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Mount Kilimanjaro Medical Guide: Vaccines, Warning Signs & Emergency Resources | Global Summit Guide
Mount Kilimanjaro · Medical Guide · Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Medical Guide: Vaccines, Warning Signs & Emergency Resources

Africa’s highest peak brings altitude illness, malaria, required vaccines, and remote emergency logistics together in one climb. Know every risk before you land in Moshi. Written by a Registered Nurse.

RN · Clinical Review International Health Section Tanzania · East Africa
Vaccines & disease risks Altitude illness
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Medical Disclaimer. This page is written by a Registered Nurse and is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for guidance from a licensed physician or qualified wilderness medicine provider. Individual health conditions, medication interactions, and on-mountain circumstances vary — always consult your doctor before any international high-altitude expedition and discuss your personal risk factors, medications, vaccine history, and emergency protocols. In a life-threatening emergency, call Tanzania emergency services: 112. Medical guidelines and wilderness medicine protocols evolve; readers should verify current recommendations with qualified professionals. Global Summit Guide and its contributors assume no liability for decisions made based on the information on this page. Last reviewed: April 2026.

Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak at 5,895m (19,341 ft) and one of the Seven Summits. Despite being a non-technical trek on most routes, altitude illness turns back or endangers a significant number of climbers every year — and Tanzania adds a layer of health complexity that simply doesn’t exist on domestic peaks. Malaria is endemic at the gate elevations. Yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry. Food and water safety is a genuine clinical concern. And emergency evacuation from the mountain means coordinating with KINAPA, AMREF Flying Doctors, and facilities in Moshi or Nairobi that are hours away. As an RN, my message is the same here as on every mountain: the warning signs you learn before the climb are the ones that save your life on it.

Kilimanjaro’s Three Medical Risk Zones

Kilimanjaro’s unique ecology means each zone carries different risks. The forest gate is where malaria and food-safety concerns peak. Barafu is where AMS becomes a serious clinical reality. Uhuru is where HACE and HAPE can develop rapidly on summit night.

5,906 ft
Machame / Marangu Gate
1,800m. Malaria-endemic zone. Heat, humidity, food and water risk. Dehydration begins here. AMS not yet a concern but acclimatization pace matters from day one.
15,331 ft
Barafu Camp
4,673m. High camp for Machame and Lemosho routes. AMS is very common here. Summit bids begin at midnight — fatigue and cold both compound altitude symptoms.
19,341 ft
Uhuru Peak
5,895m. Significant hypoxia. HACE and HAPE risk is real on summit night. Temperatures can drop to −20°C (−4°F) with wind chill. Frostbite risk on exposed skin.

Altitude Illness: AMS, HACE & HAPE

Altitude illness is a spectrum, not a single condition. Studies show AMS affects up to 75% of climbers on some Kilimanjaro routes — largely because the standard ascent profiles (5–7 days) are faster than optimal for a mountain of this height. Kilimanjaro’s rapid ascent profile, combined with tour operator pressure to keep groups moving, creates the exact conditions altitude illness needs to develop. The Lake Louise Score (LLS) is the standard field assessment tool: score yourself and your team at each camp without minimising symptoms to stay on schedule.

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Choose a Longer Route — It’s a Medical Decision

The Marangu route (5 days) has the lowest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro, primarily due to inadequate acclimatisation time. The Lemosho (8 days) and Northern Circuit (9 days) routes have significantly higher success rates. Choosing a longer route isn’t a luxury — it’s the most important altitude illness prevention strategy on this mountain. Discuss route selection explicitly with your doctor and operator before booking.

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Diamox (Acetazolamide) — Talk to Your Doctor Before the Climb

Acetazolamide 125–250 mg twice daily, starting 24 hours before ascent, is the best-studied medication for AMS prevention. It works by stimulating faster breathing, helping your body adapt. It requires a prescription. Side effects include increased urination and tingling in the fingers — both expected and harmless. Do not take it if you’re allergic to sulfonamides. Note that Diamox increases urination, which compounds dehydration risk — increase fluid intake when taking it. Ibuprofen 600 mg three times daily has also shown some benefit.

