Safety on Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro
Why safety must come first
Just before we discuss the factors to consider to ensure you have a safe Kilimanjaro climb, we want to point out three
reasons why your safety on the climb should be a primary concern for both you and your tour operator .
1. You're in a remote location
It's important to note that you're in a remote location when hiking Kilimanjaro. So if anything happens and you become sick or injured, there's no hospital just around the corner. Usually you'll need to descend the mountain before being driven to hospital.
When you travel with a reputable tour operator, your mountain crew is trained to respond effectively and efficiently to accidents and illness (especially altitude sickness). They also carry a stretcher for any client unable to walk off the mountain themselves.
While Kili MedAir offers a helicopter evacuation service, there are only a few places where a helicopter can land safely. Quickly descending the mountain on foot or by stretcher remains the more reliable method for addressing illnesses or injuries that arise on Kilimanjaro.
2. There is extreme and unpredictable weather
Higher up on Kilimanjaro the temperature can (and often does) plummet to below freezing. Night-times can be icy, very windy, and snowfall is possible. Also, the weather can turn on a dime.
It's vital that all climbers have the right equipment and clothing to combat the elements. We've put together a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list to help you know and plan for what's needed.
3. You trek to a very high altitude
Kilimanjaro is nearly 6,000 m above sea level and the highest mountain in Africa. Some people don't think of Africa in terms of tall mountains, but actually it has many very, very high mountains. In fact, plenty of its mountains are far taller than the highest mountains in Europe!
Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro?
Here are the key factors to consider when it comes to Kilimanjaro safety:
1.Experienced & Knowledgeable Kilimanjaro guides
You need to know that your guide has the proper training to know how to detect the early signs of altitude sickness, and what to do about it. Our guides undergo Wilderness First Responder training,
which teaches essential skills for managing medical conditions in remote locations.
2.The right safety equipment
Emergency Oxygen & Medical Supplies
Our team carries a comprehensive medical kit, including bottled oxygen, and portable stretcher.
We carry supplemental oxygen for emergency use only.
The only cure for acute mountain sickness is immediate descent to a lower elevation.
In the case of an injury that prevents a climber from descending on foot, we use a portable stretcher that is provided by the National Park at each campsite.
Oxygen can be administered to alleviate AMS in combination with immediate descent.
We carry a first aid medical kit to treat minor injuries
Helicopter Evacuation on Kilimanjaro
In the event of an emergency, we use a search and rescue service that operates out of Moshi. After a distress call, a helicopter will be dispatched to the nearest landing point and the patient can be airlifted off the mountain and taken to the local hospital. Of note, in the event of adverse mountain weather, a helicopter may not be able to land, and if this is the case, a manual evacuation will need to take place via a stretcher provided by the National Park.
3.Choosing a qualified tour operator
For any kind of active travel, the easiest way to plan a great trip is to go with an experienced specialty company. They already
know the best routes and trails in the best hiking destinations. Well-trained and experienced guides make the trip much better,
not just while hiking, but also by providing insight into the flora, fauna, geology and history of what you are seeing, as well as
explaining local food and culture, one of the biggest reasons to travel in the first place
5.Nutritious food and safe water
There are no showers on Kilimanjaro, and we recommend you bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat. A combination of being tired from hiking, altitude, and dietary changes can make you more susceptible to traveler’s diarrhea or other ‘stomach bugs’.
During the day:
Eat regularly, even if you think you’re not hungry, this keeps your energy levels up
Drink plenty of water, dehydration will quickly lead to fatigue and can compromise the acclimatization process
We go to great lengths to ensure your food is prepared safely, to avoid gastrointestinal problems. We boil, filter and purify all drinking water, including the water used to wash food products.
By providing private toilet tents for our climbers, we avoid the unsanitary conditions found in some of the public facilities at the campsites.
4. Altitude sickness.
How We Work to Keep You Safe on Kilimanjaro
Staying safe on Kilimanjaro starts with understanding the risks and knowing how to mitigate them. We ask all our climbers to fill in a comprehensive medical questionnaire, and in the case of some pre-existing conditions, we may ask for confirmation from your doctor that you are fit to climb. Your guide will need to know any existing medications you are taking (including over the counter) and whether you are taking Diamox to help acclimatization.
