Do You Need Oxygen to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro’s altitude is a significant challenge, but climbers do not need supplemental oxygen to climb Kilimanjaro or reach the summit. To reach the summit, you use the acclimatization method of walking slowly (“pole pole”) and employing the “climb high, sleep low” strategy. The more days you spend on the mountain, the better your chance of getting to the summit of Kilimanjaro. As part of our commitment to safety, we carry supplemental oxygen tanks and oxygen masks on all our climbs.

Should You Use Supplemental Oxygen on Kilimanjaro?

We do not administer bottled oxygen in an attempt to relieve low oxygen saturation or difficulties breathing to help a climber reach the summit. This can mask the symptoms of a more dangerous condition and result in altitude-related complications later on. However, some tour operators advertise the use of a “personal oxygen system” to assist climbers on Kilimanjaro. Besides the fact that you would look more like a hospital patient than a trekker, there are serious reasons why using oxygen in this manner is NOT advised.

What is the Point of Climbing Kilimanjaro with Supplemental Oxygen?

The difficulty of Kilimanjaro lies with its altitude. As a trek, it is not difficult by hiking standards, if you remove the challenge of high altitude. Some people climb Mount Kilimanjaro just to say they did it, regardless of the manner in which it was done. However, it is not much of an achievement if you put Mount Kilimanjaro at sea level.

Our Guides Administer Oxygen on Kilimanjaro in Emergency Situations Only

In cases where a climber is experiencing severe symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), we may use an oxygen mask to deliver supplemental oxygen to quickly relieve symptoms to help them safely descend to a lower altitude. For High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), there is only one cure – descend as quickly as possible. Our team will accompany you on your descent to a lower elevation, and we carry an emergency stretcher for the unlikely event that an injury or medical condition means you can’t walk.

Oxygen can help temporarily, but either not climbing higher (forfeiting the summit attempt) or descent are the only safe options for trekkers with symptoms of AMS, HACE, or HAPE.

What About the Western Breach?

The only exception to the above is if climbers are using the Western Breach, where descent is very difficult, and evacuation by stretcher impossible. In cases where a trekker presents symptoms, we may give oxygen (and/or dexamethasone) to enable them to safely ascend to the crater rim, followed by a quick descent via Stella Point.

If Climbers on Everest Use Oxygen Masks, Why Not on Kilimanjaro?

The summit of Kilimanjaro is roughly the same elevation as Everest Base Camp. Climbers on Everest use oxygen in the so-called “death zone,” above 26,000 ft. It’s impossible to acclimatize in the death zone. If you were to use it to help you summit Kilimanjaro, you risk masking the symptoms of altitude sickness and interrupting the natural adaptation process.

Acclimatization is a Slow Process

The key to acclimatization is a slow ascent:

• Hike slowly, it’s not a race: you’ll hear your guides saying “pole pole” (slowly, slowly).
• Consider one of our longer routes with the best acclimatization protocol.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration puts extra stress on your body and can inhibit adaptation.
• Consult your doctor to see if Diamox is right for you.
• Do not use alcohol, sleeping pills, or narcotic pain medication.

Do not go higher than 10,000 ft if you have:

• A sore throat, cold, or cough.
• A respiratory infection.
• High temperature.

For more information, see Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro.