertise required to make crucial decisions on medical care and evacuation while they are on location.
During their annual WFR refresher course, two of our guides are participating.
More specifically, in the event of a medical emergency, our tour leaders make use of the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS). In order to assess adults for signs and symptoms of altitude sickness, the LLSS was developed. For the purpose of determining whether an individual is suffering from no altitude sickness, mild altitude sickness, or severe altitude sickness, the system employs a scorecard in conjunction with an assessment questionnaire.
Every one of our guides has a great deal of knowledge in preventing, diagnosing, and treating ailments associated with high altitude.
Meet Tranquil Kilimanjaro local leader Hamisi
More than seventeen years have passed since Hamisi Bakari, the local leader of Tranquil Kilmanjaro, began his work on the mountain. In addition to climbing Kilimanjaro on New Year’s Eve, he has reached the peak of the mountain more than one hundred times. In a survey of 150 guides on Kilimanjaro, he was ranked first by his clients.
In addition to being an extremely competent and experienced leader, Hamisi consistently prioritizes the safety of his followers. Here is an interview where you can learn more about him.
The right equipment for Kilimanjaro safety
As soon as you begin your ascent, the only resources you and your crew will have access to are the ones you bring with you. For the duration of the climb, your Kilimanjaro crew will monitor you using the necessary equipment they have brought with them. Multiple times a day, they check on you to ensure you are adjusting to the new environment well.
In the following, we will provide a list of the numerous pieces of equipment that your mountain crew brings with them on the mountain to ensure your safety.
A pulse oximeter
A climber will have the pulse oximeter inserted on the tip of their finger. Two beams of light penetrate the capillaries and small blood vessels in the finger, revealing the amount of oxygen present in the blood. The sensor reflects the amount of oxygen present in the blood. Within seconds of being put on the finger, this straightforward piece of apparatus is able to ascertain the necessary information. More about the pulse oximeter
Bottled oxygen
Bottled oxygen is only used in emergencies. It is never utilized to provide assistance to individuals who have not sufficiently acclimatized to the greater altitude.
When it comes to treating moderate to severe altitude sickness, descending is the most immediate therapy option. There is always the possibility of descending the mountain, and it is possible to descend it in a short amount of time, regardless of which of the seven Kilimanjaro routes you are walking. More about bottled oxygen
A portable stretcher
Every time a climb is undertaken, a stretcher is taken along so that any climber who may need to descend but is unable to walk on their own can be evacuated.
A first-aid kit
All of the necessary items to treat small cuts, blisters, and scratches are included in this pack.
How we ensure your safety on Kilimanjaro is something you might be interested in learning more about. Read more about the first aid kit.
What if you feel sick on Kilimanjaro?
If you start to feel unwell during your ascent, just let someone know. Persevere! This is quite significant. It may be something that may be simply rectified, and all you need is for someone else to assist you in determining the course of action to take. Certain hikers, for instance, experience headaches due to their failure to consume sufficient amounts of water. The trip causes you to sweat a lot, particularly in the stretch in the humid rainforest.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
It is important that you inform your guide if you develop any signs of altitude sickness. Refrain from feeling foolish or ashamed. There are several symptoms, including nausea, headaches, dizziness, and loss of appetite. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the symptoms, please refer to the article titled “Kilimanjaro altitude sickness.”
Some individuals are reluctant to admit that they are experiencing symptoms of illness because they do not wish to cause the rest of the group to be delayed. The members of your mountain crew are there to provide you with assistance throughout this adventure, and communication is the most important factor in achieving a good summit. Believe in your group!
At some point during the ascent, it is important to remember that it is highly probable that every single person in your group will suffer from some type of moderate altitude sickness. The fact that you are a team and that you are there to assist each other should provide you with some measure of comfort.
It’s also helpful to be aware that groups can be divided to accommodate people with varying levels of ability. Trekking with a large mountain crew is beneficial for a number of reasons, including this one: if you are feeling ill, make sure to let your guide know!
If you are experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness, drinking water can help ease such symptoms.
