KILIMANJARO TRAVEL INSURANCE

Kilimanjaro travel insurance is compulsory on all our hikes. Life is unpredictable and unforeseen events may happen on any tour. All hikers must take out travel insurance to cover them for the hike. It is important that your policy provide cover for hiking to the top of Kilimanjaro.

A few key points to think about when choosing insurance:

• Make sure your coverage includes the top of Kilimanjaro – 5 895m
• Your policy should be on a non-reimbursement basis. This means your insurer will pay providers such as hospitals directly, while you are in Tanzania. As opposed to you paying for it and claiming when you return home.
• Make sure your policy cover the activity of hiking to high altitude, mountain rescue service, helicopter evacuation etc.
• We recommend buying from a local insurer, this will make the handling of claims easier.
• Check if there are excess / deductibles in the event of a claim.
• Please make sure you share your insurance details with us.

If you can’t find a local insurance policy to get Kilimanjaro travel insurance, we can recommend Redpoint’s ‘Ripcord’ option. This option will cover almost anyone on the hike, regardless of your country of origin:

Ripcord | Adventure & Remote Travel Insurance | Redpoint Protection (redpointtravelprotection.com)

Most hikers will never use their Kilimanjaro travel insurance. However the costs involved with those that do need to, can be in the thousands of dollars. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

Safety on hikes

AMS is the main risk when hiking up the mountain and should not be under estimated. More than 70% of hikers on the hike will suffer from AMS. No one can predict in advance who will get AMS or how severely you will be affected.

We only use experienced  and certified English speaking guides to lead our hikes. The guides receive first aid and high altitude training on a regular basis. This ensure that they are up to date with latest safety procedures. Even though the main aim is to reach the summit, safety is a very important factor. You will never see the guides pushing you beyond your limits. If a guide notice you are putting yourself and others at risk, they will advise you to abort the hike. Reaching the summit is important, but getting back down safely is just as important!

The following is part on every hike:

• We only use experienced and qualified mountain guides to lead our hikes.
• One portable oxygen cylinder is send on every hike. You may not use the oxygen as summiting aid. The guide will only use it in case of emergencies. The guides are trained on how to operate and use this equipment.
• We send a pulse Oximeter on every hike. Guides use them to monitor a hiker’s blood oxygen saturation levels, symptoms and heart rate, at least twice per day on the hike. The guide keep a record of all readings to help diagnose if a hiker is suffering from AMS.
• Emergency first aid kits for minor injuries and accidents is send on every hike. Hikers must still bring their own medication, blister plasters etc.
• The guides carry phones and to contact the office in case of emergency.
• Kilimanjaro rescue team fees are part of all our hikes. The fees only covers evacuation from the mountain. You will still need Kilimanjaro travel insurance to cover medical costs once off the mountain.

Evacuation methods:

The following are the main evacuation methods available on your hike and in the order how the guide will arrange it:

1.      You will walk down with a guide, if it is safe and only if you are able to.

2.      If you cannot walk and it is safe, we will carry you by stretcher to the nearest rescue vehicle point.

Note

• Stretchers are provided by the Park and only available from specific ranger posts at campsites, subject to availability.
• Rescue vehicles are provided by the Park and are subject to their availability.
• We include the compulsory Kilimanjaro Rescue fees in all climb packages. This covers the costs of stretchers and rescue vehicles. You do not need Kilimanjaro travel insurance for these services.
• A helicopter service is no longer available on the mountain. Our guides are trained in dealing with various high-altitude emergencies. We  do not rely on helicopter services as they may not be available at any time, for any reason.
• The most efficient way to recover from AMS is to descend to a lower altitude. The higher oxygen levels at lower altitude help hikers to recover much faster. Our main goal, if you are able to do so safely, is to let you descend by walking down yourself.