Kilimanjaro safety – all you need to know

Mt Kilimanjaro is a hard climb and should never be underestimated. And yet so many do underestimate it!

Firstly, roughly half of all climbers attempting to scale the mountain don't actually make it to the summit. Also, every year around a thousand people are evacuated off the mountain. And approximately 10 deaths are reported annually.

You're putting yourself in danger if you don't do the necessary research and preparation. You're also playing with fire if you fail to choose a qualified Kilimanjaro tour operator as your climbing partner.

Please note that the purpose of this article is not to scare you, but to inform you. At Follow Alice your safety is our top priority. We want you to know how to climb Kilimanjaro in the safest way possible.

For those who would prefer to watch a video to reading about Kilimanjaro safety, we've got you sorted! The video below details the key things to consider with regards to Kilimanjaro safety, and tells you how to stay safe on the mountain. For all the details on safety, however, we recommend a hot cuppa, a comfy foot rest, and a read through the entire post!

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 ...

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.

The rainforest is arguably the prettiest part of the trek, but it can be slippery

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.

There's often snow on the summit of Kilimanjaro

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!

One of the dangers of trekking at high altitude is altitude sickness. This is an illness that develops when you don't allow your body enough time to adjust to the diminished oxygen intake per breath.

While mild altitude sickness isn't a problem, moderate to severe altitude sickness is. You can die from severe altitude sickness, which is why it's a serious topic, and we discuss it more in just a moment.

Choosing a good Kilimanjaro tour operatoris possibly the single most important factor in ensuring you have a safe adventure. This is because all of the following safety concerns are dependent upon your Kilimanjaro tour operator:

At Follow Alice we ensure our guides have the training, experience and knowledge to keep you safe. All of our Kilimanjaro guides are highly experienced in preventing, detecting and treating altitude sickness. Follow Alice Kilimanjaro guides are also certified wilderness first responders (WFRs). They therefore have the skills necessary to make critical medical and evacuation decisions on location.

More specifically, our trek guides use the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS) in medical emergencies. LLSS was designed to evaluate adults for symptoms of altitude sickness. The system uses an assessment questionnaire and a scorecard to determine whether an individual has no altitude sickness, mild altitude sickness, or severe altitude sickness.

Our guides also know the fastest evacuation routes from every area of the mountain, so they know exactly how to get you down the mountain quickly should the need arise.

Two of our guides doing their annual WFR refresher course

While it's more important that your guides have an in-depth understanding of how to prevent, detect and treat altitude sickness, it's also important that you have a basic understanding of these matters, since this knowledge will inform your Kilimanjaro preparation (like your choice of Kilimanjaro route, but more on that in a moment).

In a nutshell, altitude sickness is the illness caused by a failure of the body to acclimatise (adapt) quickly enough to a low level of oxygen intake. The resulting symptoms are unpleasant and include things like headaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia and dizziness.

The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere at sea level is about 21%. As you climb higher, the percentage remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. Near the summit of Kilimanjaro, you acquire roughly 50% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. The body therefore finds it hard to adapt and function as normal with less oxygen.

It's perfectly normal to get mild altitude sickness on a Kilimanjaro trek.

In fact, more than 75% of Kilimanjaro climbers experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness (also known as acute mountain sickness, or AMS). It's therefore more than likely that you'll experience some form of mild altitude sickness symptoms when climbing Kilimanjaro. 

Note that it's only when your altitude sickness becomes moderate to severe that you have to abort your climb and descend to a lower altitude. Those with only mild altitude sickness can continue their climb, though they're closely monitored by their guide for any signs of a worsening condition.

Anything above 3,000 m can cause altitude sickness

It may surprise you, but age, sex and physical fitness have no effect on your likelihood of getting altitude sickness. And just because you haven't had it before doesn't mean you won't develop it on another trip. So everyone should prepare for it.

Not all Kilimanjaro routes are created equal. Some offer better acclimatisation than others.

Specifically, the Lemosho route, Northern Circuit and Machame route all offer great or very good acclimatisation. This makes the summit success rates for these routes the highest, meaning the percentage of trekkers using these routes who manage to reach the summit are high. And reaching the summit is a major reason why you climb the mountain, after all!

