The Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) on Monday announced the suspension of two routes leading to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
This was after a fire broke out in the Sangarini-Kamwanga area and was spreading toward Shira within the Kilimanjaro National Park.
In a statement issued on Monday, TANAPA said the use of the Lemosho and Londrosi routes on Mount Kilimanjaro have been suspended as efforts continue to contain the fire burning in the Sangarini-Kamwanga area.
The statement quoted Tanapa Assistant Conservation Commissioner for Communications Catherine Mbena as saying that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure because of the ongoing fire
“Tanapa informs tourism stakeholders and the public that it has temporarily suspended the use of the Lemosho and Londrosi routes used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro due to the ongoing fire,” the statement said.
The suspension affects tourists planning to use the two routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tourists who had planned to use the two routes have been advised to use the Machame, Marangu or Rongai routes instead.
Lemosho and Londrosi are among the six routes used by tourists to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tanapa said firefighting efforts were continuing in collaboration with the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force, Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, the Reserve Force, local residents and conservation and tourism stakeholders.
“The safety of workers, tourists and conservation and tourism stakeholders remains our first priority,” the statement said.
MG/as/APA