Stage 1 — Mild

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

AMS typically appears 6–12 hours after gaining elevation. On Kilimanjaro it most commonly develops at or above Barafu Camp, though it can appear earlier in those who ascend quickly. The defining symptom is headache — without it, you don’t meet AMS criteria. Do not dismiss headache as “normal” at altitude.

Headache (required for diagnosis) Fatigue beyond expected exertion Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or lightheadedness Poor or unrefreshing sleep Loss of appetite Stop ascending — hold altitude Rest, hydrate (3–4L/day minimum) Ibuprofen 400–600 mg for headache Reassess in 4–6 hours If improving: may hold altitude 24h then re-evaluate
Stage 2 — Serious

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

HACE is brain swelling caused by altitude and is a medical emergency. The hallmark field test is the tandem gait (heel-to-toe walk in a straight line). Any climber who cannot perform this test accurately must be assumed to have HACE and descended immediately. Do not wait for dawn, do not negotiate. Every hour at altitude with HACE worsens the outcome.

Severe headache not relieved by ibuprofen Ataxia — cannot walk heel-to-toe straight line Confusion or personality change Extreme lethargy Drowsiness — difficult to rouse Descend IMMEDIATELY — minimum 500m / 1,600 ft Dexamethasone 8 mg now, then 4 mg every 6 hours Supplemental oxygen if available Gamow bag if available Contact KINAPA rescue: +255 27 275 6064
Stage 3 — Life-Threatening

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

HAPE is fluid in the lungs and is the leading cause of altitude-related death worldwide. On Kilimanjaro it most often develops on summit night or the descent following — when climbers are exhausted, cold, and have been at extreme altitude for many hours. A climber who falls noticeably behind the group’s pace, develops a new cough, or seems unusually breathless at rest must be assessed immediately. Pink frothy sputum is a very late and dire sign.

Decreased exercise tolerance — falling behind pace Dry cough progressing to wet and productive Breathlessness at rest — not just on exertion Pink or frothy sputum Crackling in chest (rales) when breathing Blue lips or fingertips (cyanosis) Descend IMMEDIATELY — do not wait for morning Nifedipine 30 mg extended-release (if carried) High-flow O₂ at 4–6 L/min Minimise patient exertion — carry if needed AMREF Flying Doctors: +254 20 699 2299
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The Cardinal Rule

Never ascend with AMS symptoms. If symptoms don’t improve or worsen after 24 hours at the same altitude, descend. Any sign of HACE or HAPE means immediate descent regardless of time, weather, or proximity to the summit. Uhuru Peak will be there next year. A climber who ignores HAPE to reach the summit may not be.

Hypothermia

Summit night on Kilimanjaro is genuinely cold — temperatures at Uhuru Peak regularly fall to −15°C to −20°C (5°F to −4°F) with wind chill. Many climbers are surprised by how cold it is, having come from the humid tropical warmth at the gate. Layering failures, wet clothing from sweat or weather, and the long duration of summit night (5–8 hours of movement in darkness) create real hypothermia risk even in experienced climbers.

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Hypothermia

Core temp below 95°F (35°C) — especially dangerous on summit night with wind and sweat-damp layers
Mild (95–90°F / 35–32°C)
Shivering — still protective at this stage
Slurred or slow speech
Stumbling, poor coordination
Confusion and poor decisions
Pale, cold skin
Moderate–Severe (below 90°F / 32°C)
Shivering stops — critical warning sign
Muscle stiffness and rigidity
Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
Weak or absent pulse
Paradoxical undressing — removes clothing
Field Treatment
Move out of wind immediately
Remove wet layers; insulate from ground
Heat packs to armpits, groin, and neck
Warm sweet drinks if alert and swallowing
Shared sleeping bag with a warm companion
Severe: handle gently — cardiac arrest risk
When to Call for Evacuation

If shivering has stopped, the patient cannot be roused, or there is no improvement within 30 minutes of active warming, call KINAPA rescue (+255 27 275 6064) and request helicopter evacuation. Handle severe hypothermia patients very gently — rough movement can trigger ventricular fibrillation. “Not dead until warm and dead” — continue resuscitation attempts through evacuation.

