After decades of exclusive hiking experiences, Mt. Kilimanjaro is expected to gain access via one of the fastest route; a new cable car service has been rolled out, however has not received a welcoming gesture from local operators.

While the facility is deemed to be part of the government’s strategy to offer easy access to above 50 years of age as a part of the day trip, tour operators, porters and guides have protested against this service, in lieu of the unique hiking adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro that is likely to cause unemployment to 250,000 thousands of unskilled porters.

The Mount Kilimanjaro Porter Society (MKPS) Vice Chairman Edson Mpemba quotes “The cable car facility will initially look like a noble and innovative idea, but it will, in a long run, ruin the future of the majority of local people whose livelihood depends on the mountain.”

While, Section 58(2) of the 2008 Tanzania Tourism Act No 11 indicates mountain climbing and trekking registration will be issued to companies fully owned by Tanzanians, the initial work of the cable car is under study by the Crescent Environment and Management (CEM) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) that will ultimately decide the success or suspension of this ambitious project.