Personal safety equipment
If you are going to climb Kilimanjaro, your tour operator will provide you with all of the necessary camping equipment. Tents, tables, chairs, and various culinary equipment are all up for discussion here. Tranquil Kilimanjaro also provides comfy sleeping mats and a sleeping bag suitable for all four seasons.
It is natural for you to be in charge of organizing everything related to your attire. Please make sure that you pack all of the necessary climbing equipment to ensure that you feel as warm and comfortable as possible. When it comes to our Kilimanjaro packing list, we go into great depth on each and every article of clothing and footwear required for a secure and comfortable ascent. Nevertheless, we will highlight the most significant elements below.
Footwear
The footwear you bring with you is of utmost significance when climbing Kilimanjaro. Your hiking boots must have a comfortable fit, be water-resistant, be warm, and have been worn in.
Wearing your boots as frequently as possible in the days leading up to your hiking trip is the most effective approach to breaking them in. In a perfect world, you would wear them on long walks to observe how well they perform when your feet are hot, sweaty, and exhausted. When the inside soles of your boots conform to the bottom of your feet for the first time, you will know that your boots have been worn in properly. On a hike to Kili, you do not want to take the chance of acquiring blisters, sore toenails, or other similar injuries!
More about choosing the best hiking boots for Kilimanjaro
Happy feet, happy climber!
You should also look for boots with deep lugs that provide a solid grip on the ground. Especially while attempting to climb the iconic Barranco Wall, which is widely considered the most hazardous place on the trail, you do not want to be slipping. (Having said that, the Barranco Wall is not something that should be treated with fear; if you approach it methodically and steadily, there is really nothing to be concerned about! From below, it appears to be even more severe than it actually is.)
When it rains, the rainforest segment of the mountain might also become challenging to walk on. On summit day, when snow and ice cover the top of the mountain, some individuals choose to put crampons on their shoes. However, we do not consider them to be required in any way.
Having said that, we want to emphasize that climbing Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. With the one possible exception of the Barranco Wall, which you can avoid if you choose a route that does not go that way, the trails of all seven ways are not more risky than ordinary hiking trails. The Barranco Wall is the only possible exception to this rule.
On Kilimanjaro, you will encounter a great deal of rough terrain, so you will require footwear that is robust.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
We would like to emphasize how important it is to have your hiking boots in your hand luggage so that you will still be able to climb in the event that your luggage does not arrive. At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we are able to assist you in renting the most of the equipment that you will require, with the exception of hiking boots, which will need to be worn in before you arrive at Kilimanjaro.
Trekking poles
Most climbers bring trekking poles with them on their Kilimanjaro journey since they are useful during the ascent. Some individuals only bring their ski poles with them. You could also use these, but ideally, you should go with poles that are adjustable.
When you are hiking on terrain that is rocky or bumpy underfoot, one of the most important advantages of using trekking poles is that they assist you in maintaining your balance. The second benefit is that they can alleviate some of the pressure that is placed on your knees during steep descents.
Trekking poles are an interesting addition to your equipment because the trails can be rocky and dangerous in certain areas.
More about hiking poles can be found here.
Sun protection
When you are on Kilimanjaro, it is absolutely necessary to take precautions against the sun. You have embarked on a journey to a high altitude, where the sun’s energy is quite intense. The presence of snow can also amplify the amount of visible light. If you do not have sufficient eyewear, the ultraviolet (UV) rays present at high altitudes can do significant damage to your eyes.
To protect your eyes from glare from the sides, we suggest that you wear sunglasses that wrap around your head. A cord for your glasses could be handy in situations where you wish to remove them and keep your hands free instead of holding them.
It is not recommended that you carry brand-new sunglasses to Kilimanjaro, just like you would not bring anything else. You should have the experience of hiking in them to ensure that they are comfortable and not the kind that easily becomes steamed up.
You should also include a sunscreen that is resistant to sweat and has a high sun protection factor (SPF). We recommend doing an SPF value of at least 30. We also strongly suggest using a lip balm that has a sun protection factor (SPF) rating. As a result of excessive exposure to the sun (and wind), the skin and collagen in your lips are susceptible to damage from the sun.