Frostbite & Frostnip

Wind chill at Kilimanjaro’s summit can reach −30°C (−22°F) or lower. Fingers, toes, nose, ears, and cheeks are the most commonly affected areas. Summit night is long, dark, and cold — check your partners’ exposed skin regularly at rest stops and do verbal check-ins on finger and toe sensation. By the time tissue is frostbitten, you cannot feel it, and you cannot see your own face.

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Frostbite & Frostnip

Summit night risk — check partners’ faces and ask about hand and foot sensation at every stop
Frostnip (Reversible)
Skin red, then white or gray
Numbness or tingling
Skin remains soft to touch
Rewarm with body heat immediately
Painful tingling on rewarming is normal
True Frostbite (Tissue Damage)
Skin waxy, hard, or wooden to touch
White, gray, or yellow-gray colour
Complete numbness — no sensation
Blisters after rewarming (clear or blood-filled)
Mottled purple-black appearance late stage
Critical Field Rules
Do NOT rewarm if refreezing is possible
Do NOT rub frostbitten tissue
Do NOT walk on frostbitten feet if avoidable
Rapid rewarming in 99–102°F water once shelter is secured
Ibuprofen 400 mg to reduce tissue injury
Hospital Required — Time Is Critical

True frostbite requires hospital evaluation. Do not pop blisters. Tissue that appears black may still be viable — definitive assessment takes days. tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) treatment for deep frostbite must begin within 24 hours of rewarming to be effective. The nearest facility with specialist wound care is KCMC in Moshi. For severe cases, evacuation to Nairobi is warranted. Your AMREF Flying Doctors policy is essential here.

Heat Exhaustion & Sunburn

Kilimanjaro’s lower forest and heath zones (days 1–2) are warm and humid, with temperatures regularly reaching 20–25°C (68–77°F). Combined with heavy pack weight, exertion, and layers designed for the cold zones above, heat exhaustion is a real risk on approach days. Snow and high-altitude UV also cause severe sunburn rapidly — Kilimanjaro sits only 3° south of the equator, and UV index at summit elevation is extreme.

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Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Primary risk on forest and moorland approach days — and severe sunburn risk throughout the climb
Heat Exhaustion (Warning)
Heavy sweating
Weakness and muscle cramps
Cool, pale, clammy skin
Headache, nausea, dizziness
Fast, weak pulse
Heat Stroke (Emergency)
Body temp above 104°F (40°C)
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Rapid, strong pulse
Confusion or loss of consciousness
Seizure
Treatment & Prevention
Rest in shade; remove excess layers
Cool with water or damp cloth; fan
Oral fluids with electrolytes if alert
SPF 50+ sunscreen — reapply every 90 min
SPF 30+ lip balm — equatorial UV is severe
Heat stroke: 112 — emergency services immediately
Hydration Note

Drink 3–4 litres of water per day throughout the climb — more if taking Diamox, which increases urination. Do not rely on thirst as a guide; altitude and exertion both suppress the thirst response. Use electrolyte packets to replace sodium lost in sweat, especially on warm lower-elevation days. Dehydration at the gate contributes significantly to AMS higher on the mountain.

International Health: Vaccines, Malaria & Disease Risks

Tanzania’s disease environment requires preparation that begins weeks before departure — not at the airport. Malaria is endemic at Kilimanjaro’s gate elevation. Yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on your country of origin or transit countries. Several recommended vaccines need multiple doses or weeks to become effective. Book a travel medicine clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before departure.

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See a Travel Medicine Clinic — Not Just Your GP

Travel medicine specialists carry vaccines your regular doctor may not stock, have current outbreak and resistance data for Tanzania, and can prescribe malaria prophylaxis appropriate to your individual health history. Find a certified clinic through the CDC Tanzania Travelers’ Health page or the ISTM clinic locator. Book 6–8 weeks before departure — some vaccines require a series over multiple weeks.

