Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness: What Climbers Need To Know

What Is Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, is what happens when your body struggles to adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

As you climb higher up the mountain, the air pressure decreases. While the amount of oxygen in the air remains constant (around 21%), the oxygen particles are farther apart. This means each breath gives you less oxygen than you’d get at sea level. Your body then needs to work harder to deliver enough oxygen to your muscles and brain.

Most people begin to feel the effects of Kilimanjaro’s altitude at above 8,000 feet. Since Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit is 19,341 feet, nearly everyone who climbs it will feel some changes in their body. Still, knowing the difference between standard acclimatisation and a dangerous illness is essential.

What Are The Stages Of Altitude Sickness?

It’s a good idea to know the three levels of altitude sickness. Spotting them early can prevent a simple headache from becoming a dangerous situation.

1. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

This is the most common and least serious type. It feels similar to a bad hangover.

Symptoms: A mild headache, feeling sick, tired, dizzy, and out of breath when you exercise.

What to do: Take it easy. Drink water. Do not sleep at higher altitudes until you feel better. 

2. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

This is the deterioration stage, in which fluid builds up in your lungs. It’s a dangerous stage where breathing becomes difficult.

Symptoms: Feeling breathless even when you’re resting, a gurgling sound in your chest, coughing up pink or foaming liquid, and blue lips.

What to do: Descend the mountain immediately. Supplemental oxygen may help as you head down.

3. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

This is the critical stage or condition where fluid builds up in the brain. It’s not common, but it’s life-threatening.

Symptoms: Extreme confusion, not being able to walk straight (ataxia), seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations), and being super tired or in a coma.

What to do: Descend the mountain immediately and get help.

Comparison of Altitude Illness Stages

How to prevent altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro

A saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” You definitely can’t change your DNA, but what you can do is reduce your risk of altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro:

1. Pick the Right Path

Some Kilimanjaro routes are better than others. The more time you spend climbing, the easier it is for your body to get used to the altitude.

• Avoid Short Routes: Routes like the 5-day Marangu route are often too much for the body to keep up with, and many people don’t do well with them.
• Go for 7+ Days: We suggest the 7 or 8-day Lemosho or Machame routes. They let you ascend the mountain little by little.
• Climb High, Sleep Low: Good routes, like Machame, take you up high (like Lava Tower at 4,600m) for lunch, then back down to sleep (Barranco Camp at 3,900m). This up-and-down helps your body create more red blood cells without pushing it too far while you sleep.

2. Go “Pole Pole”

Guides will say Pole Pole (slowly, slowly) all the time. It’s not just something they say; it’s vital for your health. Walking slowly keeps your heart rate down and saves your oxygen. If you notice that you’re breathing hard while walking, it means you’re walking too fast.

3. Stay Hydrated

At high altitudes on the mountain, there’s increased water loss through breathing and sweating. This can cause dehydration, which can worsen the effects of altitude sickness (headache, fatigue).

• Try to drink 3 to 4 litres of water each day.
• Stay away from alcohol and caffeine because they can dry you out and mess with your sleep.

4. Eat Right

Your body uses more energy at high altitude. Even if you don’t feel like eating (which is common), try to eat carbohydrates. They give your body good fuel and don’t need as much oxygen to break down as fats or proteins.

Who Suffers Most From Altitude Sickness?

The common belief is that young, fit people can’t get altitude sickness. While this may seem true, in reality, it’s not.

Being in shape doesn’t mean you won’t get sick at high altitudes. In fact, fit people may have a tougher time. They think they’re strong enough to climb quickly and wouldn’t want to take it slow (Pole Pole), as instructed by the guide. Because of this,  they end up going faster than their body can get used to the altitude.

It’s difficult to predict who will get sick based on age, gender, or fitness level. The best way to know is how fast you ascend the mountain. Anyone, no matter how fast they run marathons or how muscular they are, can get sick if they climb the mountain too fast.

Do I Need Altitude Sickness Pills For Kilimanjaro?

Many climbers take Diamox (Acetazolamide) to help them acclimate to altitude.

• How it helps: It makes you breathe faster, mainly when you’re sleeping, and that puts more oxygen in your blood.
• Should you take it? This is something you should discuss with your doctor before you go.
• What to watch out for: This medication can make your fingers and toes tingle, and it can make soda taste weird. It also makes you pee more, so you’d drink lots of water.

Keep in mind, Diamox helps prevent altitude sickness, but it’s not a cure. If you’re really sick from the altitude, taking the pills won’t help—you’d need to go down the mountain.

What Happens If You Get Altitude Sickness On Kilimanjaro?

At Wild and Nature Safaris, keeping you safe is our top priority. Our guides are trained to monitor your health every day.

We check everyone’s health every morning and evening. We use a pulse oximeter to check your oxygen levels and heart rate. We also ask some questions about how you’re feeling (using the Lake Louise Score).

If you start feeling mild symptoms from the altitude:

• We’ll have you rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take some pain relievers like paracetamol.
• We could also slow down the pace.

If your symptoms get worse, or if things point to HAPE or HACE:

• We’ll head down the mountain right away. Descending the mountain is the only real way to treat severe altitude sickness.
• Our guides know what to do in case of an emergency to get everyone off the mountain safely.
• We also carry emergency oxygen in case of a medical problem. This is to keep you stable during the descent.

Kilimanjaro Statistics: Safety and Success

You may have come across some scary stats online about climbing Kilimanjaro. Still, it’s usually safe to pick a professional guide who knows exactly what they’re doing.

Kilimanjaro Death Rate: About 10 people out of 30,000+ die each year while climbing Kilimanjaro, which is about 0.03%. This usually occurs because they ignore their body’s symptoms or lack appropriate safety equipment.

Kilimanjaro Success Rate: The success rate depends on how long you take to climb.

• Climbing in 5 days gives you a 50-60% chance of reaching the top.
• Climbing in 7-8 days improves your chances up to 85-90%.

Taking a longer route makes it safer and increases your chances of reaching the top of the mountain. It gives your body time to acclimatise to Kilimanjaro’s altitude.

Your Kilimanjaro Adventure Awaits

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a challenging but rewarding experience. While the risk of altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro is real, it is manageable with proper preparation and the right mindset.

By respecting the mountain, listening to your guides, and choosing a route that allows for proper acclimatisation, you are setting yourself up for success. Remember, the mountain isn’t going anywhere. The goal is not just to reach the summit, but to return home safely to share your story.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tanzania and guiding you on the adventure of a lifetime. If you need help deciding your next steps, we’re only one click away. Begin your Kilimanjaro journey here.

Commonly Asked Questions About Altitude Sickness On Kilimanjaro

1. How Common Is Altitude Sickness On Kilimanjaro?

Around 75% of climbers experience mild symptoms, such as headaches or stomach upset. It’s super common because you go up so fast.

2. What Is The Fastest Way To Cure Altitude Sickness?

If you’re hit with altitude sickness, the quickest and surest fix is to get to a lower altitude ASAP. Drinking water and resting can ease minor symptoms, but heading down is really the only thing that will stop serious problems.

3. Is Kilimanjaro Harder Than Everest Base Camp (EBC)?

A lot of people think Kilimanjaro is more challenging because you climb much faster and the path is steeper than when you hike to Everest Base Camp. Going up so quickly makes you more likely to get altitude sickness compared to EBC.

4. Do I Need Malaria Pills For Kilimanjaro?

You won’t find mosquitoes way up high, but they’re definitely a risk in the rainforest and towns around there, like Moshi. It’s a good idea to chat with your doctor about preventative medicine before and after your climb.