Many African safaris are designed for the lone traveller and or for family vacation. While there are not too many restrictions or safety concerns for travelling in general, there are some African tour activities that you should look more into before selecting your choice, especially when small children are involved.
Hiking is not necessarily one of those activities. However, if you want to scale the highest naturally formed dormant volcanic structures, there are certainly some guidelines to follow.
Children and Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Could children climb this amazing and intimidating natural formation? If the child is 10 years or older, then they are welcome to. Children aged 6 to 10 can climb Mount Kilimanjaro if they have special permission from the park staff, and it is obtained ahead of time.
However, very young children are not permitted to take on such a challenge. Due to the health risks involved, even with parents and guardians, it is unsafe and, therefore, prohibited.
Should children climb Kilimanjaro? Climbing to the summit is quite the feat, which even many adults cannot do. So, imagine being a 10-year-old child, achieving what some adults cannot!
Climbing Kilimanjaro and reaching the summit successfully boosts confidence, pride, and a sense of accomplishment. Training to make the climb increases physical fitness and boosts mental health.
There are many positive reasons to encourage the child or children to make the trip and achieve this great success, but there are also health and safety considerations.
Essential Factors for a Successful Climb
There are many different trails and hikes you can select from, catering to all hiking abilities.
For example, the Marangu route or the Shira route is relatively easy and great for beginners or novice hikers. These are easy to traverse and yet still allow you to stop and take in the wondrous sights that Tanzania has to offer. Children can do these trails while still feeling like they have overcome difficult obstacles en route.
Endurance and Stamina
Despite these being beginner-friendly routes, anyone taking them should have some endurance training, as a number of the hikes require you to be on your feet for 8-10 hours a day.
A strength-training discipline will help all hikers to carry their own gear without struggling. There will be occasional encounters with difficult terrain, and everyone must carry their own gear and backpacks.
The trek to reach the summit is long and arduous. Once you start, there is no turning back, so the child must have the stamina to continue, even when they are cold and tired. Most treks last for approximately 8 hours a day; however, there are rest breaks.
A Positive Attitude
To climb Kilimanjaro, the child needs to be motivated and determined to complete the journey. This will give them a more positive mental attitude in order to persevere against the challenges.
A child who does not want to be on the hike is more likely to be miserable and complain. This can bring down the rest of the group and make it unpleasant for everyone.
The Right Gear
All hikers need to have the right shoes, clothing, a tent, a backpack, and more. This is just as essential for children as it is for adults, if not more so. As children’s bodies are more susceptible to the cold and can blister easily from all the walking and climbing, the proper gear is crucial to keep them protected.
Climate Considerations
If being able to predict the outcome is your thing, then reconsider your hike. There is no guarantee that climbing Kilimanjaro will be a success, and this is reduced even further with children.
Sometimes, extreme cold weather will set in and before you realize it, you are covered in snow. Also, landslides, rockslides, and other naturally occurring events can happen. You should be able to take shelter quickly, or avoid very large falling rocks when necessary.
The thin atmosphere, which is encountered higher up, can make it very difficult to breathe. This is something that young children cannot cope with very well due to their bodies being so small and requiring higher levels of oxygen.
The terrain you cover, regardless of the route you choose, will be difficult. From steep inclines to rocky and uneven trails, the risk of injury for children due to a fall is much higher than that for a trained and experienced adult.
Thus, the weather, terrain, and thinning atmosphere can all spell potential problems for your little one.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro With Zara Tanzania Adventures
Mount Kilimanjaro is the most famous landmark in Tanzania, and is also just a child itself in terms of geological formations compared to the other volcanoes that you will ascend on the way to the summit.
The views are stunning and awe-inspiring for the right hiker. Children who have grown up in athletic homes and families are more inclined to take on such a feat, but it is not for every adult or child.
While children can take on the challenge, it is recommended that they are at least 10 years of age, physically fit, and understand the toll the trek can take. Younger children are more at risk of health complications, so even if they get special permission, it is not recommended that they attempt the climb.
If this is the right vacation for you, then Zara Tanzania Adventures can make it the hike of your dreams. We will show you all that the volcano has to offer: the views, the weather, and the memories that will last you for the rest of your life.
We have packages available for the solo hiker or the family group, so everyone can experience this amazing opportunity and take on whichever challenging route they desire.
Call us at 1-866-551-2970 and speak to your expert consultant to help you book the perfect trekking package, or contact us online to see what other life-changing experiences you can go on.
