The Kilimanajro Park Authority has replaced some signage on Mount Kilimanjaro, including those near the summit. The old, battered dark brown planks, erected on wooden posts, have been retired. Uhuru Peak now boasts brand new bright green boards on metal poles. So expect a new look and feel to climbers’ summit photos.

As for us, we personally like the charm of the old sign, which was weathered, cracked and crooked. Our signature photo on our website will not change.

Crater Camp is a campsite that is located near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, around 18,800 feet above sea level. (Uhuru Peak is 19,345 feet above sea level.)  It is utilized by some climb operators during eight or nine day climbs, usually via the Lemosho or Shira route and Western Breach approach.

The campsite sits in between Uhuru and the Furtwangler Glacier. Understandably, clients are intrigued at the opportunity to sleep next to the disappearing glacier. Additonally, they like the idea of having a short walk to the summit.

We are occasionally asked whether we use Crater Camp on our routes.  We do not. Here’s why. Sleeping at such a high altitude is the most dangerous thing you can do on Mount Kilimanjaro. The previous night’s altitude is about 15,000-16,000 feet in elevation, whether you stayed at Arrow Glacier or Barafu. A gain of 3,000-4,000 feet is simply too much of an adjustment for most people. The result is that there is a high likelihood to be stricken by altitude sickness, especially during sleep.  And once that occurs, a evacuation from near the top of Kilimanjaro in the middle of the night, though possible, is a burdensome task.

It is far easier on the body to climb from 15,000-16,000 feet to the summit (19,345 feet), then descend down to Mweka (10,065 feet).  Clients who are affected by altitude sickness on the way up will usually recover very quickly as they descend.  That is a stark contrast to what would happen if they were required to sleep at almost 19,000 feet.

Therefore, we do not use Crater Camp because of the risk involved for both clients and staff (the porters do not want to sleep up there either due to altitude sickness, extreme weather conditions, and lack of toilets).

Kilimanjaro outfitters begin their trips from two main Tanzanian cities - Moshi and Arusha.  The simplest way to travel to these destinations is by flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport, sometimes referred to as KIA (airport code: JRO).  Once you arrive at the airport, it is simple to take a taxi or private vehicle to Moshi or Arusha. Both cities are less than one hour away and the cost of a taxi is approximately $50 per vehicle.

The prices of flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport vary widely, from about $1400 to more than $4000. We advise our clients to purchase tickets at $2,000 or lower - which is a fair price.  (KLM flies to Kilimanjaro International Airport regularly.  Vayama is a good source for domestic Tanzanian flights.)

Most times, it is cheaper to fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (airport code: NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya. However, to get from Nairobi to Moshi or Arusha, you would need to purchase a Kenyan visa, stay overnight in Nairobi, and then take a bus or private vehicle to Tanzania. The drive takes 7-8 hours. So once you factor in these costs, plus the additional time (one or two travel days depending on if you depart from Nairobi), it is much more practical and less stressful to fly directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Former tennis star Martina Navratilova was hospitalized after he attempt to climb Kilimanjaro was cut short when she experienced high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a potentially fatal form of altitude sickness.  HAPE is a dangerous build-up of fluid in the lungs.

Navratilova, 54, was climbing a variation of the 7 day Rongai route as part of a charity climb consisting of 27 team members.  From her blog, it appears that she had complications beginning  on day four, when the group camped at Horombo Huts (3,700 m/12,200 ft).   She was escorted down the mountain and taken to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre for treatment.  As a precaution, she was flown to Nairobi Hospital for further tests.

The primary treatment for HAPE is descent, and Navratilova is said to be recovering well.

In a climbing group, it is common that one or two people turn around on the mountain due to altitude sickness, exhaustion or a variety of other matters.  We often get asked what happens to the rest of the trekking party - specifically, whether they must also discontinue their climb.  Absolutely not! 

Each group will have a lead guide, a number of assistant guides depending on the party size, and lead porters - all of whom are able to escort climbers down.  Therefore, when a person cannot continue their ascent, one of the staff members will accompany this climber while the lead guide takes the group to the next destination.  The remaining party is unaffected and continues their climb as scheduled.