Trekking Safety Tips
Safety Tips
1. Acclimatize Properly
The most significant challenge when trekking Kilimanjaro or other high-altitude peaks is altitude sickness. To reduce the risk:
- Choose longer routes that allow gradual altitude gain.
- Follow the golden rule of trekking: “Climb high, sleep low.”
- Listen to your guide and take extra acclimatization days if necessary.
2. Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated helps prevent altitude sickness and keeps your energy levels up:
- Drink at least 3-4 liters of water per day.
- Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they can dehydrate you.
- Carry water purification tablets or a filter to ensure access to clean water.
3. Dress in Layers
Trekking involves varying temperatures, especially on Kilimanjaro where you pass through different climate zones:
- Wear moisture-wicking base layers.
- Pack an insulating mid-layer, like fleece or down.
- Ensure you have a waterproof and windproof outer layer.
- Don’t forget a hat, gloves, and thermal socks for summit night when temperatures drop drastically.
4. Watch for Signs of Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness level:
- Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- If you experience severe symptoms, inform your guide immediately.
- Follow the advice of your guide—do not attempt to push on if they recommend descending.
5. Follow Your Guide’s Pace
Trekking, especially at altitude, is a marathon, not a sprint:
- Go at a slow and steady pace, even if you feel strong at the start.
- “Pole pole” (Swahili for “slowly, slowly”) is the mantra on Kilimanjaro—this will help conserve energy and aid in acclimatization.
6. Pack Smart
Having the right gear is essential for your safety and comfort:
- Carry only the essentials in your daypack, like water, snacks, and layers. Porters will carry your main bag.
- Ensure your boots are well-worn in to prevent blisters.
- Pack headlamps, sunglasses, sunscreen, and high-energy snacks.
7. Stay Nourished
High-altitude trekking requires more calories than usual:
- Eat energy-rich meals provided by your trekking team.
- Keep energy bars or trail mix handy for quick snacks.
- Avoid skipping meals, even if you’re not feeling hungry due to the altitude.
8. Protect Yourself from the Sun
The sun at high altitudes is stronger, and you can get sunburned quickly:
- Apply high-SPF sunscreen frequently, even on cloudy days.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
9. Know the Weather Conditions
Weather on Kilimanjaro and other mountains can change quickly:
- Be prepared for rain, wind, or snow at any time.
- Always check the weather forecast with your guide before starting each day.
10. Listen to Your Body
Your body will give you signals if something’s wrong. If you feel unwell, weak, or overly fatigued:
- Don’t ignore the signs—inform your guide immediately.
- Don’t hesitate to turn back or adjust the plan if needed. Safety always comes first.
11. Emergency Procedures
In case of any emergencies:
- Trust your guide’s knowledge and experience—they are trained to handle emergencies, including evacuation if necessary.
- Stay calm and follow instructions to ensure a quick and safe resolution to any issues.
By following these safety tips and trekking with our experienced guides, you’ll be well-prepared for a rewarding and safe journey. At Serengeti Infinity, your adventure is in expert hands from start to finish!
