Tanzanian Government Just Increased Safety For Mount Kilimanjaro Climbers

One of the biggest concerns of Mount Kilimanjaro climbers is their safety. Like many other high mountains around the globe, you can easily get lost at the mountain peaks. That is why mountain climbers usually go in the company of mountain rangers or guides.

It is reported that there are over 30,000 Mount Kilimanjaro climbers every year. Also, an average of ten deaths are reported annually. Things can go wrong quickly when climbers use the wrong equipment or climbing technique.

When there is an accident, the presence or absence of a good communication line can be the difference between life and death.

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Mount Kilimanjaro climbers can now heave a sigh of relief following the installation of a high-speed internet line on the mountain slopes. The move by the government is to improve the safety of climbers and porters.

Why the high-speed internet will be a gamechanger for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, Tanzania Telecommunications, a state-owned communication giant switched on the installed lines located 3,720 meters above sea level. It is expected that by the end of the year, the network will cover the mountain’s peak at 5,895 meters.

Present at the commissioning of the high-speed internet service was Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication &ICT, Nape Nnauye. Speaking from Horombo huts (an accommodation camp for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers at the Marangu route) the Minister said,

“It has always been dangerous for porters and visitors to climb Mount Kilimanjaro without internet. Now, all tourists will stay connected to this place”.

The presence of the high-speed internet also means that climbers can now document their ascent in real-time. This creates a huge opportunity for travel bloggers and influencers to keep their followers engaged while on a hike.

Tanzanian government is making the mountain attractive to tourists

The Tanzania government relies a lot on tourism for foreign exchange earnings. The sector is second to manufacturing and raked in over $677 million in 2019—about 10.7% of the nation’s GDP.

With Mount Kilimanjaro being one of the biggest tourist attractions, it is not surprising that the government is always looking for ways to heighten the experience.

In 2020, the government announced a cable car project that will take Mount Kilimanjaro climbers up and down the mountain on the southern slopes. The intent was to make it easier for those who could not climb to also experience the mountain peaks. Regardless of the intent, the innovation drew wide criticism from environmental organizations.

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The area surrounding the mountain is designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Kilimanjaro was eulogized by the veteran author Ernest Hemingway in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.

Interestingly, Mount Kilimanjaro is not the first of its kind to see technological infiltration in recent years. Wi-Fi access was made available to Mount Everest climbers. Also, some mountains provide climbers with smartphones that alert them of potential accidents.

While many argue that the introduction of technologies erodes the natural scenes, the safety of tourists should always be paramount. Even when these technologies are made available, their use is always optional.