Tell me more ×
Travel Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for road warriors and seasoned travelers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 8 down vote favorite
1

I'm thinking of attempting Kilimanjaro and have read on operator websites that the park authority keep success rate statistics for Kilimanjaro trekking operators. These are apparently based on questions asked at exit gates from the park.

I would love to look at these statistics before booking but am finding it hard to obtain them. Can they be found anywhere online?

share|improve this question
3  
I doubt they would mean much--when I climbed it only 13% of our group made the secondary summit but that was entirely our own limitations, not anything to do with the guides. I would think their success rate would be based more on how picky they were in accepting people, not what they actually do. – Loren Pechtel Aug 20 '12 at 12:42
2  
Agree, I have friends who did Kili and not all went to the top but it wasn't about the guides. It's physically difficult in parts, and icy, and some people don't go all the way up. – Kate Gregory Aug 20 '12 at 13:29
I would still like to take a look at them, and make my mind up. For example, I might avoid one with very low rates. – Simon Gibbs Aug 20 '12 at 16:11
very interesting question. It's on my todo list as well. – Mark Mayo Aug 20 '12 at 19:12
@KateGregory: With our group things like ice weren't a factor at all. Only 20% of the group even started the final climb and the one that turned back there was due to inadequate boots. – Loren Pechtel Aug 22 '12 at 1:04

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote

While I can't (yet) find a central list of success rates, numerous operators boast theirs on their websites.

However, as some sites point out:

Even though outfitters and tour operators flaunt high success rates, official statistics indicate that a very high percentage of trekkers turn back before summiting Uhuru Peak. It is quite "an accomplishment" to summit the mountain. Generally, the longer one allocates the trek, the higher the success rate of reaching the top.

Most seem to be fairly similar though in their claims:

Wiki shows that there are five or six common routes, and depending on the route, the success rate changes - Machame is the one with the highest success rate, followed by Shira or Lemosho.

A great description of the routes and their chance of success is available here.

The best I can find for stats is from Team Kilimanjaro, who have a comprehensive discussion of the misleading statistics out there, and why you should choose the route you choose, and what counts as a 'success' on a climb.

share|improve this answer
An excellent point, found on Team Killi, is that publishing stats pressures guides into unsafe behaviour. I would have thought people doing a fun job would have greater intregrity but perhaps I am too hopeful. Anyway, I now see why they are not published and probably should not be published. – Simon Gibbs Aug 31 '12 at 14:19

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.