Kilimanjaro safety – all you need to know
Safety comes first on Kilimanjaro. It simply has to. This means having the right equipment and clothing, climbing with experienced and responsible guides, eating good food, and choosing a route that lets you acclimatise properly. We discuss it all below!
Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro safety overview
Altitude sickness Experienced Kilimanjaro guides The right safety equipment Choosing a qualified tour operator Nutritious food and safe water Malaria
It is safe to climb Kilimanjaro, but only when you are educated on the risks and how to avoid them.
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Why safety must come first
1. You're in a remote location
2. There is extreme and unpredictable weather
3. You trek to a very high altitude
Did you know that Kilimanjaro is over a thousand metres taller than Mont Blanc?? Kilimanjaro is 5,895 m compared with Mont Blanc's 4,696 m.
Altitude sickness
Don't rush to the top
Altitude sickness is common
It's perfectly normal to get symptoms of mild altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro, and these shouldn't worry you.
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Do fit people get altitude sickness?
It's important to choose a good route
It's good to 'climb high, sleep low'
Experienced Kilimanjaro guides
All of our guides are highly experienced in preventing, detecting and treating altitude sickness.
Meet Follow Alice Tanzania local leader Chris
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The right equipment for Kilimanjaro safety
A pulse oximeter
Bottled oxygen
A portable stretcher
A first aid kit
What if you feel sick on Kilimanjaro?
Symptoms of altitude sickness
Hot tip: drinking water helps to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Personal safety equipment
Footwear
Trekking poles
Sun protection
Clothing
Electrolyte tablets
Choosing a qualified tour operator
an operator that understands Kilimanjaro guides who know how to deal with altitude sickness an operator with the necessary safety and medical equipment a safe climb!
Nutritious food and safe water
Eating sufficient and nutritious food
Safe drinking water
Staying hydrated
Malaria
Map showing malaria distribution in Africa
How can I protect myself from malaria?
They take anti-malaria meds. They try to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long garments, using insect repellent, and sleeping under a mozzie net.
Our health and safety form
And, finally, don't forget...
travel insurance medication vaccinations
Travel insurance
Medication
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A and B typhoid yellow fever tetanus polio measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) meningococcal meningitis (Africa and Asia)