MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

When you choose hiking and trekking as a part of your Tanzania adventure, you have a multitude of destinations to choose from. We offer 2 exciting mountain climbing adventures: Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Oldoinyo Lengai.

Physical Preparation for Climbing

Although no mountaineering experience is required on any of our climbs, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. You must be comfortable walking 6-8 hours uphill a day. They are certainly strenuous climbs so the better prepared you are, the more you should enjoy it. We recommend that in the months leading up to your climb you increase your physical fitness with aerobic exercise. Walking, running and stair-climbing will all strengthen your legs and improve your stamina.

Health Issues

Any climber who suffers from any cardiac or pulmonary problems should be cautious and should not attempt to climb the mountain unless they have consulted their physician.

MT. KILIMANJARO ROUTES

GUIDES AND PORTERS

Qualified and experienced guides

Guides are compulsory for all routes on Kilimanjaro. All of our treks up the mountain are lead by highly trained and qualified guides, registered with the Kilimanjaro National Parks Board. Each of our guides has been carefully selected based on experience, safety record and through feedback from previous clients.

Support staff ratios

The average ratio of our support staff to climbers is 2 to 3 porters per hiker and two guides for a maximum of 4 hikers. This excellent staff to clients ratio, bolstered by our support equipment, will ensure your safety and enjoyment on the mountain.

Porters and cook

The porters do not only transport your gear and the supplies up and down the mountain. Arriving at every camp site long before you, they will have already put up your tent on your arrival. In the evening they will also boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner of a quality that has surprised many previous clients. Our porters are all part of the Porters Association and paid a fair wage.

Weight limits for porters

Remember that there is a weight limit of 32 lbs (15 kg) per climber, on the gear of each hiker to be carried. A soft duffel bag (barrel type) is preferred - as they prefer to carry the loads balanced on their heads and shoulders.

Tipping

This is a "compulsory tradition" on every Kilimanjaro climb. The exact tipping amount depends on group size and how many days were spend on the mountain.

The average recommended tip per group per day:

• Chief guide – US $ 20 per chief guide per day from the group

• Assistant Guide – US $ 12 per assistant guide per day from the group

• Cook – US $ 8 per cook per day from the group

• Porters – US $ 6 per porter per day from the group

ON THE MOUNTAIN

Go slowly

Go slowly - "Pole Pole" as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery. The biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too fast! The slower you hike to more time you give your body to acclimatize.

Drink enough water

Make sure that you drink at least 3 - 4 liters of liquid a day - preferably water. For your first day it is recommended that you take along fresh water, which may be purchased at the hotel in Moshi before your climb.  REMEMBER! A functioning "body water balance" is one of the keys to a successful climb!

Walk high - sleep low

If possible and especially on your acclimatization day "walk high - sleep low" Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude. This is essential on your acclimatization day.

Climb light

Climb as lightly as possible; this becomes even more important on your summit night. Extra weight will slow you down and will also make breathing more difficult.

HEALTH ISSUES

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is also referred to as "Altitude Sickness", and as the name indicates the illness is commonly encountered at exceptionally high altitudes, such as the summit area of Mount Kilimanjaro. AMS, once apparent, can be most effectively treated by immediately taking the affected person to a lower altitude. Often a drop as little as 500m will be sufficient. The symptoms of AMS include in the order normally experienced; headaches, nausea, anorexia, exhaustion, lassitude, rapid pulse, insomnia, swelling of the hands and feet and reduced urine output. Climbers can take precautions to at least minimize the severity of the illness, by maintaining a slow steady pace from day one, include an extra day of acclimatization at a high altitude and by drinking at least 3-4 liters of water every day. Preventative medicine is also available and you should consult your physician for specialist advice. Fluid build-up may cause a condition known as edema (or edema), which can affect the lungs (pulmonary), preventing effective oxygen exchange, or affect the brain (cerebral) which will result in the swelling of the brain tissue. The latter can be lethal if not treated immediately or if symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. You should familiarize yourself with this condition and take preventative care. For more information on this sickness please click on the Action Guide to High Altitude.

Hypothermia
Hypothermia or exposure is the lowering of the body's core temperature. Once again prevention is the best cause of action. The correct equipment and clothing is critical in the prevention of Hypothermia. Do not allow your clothing to get wet from either rain or perspiration. View more information on properly layering your clothing to prevent hypothermia. The treatment of hypothermia is relatively simple. Get the victim into a sheltered area as quickly as possible, remove all wet clothing and place the victim inside two or three sleeping bags, preferably with another person to help heat the victim.

Sun related injuries
About 55% of the earth's protective atmosphere is below an altitude of 5000m. Far less ultraviolet light is being filtered out, making the sun's rays much more powerful, which could result in severe sun burning of the skin. It is strongly recommended to use a 20+ sun protection cream at lower altitudes, and a total block cream above an altitude of 3000m. It is also important to wear dark sun glasses preferably with side panels above 4000m in daytime and essential when walking through snow or ice. Snow blindness can be very painful, and will require your eyes to be bandaged for at least 24 hours.

PACKING LIST