Vaccines for Tanzania

VaccineStatusNotes
Yellow Fever Required for entry (conditions apply) Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, or if you’ve transited through one within 12 hours. Check your full itinerary — many Kilimanjaro climbers add a Kenya or Uganda safari leg where yellow fever is endemic. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card).
Hepatitis A Strongly recommended Spread through contaminated food and water — the primary safety concern at Kilimanjaro’s gate towns (Moshi, Arusha). Two-dose series provides long-term protection. First dose provides protection within 4 weeks.
Hepatitis B Strongly recommended Spread through blood and bodily fluids. Relevant if you receive any medical care in Tanzania. Three-dose series; confirm whether you’ve been vaccinated previously — very common in childhood in some countries.
Typhoid Strongly recommended Risk from contaminated food and water in Moshi, Arusha, and gate-area restaurants. Injectable (Typhim Vi) or oral (Vivotif) vaccine available. Injectable provides 2 years of protection; discuss with your clinic.
Meningococcal (MenACWY) Recommended Tanzania sits at the edge of Africa’s meningitis belt. Risk increases during dry season (June–August, December–February). Recommended by CDC for all Tanzania travelers. Single dose provides protection.
Rabies (pre-exposure) Strongly recommended for Kilimanjaro Wildlife on Kilimanjaro’s forest slopes — including bats, monkeys, and feral dogs near gate areas — is a documented rabies exposure source. Pre-exposure series (3 doses over 21–28 days) does not eliminate post-exposure treatment, but it buys critical time before reaching KCMC. Series must begin at least 28 days before departure.
Routine vaccinations Verify up to date MMR, Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis), varicella, annual influenza, and COVID-19 — confirm all current before travel.
Cholera Consider if extended stay Oral Vaxchora vaccine available. Risk is low for trekking routes but may be relevant for travelers spending time in rural lower-altitude areas or during outbreak events. Discuss with your travel clinic.

Regional Disease Awareness

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Malaria
High Risk at Gate Elevation

Malaria is endemic throughout Tanzania at lower elevations, including Moshi, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro’s gate areas (around 1,800m). Risk decreases significantly above 2,500m, but climbers spend substantial time at the gates, in town before and after the climb, and may add safari legs in high-risk zones. Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous and potentially fatal strain, is predominant in Tanzania. Start prophylaxis before entering the country — not just before ascending the mountain.

Prophylaxis options — discuss with your doctor: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) — start 1–2 days before travel, take daily, continue 7 days after leaving Tanzania. Most commonly prescribed for East Africa due to tolerability and convenience. Doxycycline — start 1–2 days before, take daily, continue 28 days after. Note: increases sun sensitivity — use strong sunscreen. Mefloquine — begin 2+ weeks before departure (requires lead time); not recommended for those with mood disorders.
Personal Protection (especially at gate elevation and in town)
DEET 30–50% repellent on exposed skin
Permethrin-treated clothing
Long sleeves and trousers at dusk and dawn
Insecticide-treated bed net at lodges
Air-conditioned or screened accommodation
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Food & Water Safety
High Risk at Gate Level

Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is the most common illness affecting Kilimanjaro climbers, and it is a genuine altitude safety issue: gut illness that starts before your summit bid can devastate hydration, energy reserves, and cognitive function at critical altitude. Most reputable operators provide treated or boiled water on the mountain — confirm this before booking. In Moshi and Arusha, apply strict food and water protocols.

Traveler’s diarrhea treatment: Ask your travel clinic for a prescription for Azithromycin 500 mg (preferred for East Africa due to Cipro-resistant strains) or Ciprofloxacin 500 mg as a backup. Carry Loperamide (Imodium) for symptom control only — do not use alone if fever is present or stools are bloody. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are essential if significant diarrhea or vomiting occurs at any elevation.
Safe Practices in Moshi, Arusha & at Camp
Bottled or commercially sealed water only — verify seal
Purify all water with iodine, filter, or UV above gate
No ice in drinks — even at reputable restaurants
Only fully cooked, hot food at restaurants
Peel all fruit yourself
No salads or raw vegetables unless you prepare them
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Other Regional Health Risks

Tanzania’s diverse ecology brings additional risks that are absent from most other major climbing destinations. Kilimanjaro’s forest zone (1,800–2,800m) means genuine wildlife exposure on the approach. Tsetse flies, present in some surrounding areas, can carry African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis). Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is endemic in Tanzanian freshwater bodies — avoid all swimming in lakes, rivers, or streams. Dengue fever, carried by the Aedes mosquito (active during daylight, unlike malaria mosquitoes), is present in urban and lowland Tanzania. Its early symptoms — high fever, severe muscle aches, rash — can mimic malaria or early AMS; seek medical evaluation for any fever during or after the trip. Note also: altitude can mask early infectious symptoms by mimicking fatigue — monitor your temperature at camp throughout the climb.

