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.
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.
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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.
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.