The Umbwe route and Marangu route, on the other hand, have low summit success rates because they demand trekkers ascend the mountain over fewer days. A relatively high percentage of trekkers climbing these routes don't acclimatise adequately and thus develop AMS and don't manage to summit.

The Shira route is also a risky route from an acclimatisation perspective. This is because it has a very high starting point: 3,600 m. With most of the other routes, you start between about 1,600 m and 2,300 m. This makes a big difference. By starting so high on the Shira, you risk developing altitude sickness right at the start of your trek.

Our client Romy took this misty snap on her Lemosho route climb

At Follow Alice we follow the 'climb high, sleep low' principle to best adjust to the high altitude. This means that you hike to a high altitude and then head back down the mountain to a lower altitude for the night to let your body adjust.

Certain routes allow you to do this, namely the Lemosho, Northern Circuit and Machame. This is a major reason why we prefer these routes over others: we love seeing our climbers standing and smiling at the summit!

The Rongai, Umbwe and Marangu routes don't offer opportunities to climb high and sleep low. This is partly why they don't enjoy as high summit success rates as some of the others.

Letting your body adjust slowly increases your chances of summiting

You will often hear the phrase "pole, pole" while on your Kilimanjaro climb. This is Swahili for "slowly, slowly", and should be your motto for this incredible journey. There is no rush. Take your time and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!

Once you embark on your climb, the only resources available to you are the ones that you and your mountain crew carry up with you. At Follow Alice, your Kilimanjaro mountain crew carries some vital safety equipment, as discussed below. If you trek with another Kilimanjaro tour operator, please check that they also carry the safety equipment outlined below.

A pulse oximeter measures your blood's oxygen levels. To do this, the oximeter is placed on your fingertip and within seconds its sensor reflects the amount of oxygen in your blood.

At Follow Alice, your guide carries the pulse oximeter and tests your oxygen levels twice a day.

We also carry bottled oxygen, but it's only for emergency situations. It's never used to assist those who haven't adequately acclimatised to the higher altitude. So you shouldn't think, oh, I'll risk a short trek and just rely on backup oxygen.

Note that the most immediate and effective treatment for altitude sickness is descending the mountain.

Chris looking like a boss with the emergency oxygen canister on Kilimanjaro

A stretcher is brought on every climb by your mountain crew so that there's a means for evacuating any climber who may need to descend but is unable to walk down on their own.

This kit has what's need to treat minor scrapes, cuts and blisters. Your lead guide carries this.

Here are some personal items to pack to ensure you stay safe on your Kilimajaro trek.

Happy feet = happy climber

The footwear you bring to climb Kilimanjaro is very important. Your hiking boots should be the right fit, warm, water-repellent, and worn in.

The best way to break boots in is to wear them as often as possible before your hiking date. Ideally, you should do long hikes in them to see how your feet manage when they get hot, sweaty and tired. You know your boots are properly worn in when the inner soles of the boots start to contour to the bottom of your feet. You do not want to risk getting blisters, sore toenails or the like on a Kili hike!

You also want boots with deep lugs that allow for good traction. You don't want to be slipping, especially when tackling the infamous Barranco Wall, which is arguably the most dangerous point on the trail. (That said, the Barranco Wall is not something to be afraid of – take it slowly and steadily and there's really nothing to worry about! It looks worse from below than it actually is.)

The rainforest section on the mountain can also become a bit treacherous underfoot when it rains. Some people choose to wear crampons on their shoes on summit day when there's snow and ice covering the top of the mountain. But we don't consider them to be essential.

All that said, we want to stress that Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb. The trails of all seven routes are no more dangerous than your usual hiking trail (with the one possible exception of the Barranco Wall, which you can avoid if you wish by choosing a route that doesn't go that way).

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

We like to stress the importance of keeping your hiking boots in your hand luggage so that should your luggage not arrive, you are still able to climb. At Follow Alice we can assist in the rental of most of the gear you would need except for hiking boots which will need to be worn in by the time you get to Kilimanjaro.

