Climbing Kilimanjaro - Safety

The safety and security of both our clients and staff is our number one priority for all our Kilimanjaro climbs.  In order to best ensure this we use a number of different techniques that include:

• Route Choice
• Staff to Climber Ratio & Staff Roles
• Kilimanjaro Climb Team training
• Kit, Safety Kit and Communications
• Your Health and Fitness

Route Choice
To provide the best possible chance to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit, we specifically choose certain routes which allow our clients and staff sufficient time to acclimate to the change of altitude.  Some routes, like the Marangu Route, maybe the quickest climbing route up Kilimanjaro, but ultimately can have lower success rates and in some situations can be unsafe.

Both the Machame and Lemosho routes provide more time for the body to acclimate itself, as some days you will climb higher and then sleep lower.  This is one of the best ways to prevent altitude sickness and accomplish your goal – reaching Kilimanjaro’s peak.

Staff To Climber Ratio & Staff Roles
As mentioned earlier we place our clients and staff safety and security as our number one priority, because of this we have an extremely high staff to climber ratio.  We usually have twenty staff guiding only two people, thirty staff for four climbers or even sixty staff members for just fourteen climbers!  These numbers reflect the ratio we use for the Machame Route, while the longer Lemosho routes requires even more staff to ensure people are not overburdened by the extra food and supplies.

Each staff member of our Kilimanjaro climbing team has specific responsibilities which include: porters, camp staff, cooks, assistant guides, and guides.

Porters play an integral role throughout each of our climbs and are as much a part of our Kilimanjaro climb team as our dedicated staff.  We make sure that their loads and personal kit weigh less than 45 lbs. and are packed into specially made climbs bags.

Kilimanjaro Climb Team Training
Training is essential and ongoing throughout our teams, with biannual formal training for guides in both English and Swahili.  We have a strong “promote within” policy and encourage porters to strive for full time positions as assistants or camp crew and camp staff to join our guiding team. 

Kit, Safety Kit And Communications
Prior to your ascent of Kilimanjaro, we will make sure you understand what is provided for in our kit and what you will need to bring for your comfort and safety.  When you arrive in Arusha we will inspect your kit as part of the pre-climb briefing with a full briefing to follow on your climb. 

We have quality control of our kits with inspections by both our operations team and head guide prior to each Kilimanjaro climb.  To ensure the best safety for our clients and team we also carry oxygen, a custom evacuation stretcher, a pulse oximeter, altitude sickness checklists, and first aid kits on top of all other climbing kits.  For any Kilimanjaro climb that sleeps inside the Kibo Crater, where a quick descent cannot be made, we carry a portable altitude chamber.

Throughout your Kilimanjaro climb your oxygen levels and pulse rate will be measured twice a day with special oxygen and pulse oximetry meters.  This data is crucial in understanding how your body is handling the effects of altitude change.  After all the information is gathered it is then relayed to base camp to be recorded and monitored.

During your climb your team will communicate with the base camp at least twice a day using a cellular or satellite phone, depending on your position on the mountain.

Your Health And Fitness
To complete Kilimanjaro’s climb you will need to walk considerable distances at higher altitudes – the Machame Route and Lemosho Route links will give you a better understanding of the day to day schedule.  Prior to you arrival into Tanzania more than likely you will need to do some training as well as practicing with the kit you plan to bring for the climb.

It is always recommend that you complete a medical exam beforehand, especially if you are over the age of forty or if you have had any previous medical conditions that restricted your hiking ability.

It also necessary to truthfully answer and return the pre-climb information we give you.  This is essential information as some medical conditions can turn life threatening at the higher altitudes on Kilimanjaro, so this is why we must be informed of all prior conditions before you climb.

In the climb briefing we will go over what to expect throughout the climb, making sure you feel secure and prepared for the ensuing climb.  To ensure your safety during the climb, you must inform the lead guide if you start feeling sick no matter what point of the climb.  We will do our best to help treat whatever problems and allow you to continue on with the climb.

Not Completing The Climb
While we have a very high completion rate on the Kilimanjaro climb, even the most physically fit individuals encounter altitude sickness, or other conditions which do not allow them to complete the climb.

In these situations you will be escorted off the mountain by at least one other person.  This same process is used for staff members who fall victim to sickness.

If this happens early on, we can plan different activities to keep you busy for the following days.  Alas we cannot reimburse you for uncompleted Kilimanjaro climbs and there will be supplementary charges for additional arrangements. 

The Next Step
For more information on: pricing, departure dates of group climbs, or to check availability for private climbs, please call or email us.