KILIMANJARO SAFETY GUIDE FOR UHURU TRAILS CLIMBS BY AFRICANMECCA

It must be clearly understood that Mount Kilimanjaro is a dangerous environment where climbers are risking their lives. One person in every thousand (0.1%) will die on the mountain and more than half of these deaths could be preventable. Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca believe that the safest way to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro is to be well prepared and fully informed of what to expect, to be properly equipped, and to be led by the most experienced and capable mountain guides.

Although it gives an added sense of security to have recourse to sophisticated life-saving equipment such as defibrillators, Gamow hyperbaric decompression bags and even oxygen rebreathers, your life is ultimately in two sets of hands - your own and those of your guide. You must be aware of your physical condition and communicate any concerns to your guide.



It is irresponsible to push on in the face of altitude sickness symptoms which needs expert assessment. A mistake can be very costly indeed even if your life is not forfeit. In the first place, it discourages others in your team from notifying their problems and thus endangers them. In the second place, it is unpleasant for other team members to witness the results of untreated altitude sickness.

From bad temper to vomiting and from misery to emergency medical evacuation, the sufferings of your companions can ruin your own experience, turning a very expensive African hiking vacation challenge into a disaster. In the third place, the expenses incurred by emergency evacuation and medical treatment can be horrendous, even if fully covered by insurance, and will necessarily increase the cost of Kilimanjaro tours and insurance for future adventurers.

Responsible tour operators will carry some safety equipment as a matter of course, but psychological dependence on technological fixes can be both costly and dangerous, especially if poorly trained support staff believe prolonged on-site treatment is the preferred option. It is not. Whatever the emergency, whether altitude sickness, other medical condition or injury, there is no advantage in hanging around in hostile conditions.



Uhuru Trails guides have been carefully selected and trained in the recognition and treatment of altitude sickness and their decision is final. They have been taught that safety is paramount and that emergency equipment is only for short-term use.

The most effective response is a return to lower altitudes as quickly as possible. They will decide if you can move down the mountain with your preferred guide and porter under your own power, or if it is necessary to use their contact with the area office to arrange for road transport to meet you at the highest access point should you need to be evacuated by a stretcher on the shortest possible trail.

In very special cases, and for additional cost, Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca can arrange to take a portable defibrillator and portable hyperbaric chamber on a Kilimanjaro mountain trek summit attempt, especially for those overnighting at Crater Camp (optional and can be skipped), but these add considerably to the logistical problems, especially placing an onerous extra burden of hardship on porters, of whom more are needed, who are also risking their lives in your support.

Review Below Our Safety Guide For Your Kilimanjaro Trek