Helicopter Rescue Services mission on the Kilimanjaro was established in 2016 to create one of the safest hiking destinations in the world. It is not like every time one hikes the Kilimanjaro, everything goes to plan.
UPDATE: Kilimanjaro SAR is permanently closed. However, you can still use AMREF Flying Doctors.
There are time some emergencies that may require emergency attention and this may not be done walking back to the base of the mountain as on some cases it may even take days to get back to the base.
In some instances, one of the team members may fall sick or get any physical injuries and needs quick evacuation. This is usually done by the Kilimanjaro search and rescue mission.
This rescue mission on the Kilimanjaro was started by a Danish professional mountaineer, Ivan Braun. The Kilimanjaro rescue operations do not only support the Kilimanjaro ranges but also extend to the Meru Mountain.
It takes about 5 minutes for the Helicopter to set off from the time of the distress call.
In about 15 minutes, they will have reached the person who requires attention and provide first aid treatment and later transfer them to the high altitude medical clinic in Moshi.
The evacuation protocol is a free and charity service that offers free quick response medical treatment of hikers to porters, rangers and guides as a way of giving back to the community.
Kilimanjaro SAR Helicopters and Medical Staff
The KSAR team has aircrafts that are capable of landing on most areas on a mountain.
They can reach a person in distress in about 5 to 15 minutes.
They have a well trained medical team that has specialty in illnesses arising from altitude complications.
Before the establishment of this team, the injured people on the Kilimanjaro had to rely on helicopter from the Nairobi.
Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue Safety Protocols
The Kilimanjaro Search and rescue mission matches the Wilderness first responder (WFR) guidelines by being able to do an evacuation even without a helicopter since they have trained personnel.
In situations of emergency, Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue Safety Protocols adheres to the WFR (Wilderness First Responder) protocols whereby it demonstrates that evacuation without
Here is what to do
Call the KSAR emergency number
Domestic (toll-free) 0800 713 713
International Calls +255 758 222 255
For hikers other than the porters and guides, you will need to have an insurance cover. In order to qualify for this service.
Having such a cover will help you adventure with little worry. About what happens to you when you fall sick or injured.
Helicopter Landing Points on Kilimanjaro
The Kilimanjaro doesn’t have many areas that can land a helicopter. In most cases the medical team with the help of the guides and rangers to stretch out the person who needs medical attention to the Helipad.
There is a landing area it’s the Kosovo hut which is at an elevation of about 4900 meter above sea level. Another at Horombo huts and Barranco huts.
Since not all areas on Mount Kilimanjaro are suitable for helicopters to land just anywhere. In some cases, climbers may need to trek with the help of their guides. Or stretchered to an apt landing area for pick up as the highest landing that is suitable is the Kosovo Hut. Located at an elevation of 4900 meters (16076 feet) otherwise, most rescues and evacuations are normally done from Horombo Huts or Barranco Huts by air, while by road, ambulance rescue is done from the Shira Huts on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro SAR and AMREF Flying Doctors
The other option is the AMREF flying doctors. The only downside with these is that they are based in Nairobi. They may take a longer response time to reach a person in distress.
Climb Kilimanjaro Mountain in Tanzania with these recommended Kilimanjaro climbing companies or inquire with us directly below.
