Emergency and Evacuation Policy

Effective Date: 27/7/2026


Mt Kenya Trekking Expeditions operates trekking, safari, camping, and outdoor activities in environments where emergencies may occur due to illness, injury, altitude, weather, wildlife, terrain, vehicle incidents, or other unforeseen circumstances.
This policy outlines our general approach to emergency response and evacuation.

1. Emergency Preparedness

Before and during trips, our guides and relevant personnel assess conditions and identify reasonably foreseeable risks.
Emergency response procedures may vary according to the location, activity, weather, communications availability, and nature of the emergency.

2. Reporting an Emergency

Guests should immediately inform their guide or the nearest Mt Kenya Trekking Expeditions representative if they experience:
  • Serious illness or injury.
  • Difficulty breathing or severe altitude-related symptoms.
  • Significant exhaustion or inability to continue.
  • An accident or fall.
  • A wildlife-related incident.
  • Severe weather exposure.
  • Loss or separation from the group.
  • Any other situation presenting an immediate safety concern.

3. Initial Emergency Response

Where an emergency occurs, our priority is to protect life and reduce further risk.
Depending on the circumstances, the response may include:
  • Assessing the situation.
  • Providing reasonable first-response assistance within the capabilities of available personnel.
  • Contacting relevant emergency, medical, park, rescue, or other authorities.
  • Arranging transportation or evacuation where practicable.
  • Moving the Guest to a safer location.
  • Coordinating access to medical care.
  • Informing the Guest's designated emergency contact where appropriate.

4. Mountain Evacuation

For Mount Kenya activities, evacuation may involve walking or assisted descent, transfer to an accessible point, vehicle transportation, helicopter evacuation, or coordination with relevant rescue or medical services.
The appropriate method will depend on the Guest's condition, location, weather, terrain, accessibility, and available resources.

5. Medical Emergencies

Where a Guest requires professional medical treatment, Mt Kenya Trekking Expeditions will make reasonable efforts to facilitate access to appropriate medical services.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they have appropriate travel and medical insurance for their circumstances, including coverage for trekking, evacuation, medical treatment, and repatriation where relevant.

6. Weather and Environmental Emergencies

Severe weather, unsafe trail conditions, flooding, landslides, fire, or other environmental hazards may require an activity to be delayed, modified, relocated, or cancelled.
The safety of Guests and personnel will take priority over maintaining the original itinerary.

7. Communication

Emergency communication may be affected by remote terrain, altitude, weather, network coverage, power availability, or other circumstances beyond our control.
We will use available communication methods and appropriate local or official resources where reasonably possible.

8. Guest Cooperation

Guests are expected to follow emergency instructions from guides, drivers, staff, park authorities, rescue personnel, and other authorized persons.
Guests should not place themselves or others at additional risk by attempting unauthorized rescues or ignoring safety instructions.

9. Emergency Contacts

Before departure, Guests may be provided with relevant emergency contact information applicable to their itinerary and destination.
Where appropriate, Guests should also ensure that their emergency contact details and relevant medical information are accurately provided to Mt Kenya Trekking Expeditions.

10. Limitations

Mt Kenya Trekking Expeditions will take reasonable measures to respond to emergencies, but emergency response and evacuation may be affected by circumstances outside our control, including severe weather, remote terrain, limited communications, road conditions, government restrictions, rescue availability, and the nature or severity of an incident.
This policy should be read together with our Health and Safety Policy and Booking Terms & Conditions.