Kilimanjaro National Park During the Corona Virus Outbreak

As you know the Coronavirus or COVID-19 has caused a lot of challenges for International travel. The last 4 months have been extremely tough on everyone and we hope you, your family and friend are all doing well. We have a update on how all our Kilimanjaro climbs from August 2020 will have to comply with new guidelines on Mount Kilimanjaro. We will require everyone has a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel.

Introduction

The Park Management has set aside several measures and standard operating procedures which will ensure the safety of tourists, crews, staff and the mountain environment after the outbreak of Corona virus (COVID -19). This document brings about procedures to be followed at entry/exit gates, camping areas, mountain huts, tourist shelters, toilets, hiking trails and rescue operations.

Kilimanjaro from the Shira Plateau

Overall Standard Operating Procedures for Mountain Climbing

All offices, mountain stations and points of entry/exit to have hand sterilization
stations. All staff, tourists, guides, cooks and porters should wear a mask when at entry/exit gates, camping site and mountain huts.  We must sterilize all food packages with 70% alcohol solution or appropriate commercial solutions. Food items should not be mixed with other equipment.  We will ensure that luggage is packed inside the sterilized
rubberized Kit bags.

Weighing of equipment and climbers bags should be done before arrival to Park entry points. Luggage should be sprayed with sterilization solution before weighing. All weighing to be done with rangers with appropriate PPE. All registration entry/exit gates and mountain stations to have thermal sensor and all guests and porters will to be checked prior to entry. Any climber with fevers / high temperatures / flu like symptoms will be advised to go for further medical check-up. Park reserves rights to entry. All groups can only enter the National park between 11 am and 3pm.

Shira Camp 2 3.900m

More Guidelines

All guides should wear a mask during briefings. We will provide a registered hard copy with list of client  /climbers at point of entry and mountain stations.  All climbers will need to wash their hands upon arrival to the camp. Make sure everyone has enough hand Sanitizer.  We will ensure masks and disposable gloves are provided to our crew and also should provide special trash bags keep waste separated. Make sure all re-supply’s will be checked and cleaned in Shira 2 and Karanga camp. We will make sure all equipment will be sanitized before use.

Moving towards the Lava Tower

Kitchen Tent

Where appropriate only specific kitchen staff should be allowed in kitchen tent. We encourage all clients to use their own toilet paper.   Each climber should have sanitizer attached to their back packs and available at all times to disinfect after using toilet facilities.  Each climber should have enough sanitizer for personal use during he whole trip.  Anyone with symptoms should be requested to descend immediately with appropriate support and close monitoring.

The Lava Tower on Kilimanjaro

Camping Sites

The park will ensure these sites are safe for all users. To facilitate this, porters while at the camp will be kept separately from the tourists and the guides. The following procedures should be followed in all camping sites.

1). Pitching of tents should maintain a distance of two meters between groups of
different companies.

2). Two climbers per tent. Maximum of 12 climbers per dome tent

3). Camping equipment should be sterilized / disinfected.

4). Porters should avoid unnecessary movements and gatherings with other groups.

5). Overcrowding in sleeping tents by porters and guides should be avoided.

6). All staff should have hand sanitizer and gloves.

Kilimanjaro from Mweka Camp

Using Shelters

All climbers will need to wash their hands with soap before meal times. Everyone should have an adequate supply of hand sanitizer and have some in the dining tent. All climbers should have a lightweight buff with them on the trail each day. Each climber should have an additional mask with them throughout the entire trip.  Maintain social distance of more than one meter as much as possible, especially around other groups.  All guides should ensure that all group members adhere to mountain standard operating procedures.

Exiting Kilimanjaro's Mweka gate

Rescue Operations

For the safety of the tourists and the crews rendering the service the following procedures should be adhered.

1). The rescue staff should wear appropriate PPE when attending patient. Guides should always wear masks while assisting.

2). Make sure not to mixed climbers in rescuing vehicles.

3). The park should ensure there is enough first aid kits in each mountain station.

4). Make sure oxygen bottles and equipment are all disinfected.

5). Only patient day pack and a bag should be allowed in rescue vehicle.

6). Patient registration at exit gates should be done by the park ranger

Exiting Kilimanjaro National Park

Unnecessary social gatherings are strictly prohibited.  Cooking of food at exit gates should is not allowed. To avoid delay at exit gates our guides will sign out of the National park for the climbers.  We will aim at spending less time at the exit gate.   Sorting and cleaned of climbers bags will need to be completed before loading on vehicle.

Kilimanjaro in a New Age

Finally, all elements of our Kilimanjaro trips are managed to the highest standard. Each climber will need to manage their own hygiene as best as possible. You will need to wear a mask or light buff when interacting with others. We encourage minimal interaction with other groups while on the ground in Tanzania. We will update this page as needed over the coming months. Read some REVIEWS from our trips. If you have an comments feel free to CONTACT US today and we can go through all aspects of the trips.

 

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