
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s largest freestanding mountain and the tallest mountain in Africa. A lot of climbers and explorers come from all over the world every year. It takes about a week to walk from the tropics to the cold while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of the height and speed of the climb, it is very difficult but also very gratifying.
Because of its natural beauty, UNESCO named Mount Kilimanjaro a World Heritage Site in 1987. Because the mountains are so high and far away, they have a huge range of plants and scenery. From the “Roof of Africa,” where you can see glaciers and a beautiful snow-capped peak, to a tropical jungle full of monkeys and birds. On a standard climb, every day and a half you go through a different plant zone.
It’s really exciting to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro after walking for days. The views from the top of the mountain are stunning, with the African savannah and Rift Valley below. It is truly an unforgettable experience to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
The highest rock in Africa can be climbed by anyone!
Want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro but aren’t sure if you’ll be able to do it? Mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro are tough to climb, but you don’t have to be an expert to get to the top. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. Our team is skilled and experienced, and they can safely get you to the top.
That’s why 95% of our guests make it to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike. One thing you can do is get good gear and go on practice walks in your home country a few months before you leave. It’s important to take your time because getting sick at high altitude is the main reason people don’t make it to the top. Let your body get used to the new environment. See which climbing method works best for you below.
Help the guides on Mount Kilimanjaro.
You can climb Kilimanjaro with the help of porters. They are an important part of mountain life because they bring all of your food, gear, and supplies. Without their dedication and hard work, you would not be able to climb Kilimanjaro and enjoy its beauty. Unfortunately, local porters are often taken advantage of and work in bad circumstances. Because of this, we help our porters, which makes their working conditions better on Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro workers deserve to be treated fairly, and if you book your trip with us, you automatically help make that happen.
The best way to climb Kilimanjaro?
As soon as you decide to climb Kilimanjaro, the most important thing is to decide which path to take. You can get to the top in seven different ways. All of them are different in length, difficulty, beauty, traffic, lodging, and other ways. We think you should pick one of the first three ways based on our experience.
The Machame route
This is one of the most famous climbs because the route is so beautiful and different. As you walk, the slopes of the lava rock change into the lush green jungle. The path goes around the mountain and has great views. The slow ascent is also helpful because it gives people more time to get used to the altitude, which raises the success rate. If you choose the 7-day plan, the Machame route, which is also called the “Whiskey route,” has a good to excellent success rate. This way is cheaper than most, but it gets very crowded during rush hour.
The Lemosho road
People love this path because it has so much beautiful scenery. Lemosho is also less crowded with hikers than some of Kilimanjaro’s more well-known routes. Memosho is more expensive, but it gives climbers more time to get used to the altitude. This path is beautiful and far away. A lot of progress.
The Marangu road
When it comes to price, the Maranga path is the best bet for getting to the top of Kilimanjaro. It is the only way to get to the top and back using the same road, and it has huts for lodging (camping is not allowed). People say that this road, which is also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is one of the easiest on the mountain. It is the quickest way to climb Kilimanjaro, but climbers have less time to get used to the altitude, which explains why such a low success rate. Marangu isn’t as beautiful as some other roads, and it can get crowded during the busy season.
Route of the Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is one of the most beautiful and fun Kilimanjaro routes. It is also the longest. The path goes all the way around the mountain, so you can see Kilimanjaro from all sides. The route is long, so there is a lot of time to get used to the altitude. This makes the success rate at the top very high. People who have time and money and want to see all of Kilimanjaro’s beauty should take this path.
The Shira way
This path has beautiful views, but it’s also expensive and hard to get to. Because the route starts high, it takes less time for the body to get used to the altitude. Only experienced climbers should choose this path.
The Rongai road
Strong climbers should use this path. Climbers can see both sides of Kilimanjaro because the way up and down are on different sides. On the other hand, this extra transportation to get to the other side makes the climb cost more. There are fewer people on Rongai, but it is also drier and has fewer beautiful views.
Route of Umbwe
It is said that this is the steepest Kilimanjaro path. Because it goes up so quickly, the success rate is much smaller. This route should only be climbed by expert mountain climbers who are used to being at high elevations.
Climbing Kilimanjaro routes
Recommended? | Rec. number of days | Fitness | Scenery | Traffic | |
Marangu | recommended | 5 -6 days | Average | good | high |
Machame | strongly recommended | 6-7 days | Average | excellent | high |
Lemosho | strongly recommended | 7-8 days | Average | excellent | medium |
Northern Circuit | recommended | 9 days | Average | excellent | low |
Rongai | Only for professional climbers | 6-7 days | very fit | good | low |
Shira | not recommended | 6-7 days | very fit | excellent | medium |
Umbwe | not recommended | 5-6 days | extremely fit | goed | low |
A piece of advice from our experts on how to climb Kilimanjaro
Hi, my name is Phabian. I’ve been a guide for more than 16 years or so. The Lemosho route is the most famous because it has the most beautiful views. You can also climb the Marangu-, Machame-, and Northern Circuit Route if you are fit and ready.
What I suggest:
How long are you staying? The length of the climbing route plus two nights (one for arrival and one for exit).
Which hotel? People who stay at our Weru Weru River Lodge love it because it has great food, friendly staff, and a beautiful setting with a pool next to a coffee farm.
Time to travel From Kilimanjaro to the islands and national parks
Kilimanjaro (start of the climb) is 2.5 hours by car from Arusha.
It takes 1.5 hours to drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi.
It takes 4 hours to drive from Kilimanjaro to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara.
Drive time from Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro takes 4.5 hours.
It takes 6.5 hours to drive from Kilimanjaro to Serengeti.
It takes 2.5 hours to fly from Arusha Airport to Zanzibar, Pemba, or Mafia Island.
How to climb Kilimanjaro at its best
Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year, but from June to mid-March (except November), it’s easiest. The best month is February because the weather is warm and doesn’t change much. From the middle of March to June and November, it rains a lot. Some people, though, choose to climb Kilimanjaro in April or November, when the trails are less busy and more peaceful.