And finally, if you want to avoid getting a sunburn on your face, shielding it with a nice hat is essential.
Clothing
You should expect to experience a range of temperatures throughout the whole Kilimanjaro trek. During your journey, you will traverse four distinct climate zones. At the foot of the mountain, the temperature can be relatively warm and tropical, but at the peak, it can drop to below freezing.
Because of this, it is of the utmost importance that you have the appropriate apparel to layer up and down. For your summit, a down jacket is an especially crucial piece of clothing. We provide a flat cost of sixty dollars to rent out warm down coats for your climb. This is done to ensure your safety and to enhance your overall experience.
The appropriate base layers, insulating layers, and waterproof layers should also be included in your Kilimanjaro wardrobe. Our Kilimanjaro packing list includes a comprehensive list of all the clothing items that are required for a secure and comfortable journey up Kilimanjaro.
Electrolyte tablets
During your time on Kilimanjaro, your tour operator will supply you with all of your meals, beverages, and water needs. That’s the way things are done here at Tranquil Kilimanjaro, at least! But one item that we do not offer is the provision of electrolyte tablets or sachets of athletic drink.
It is an excellent idea to add electrolytes to your Kilimanjaro packing list, whether in the form of electrolyte tablets or sport drink sachets. These electrolytes can be added to your own water supply, helping to replace the electrolytes lost through sweating.
When we sweat heavily, the amount of salt in our blood decreases, and it is necessary to replenish it. In fact, it is risky to consume a large quantity of water after engaging in strenuous physical activity without also replenishing your electrolytes.
It is not necessary to have electrolyte-enriched water throughout the day when you are trekking Kilimanjaro. If you want to stay hydrated, it is a good idea to keep your hydration pack full of simple water and occasionally drink from a water bottle that has electrolytes added to it.
You might also want to consider including a few of them in your toiletries bag to ensure that you have access to oral rehydration salts in case you need them.
Choosing a qualified tour operator
When it comes to Kilimanjaro’s safety, every topic we have discussed in this post is of the utmost significance. The most important thing is to ensure you pick the correct tour operator for your Kilimanjaro trip. This choice has the potential to either make or break your ascent. That’s right.
The safety of your Kilimanjaro climb is our top priority at Tranquil Kilimanjaro, beyond all other considerations. We take the approach of treating the underlying causes of any illness rather than waiting for the symptoms to manifest themselves. The most important thing is prevention.
We want to consider ourselves an operator that offers good value for the money. At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, our primary objective is to reduce the expenditures associated with climbing Kilimanjaro to the absolute minimal, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, equipment, and nutrition. (Find out more about why the prices of Kilimanjaro tours vary so much from one operator to the next.)
By choosing to climb Kilimanjaro with Tranquil Kilimanjaro, you are choosing:
- operator who is familiar with the Kilimanjaro environment
- These are guides who are familiar with how to treat altitude sickness.
- an operator who is equipped with the many safety and medical pieces of equipment
- a risk-free climb!
Nutritious food and safe water
Eating meals that are high in nutrients consistently is absolutely necessary for the success of your climb. Additionally, it is essential that you have access to clean drinking water and that you maintain a healthy level of hydration throughout your journey.
Eating sufficient and nutritious food
For a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro, it is essential that you consume sufficient high-quality food that contains nutrients. You are putting your body through strenuous exercise, and as a result, it needs an adequate amount of fuel; otherwise, it will begin to break down.
In addition to providing you with hot beverages and snacks, your Kilimanjaro cook will prepare meals for you on the summit, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the course of the walk, some individuals also choose to bring along some of their preferred foods that they have brought from home.
Every day at Tranquil Kilimanjaro, our incredible chef Almasi ensures that you are provided with sufficient fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as protein and carbohydrates, to satisfy your hunger. Every single day, there is a cooked breakfast, a cooked dinner, and occasionally, a prepared lunch. On other days, you will be provided with a midday lunch that you can bring with you. If you are interested in learning more, I recommend reading Meals on Kilimanjaro.
