Are there cable cars in the Kilimanjaro?

Tanzania plans cable car for Mount Kilimanjaro. Around 50,000 tourists climb Kilimanjaro annually. A cable car could increase tourist numbers by 50 percent by providing access to the mountain for those unable to climb it. But, as of 2019 there are no cable cars available at the Kilimanjaro. This is the great step for Tanzania government to plan the installation of cable car on Mount Kilimanjaro. When we are talking about cable car it means that the development of technology. As the ministry of natural resources and tourism activities said that they planned to install cable cars that could help students and travelers less than 15 years old and older than 50 experience the mountain’s beauty.

Kanyasu said the government was looking at business plans, potential investors and profits. He is also said that “We are still doing a feasibility study to see if this project works,” “There are two companies one from China and another from a Western country that have shown interest.” But as minister said that the cable cars are not a new idea. There have been cable car services in many places like; Sweden, Italy, and the Himalayas. And also he said that the length of the cable car way has not been decided yet. The engineering issues, environmental impact, business plans, potential investors, as well as profits all elements are under supervision.

After few years the Kilimanjaro will soon look different because the Tanzanian government recently approved construction of a cable car on the highest summit in Africa and the tallest mountain in the world. Still, while it may technically be approved, the project is far from a sure bet. Constantine Kanyasu, the deputy minister for tourism, said. The country is conducting feasibility studies on possible routes at the moment, Kanyasu told Reuters. The length of the route has not been finalized, with various options under consideration depending on cost and engineering issues, the minister said. An environmental impact assessment would also be carried out, he said.

Ministers believe a cable car system will enable thousands of tourists that are physically unable to undertake the arduous climb to experience the summit of Africa. The ministry of tourism first announced the cable car idea in May 2019. The goal is to increase the area’s tourism by 50 percent. Kilimanjaro attracted some 50,000 tourists a year, who attempted the summit. The climbing groups emphasis the government to reconsider and social media erupted with opinions. Porters and guides joined forces in opposition through local lobbying groups, while climbers launched online petitions. Tanzanian officials remained mostly quiet on the topic, promising that they’d study feasibility and environmental and societal impacts before moving forward.

In December 2020, the government gave its blessing for the cable car. Paul Banga, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) spokes person for the project, has emphasized that approval does not mean confirmation, however. “We are waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism before we start looking for investors,” Banga said during a TANAPA workshop, according to the Xinhua news agency. “The government decision will be communicated to the public.” Timing for such a decision, like many details surrounding this project, remains unclear. But as a Kilimanjaro climber and frequent Tanzania traveler, my curiosity got the best of me after the 2019 announcement. I’ve spent nearly two years tracking this project, from messaging Tanzanian government officials to speaking with at least a dozen local and global experts.

The country wants to boost tourist numbers but it could make porters and guides to be idle because as we know the tourism activities are the source of income for porters. So the porters and mountain guides worry the quick ride up the mountain will threaten their livelihoods. Porter and guide groups who take tourists up the mountain oppose the project because they fear cable cars will reduce the number of climbers.

There are trekkers that are more than 80 years old and less than 8 years children. Tanzania do realize there are numbers of climbers who belong to senior age group or some kids whose parents are planning to trek mount Kilimanjaro want It will help the old people, kids, and physically challenged climbers to summit the Kilimanjaro then they won’t miss the chance of being on the top of Africa the highest mountain in Africa. The objective of this project is to double the number of tourists to Kilimanjaro. Jennifer Francis, deputy chairman for the Kili Meru Mountain Guides Society, says the government has not been as transparent as it could be regarding the project. “They only tell us the advantages, but we don’t know its negative effects on the current generation and the next generation,” Francis said. “This confuses us.”

Tanzania has announced a plan to install cable cars on Africa’s tallest mountain Kilimanjaro. Although the government is still in the process of completing a feasibility study, the government is believed to be in agreements with two companies one from China and another from the west. Tourism activities increase the currency in the country and the government’s aim is to increase the number of tourists who wish to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro for 50 percent. Over the year 50,000 visitors spend on the mountain each year in an attempt to reach the summit. They also point out that similar systems have been successfully integrated into other mountainous environments within protected areas. Where the proposed cable car will make its way up the mountain is uncertain, but many believe it will be along the current Machame trekking route.