THE DANGERS

As you ascend, the oxygen levels drop to nearly half of what you’re used to at sea level. Altitude sickness doesn’t discriminate—fit or unfit, novice or expert, anyone can be struck down. Nausea, dizziness, and splitting headaches are just the start. If left unchecked, severe forms like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or Cerebral Edema (HACE) can cause confusion, vomiting, and even death within hours. You’re gambling with your body’s ability to adapt.

The temperature plummets to as low as -20°C (-4°F) during the summit push, with biting winds that can strip the heat from your body in minutes. Inadequate gear or a misstep in preparation could leave you battling hypothermia, frostbite, or worse.

The final ascent is a punishing, hours-long ordeal in pitch darkness, climbing steep, slippery scree at high altitude while battling fatigue, freezing temperatures, and thin air. Many collapse or turn back before ever seeing the summit.

The trails may seem manageable at first, but loose rocks, steep climbs, and sudden drop-offs make every step treacherous. A single misstep on the slippery summit scree or a narrow trail could result in serious injury—or worse, a fatal fall.

Kilimanjaro's peak is nearly 6000 metres above sea level.     At this height, the air pressure (and the amount of oxygen it contains) is less than half that at sea level, and has been said to be comparable to 'working with only one lung'

Kilimanjaro’s weather is as unpredictable as it is unforgiving. Clear skies can suddenly give way to violent storms, freezing rain, or snow, making trails slippery and increasing the risk of hypothermia. A single day can see scorching heat in the rainforest and sub-zero temperatures at higher altitudes.

Unlike in more developed mountaineering regions, Kilimanjaro’s remote location means rescue options are slow and limited. In severe emergencies, evacuation is by stretcher or helicopter, which can take hours to coordinate— if weather conditions even allow it.