Even when you are not hungry, you should try to consume all three of the meals provided to you. High up on the mountain, it is not uncommon for people to experience a loss of appetite. Your body is experiencing the impacts of the high altitude, which is why. The fact that you do not experience feelings of hunger does not, however, indicate that your body does not require food. Your body is going to be going on long treks every day, and in order to maintain its strength and health, it is going to truly require nourishment.
Safe drinking water
During your time on the mountain, your mountain crew will supply you with all of the water you require, whether it is for drinking or for cleaning. They carry it up to the higher camps after they have retrieved it from the streams that are located lower down on the mountain. Tablets designed for purification are used to clean the water that is intended for consumption. It is, therefore, unnecessary for you to be concerned about bringing your own water purification tablets with you on the journey.
A good, long drink should be consumed at camp each day before the journey begins. This is something that we advocate doing. At this point, you will also finish filling your water bottle and hydration pack with water. On account of the fact that you are responsible for transporting your own drinking water throughout each day of the journey, our Kilimanjaro packing list recommends that you bring along a water bottle in addition to a hydration pack that has a capacity of three liters.
If you are someone who does not enjoy the taste of water that has been purified using tablets, we suggest that you carry a few flavor sachets with you so that you can add them to your own water supply. More about water on Kilimanjaro
Staying hydrated
Proper hydration is essential to maintaining health throughout your journey. I have a few things to say about maintaining proper hydration during your journey.
It is not a good idea to wait until you feel thirsty before drinking liquids since by the time the thirst response triggers, you are already dehydrated. Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.
If you are going to leave camp in the morning, it is recommended that you drink a cup or two of water before departure. This makes it easier to keep all the water in your hydration pack while you are out on the route. Moreover, it will help prevent you from being dehydrated while you are out on the trail, allowing you to continue to perform at your highest level.
Please note that you should not stop drinking fluids even after the hiking day has come to an end. Continue drinking to assist in replenishing the fluids in your body. Also, make sure that you drink a little bit more than you think you need to because our bodies’ thirst response really asks for less water than we actually require.
It is also important to remember that drinking water has the additional benefit of alleviating the symptoms of altitude sickness. So have a drink!
Malaria
A recognized malaria zone encompasses most of Tanzania, and Kilimanjaro National Park is located almost exactly on the boundary of that zone. Because of this, climbers on Kilimanjaro need to take measures to prevent themselves from becoming infected with malaria.
More about Malaria in Tanzania
How can I protect myself from malaria?
When travelling to an area where malaria is prevalent, the majority of tourists take a two-pronged approach to prevent the disease:
- They take medication to prevent malaria.
- The individuals try to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes by donning long garments, applying insect repellent, and sleeping under a mosquito net.
The good news is that most of Kilimanjaro is too high and too cold for mosquitoes. As a result, mosquitoes are only a problem when you are travelling to and from the mountain and sometimes when you are sleeping in the rainforest.
It is usually a good idea to consult with your primary care physician when travelling to a malaria zone and to consider his or her recommendations.
Our health and safety form
Before beginning their climb, all of our Tranquil Kilimanjaro climbers must fill out a health and safety paperwork. This would require you to supply information on dietary restrictions, allergies, and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. In other words, it is yet another method by which we can guarantee that we are watching out for you and ensuring your safety!
And, finally, don’t forget…
Before heading off to Tanzania for you Kilimanjaro climb, you need to look into:
- travel insurance
- medication
- vaccinations
Travel insurance
Take note that we do not permit anyone to climb Kilimanjaro with us if they do not have travel insurance. This is a very important point to keep in mind. This is the case with any Kilimanjaro travel company with a well-deserved reputation.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you are advised to consult with your physician before making your reservation for the climb. Discuss with him or her the potential dangers of climbing Kilimanjaro, and inquire about the most effective ways to train, the drugs you might need to take, and other related topics.
Kilimanjaro is a mountain that requires high-altitude trekking to be included in your traveller’s insurance policy because it raises you to a height of 5,895 meters.
