How to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in the COVID-19 Pandemic
How to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Many activities especially outdoor activities such as mountain Kilimanjaro climbing coming to a total halt.
However in Tanzania on 8th June 2020, his Excellency president John Magufuli the president of Tanzania announced that the country is covid-19 free.
Today, several tour operators including us at Mj Safaris have swung back into tourism actions organizing various activities such as game drives and
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing after international travel regained motion.
Is it safe to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro amidst the COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
In this article, we are going to look at whether it is safe to climb Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa found in
Northern Tanzania amidst this ongoing covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
What safety precautions has Tanzania put in place during this pandemic?
Tourists engaging in Mt. Kilimanjaro climb will be subjected to temperature checks at their hotel in Arusha or Moshi as well as at the park entrance gate into
Mount Kilimanjaro national park
How to use Face masks and hand sanitizer’s during the Mount Kilimanjaro climb
It is mandatory that you bring enough face masks to last you through your Safari in Tanzania. During the Mount Kilimanjaro climb
you will wear the masks anywhere else except up on the mountain due to the fact that there is a limited amount of oxygen up there.
Although it is not compulsory to wear face masks across the country we as Mj Safaris advise our guests to always wear them during their other
travels before and after climbing the Kilimanjaro as it is recommended in the SOPs of the world health organization.
In addition, you are advised to carry adequate hand sanitiser to last you through Safari. Mj Safaris will provide you with sanitiser throughout
the Kilimanjaro climbing expedition. Furthermore, the majority of the establishment like airports and accommodations
where you will be staying before and after your hike also provide hand sanitiser but none the less it is better you have an extra bottle in your hand luggage
Standard operating procedures by Mj Safaris on Mt. Kilimanjaro
As one of the leading tour operators in organizing Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions, we as Mj Safaris have come up with
a list of SOPs to ensure that we safeguard both our staff and our climbers and minimize the risk of contracting covid-19 infections during
the Safari and while up on the mountain
Below are some of the things you should expect during your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro
- The entire mountain crew will have to wear masks while in the vehicle, at the park entrance gate and even while at the camp
- Where possible, wash your hands as often as you can
- The mountain crew, as well as the hotel staff, will maintain social distance of a minimum of 1 meter from all guests at all times.
- Clients who would prefer to enjoy a social distancing experience from other climbers during the hike will be provided with single
accommodation tents up the mountain as well as while in Moshi or Arusha.
the comfort of their tents rather than going to the mess tent to join other climbers.
Is business normal up the mountain?
After the reopening of its international borders mid-2020, the number of climbers who have been booking and taking on expeditions on
the northern Tanzania safari circuit in an attempt to make their way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro has slowly been increasing.
Today the mountain slopes are not as busy as they were before the pandemic; however, the more adventurous holidaymakers are utilizing
this time to enjoy a less crowded Mount Kilimanjaro climbing experience.
Since mid-2020 we have been organizing a number of hiking expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro and we have registered an amazing success rate.
Status of Covid-19 in Tanzania
Tanzania registered up to 509 infection and 21 deaths related to covid-19 as per the information relayed on 29th April 2020. On 8th June 2020,
the president of Tanzania His Excellency John Magufuli announced that this country is covid-19 free and the government stopped publishing any covid-19 statistics.
Since then tourists have been slowly visiting the country to enjoy the different tourist activities here.
Do you need a covid-19 test to visit Tanzania?
the different requirements as stipulated by the airline you will be flying with, and the different countries you will go through during your Transit.
Majority of clients visiting Tanzania from the USA use Delta or KLM as their airlines and these flights connect in Amsterdam where
- Test results; this should be negative.
Because Amsterdam will require a negative result both ways this means that even at the end of your Mount Kilimanjaro climb y
ou will have to take a covid-19 test in Tanzania just before departing the country which you will be able to present in the Netherlands.
Can you test covid-19 around Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Yes, it is very possible for you to carry out the covid-19 test while in Tanzania. Arusha town found on the foothills of the mountain at any of the facilities listed below.
- Selian Lutheran hospital (Arusha)
- Mount Meru Referral Hospital (Arusha)
- Mawenzi Regional Hospital (Moshi)
- Kilimanjaro Christian medical center (Moshi)
These facilities operate from Monday to Friday opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 3:30 p.m. while on Saturdays and
Sunday they open at 10 a.m. and close at 12:30 p.m. these sample-collecting center’s then send the samples to the
Mj Safaris, we can assist by transferring you to any of the testing centres, make the payment on your behalf (but at your cost)
and even pick up your results.