Kilimanjaro Internet

Now you can tweet from 12,000 ft:

Mt Kilimanjaro gets HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Struggling to get a decent wi-fi is a common complaint in Tanzania. Well, don’t worry, you won’t have that problem if you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

In August Africa’s highest mountain had high-speed internet services installed on its slopes in a move hoped to improve safety for porters and guides and mean tourists don’t have to climb all the way down before they can share that summit selfie. The government licenses Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation set up the broadband network at an altitude of 3,720 metres meaning social media-savvy climbers can now share their ascent with followers on Twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp.

Official launch At the official launch of the service, Minister for Information, Communication & ICT Nape Moses Nnauye: “Previously, it was a bit dangerous for visitors and porters who had to operate without internet.”

He went on to say that work was ongoing to ensure the internet connectivity would reach Uhuru Peak, the 5,895-metre highest point of the mountain, by the end of the year.

The move is the latest example of bringing modern creature comforts

to some of the world’s remotest and wildest places. The world’s tallest mountain, Everest, has had internet coverage up to its Base Camp (5,380 metres) since 2014 and there are upmarket expedition companies that offer luxury tents, bars and gourmet meals and even 5G mobile reception at the summit.

As for Kilimanjaro, the Tanzanian government has plans to build a US$ 72m cable car on the southern side of the mountain to 3,700 metres at Shira Ridge. The move was met with criticism from climbers, expedition companies and environmentalists, but Kilimanjaro is an important source of tourism revenue in Tanzania with its slopes filling up with more than 35,000 hikers attempting to reach the peak each year.

The cable car route is estimated to take around 20 minutes – and you’ll be able to live stream the trip on the internet. It’s all a world away from the experience of the first person to climb Kilimanjaro, German geographer Dr Hans Meyer, who in 1889 took months to reach the summit. Then again, he did start from Mombasa, with a 14-day trek to the town of Taveta!