Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue
In the rare event that a climber becomes unwell or critically injured on Mount Kilimanjaro, a helicopter evacuation may be necessary. Several search and rescue companies work with the objective of “making Kilimanjaro the safest tourist destination in Africa” to transport climbers to safety. Their high-altitude helicopters and thoroughly trained medical professionals can respond quickly to emergency evacuations from any viable landing spot.
Previously, helicopter evacuations on Kilimanjaro were uncommon since there was no local operator and units were dispatched from major towns like as Nairobi, resulting in lengthy delays. Search and rescue teams can deploy a helicopter from their base in Moshi to the peak. It is worth noting that in the event of poor mountain weather, a helicopter may be unable to land, necessitating a manual evacuation using a stretcher provided by the National Park.
Your safety is our priority; learn more about Kilimanjaro altitude sickness in our comprehensive guide.
Medical evacuation from the mountain is costly, thus all climbers must have adequate travel insurance. When getting insurance, be sure it covers emergency evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level and any accompanying medical care.
When you book your climb, we send a copy of your insurance information and a copy of your passport to Kilimanjaro SAR, who will contact the insurance carrier on your behalf. We urge that you carefully examine the small print of your insurance policy to see whether it covers you on a reimbursement basis and whether pre-approval is necessary.
In an emergency, you don’t want to waste valuable time getting approval from your insurance company.
Can a helicopter land on Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Because this is a relatively new (formed 2016, operating 2018) service and not all locations of the mountain are suitable for helicopter landings, climbers may need to hike, or in the instance of someone who is unable to walk, be stretchered to a landing area pick-up. At the time of writing, the highest Kilimanjaro Helicopter Landing Point location was at Kosovo Hut, at 4900 meters.
The majority of rescues are undertaken from the Horombo or Barranco Huts, with ambulance rescue by road accessible from the Shira Hut.
Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue Safety Protocols
Every year, scores of helicopter rescues occur on Mount Kilimanjaro. Our crew is extensively prepared to collaborate with pilots and medical specialists to guarantee climbers are safely evacuated in a timely manner if the need arises.
Having a helicopter rescue service on Kilimanjaro is reassuring for climbers, but it is not a reason to grow complacent and disregard fundamental safety standards. It is there as a last option, not as an excuse to take unwarranted risks.
Our daily health checks include testing your oxygen saturation and heart rate with a pulse oximeter, as well as using the Lake Louise Scoring System to assess your adaptation to the thin air. Our guides carry supplementary oxygen on every Kilimanjaro climb for emergency situations.