General Precautions
No swimming in freshwater — lakes, rivers, or streams
Avoid all animal contact — monkeys, bats, dogs, cattle
DEET is effective against tsetse flies (unlike many repellents)
Wear neutral colours — tsetse flies are attracted to blue and black
Wash hands frequently — carry 60%+ alcohol hand sanitizer
Any fever within 3 months of return: tell your doctor you were in Tanzania
Travel medical insurance with emergency evacuation cover — mandatory
Altitude may mask early infectious symptoms — monitor temperature at each camp
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Tanzania-Specific Notes

Confirm with your operator that boiled or filtered water is provided at all camps — most reputable operators do this, but verify before booking. KCMC (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre) in Moshi is the closest hospital to the mountain gates and the standard facility for post-climb medical care. For surgical, specialist, or ICU-level care, evacuation to Nairobi is necessary — your travel insurance must explicitly cover medical transport to Kenya. AMREF Flying Doctors (+254 20 699 2299) is the standard air ambulance service for East Africa and is used by most Kilimanjaro operators. Confirm your insurance policy covers AMREF before departure. If you plan to add a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari, malaria and food-water risks increase further — discuss with your travel clinic.

What to Pack: Your Kilimanjaro Medical Kit

Every climber should carry a personal kit accessible throughout the climb — not buried in a porter’s bag. Your guide team carries group emergency supplies, but malaria prophylaxis, your personal prescriptions, and blister care are your responsibility. The kit below adds international health items to the standard mountain kit.

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Prescription Medications: Allow Enough Lead Time

Diamox, Dexamethasone, Nifedipine, malaria prophylaxis, and traveler’s diarrhea antibiotics all require a prescription. Schedule your travel medicine appointment 6–8 weeks before departure — the rabies pre-exposure series alone requires 3 doses over 21–28 days. Bring your full itinerary to the appointment.

Altitude & Malaria Meds

Core Prescription Medications

Acetazolamide (Diamox) 125–250 mg — Rx; for AMS prevention. Start 24h before ascent.
Dexamethasone 4 mg tablets — Rx; HACE emergency. 8 mg loading dose.
Nifedipine 30 mg extended-release — Rx; HAPE emergency.
Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) — Rx; malaria prophylaxis. Start 1–2 days before Tanzania arrival.
Azithromycin 500 mg — Rx; traveler’s diarrhea. Preferred for East Africa.
Ondansetron (Zofran) ODT tabs — Rx; severe nausea/vomiting at altitude.
OTC Medications

Over-the-Counter Essentials

Ibuprofen 400–600 mg — primary analgesic; also AMS headache and frostbite tissue protection.
Acetaminophen 500–1000 mg — alternative if GI-sensitive or cannot take NSAIDs.
Loperamide (Imodium) — TD symptom control. Do not use alone if fever present.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — essential for TD or significant vomiting at any altitude.
Antacids — acid reflux worsens at altitude; common complaint on summit night.
Antihistamine — insect reactions, dust allergy at lower elevations.
Wound Care

Blister & Wound Management

Moleskin and Leukotape — blister prevention; tape before hot spots develop.
Antiseptic wipes — wound cleaning; alcohol-based wipes dry quickly.
Steri-strips and butterfly closures — laceration closure.
Non-adherent gauze pads (2×2 and 4×4) — wound dressing.
Medical tape (1 inch) — securing dressings in cold, dry conditions.
Bacitracin ointment — infection prevention; keep sterile.
Cold, Sun & Insect

