Best Route To Climb Kilimanjaro

Here Are The Best Route To Climb Kilimanjaro

Choosing the best route to climb Kilimanjaro is an important decision on your trip. Surprisingly, there is more than one way to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. While the mountain day is undoubtedly the highlight, the whole climb is full of amazing experiences. So it’s important to choose the best way to climb. Wondering the best way to conquer Kilimanjaro? Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania reigns supreme as the highest mountain in Africa, rising to 19,341 feet. Known as the highest free-standing volcano in the world, it is a symbol for adventure enthusiasts around the world.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes – Which is the Best for You?

Selecting the best route to climb Kilimanjaro is a critical decision that hinges on various factors tailored to your unique preferences and abilities. Among the seven well-trodden Kilimanjaro climbing routes, choosing the one that aligns perfectly with your requirements is paramount.

The seven common trails are Machame Route, Marangu Route, Lemosho Route, Rongai Route, Northern Circuit Route, Umbwe Route, and Shira Route.

Every year, over 40,000 adventurers, spanning from novices to seasoned climbers, aspire to conquer the summit. With a success rate averaging 75%, understanding the intricacies of route selection is crucial. Factors contributing to unsuccessful attempts include the hiker’s physical condition, route suitability, mental readiness, chronic health conditions, desired comfort levels, and various other considerations.

Things to Consider when Choosing a Kilimanjaro Routes

For the Best Route to Climb Kilimanjaro, you should emphasize on the factors like, fitness, chronic diseases, time, reason for hiking, obstacles for hikers, budget, interested routes specification, activities, and comfort level.

Who is/are climbing?

You should consider on the age of group members such as younger, elder, those having medical diagnosis, experience in hiking, and health condition and fitness level of your trekking group to choose Easiest Route to Climb Kilimanjaro.

What are the obstacles?

The obstacles for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can be financial. To climb in a moderate price, you can book flight booking in special offer or earlier time, choosing shortest routes, trekking in low seasons, trekking in a group, using public transportation, and trekking gear on rental.

How do you want to experience the trekking?

Choose the route as per your interested activities like photography, enjoying scenic views, having fun with friends, etc. It also depends upon how much challenge does you want and desired comfort level.

From where do you want to begin for trekking?

As the routes offer scenic views, the starting place of route affects the budget. Western routes are more scenic than southern route like Lemosho route.

Why are you climbing?

Choose accordingly the desires behind your trekking. The desires may besuccess rates, scenic views, or facing less crowds.

When you are going to climb?

Climbing in dry seasons or high reason, you will face more traffic, whereas, in low season or wet season you will face less traffic.

Kilimanjaro Routes Overview & Success Rates

We are giving some information that can be very helpful to choose the Best Route to Climb Kilimanjaro.

Here’s an overview of the different Kilimanjaro climbing routes:

Marangu Route:
- Approach: Southeast
- Cost: Low
- Difficulty: Low
- Success Rate: 65%
- Distance: 72 km
- Duration: 5 to 6 days
Machame Route:
- Approach: South
- Cost: Medium
- Difficulty: Medium
- Success Rate: 85%
- Distance: 62 km
- Duration: 6 to 7 days
Rongai Route:
- Approach: North
- Cost: Medium
- Difficulty: Low
- Success Rate: 85%
- Distance: 73 km
- Duration: 6 to 7 days
Lemosho Route:
- Approach: West
- Cost: High
- Difficulty: Medium
- Success Rate: 80%
- Distance: 70 km
- Duration: 7 to 8 days
Northern Circuit Route:
- Approach: West
- Cost: High
- Difficulty: Very high
- Success Rate: 90%
- Distance: 98 km
- Duration: 9 days
Umbwe Route:
- Approach: South
- Cost: Medium
- Difficulty: Very high
- Success Rate: 75%
- Distance: 53 km
- Duration: 5 to 6 days
Shira Route:
- Approach: South
- Cost: High
- Difficulty: High
- Success Rate: Very low
- Distance: 56 km
- Duration: 7 to 8 days

Here’s a comparison of Kilimanjaro routes based on various factors:

Machame Route:
- Around 50% of hikers choose this route due to its “climb high and sleep low” principle and scenic views.
- Offers high acclimatization with many ups and downs on the path.
Marangu Route:
- Famous for hut accommodations, attracting around 45% of annual visitors.
- Acclimatization profile is very low.
Rongai Route:
- Ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro in the wet season as it is the driest route.
- Approaches from the north.
Northern Circuit Route:
- Offers the most spectacular scenic views of Kilimanjaro compared to Lemosho and Rongai routes.
- Known for its incredible scenery and high success rate.

