Kilimanjaro

Many people attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in 4 – 5 days which makes it one of the fastest ascents in the world. We would recommend taking 7 – 10 days to allow acclimatisation, meaning a greater chance of reaching the summit at Uhuru.

Seven routes are used to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. The most common include the Machame, Shira, Lemosho and Marangu Routes which all depart and make use of the southern circuit. The Rongai Route starts from the northeast and passes through the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak approaching Uhuru Peak via Gilman’s point. The Marangu Route is the only one with hut accommodation along its entirety and this route serves for both ascent and descent. The new Northern Circuit is the most challenging route and is only recommended for highly experienced climbers.

Our recommended routes:

Machame Route
The Machame Route is one of the most popular routes to ascend Kilimanjaro. It’s very scenic and has a good success rate especially when the 7-day itinerary is taken. This is a good route for acclimatising as climbers go up from Shira Camp to Lava Tower and then back down to Barranco Camp to sleep.

The route is challenging and passes through four diverse zones from forest to alpine tundra. There is fully catered camping offered, which is popular, and can become busy especially near the summit, as trekkers from Lemosho, Shira and Umbwe routes join the trail.

Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is often considered to be the easiest route and chosen by climbers who are less prepared which means that many don’t make the summit. It was known as the Coca-Cola route as the drink used to be sold along the way. This reputation is deceptive as it’s one of the shortest routes to the summit which gives little time for acclimatisation.

A minimum of 6 days is recommended to acclimatise on this route. It is the only route with dormitory-style accommodation in huts, each equipped with mattresses and basic amenities.

Lemosho Route
The beautiful Lemosho Route approaches the summit from the West of Kilimanjaro. Climbers need 7 or 8 days to complete this route and allow for acclimatisation. The starting point is more remote than other routes, so the early stages are less crowded. The route offers stunning views of the characteristic gorges of the western side of Kilimanjaro.

Hikers cross the Shira plateau, one of the highest in the world, which then converges with the Machame Route at Barranco Camp, or climbers can head north and join the northern circuit via Gilman’s Point. The Lemosho route only offers fully catered camping.

Rongai Route
The Rongai Route is the only route which starts on the northeastern side of Kilimanjaro National Park and offers opportunities to see wildlife like buffalo, antelope and elephants in the first few days of the climb. This route is often drier which means it’s a better option during the wet season, while perhaps giving a less varied and dramatic scenery. That said, clear views of Kilimanjaro are more common than ascending from the southern approach.

The Rongai route starts out flatter which makes the first few days easier but there are limited opportunities for climb high and sleep low which means less chance to acclimatise compared to other routes. It descends by the Marangu Route with fully catered camping until the last night on the mountain.

Northern Circuit
The longest route up Kilimanjaro is the Northern Circuit which takes 8 – 9 days and has a very high summit success rate as there are many opportunities to climb high and sleep low, allowing climbers to acclimatise. The departure is the same as the Lemosho route but joins the northern circuit and summits via Gilman’s Point. This is also the quietest route.

We do not recommend the Shira, Umbwe and Western Breach Routes as they offer poor chances to acclimatise or are technical climbs better suited to professional climbers.