Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness – How To Prevent Altitude Sickness On Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in Africa, at 19,341 ft, and it's often called the "Roof of Africa." Its top is covered in snow, and every year it tests the stamina and fitness of new and experienced hikers alike, mostly through altitude sickness.

When you go Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, you'll start to feel the effects of altitude on your body above about 2100m. If you want a successful summit, Kilimanjaro health and safety at high altitude should be your top priority.

Here's a short explanation of altitude sickness to keep in mind as part of this Climb Kilimanjaro guide.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness is the effect that high altitude has on your health. It can develop into Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), a more serious form of Kilimanjaro altitude sickness. As you go higher, the air pressure drops. The percentage of oxygen in the air stays the same, but each breath holds fewer oxygen molecules. At 12,000 feet (3,600 m) on Kilimanjaro, there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath.

With less oxygen, your body finds it harder to work normally. When it can't adjust quickly enough to these lower oxygen levels, you get altitude sickness. Age, sex and fitness don't decide who gets it.

About 75% of climbers feel at least mild altitude sickness above 3000 meters while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. So it's normal to feel some of it on the mountain. Kilimanjaro isn't a technical climb, but going up too fast raises your chances of getting altitude sickness.

How to Lower Your Chances of Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness

A successful, enjoyable Kilimanjaro climb takes good preparation: getting fit, choosing the right one of the Kilimanjaro routes, bringing the right trekking gear and taking other sensible precautions. Even so, you may still feel the altitude. Being fit doesn't stop altitude sickness, because the two aren't directly linked. What fitness does is help you cope with the strain of daily hiking, which makes the altitude easier to bear.

What Are the Symptoms of Altitude Sickness?

Most Kilimanjaro altitude sickness symptoms are common and mild. They usually show up a while after you reach a higher altitude. Many people say it feels like a bad hangover, and it can get worse at night, when your breathing slows down.

Symptoms you may notice while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro include headaches, nausea, tiredness, poor sleep, irritability, sore muscles, dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and possibly a racing heartbeat.

Symptoms usually start 12 to 24 hours after you arrive at a higher altitude. How fast people acclimatize varies from person to person.

What Are the Best Ways to Acclimatize?

Your body can adapt to less oxygen if you give it enough time at a given altitude. This is called acclimatization, and it takes one to three days at each altitude.

That's why the right itinerary on the right Kilimanjaro route matters so much. Most Kilimanjaro routes have a good acclimatization profile, but you can't avoid the effects of altitude completely. At Kilisa Tours we use these methods to help you reach the summit safely:

Climb High, Sleep Low

"Climb high, sleep low" means you hike up to a higher altitude during the day and sleep lower down at night. A well-planned itinerary makes this possible, with afternoon hikes to a higher point (climbing high) before heading back down to camp (sleeping low). Longer routes such as the Lemosho Route, Northern Circuit Route and Machame Route give you the best chances to climb high and sleep low.

Drink Lots of Water

Breathing hard and fast makes you lose water. Drinking enough helps your blood flow and keeps your body working well. You can check the color of your urine to see if you're drinking enough while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. We recommend 4-5 liters of fluid a day. Avoid alcohol during your climb.

Climb Slowly

Climbing Kilimanjaro is neither a marathon nor a sprint. On the mountain you'll hear your guides say "pole, pole," which means "slowly, slowly" in Swahili. On the way up you'll hike about 4 to 7 hours a day, and around 10 to 14 hours on summit day.

Choose a Qualified Tour Operator

If safety on Kilimanjaro matters to you, choose a qualified Kilimanjaro tour operator. A careless choice of Kilimanjaro tour operator can make or break a safe, enjoyable climb.

For a smooth hike and a good shot at the summit, take time to research operators online and read their reviews on TripAdvisor. Call or email them if you have questions or want details about a route. Choose an operator with long experience and real practical knowledge of trekking and altitude.

At Kilisa Tours and Safaris, your safety comes first when you're climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Experienced Guides

An experienced, knowledgeable guide should be at the top of your list for climbing Kilimanjaro. Your guide should know how to act quickly to prevent, spot and treat altitude sickness.

Choose the Right Equipment

For safety on Kilimanjaro, there's some important equipment to think about: a medical kit, emergency oxygen, a stretcher and a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen level in your blood, which shows how well you're acclimatizing.

Other Equipment for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Clothing for the trek: hats and caps, a ski jacket and a fleece jacket, sunglasses, shirts and base layers, soft-shell and down jackets, hard-shell waterproof jackets, gloves, ski pants, rain pants, fleece pants and sport shoes.

Trekking gear: gaiters, socks and sock liners, shoes, hiking boots, microspikes, trekking poles, headlamps, duffel bags, ski goggles, hand warmers, a hydration pack, sleeping bags and fabric bags (please avoid plastic).

Is It Safe to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Yes, climbing Kilimanjaro is safe if you prepare well, both physically and mentally. Your preparation should include choosing the right Kilimanjaro guide, a suitable route and the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, and getting ready for the tough moments on the mountain.

The one thing standing between you and the summit at Uhuru Peak is Kilimanjaro altitude sickness. Bring the right gear for harsh weather and bitter cold, and take enough time to acclimatize while climbing Kilimanjaro.

For a good shot at the summit, climb with Kilisa Tours & Safaris, a Kilimanjaro trekking operator with experienced, well-trained guides.

To find out more, visit us at kilisatours.com.