Environmental Protection

Sunscreen SPF 50+ — equatorial UV is severe; apply before gate, reapply every 90 min.
SPF 30+ lip balm — lips burn severely at altitude near the equator.
DEET repellent 30–50% — malaria prevention at gate elevation; effective on tsetse flies.
Chemical heat packs (8–10 pairs) — frostnip and hand warming on summit night.
Emergency space blanket — hypothermia first response.
Permethrin spray — treat clothing before departure; reduces insect exposure throughout.
GI & Hydration

GI & Hydration Support

Electrolyte packets — Nuun, Liquid IV, or equivalent; 3–4L/day minimum on the mountain.
Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine) — backup for natural sources.
Antacids — GERD common at altitude; worsened by coffee and spicy food at gate lodges.
Hand sanitizer 60%+ alcohol — carry and use before every meal and after latrine use.
Tools & Assessment

Field Assessment Tools

Pulse oximeter — monitor O₂ saturation; trending matters more than single readings.
Digital thermometer — confirm hypothermia, fever; altitude can mask infection.
SAM splint — ankle, wrist, or finger immobilisation on uneven trail terrain.
Nitrile gloves (multiple pairs) — cold destroys latex; nitrile maintains performance.
Satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or equivalent) — cell coverage ends early on the route.
Emergency contact card — laminated, in outer accessible pocket; include KINAPA and AMREF numbers.
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Satellite Device Is Non-Negotiable Above Barafu

Cell coverage on Kilimanjaro is patchy above the forest zone and absent on summit night. A Garmin inReach or SPOT device allows two-way messaging and SOS from anywhere on the mountain. Pre-program KINAPA (+255 27 275 6064) and AMREF (+254 20 699 2299) as contacts. Ensure your operator knows you have a satellite device and understands the SOS protocol. Confirm your device is registered and your subscription is active before departure.

Nearest Medical Facilities

There is no medical facility on Kilimanjaro itself. KINAPA rangers have basic first aid training. All significant medical care requires descent and transport to Moshi, Arusha, or Nairobi. Plan for this — confirm your travel insurance covers medical evacuation to Nairobi, which has the highest standard of care in East Africa.

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Mountain Emergency: KINAPA +255 27 275 6064 — Save Before You Leave

Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) coordinates mountain rescue. Your guide is your first point of contact on the mountain; they will initiate contact with KINAPA rescue. For air evacuation, AMREF Flying Doctors (+254 20 699 2299) is the standard provider for East Africa and operates from Nairobi. Helicopter access to higher camps depends on weather and time of day. KCMC in Moshi is the receiving hospital for most mountain evacuations.

FacilityLocationFrom GateLevel / ServicesPhone
KCMC — Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Old Moshi Road, Moshi, Tanzania ~50 km Full hospital · Best near mountain · Specialist services · Standard evacuation destination from KINAPA +255 27 275 4377
ALMC — Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre Nkoaranga, Arusha, Tanzania ~85 km Full hospital · Good surgical capability · Used for Arusha-based emergencies +255 27 254 8029
Nairobi Hospital Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi, Kenya ~280 km / AMREF Level III equivalent · Full ICU · Specialist surgical · Recommended for serious cases +254 20 284 5000
Aga Khan University Hospital 3rd Parklands Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya ~300 km / AMREF Highest standard in East Africa · Full specialist services · Hyperbaric capability +254 20 366 2000
KINAPA Gate Medical Post Machame & Marangu Gates, Kilimanjaro NP On-mountain Basic first aid only · No diagnostic equipment · Rescue coordination +255 27 275 6064
Final Word — From a Nurse

The Summit Is Optional. Getting Down Is Not.

Kilimanjaro adds layers of risk that most mountains don’t have — malaria, food-borne illness, remote evacuation logistics, and a compressed acclimatisation profile that makes AMS more likely than it should be. Every one of the conditions on this page is survivable with early recognition and the right response. Every one can be fatal if dismissed, minimised, or managed too late. Learn the signs, discuss them with your team before departure, agree on turn-around criteria before summit night, and treat your pre-travel health preparation as seriously as your gear list.

Acclimatisation guide Full Kilimanjaro guide