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J D2024-11-09Verified Amazing Safari experience in Tanzania Visiting safari in Africa was one of our biggest dreams and dreams come true! Very big thank you to our guide Elias who was taking care of us. He was always on time, he had broad knowledge about culture and animals. Elias was very good company for us with his kind attitude.We visited Tarangire and Ngorongoro - both very beautiful! Elias was always making sure that we will see all animals, he was proactively checking where are lions, hippos and we were going there immediately! Safari in Tanzania is the best adventure that we can recommend, it’s paradise! And good tour guide will make these moments unforgettable.Asante sana Elias! Sherynb2024-06-30Verified A million thank you to Rama and Kimomwe adventures! My husband and I went for a safari over 3 nights/days. Before embarking on this adventure we've been told one thing: your guide alone can make or break your experience. We know today we couldn't have been luckier. A careful driver, Rama is an absolute champion and has a wealth of knowledge. We got to see the big 5 and many more, including a wide variety of bird species. We truly can't wait to go back and explore further the beautiful parks of Tanzania. Thank you to everyone involved in making this an unforgettable experience.Encounters include:Lions, lionesses, cheetah and cubs, leopard, elephants, giraffes, mongoose, baboons, wildebeest (white beard, blue & white tailed), zebras, topi, hartebeest, gazelles (grand & thompson), hyenas, jackals, crocodiles, hippos, rhinos, serval cat, white head cobra, impalas, tortoises, wild hogs, velvet monkeys, dik-dik, ostriches and at least 25 variety of birds Rama was able to identify. Nadiia s2024-02-02Verified two happy monkeys in naked nature Thanks, Frederick!!!..We had not only 2 days safari (NgoroNgoro and Tarangiri)... It was awesome adventure of happiness, back to childhood, discovery naked nature, fun and jokes... Full of emotions... Drifting in dirty, rain and rainbow... Warm sunshine ☀️... This memories will be with us forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Shahbaaz K2023-07-16Verified Couldn’t have chosen better I spent 2 days with Kim. Day 1 Ndoro falls and day 2 Tarangire Safari. I was picked up promptly from my hotel on both days. The vehicles used were clean and comfortable. All the staff the drivers and especially Kim were phenomenal at their jobs and kept us smiling and laughing all day. Dior went out of his way and made sure that even on a 1 day safari trip our hearts were filled by the sight of lions which is very very rare. Did not expect to see them on a day trip. They were teaching us songs the whole way and I couldn’t have chosen a better tour operator for my activities. He took us to see the Masai tribe and experienced the traditional and native ways of the tribe. I have genuinely built a friendship with Kim and he goes above and beyond his responsibilities to ensure his clients are happy. Zam D2023-07-12Verified Unforgettable experience Thank you for giving us a wonderful experience that will last forever. Special thanks to our tour guide “Ally” who made every possible to make sure we enjoy every bit of our trip. I together with my family and friends will definitely use Kimomwe in our future safari.A big hug from all of us Getaway009655144662023-06-05Verified Good vibes, professional and went above and beyond to ensure we hade a great experience! It was my first time in East Africa and Kim and his team made it unforgettable! They did everything they could to make sure we got to see all the animals in the Safari.That along with the good vibes by Kim and his team made visiting an unforgettable experience.I plan to return with my family and will no doubt be using kimomwe adventures and safari for our visit.Good vibes, professional and went above and beyond to ensure we hade a great experience! gilard2022-07-30Verified Well organised and experience safari ever Revieww of Safari 6 days Ngorongoro, Serengeti and TarangireMe and my family we had the most amazing experience on the Safari with Kimomwe tours the experience guide Deogratius Chuwa was soo amazing he gave us highly explanation about Wild-animals, environments, tribes in Tansania and weather. Kimomwe tours were great and were very helpful in changing our trip dates as we had to rearrange due to covid. Special mention to all team of Kimomwe tours we couldn't enjoy beautiful Tansania (Africa) without them. Me and my family we recommended to choose Kimomwe tours and there team for safe and experience safari in Tansania. Fasil A2022-07-29Verified Our adventure as family we have enjoyed a first class treatment from kimomwe Adventutre. Kim our guide was punctual, attentive to details, knowledgeable and caring individual. We are grateful he left us a life time memory.. we will recommend Kimomwe Adventures and Safaris to anyone who wants to experience good time. leonis l2022-07-29Verified Thanks to you all. Me and my wife had a great adventure and we saw a lot of animals including BIG FIVE. Our guide was the best,the hotel was amazing, the staff, Tanzanian food and local beer 10/10 thanks to all the people who made all these possible. Kassim H2022-07-21Verified Remarkable Journey Honestly, I will never forget the experience I had with Kimomwe Adventures, nice gesture from the beginning till the end their service it’s extraordinary .! Hope to see you again soon