We can suggest World Nomads as a trustworthy travel insurance provider that you might want to consider using in the future. The company provides coverage for over 150 different types of adventure activities, including trekking at high altitudes. More about Travel Insurance.
Medication
Ensure you bring an adequate quantity of any medication recommended to you to Tanzania. Additionally, we strongly advise that you always have these items while you are on the mountain instead of putting them in your luggage and having a porter carry them for you.
Vaccinations
Last but not least, before you leave for Tanzania, ensure you have received any required immunisations. When it comes to immunizations, no precise vaccination requirements must be reached to enter Tanzania. However, if you are travelling from a country that has a risk of yellow fever, you should be informed that the Tanzanian government needs confirmation of immunization against yellow fever upon your arrival.
If you do not already have the following vaccinations, we recommend that you discuss the possibility of acquiring them with your primary care physician:
- Hepatitis A and B
- typhoid
- yellow fever
- tetanus
- polio
- measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- meningococcal meningitis (Africa and Asia)
Please check the Fit For Travel website for more up-to-date information.
Hiring a Knowledgeable Guide
Marangu, Rongai, Londorossi, Shira, Umbwe, Mweka, Northern Ice Field. These are the routes up Kilimanjaro. I can certainly name more than 10 clients that have mistakenly been up one route thinking they were on another. Also, there are at least 20 routes to the summit; some are little more than game trails. A local guide will not make mistakes like this. They know the mountain like the back of their hand. This is also the case with the better tour operators. Local guides will know the history of the mountain. They can certainly make the climb more enjoyable and meaningful. An added bonus is you will be supporting the local economy as hundreds of guides have been trained at college level to get you to the summit. There are many advantages to hiring a knowledgeable guide and in my opinion, it can be foolish not to. From the reputable companies, you will pay a lot (1000-3000 USD) for a climb and no one is immune to the “I’m paying you how much?” syndrome. If you’ve ever held a decently paying job, you’ll understand. Some instinctively feel that they should save some money by cutting out a guide as independent climbs seem to be synonymous with reducing barbed costs.
Group Climbing vs. Solo Climbing
If you are thinking about climbing Kilimanjaro, you are going to want to think about the decision of whether to climb in a group or solo. There are certainly negatives and positives to each, but based on the theme of this collection of articles (safety and tips on climbing Kilimanjaro), I am going to have to suggest that for safety reasons and greatly increasing your chance of reaching the summit, you should climb in a group. One of the greatest advantages of climbing in a group is the shared group knowledge and experience. Not only will you and your group have a knowledgeable guide to advise you (assuming you have followed section 7.1 and hired a knowledgeable guide), but you will all have had different life experiences; therefore sharing different knowledge on a variety of topics. If your group is ascending and come across a situation that requires a decision or an assessment of risk, it can only be an advantage to receive input from others in the group and perhaps their past experiences or knowledge on similar situations. When climbing with a guide and a group, if one member needs to descend due to an emergency or deterioration in health, the guide can set up a porter to escort them down to safety. If you were descending a climber would have to rely on the good will of other climbers and a successful encounter with another climbing group, that they might find someone willing to significantly help them, or a guide with a free schedule to assist them. This could be a difficult thing to arrange and could take a long period of time – time that they might need to get to appropriate medical facilities.
Following Established Routes
Many climbers believe that hiring a guide is unnecessary and only adds to the expense. However, this often leads to travellers being unknowingly “poached” by freelance guides at hired park gate staff. Trained and licensed guides are competent in wilderness first aid, provide park authorities with customer security and rescue reports, and are legal members of respective mountain worker unions, thus minimizing the risk of dangerous or illegal situations. Trekkers and climbers should contact the local Tanzania Tourist Board or the Tanzania National Park Authority for a list of certified operators.
A variety of companies in Tanzania offer climbs of Kilimanjaro. With prices for each route ranging from $100 to $250 per day, it is important to carefully select the company that is the best value for your money. Although cheaper companies are appealing, safety should be the primary concern when selecting a guide service. Porters are paid very little and are sometimes faced with the decision to purchase necessary supplies or to save their wages for their families.
Comments