Climbing Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro is the most amazing thing you will ever do. At 5,895 meters (19,341”), Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and the tallest mountain in Africa. Many of the mountain’s routes are not for the faint of heart, but you don’t have to be a skilled climber to reach the top if you have a guide with you.

Kilimanjaro National Park is a popular place for travelers who like to take on new challenges. We’ll talk about everything you need to know about your Mount Kilimanjaro trek, from the best Kilimanjaro plans we’ve found to how to get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Plans for climbing Kilimanjaro

If you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the next thing you need to do is pick the best path for you. On Mount Kilimanjaro, there are seven main paths that lead to the top. Six of the routes start on the southern side of the mountain, while one starts on the northern side. For all of the different Kilimanjaro Routes, Tanzania Zanzibar Safari has climbing Kilimanjaro plans. The main question is which path should you pick.

Kilimanjaro climbing routes: a quick look

Marangu or Machame Routes are best for first-timers.
Beautiful views – Lemosho or Machame Routes
For cheap beginners, the Marangu Route is best. For intermediate hikers, the Machame or Lemosho Routes are better.
Umbwe Route for experienced hikers
The Machame Route is the most popular way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Northern circle is the longest way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
In the wet season, the Rongai Route
Which has the best success rate: the 8-day Lemosho Route or the 9-day Northern Circuit?

The pros and cons of the Kilimanjaro routes

You can choose from seven different ways to climb Kilimanjaro. Each has its own pros and cons that depend on the hiker’s skill level. All of them are different in length, difficulty, beauty, traffic, lodging, and many other ways.

If you want to make your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa easier, the Tanzania Zanzibar Safari team can help you figure out the best way for your trip. We have helped people from all over the world reach the top of Kilimanjaro hundreds of times, and when we plan your group’s climb, we take the time to listen to their unique needs and wants. Our clients like the Machame Route, the Maranga Route, and the Lemosho Route the most.

The Machame Route

The Machame Route on Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous climbing routes in Tanzania. It is also known as the “Whiskey Route.” And it gets even better: this route has a wildly high success rate. The path goes up slowly, which gives your body more time to get used to the higher elevation. The path goes around the mountain and gives you amazing views of a lot of different landscapes.

You will walk through a green jungle on this path to get to the beautiful Shira Plateau. The last climb up to Stella Point on the edge of the crater is likely the hardest part of this route, and you should be at least somewhat fit to do it.

You decide how long the Machame Route takes. It can be done in 6 or 7 days, but a 7-day Kilimanjaro hike gives you a much better chance of reaching the top of Africa’s tallest mountain.

PRO: Because it is faster and easier to get to, the Machame Route costs less than most of the others.

CON: During the busy season, this path can get very crowded.

The Marangu Route

People call this road the “Coca-Cola” route because they think it is one of the easiest on the mountain. Even though it’s the mountain’s fastest path, that doesn’t mean it’s also the easiest! Because this route is shorter, your body doesn’t have as much time to properly adjust to the altitude. This makes you more likely to get tired and, eventually, less likely to reach the summit.

There are some climbers who like this path because they stay in huts instead of tents, which is what most mountain treks involve. This is bad because it means less privacy! (Plus, there’s nothing like camping out under African stars!). The Marangu Route is one of the cheaper ways to get to the top of Kilimanjaro and is the best choice for people who are tight on money.

PRO: The Marangu Route is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to climb Kilimanjaro. There are also dorm rooms in huts along this road, which is nice for people who don’t want to camp.

CON: During the busy season, this path can get very crowded. You will see less of the beautiful scenery because you will be going down the same path you used to go up.

The Lemosho Route

Great views are what make the Lemosho Route such a beautiful and unique trail. It starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro, which is different from other paths up the mountain. Leomosho Route isn’t as popular with climbers because of this, making it a much more private place to hike.

Even better, the Lemosho trail hasn’t been touched by anyone, so the hike up to the famous Shira Plateau is incredibly beautiful. At Lava Tower, after a few days, the Lemosho Route meets up with the Machame Route. This route can be done in seven or eight days, but you should be pretty fit to do it!

CONS: The Lemosho way is definitely more expensive because it’s a longer trail and you need to pay extra to get to the other side of the mountain.

There’s no doubt that the price is fair. The Lemosho way gives climbers a lot of time to get used to the altitude, the views are amazing, and there are a lot of people who make it to the top. This is one of the most full and beautiful ways to climb Kilimanjaro.

How to climb Kilimanjaro at its best

You can climb Mount Kilimanjaro at any time of the year. At Tanzania Zanzibar Safari, we can help you figure out the best time to plan your Kilimanjaro trip based on your specific needs.

The best times to climb are during the dry months, which are December through March and June through October. From December to March, it’s the hottest. The skies are brighter and there is less chance of snow on the trail during these months. When it comes to weather, February is the best month because it is warm and dry. From June to October, it’s much cooler on the mountain, and there are more people on the paths.

It can be wet and slippery during the rainy season, and it may be hard to see. Most climbers stay away from these times of the year, but some expert climbers and daring travelers like to climb during these times. One of the good things is that there aren’t many people there.

How to get ready to climb Kilimanjaro

On Mount Kilimanjaro, there is a trail for every skill level, but you should be able to walk for at least six to seven hours every day. This can be hard, so getting ready is always a good idea. You will walk for about 6 to 7 hours each day if you are climbing. Long hikes should be done every couple of weeks in the months before your trip to build up your stamina for a full weekend walk.

Yoga and breathing classes are two other types of exercise that can help you get ready for your hike. Mind and body that are stretched out are stronger and less likely to give out when you need them the most.