You cross plenty of rugged terrain on Kilimanjaro and need sturdy footwear

Trekking poles are useful on a Kilimanjaro trek, and most climbers bring them along. Some people just bring their ski poles. These can work too, but ideally you want adjustable poles.

One of the main benefits of trekking poles is that they help you to keep your balance when the terrain is rocky or rough underfoot. Secondly, they can help to take the pressure off your knees during steep descents.

The trails can be rough and treacherous in places, making trekking poles a nice addition to your equipment

It's essential that you protect yourself against the sun on Kilimanjaro. You are trekking to high altitude where the sun's intensity is very high. Visible light can also be intensified by snow. The UV rays at high altitude can be very damaging to your eyes if you don’t have adequate sunglasses.

We recommend wrap-around sunglasses to prevent glare getting at your eyes from the sides. A cord for your glasses could also be useful for moments when you want to take them off and keep your hands free.

As with everything you bring to Kilimanjaro, your sunglasses shouldn't be brand new. You want to have hiked in them before to ensure they're comfortable and not the kind that steam up easily.

You also need to pack sweat-resistant and high SPF sunscreen. We recommend an SPF factor of at least 30. And we highly recommend a lip balm that offers SPF protection. The skin and collagen in your lips can easily become damaged from too much sun exposure (and wind).

And finally, a good hat is also important for protecting your face from sunburn.

Follow Alice's very own Chris and Tash with their shades on at the summit of Kili

Temperatures will fluctuate throughout your entire Kilimanjaro climb. You will be trekking through four climatic zones. Weather can range from warm and tropical at the base of the mountain to freezing on the summit.

It's therefore very important you have the right clothing to be able to layer up and down. A down jacket is particularly important for your summit. To assist in your safety and overall experience, we rent out cosy down jackets for your climb for a flat fee of US$60.

Your Kilimanjaro wardrobe should also include the right base layers, insulation layers and waterproof layers. We list and explain all the clothing you need for a safe and comfortable trek in our Kilimanjaro packing list.

The summit of Kilimanjaro is one frosty world!

All of your food, drinks and water on Kilimanjaro are provided by your tour operator. At least that's how we roll at Follow Alice! But one thing we don't provide is electrolyte tablets or sport drink sachets.

Electrolytes in the form of electrolyte tablets or sport drink sachets that you can add to your personal water supply are a good addition to your Kilimanjaro packing list. They help to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating.

When we sweat excessively, the level of sodium in our blood drops, and needs replenishing. In fact, drinking lots of plain water after intense exercise without replenishing your electrolytes as well can be dangerous.

You don't need to drink electrolyte-enhanced water all day when trekking on Kilimanjaro. A good idea is to keep your hydration pack full of plain water, and then occasionally drink from a water bottle that has had electrolytes added to the mix.

You might also like to consider adding a few oral rehydration salts to your toiletry bag so they're there just if you end up needing them.

When exercising intensely, your body needs water AND electrolytes

Part of a Follow Alice dinner in the mess tent on Kilimanjaro

It's imperative to the success of your climb that you regularly eat nutritious meals. It's also vital that you have safe drinking water and stay well hydrated throughout your trek.

It's vital that you get adequate, good-quality and nutritious food for a successful Kilimanjaro climb. You're putting your body through intense exercise and so need sufficient fuel or it will start to break down.

Your Kilimanjaro cook provides you with breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain, as well as hot drinks and snacks. Some people also like to bring some of their favourite snacks from home for during the trek as well.

At Follow Alice, our awesome cook Raja ensures you're getting plenty of fresh fruit and veg every day, as well as ample protein and carbs to fill you up. Every day includes a cooked breakfast and dinner, and sometimes a cooked lunch as well. On other days, you're given a packed lunch to carry with you. If you'd like to know more, please read Meals on Kilimanjaro.

We advise that try to eat all three meals provided, even when you're not hungry. Loss of appetite is common high up on the mountain. This is because you're feeling the effects of the high altitude. But just because you don't feel hungry, doesn't mean your body doesn't need the fuel. You're going on long treks each day, and your body really needs the sustenance to stay strong and healthy.

