When you come for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, you will be prone to getting malaria since Tanzania is a high-risk county. You may not contract malaria while on the mountain but it could be anywhere other than the mountain, it could be at the hotel or the airport.
We recommend that you consult your doctor and begin taking anti-malaria tablets prior to your trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Is there malaria on Mount Kilimanjaro?
No, you cannot get malaria on Mount Kilimanjaro because the mosquitoes that carry malaria, the anopheles’ mosquitoes cannot go beyond 2000m above sea level.
Since most climbs begin at high altitudes of about 1500m above sea level, chances of contracting malaria while on Mount Kilimanjaro are slim to nil.
This however does not mean that you might not get sick while on the mountain. You can get malaria before you climb Mount Kilimanjaro, then fall ill while climbing the mountain, this will make your body weak and might stop you from proceeding with your trek.
There are mosquitoes in Moshi, other areas within Tanzania, and in the national parks that you may visit, even in Zanzibar.
That is why we strongly recommend that you should consult your doctor or travel clinic to get the appropriate advice on the best anti-malarial medication.
Below is more info on what medications you need before coming to Tanzania.
- Australia – travelclinic.com.au
- Canada – org – Vaccinations / Malaria
- Ireland – tmb.ie
- New Zealand – org – Vaccinations / Malaria
- United Kingdom – fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
- United States – cdc.gov/travel
Malaria prevention in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Apart from taking anti-malaria medication/tablets, to prevent malaria depends on the precaution you take to prevent mosquito bites. You can prevent mosquito bites by wearing appropriate clothing like long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts, trousers and using DEET-based mosquito repellent, sleeping in insecticide-treated mosquito nets and insecticide sprayed rooms.
