Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) has officially announced the temporary closure, effective January 20, 2024, of a section of the ARROW GLACIER route for tourists climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame, Umbwe, Lemosho, and Londorosi.
According to a press release by Caterine Mbena – senior conservation officer, corporate communication – TANAPA, she mentioned that This decision is a response to the current excessive rains leading to the sliding of rocks and ice blocks, rendering the route hazardous and slippery.
An inspection conducted by a team of experts from Kilimanjaro National Park, in collaboration with safety counterparts from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), revealed a worsening situation, with ongoing rock and ice block movements.
Its against this background that TANAPA, is therefore closing the aforementioned route, pleading with tour operators and tourists to use the ordinary stretch of the route from Baranco towards Karanga and Barafu to reach the summit, pending for settling of the downpour and in ensuing inspection to ensure the stretch of the route is safe for both climbers and service providers.
The ARROW GLACIER stretch starts from Bananco stop over at LAVA TOWER area through crater to the summit. Tourist prefer to climb the mountain through the LAVA TOWER area to see beautiful scenery of the mountains and to reach the summit easily.