From little over 20,000 in 2001 to more than 55,000 in 2012, the number of individuals attempting to climb Kilimanjaro has grown dramatically. The most recent official figures are from 2016, when the Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) reported 47,232 climbers. The Ebola outbreak in Western Africa in 2014-16, as well as a perceived safety concern for travel to Africa, contributed to the decline in 2016. Between 2017 and 2019, the number of climbers is anticipated to have rebounded to more than 50,000 each year. Once transit has resumed, the impact of COVID-19 on the number of Kilimanjaro climbers remains to be seen.