	Northern Circuit	Lemosho	Machame	Rongai	Marangu
Days	9	6-8	6-7	6-7	5-6
Distance (miles)	60	42	38	45	43
Difficulty/steepness	moderate	moderate	moderate	easier	easier
Lodging	camping	camping	camping	camping	dorm/hut
Crowds	very low	medium	high	low	high
Scenery	excellent	excellent	excellent	very good	good
Acclimitization	best	excellent	very good	fair	poor
Cost	high	medium – high	medium	medium	low
Success Rate	highest	high	medium – high	medium	lowest

Our Recommendations for Kilimanjaro Routes

The answer is the Northern circuit route followed by the Lemosho route for the question “What Is the Best Route to Climb Kilimanjaro? If you can’t understand what we want to suggest for the Best Way to Climb Kilimanjaro, let us give you some tips about choosing the routes.

Choose long routes for better acclimatization. E.g. Northern Circuit and Lemosho Route.
Choose dry seasons for the hiking. You can choose in between from January to mid March and July to October.
Find the best Climb Kilimanjaro Guide.
Take ‘fitness’ thing seriously. Practice some aerobic exercises, breathing, stretching, and resistance training exercises.
Bring the right gears and best quality gears. The gears include clothing gears, camping gears and hiking gears.

For more information about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, visit our Preparing To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Page.

Kilimanjaro Climbing FAQ’s

Certainly! Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Kilimanjaro Climb:

How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it the highest peak in Africa.

What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best times to climb Kilimanjaro are during the dry seasons, which are from January to March and June to October. These months typically offer clearer skies and more stable weather conditions.

How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

The duration of the climb depends on the route chosen, but most treks take between 5 to 9 days to complete. Longer durations allow for better acclimatization and increase the chances of successfully reaching the summit.

Do I need to be an experienced climber to climb Kilimanjaro?

No prior climbing experience is necessary, but a good level of physical fitness and mental preparation are crucial. Many climbers successfully reach the summit with the help of experienced guides and proper training.

What is altitude sickness, and how can I prevent it?

Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition caused by the body's inability to adjust to the decreased oxygen levels at high altitudes. To prevent it, climbers should acclimatize gradually, stay hydrated, and consider taking altitude sickness medication if recommended by a healthcare professional.

What gear do I need to climb Kilimanjaro?

Essential gear includes sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing layers, a sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures, a headlamp, trekking poles, and a backpack. It's also important to have proper high-altitude gear like insulated jackets and gloves.

Which route should I take to climb Kilimanjaro?

There are several routes to choose from, each offering unique experiences and varying degrees of difficulty. Popular routes include the Machame Route, Marangu Route, Lemosho Route, and Rongai Route. The choice depends on factors such as your fitness level, budget, and preferences for scenery and solitude.

Do I need a guide to climb Kilimanjaro?

Yes, it is mandatory to climb Kilimanjaro with a certified guide. Guides provide valuable assistance, ensure safety, and help with navigation, especially in challenging conditions.

What accommodation options are available during the climb?

Accommodation on Kilimanjaro typically consists of tented campsites along the trekking routes. Some routes, like the Marangu Route, offer basic mountain huts with bunk beds. Luxury options, including premium tented camps, are available on certain routes for those seeking more comfort.

Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is generally safe when proper precautions are taken, such as choosing a reputable tour operator, acclimatizing adequately, and following safety guidelines. However, it's essential to be aware of the risks associated with high-altitude trekking, including altitude sickness and adverse weather conditions.