Mount Kilimanjaro may get cable car

Posted by Christi Nortier on 10 May 2019

The world’s tallest free-standing mountain and the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, may be getting a cable car. Tanzania is currently investigating the feasibility of constructing and running the project.

View this post on Instagram

#Elefante #Elephant #Kilimangiaro #Kilimanjaro #Kenya #Amboseli #Tanzania #Africa

A post shared by Numa Rondelli (@numarondelli) on May 9, 2019 at 9:39pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania #aeriallandscape #aerialphoto #aerialview #viewfromplane #viewfromplanewindow #kilimanjaro #landscapetanzania #photography

A post shared by Petri Viljoen (@petri.photo) on May 9, 2019 at 2:30am PDT

They are currently studying the environmental impact of the potential project, possible routes, business plans, investors, and profits.

According to Reuters, a company from China and another from a Western country have shown interest.

The aim of having the cable car would be to give visitors who cannot manage the week-long trek up the mountain a chance to experience its summit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPPdDSiXDa/

View this post on Instagram

As Mike Tyson once said, 'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.' That pretty much sums up my summit attempt of Kilimanjaro. Afterwards I even felt like I had gone a few rounds with Iron Mike and then been called rude names by him. Nice scenery though. . . . . . #kilimanjaro #africa #mountains #alpinedesert #delirious #getawaymagazine

A post shared by Matthew Sterne (@sternejourneys) on Jan 31, 2019 at 4:13am PST

In addition, it could increase tourist numbers by 50% says the deputy minister for tourism, Constantine Kanyasu.

Currently, about 50,000 tourists climb the mountain each year.

“One visitor from the U.S. can have a maximum of 15 people behind him, of which 13 are porters, a cook and a guide. All these jobs will be affected by a cable car,” says the head of Tanzania Porters’ organisation, Loishiye Mollel.

View this post on Instagram

Behind every succesful climber there is a huge team of porters that carry their expedition bags, tents, cooking equipment, supplies and sometimes even toilets up the mountain. Climbing would be a whole different story without them. #kilimanjaro #kilimanjaronationalpark #kilimanjaroporters #mountains #mountainstories

A post shared by Angry Little Pony (@mihiczeljko) on Feb 14, 2019 at 9:52am PST

View this post on Instagram

The porters! No one can climb Kilimanjaro without them! So grateful for them all! Repost via @jarvelajari At Barranco wall. It ain't easy with 20 kilograms on your head. And some more on your back. It will be a long fall if you lose your grip. #kilimanjaro #mountkilimanjaro #climbing #earlymorning #trekking #travelling #traveldiary #travelgram #mountain #mountainlife #adventure #porters #barrancowall #tanzania #kilimanjaroporters #kilimanjaroportersassistanceproject #godfreykilimanjaro #forevergrateful

A post shared by Godfrey Fabian Mtui (@godfreykilimanjaro) on Jan 30, 2019 at 5:04am PST

If the number of climbers does decrease, porters and guides fear that the jobs of the 20,000 porters currently working between Mount Kilimanjaro and another peak nearby, Meru, will be under threat.

According to Reuters, tourism is Tanzania’s main source of income. Since last year, the country’s earnings from tourism has increased by over 7%.

Kilimanjaro has three peaks formed by extinct volcanoes. The central volcano reaches 5,000m. The mountain lies in the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, a World Heritage site.

Heading to Tanzania soon? Read about the new flight between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam or how to explore the city on foot once you land.

Need inspiration to make the mighty trek yourself? Read the inspiring stories of women who rose to the challenge to raise awareness for albinism, empower schoolgirls and challenge the statistics that mountaineering is a male-dominated activity.

Feature Image: Herbert Aust.