One Song, One Mountain, Pure Magic
If you climb Kilimanjaro, you WILL hear this song.
Your porters and guides will belt it out at camps, on the trail, and especially on summit morning.
It’s called Jambo Bwana—and it’s the unofficial anthem of the mountain.
The Exact Lyrics You’ll Sing Along To
Swahili
Jambo! Jambo bwana!
Habari gani? Mzuri sana!
Wageni, mwakaribishwa!
Kilimanjaro? Hakuna matata!
Tembea pole pole—Hakuna matata!
Utafika salama—Hakuna matata!
Kunywa maji mengi—Hakuna matata!
Kilimanjaro! Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro ni mlima mrefu sana!
Na Mawenzi! Na Mawenzi!
Na Mawenzi mlima mrefu sana!
Ewe nyoka, ewe nyoka!
Mbona waninzunguka?
Wanizunguka, wanizunguka
Wataka kunila nyama!
English Translation
Hello! Hello, sir!
How are you? Very well!
Visitors, you are so welcome!
Kilimanjaro? No worries!
Walk slowly—no worries!
You’ll arrive safely—no worries!
Drink lots of water—no worries!
Kilimanjaro! Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro, such a tall mountain!
And Mawenzi! And Mawenzi!
Such a tall mountain!
Oh snake, oh snake!
Why do you wrap around me?
You wrap around me, trying to eat me like meat!
(The “snake” is the mountain wrapping its arms around you—beautiful and dangerous at the same time.)
When You’ll Hear It (Goosebump Moments)
- Day 1 at the gate—welcome song before you even start walking
- Every evening when your crew greets you into camp
- Randomly on the trail when morale needs a boost
- Summit morning at midnight—they’ll sing it softly while you put on your boots
- Tipping ceremony on the last day—full volume, dancing, tears
Real Client Moment (August 2025)
“At 4 a.m. on summit night, freezing cold, legs like jelly… then the guides started singing Jambo Bwana under the stars. I cried, laughed, and suddenly had the strength to keep going. Best moment of my life.”
– Sarah, USA
Why This Song Hits Different on Kilimanjaro
It’s not just music.
It’s actual climbing advice wrapped in joy:
- “Pole pole” = walk slowly → prevents altitude sickness
- “Kunywa maji mengi” = drink water → prevents dehydration
- “Hakuna matata” = relax → keeps your heart rate low
Your crew literally sings you to the summit.
Ready to have this song stuck in your head (in the best way) at 5,895 m?
Book with us, and we guarantee you’ll be singing “Hakuna matata!” with 30 new Tanzanian friends under the African sky.
Join the Song—Book Your Climb | Watch Real Crew Singing Video | Chat with a Past Climber
Jambo! Welcome to the mountain that sings. 🌄🎶🗻
