What Causes Altitude Sickness?
Altitude sickness occurs when your body struggles to adjust to the lower oxygen level at higher elevations. It can affect anyone—regardless of age, fitness, or experience—and usually appears above 2,500 meters. Slow ascent and proper acclimatization are key to preventing it.
Common Symptoms of AMS
Trekkers may experience mild to moderate symptoms, especially at higher camps. The most frequent signs include:
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Difficulty sleeping
Mild symptoms are normal and manageable, but severe symptoms must be treated immediately.
Severe Altitude Sickness: HAPE & HACE
In rare cases, AMS can progress into dangerous conditions:
HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema): fluid in the lungs, causing breathlessness even at rest, coughing, and chest tightness.
HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema): swelling of the brain, causing confusion, poor coordination, and inability to walk straight.
Both conditions are life-threatening and require immediate descent.
How We Prevent Altitude Sickness
Kilimanjaro Winners and Safaris follows strict safety standards to keep climbers healthy:
Choosing longer routes like Lemosho, Machame, or Northern Circuit for better acclimatization
Practicing “climb high, sleep low”
Encouraging slow, steady trekking (“pole pole”)
Daily health checks with pulse oximeter
Hydration reminders and balanced meals
Allowing acclimatization days when needed
Many climbers also use Diamox after consulting with their doctor.
Rescue and Evacuation Procedures
Safety is our top priority, and every guide is trained in Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and altitude management. When a climber shows signs of dangerous altitude sickness, the rescue process begins immediately:
1. On-Mountain Assessment
Guide checks:
Oxygen level
Pulse rate
Ability to walk
Symptoms and behavior
If symptoms worsen, the climber must descend.
2. Assisted Descent
Depending on the condition, descent is done by:
Walking with guide support
Mountain rescue stretcher, known as a “Kilimanjaro ambulance”
Porter assistance to carry the climber’s backpack
Descent alone often improves symptoms rapidly.
3. Vehicle Evacuation
Once at the nearest evacuation point—such as Mweka Gate, Marangu Gate, or Shira Plateau—a rescue vehicle transfers the climber to:
Moshi or Arusha hospital, or
Their hotel for rest (if symptoms were mild)
4. Helicopter Evacuation (Optional/Insurance-Based)
For critical emergencies, AMREF Flying Doctors or KiliMedAir can evacuate climbers by helicopter—weather permitting—from:
Barafu
Kosovo Camp
Shira
Kibo
Horombo
Helicopter rescue requires valid travel insurance that covers high-altitude evacuation.
How to Reduce Your Risk on Kilimanjaro
Trekkers can significantly improve safety by:
Choosing longer routes
Drinking 3–4 liters of water daily
Eating well even without appetite
Hiking “pole pole” (slowly)
Sleeping enough
Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Informing guides immediately when symptoms appear
The earlier symptoms are treated, the safer and more enjoyable the climb becomes.
Final Words
Altitude sickness is real but manageable with the right knowledge, preparation, and professional guiding. With proper acclimatization, safety checks, and experienced rescue procedures, most trekkers reach Uhuru Peak safely. Climb smart, listen to your body, and trust your trained guides your success starts with safety.