Some of our staff preparing the food to be carried up the mountain

Your mountain crew provides you with all the water you need on the mountain, both for drinking and cleaning. They fetch it from the streams lower down on the mountain, and carry it up to the higher camps. The water that is for drinking is purified using purification tablets. You don't therefore need to worry about bringing your own water purification tablets on the trek.

Each day before starting off on the hike, we recommend having a good long drink at camp. At this point you'll also fill your hydration pack and water bottle. Note that you're responsible for carrying your own drinking water during each day's trek, which is why we suggest in our Kilimanjaro packing list that you bring along a three-litre hydration pack as well as a water bottle.

For those who don't like the taste of tablet-purified water, we recommend bringing a few flavour sachets that you can add to your own water supply.

Streams on the lower half of Kilimanjaro are used to collect water

Hydration is key to staying healthy throughout your trek. Here are a few notes about staying hydrated during your trek ...

Don't wait till you're thirsty to drink liquids, as you're already dehydrated when the thirst response kicks in. Sip on your water throughout the day.

It's a good idea to drink a cup or two of water before you leave camp in the mornings. Firstly, this helps you to keep all the water in your hydration pack for the trail. And secondly, it'll help prevent you from getting dehydrated on the trail, and so keep you functioning at your best.

Note that you shouldn't stop drinking fluids when the day's hiking is over. You should keep drinking to help replenish your body's fluids. Also, always drink a bit more than you feel you need, as our body's thirst response actually calls for less water than we need.

And remember, drinking water has the added bonus of helping to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. So sip on!

Your mountain crew carrying up the water needed at every camp

Regular travel insurance doesn't cover you for high-altitude trekking

It's a very important to note that we don't allow anyone to climb Kilimanjaro with us without comprehensive travel insurance. This is the case with any reputable Kilimanjaro tour operator.

Note that you'll need to purchase special insurance, not just a regular package, since you climb up to 5,895 m on Kilimanjaro. In other words, look for a policy that includes cover for high-altitude trekking.

We can recommend World Nomads as a reputable travel insurance company you might like to consider using. They offer coverage for more than 150 adventure activities, including high-altitude trekking.

It's a very good idea to visit your doctor before booking a Kilimanjaro climb, for the following four reasons ...

We highly recommend getting a physical checkup before climbing Kilimanjaro, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are over the age of 50.

Use your consultation to discuss the potential risks of climbing Kilimanjaro, especially in light of any personal medical or fitness concerns. Remember that every year people die on Kilimanjaro; nobody thinks this will be them, but perhaps honest discussions with their personal physicians would've helped to prevent some of these tragedies?

Also ask your doctor for a prescription for certain medications you could carry as backup should you start to develop symptoms of altitude sickness.

Secondly, a doctor's visit it a good idea so that you can discuss obtaining altitude meds (like Diamox), which are pills that help your body to adjust to the reduced oxygen intake associated with high altitude and altitude gain. But note that there can be side effects to such medication, such as intense pins and needles. So again, chatting it all through with your GP is the best plan of action.

Thirdly, most of Tanzania is within a recognised malaria zone, with Kilimanjaro National Park sitting pretty much on the border of that zone. (As shown in the map below.) This means Kilimanjaro climbers need to take precautions against contracting malaria.

Most foreigners visiting a malaria region adopt a two-pronged approach to malaria prevention:

The good news is that most of Kilimanjaro is too high and cold for mosquitoes, so it's only travelling to and from the mountain, and when sleeping in the rainforest section, that mosquitoes are a concern.

We always advice discussing the malaria situation with your GP and then following his or her advice.

Lastly, discuss if you should have any vaccinations before your trip to Tanzania. In terms of vaccinations – there are no specific vaccine requirements needed to enter Tanzania. However, be aware that the Government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever.

We suggest you talk to your doctor about getting the following vaccinations if you don't already have them:

You need to be fit and healthy to manage a Kilimanjaro climb safely

Any lingering questions? Please feel free to give us a shout!