Important Info on Safety & Evacuation
First of all, your safety and comfort are of utmost importance for us.
Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb but goes to very high altitude so safety measures need to be taken very seriously. It is important to climb Kilimanjaro with an experienced operator, Guide and crew who are careful trained in high altitude issues, bring the necessary medical equipment, and have the skills to monitor their clients on a daily basis as well as having the backing of an experienced team on the ground who can handle all types of evacuations.
All of our guides are certified as Wilderness First Responders. This means that they have all the skills necessary to handle medical emergencies on the mountain in a way that reduces the risk of serious outcomes. Our guides are trained to identify and carefully monitor developing high altitude issues and discuss them with you continually. They understand the importance of gathering all your health data when evaluating potential altitude sickness not just relying on single factors such as the daily collected pulse ox meter data.
In case of lost or delayed luggage on arrival, you will be required to go to the Swissport desk just beside the baggage reclaim area and complete a form detailing what you’ve lost, which hotel you’ll be staying at, and a contact name and telephone number for your operator in Moshi/Arusha.
We recommend that you wear your walking boots to travel and pack as many essential items as possible in your carry-on luggage. If your luggage is delayed we can then do our best to kit you out to start the climb on time. All necessary gear will be provided from our own stock. At the end of the climb all gear must be returned to the Lead Guide. A nominal charge for cleaning items will be made of US$10 per item. Also we will take you to a shop where you can buy toiletry items, e.g. toothbrush.
We recommend all our clients stay in the town of Moshi rather than Arusha before and after the climb due to its proximity to Kilimanjaro.
We do use Park View Inn and Weruweru River Lodge for our client stays. These hotels are basic but clean and very comfortable with very friendly and helpful staff.
All hotel accommodation before and after the climb is based on a bed and breakfast. If you wish to buy additional meals (lunch and dinner) then there are restaurants and bars available in the hotel. Hotels accepts payment by credit cards (visa/master cards)
Also you can upgrade your staying in Moshi to Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (4 star hotel). This upgrading will have an additional cost, $33 USD for a single room and $43 USD for a double/twin room.
All our tours include airport transfers to pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and take you to your pre-climb hotel in Moshi. Same drop off from Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport after climb is included.
On departure day make sure to arrange a time for the transfer that gets you to the airport in plenty of time for check-in. Remember for international flights you need to arrive 3 hours before departure. Delays can occur, and making your flight is your responsibility!
Up on your arrival you will be met at Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO) by Top Climbers Expedition member holding a sign board reading “TOP CLIMBERS EXPEDITION” and your name below. So, no confusion.
Drive from Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO) to Moshi is almost an hour. Once you arrive, we will then let you know what time is your pre-trek briefing. At the briefing session, we’ll review the plans for the climb with you, checking your gear so as to make sure that you have all the right gear, and answer any questions you may have.
In case of any emergency on arrival then contact the following numbers: +255 765 993 193 or +255 713 390 063. We recommend you put this telephone number into your mobile phone before you depart for Tanzania. This will be your main contact for any issues that arise while you are in Tanzania.
Along with many other countries in the world, Tanzania has now committed to make a stand against the impact of plastic waste on the environment. Please be informed that the government of the Republic of Tanzania has made an official note to burn the usage of plastic carrier bags. During your preparation and packing please avoid the plastic bags in order to avoid any inconveniences that may occur.
Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags or packing plastic carrier bags or items in plastic bags in the suitcase or hand luggage before embarking on visiting Tanzania. Special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastics carrier bags that visitors may be bringing into Tanzania.
Plastic carrier items know as ‘’Ziploc bags’’ that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed in the country.
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Top Climbers Expedition provides the following safety equipment during the climb
PULSE OXIMETER
A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive sensor device that is placed on the fingertip to monitor a person’s Oxygen saturation. Every morning and evening, each trip member uses the oximeter and the leader records the reading on a report. This allows our leaders to track everyone’s oxygen history and help them identify the climbers who may be falling behind in acclimatization.
EMERGENCY OXYGEN
Top climbers Expedition carries a 3 Litre canister of compressed pure oxygen for emergency purposes on every climb. This oxygen is only used to treat a stricken climber in conjunction with immediate descent. In other words, it is administered only in a rescue scenario and as a part of evacuation off the mountain. It’s not advised at all to use a personal oxygen system to assist climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro. This is not standard practice.
VHF RADIOS, CELL PHONE AND HF RADIO
Our guides are in daily contact with our base in Moshi and give updates on each trip member’s progress up the mountain.
FIRST AID KIT
We normally carry with us the first aid kit in case of emergency and altitude sickness.
STETHOSCOPE
This is an acoustic medical device for auscultation or listening to the internal sounds of a human body. We use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs to assess if there is any fluid build-up, a sign of HAPE.
EVACUATION ON KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN
HELICOPTER EVACUATION:
Apart from safety procedure that we take during the climb, we are also partnered with Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue (SAR). This is helicopter rescue operation which conducts modern, efficient rescue services on Kilimanjaro. Helicopters wait nearby at Moshi Airport. Once a emergency call is received, rescue procedures are activated within few minutes. Expert pilots, highly trained rescue doctors and emergency flight technicians are exceptionally qualified and prepared for all emergencies on the mountain.
Kilimanjaro SAR manages a medical clinic that focuses on high altitude related illnesses, mountain medicine, and trauma. It is staffed 24 hours a day by physicians, nurses and assistants offering the best possible treatment. This group is advised by a unique Clinical Advisory Team made up of top level medical and high altitude professionals.
There are now helicopter evacuation points on all major route locations on your trekking tour of Kilimanjaro such as Horombo, Barranco, Barafu, Kosovo, Stella, Millennium and Shira. Shira Campsite is also accessible by rescue vehicle within ninety minutes from its park gate.
RESCUE CAR
The Kilimanjaro national park Authority provides a rescue car in case of emergency. There are ranger posts on the mountain with radio contact to the park authority headquarter. A sick climber can then be transferred directly to Hospital. If a sick climber is already recovering from altitude sickness then will be taken directly to the lodge. In the case of more minor conditions that prevent a climber from continuing further up the mountain but do not require hospital treatment, the climber will return to the closest gate with one of the guides and will be transferred back to the hotel in Moshi for some rest and medication if necessary. Please note that the extra nights in the hotel are not covered in the cost of your trip. So we recommend you have extra funds with you in case you need to return from the mountain early. The guide will keep monitoring your health for a few next days and keep you busy with additional activities around Moshi if you are feeling well enough.
STRETCHER EVACUTION:
Large, one-wheeled rescue stretchers are found on Mount Kilimanjaro but they are only available within a small area of the park. That means that if a climber is unable to walk due to severe altitude sickness or a leg injury that compromises mobility, getting that climber down the mountain could pose difficult challenges for Kilimanjaro operators. The stretcher evacuation is until the point that can be reached by rescue car or Helicopter.