Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Dangerous (or Safe)? Deaths, dangers & statistics.

The obsession humans have for climbing to the highest points on our earth is not a new phenomenon. Once German missionaries & explorers discovered Kilimanjaro, in 1849, it was subsequently successfully summited in 1889 by Hans Meyer. If you’re reading this, then you’ll be wishing to follow in the footsteps of the first, and millions who followed. 

Times have changed since the sepia days of 1889, but Kilimanjaro is still as dangerous as it ever has been. While advances in medicine have mitigated the risks of disease, dysentery or infection, the biggest killer on Kilimanjaro is still there: altitude. 

In this post, we’re going to be fully exploring how dangerous Kilimanjaro is, some statistics about the people who have died, and how it compares to other similar climbs. 

How many people die on Kilimanjaro every year? 

The statistics around the death rate on Kilimanjaro are quite difficult to find. This could be down to the way deaths are reported on the mountain, and held with local authorities.

It is widely reported that an average of 3 to 10 people pass away each year on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. The vast majority is caused by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), High-altitude pulmonary edema HACE or other complications from underlying conditions caused by the stress of Altitude (heart attack etc…). 

On average, approximately 50,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year, so, the chance of death is extremely rare. It’s reported that on average, the death rate in Kilimanjaro is 0.2% – 0.3%, however, our maths put the future closer to 0.1%. This is higher than the very similar climb to Everest Base Camp which has a death rate of 0.03%. This is due to it’s slower altitude increase towards the summit and better amenities along the way. 

As a comparison, the Matterhorn sees an average 12 deaths per year, Mount Fuji claims on average 8 or 9 (5 people in one week in 2024) and Mount Everest claims 13 -15 people per year (about 1% of travellers). Even with the limited resources and exposure to high altitude, Kilimanjaro is significantly less deadly than many of the peaks on our back doors in Europe. 

In short, Kilimanjaro is considered to be quite safe for a hike above 5000m. There are few technical aspects to the climb, and the main concern for climbers is altitude-related sickness, which is rarely allowed to escalate towards death. 

This is why it is paramount to choose a reputable company, with experienced guides. They are able to identify the early signs of altitude sickness and monitor their climbers to ensure they make the right calls. 

What are the other dangers while climbing Kilimanjaro?

Other than Acute mountain sickness, there are some other dangers climbers are warned about while climbing Kilimanjaro. While there are very few technical aspects of climbing the mountain, being so high has other dangers. 

• Hypothermia & cold exposure.
• Injuries from cold exposure (frostbite if not properly clothed).
• Injuries from slips, trips and falls.
• Avalanches or falling debris. 
• Diarrhoea & food poisoning. 
• Colds and upper respiratory tract infections (more common than you think). 
• Malaria, Diphtheria, Hepatitis, Typhoid or other tropical diseases. 

Final Thoughts? Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Safe? 

Yes, climbing Kilimanjaro is considered safe, and tens of thousands of people climb and summit the mountains safely every year. That is not to say that there are not any inherent dangers, but that goes with anything with a flair of adventure.

Before travelling, make sure that you’re aware of the dangers of high altitude and what to do in an emergency. Ensure that you gave the correct insurance.