Following the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic at the start of 2019, the tourism industry was hit internationally with many activities especially outdoor activities such as mountain Kilimanjaro climbing coming to a total halt. However in Tanzania on 8th June 2020, his Excellency president John Magufuli the president of Tanzania announced that the country is covid-19 free. The country’s international boundaries and gateways like airports were opened and since then tourism has continued to take place. Prior to this announcement, all foreign visitors entering Tanzania were mandated to take 14 days quarantine as well as a covid-19 test however after the announcement such restrictions were lifted.
Today, several tour operators including us at Taste for Afrika have swung back into tourism actions organizing various activities such as game drives and Mount Kilimanjaro climbing after international travel regained motion.
Is it safe to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro amidst the COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
In this article, we are going to look at whether it is safe to climb Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa found in northern Tanzania amidst this ongoing covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
What safety precautions has Tanzania put in place during this pandemic?
Below is a highlight of the various measures that the Tanzanian government put in place to assist in preventing the spread of the coronavirus across its tourism industry
· All foreign visitors will be required to fill in a health surveillance form while on the aeroplane
· On arrival at the airport in Tanzania you will be subjected to a temperature check and persons showing any symptoms of the covid-19 virus will be mandated to take a 14-day quarantine at their own expense in a hotel approved by the Tanzanian government.
· You will be required to wear a face mask that properly covers both the nose and mouth
· You will be required to properly sanitize your hands as often as possible
· You are highly advised to maintain social distance especially in public areas
· Tourists engaging in Mt. Kilimanjaro climb will be subjected to temperature checks at their hotel in Arusha or Moshi as well as at the park entrance gate into Mount Kilimanjaro national park
How to use Face masks and hand sanitisers during the Mount Kilimanjaro climb
It is mandatory that you bring enough face masks to last you through your Safari in Tanzania. During the Mount Kilimanjaro climb you will wear the masks anywhere else except up on the mountain due to the fact that there is a limited amount of oxygen up there. Although it is not compulsory to wear face masks across the country we as Taste for Africa advise our guests to always wear them during their other travels before and after climbing the Kilimanjaro as it is recommended in the SOPs of the world health organization.
In addition, you are advised to carry adequate hand sanitiser to last you through Safari. Taste for Afrika will provide you with sanitiser throughout the Kilimanjaro climbing expedition. Furthermore, the majority of the establishment like airports and accommodations where you will be staying before and after your hike also provide hand sanitiser but none the less it is better you have an extra bottle in your hand luggage
Standard operating procedures by Taste for Afrika on Mt. Kilimanjaro Expeditions
As one of the leading tour operators in organizing Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions, we as Taste for Afrika have come up with a list of SOPs to ensure that we safeguard both our staff and our climbers and minimize the risk of contracting covid-19 infections during the Safari and while up on the mountain
Below are some of the things you should expect during your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro
- · The entire mountain crew will have to wear masks while in the vehicle, at the park entrance gate and even while at the camp
- · All stuff at the hotel will be required to wear masks as they interact with the guests
- · While in public places and vehicles all guests will be required to wear masks it be medical masks like the surgical masks or N95 or non-medical masks such as neck gaiters, cloth masks or buffs. (Please carry your own)
- · All guests are required to hand sanitizers among their personal items at all times
- · Where possible, wash your hands as often as you can
- · The mountain crew, as well as the hotel staff, will maintain social distance of a minimum of 1 meter from all guests at all times; in case of medical emergencies this may not be maintained
· Clients who would prefer to enjoy a social distancing experience from other climbers during the hike will be provided with single accommodation tents up the mountain as well as while in Moshi or Arusha. In the same way, they will be served meals in the comfort of their tents rather than going to the mess tent to join other climbers.
Is business normal up the mountain?
After the reopening of its international borders mid-2020, the number of climbers who have been booking and taking on expeditions on the northern Tanzania safari circuit in an attempt to make their way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro has slowly been increasing. Today the mountain slopes are not as busy as they were before the pandemic; however, the more adventurous holidaymakers are utilizing this time to enjoy a less crowded Mount Kilimanjaro climbing experience. Popular routes like Machame and Marangu which in the past were crowded with large volumes of climbers today remain quiet.
Since mid-2020 we have been organizing a number of hiking expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro and we have registered an amazing success rate. As Taste for Africa, we have put into place a number of guidelines to ensure that both our clients and staff are protected during this pandemic while on their expedition on the mountain as highlighted above.
Status of Covid-19 in Tanzania
In January 2020 covid-19 (coronavirus) was declared an international health emergency and later in March 2020 announced a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. by the first quarter of 2020 close to 4 million people died from this deadly virus and a very large number of infections rejected across the globe. in Tanzania just as other East African countries covid-19 cases were confirmed and on 16th March 2020 Tanzania registered it’s index covid-19 confirmed case however infections across the country have not been very rampant as in other parts of the world. as a result of the global outbreak, a travel bun was sanctioned by most African countries on all international travels.
Tanzania registered up to 509 infection and 21 deaths related to covid-19 as per the information relayed on 29th April 2020. On 8th June 2020, the president of Tanzania His Excellency John Magufuli announced that this country is covid-19 free and the government stopped publishing any covid-19 statistics. Since then tourists have been slowly visiting the country to enjoy the different tourist activities here.
Do you need a covid-19 test to visit Tanzania?
Tanzania does not require that you get tested for the coronavirus prior to arriving into the country; however it is very important that’s you find out the different requirements as stipulated by the airline you will be flying with, and the different countries you will go through during your Transit.
Majority of clients visiting Tanzania from the USA use Delta or KLM as their airlines and these flights connect in Amsterdam where all passengers are mandated to present a negative covid-19 test result especially when travelling from a country that is not in the EU region. This result must be presented in Dutch, English, Germany, Spanish or French and should include the following details:
- · Name plus contact information of the laboratory or institute where the testing was done
- · Passenger name as indicated on the passport
- · Time and date when the test was done (this should be within 72 hours before arriving in the Netherlands)
- · The type of test; only the molecular PCR test for the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection which covid-19 is accepted.
- · Test results; this should be negative.
Because Amsterdam will require a negative result both ways this means that even at the end of your Mount Kilimanjaro climb you will have to take a covid-19 test in Tanzania just before departing the country which you will be able to present in the Netherlands.
Can you test covid-19 around Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Yes, it is very possible for you to carry out the covid-19 test while in Tanzania. Near Mount Kilimanjaro, this can be done both in Moshi town and Arusha town found on the foothills of the mountain at any of the facilities listed below.
- Selian Lutheran hospital (Arusha)
- Mount Meru Referral Hospital (Arusha)
- Mawenzi Regional Hospital (Moshi)
- Kilimanjaro Christian medical center (Moshi)
Payment for this test is done on-site in the local Tanzanian currency (TZS 230,000) and the turnaround time for the results is 48 hours. These facilities operate from Monday to Friday opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 3:30 p.m. while on Saturdays and Sunday they open at 10 a.m. and close at 12:30 p.m. these sample-collecting centres then send the samples to the National laboratory found in Dar Es Salaam where the actual testing is done.
You will be required to make a reservation for this test and this can be made directly online at pimacovid.Moh.go.tz
As Taste for Afrika, we can assist by transferring you to any of the testing centres, make the payment on your behalf (but at your cost) and even pick up your results.
