Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Guide

For many people looking for adventure, one of their dreams is to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, which stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 ft) above sea level (the highest point in Africa) and is one of the easiest "high" elevation climbs for non-experienced climbers. “Accessible” does not mean easy; it actually presents its own set of difficulties in areas of endurance, altitude sickness, training, and mental toughness. Too many climbers make the mistake of underestimating Mt. Kilimanjaro by thinking that they can get away with having only basic fitness or making last-minute plans to climb it. A climber’s chances of summiting or turning around early are based on the amount of time they invest in proper preparation—not just when they show up. A climber should train their body to acclimatize to the higher elevations of Mt. Kilimanjaro, buy the best gear possible to protect themselves from the drastic weather changes, and condition and prepare their minds to keep going from sunrise to sunset for 8 days of challenging hike. This guide breaks down preparing for a Kilimanjaro climb into three essential pillars: fitness, gear, and mindset.

Mount Kilimanjaro located in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa. It is also considered the highest free standing mountain in the world. Mt. Kilimanjaro, a volcanic mountain consists of three volcanic cones, the highest being Kibo at 5,895m, Mawenzi at 5,149m and Shira at 3,962m. Another name for the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is Uhuru Peak, which is situated on the Kibo’s crater rim, thus Uhuru Peak and Kibo Peak are simultaneously referred to as the highest points. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct volcanic cones, Kibo is dormant and could erupt again. Mount Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb/trek and therefore trekkers without previous experience and skills can undergo the journey. But, the volcanic mountain should not be underestimated. Mt. Kilimanjaro is regarded as a difficult trek because of the high attitude and the weather contrasts during the trek. Furthermore, trekkers will experience variation in temperature while traversing through 5 different climatic zones: Cultivated Areas (793m – 1,799m) Rainforest (1,829m – 2,744m) Heath and Moorlands (2,805m – 3,993m) Alpine Desert (3,993m – 4,999m) Arctic (4,999m+) 5 different climatic zones, changing weather and high altitude are all factors which challenge your body and mind and test your determination during this adventure, yet all the same variables will provide you with the very rewarding feeling it is reaching atop Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. Mount Kilimanjaro has several routes up the mountain but the most popular routes are: Machame Route - about 45 % of all climbers Marangu Route - about 35% of all climbers Lemosho Route - about 8% of all climbers Rongai Route - about 7% of all climbers All in all, Kilimanjaro is a trekking adventure of a lifetime and is highly recommended for your Tanzania tour.

The image of the towering funnel of Mount Kilimanjaro is burnt into most people’s memories. After all, once viewed, it is a sight one is unlikely to forget. However, a lot of people are not aware of the fact that Mount Kilimanjaro is not just the mountain itself- it is also the national park surrounding it. This 291-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and houses a number of attractions you should not miss while on a trip to Tanzania. Here are some of the top things to do in Kilimanjaro National Park.

Rising majestically above the plains of Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) can have varying weather conditions. The mountain's proximity to the equator means it experiences dry and wet seasons, rather than extreme seasonal changes.Although you can climb Kilimanjaro year-round, some months are much colder and wetter, creating poor visibility, muddy conditions, and snow at the summit. For this reason, most people find that the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warm, dry months. However, this means encountering more crowds. If you are considering a trip to Tanzania and wish to try your hand at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, this guide breaks down the different seasons and highlights that you should consider when planning your trip. Note: The average temperature and rainfall data provided for each month in this article are sourced from the closest city's available data, specifically from the city of Moshi.

Unlike other trails, the Lemosho Route starts at a very low altitude. It is a long and difficult, but it is lets you gain elevation gradually and introduces you to mesmerizing natural beauty at every step. An easier alternative to the Shira Route Approaching the mountain from the west, the route begins with a long drive from Moshi. The minimum duration for this route is six days, but 8 days is ideal, so climbers get time to get acclimatized and enjoy the panoramic views from multiple sides of the mountain. Antelopes, buffalo and elephants can be seen on the lower slopes During the first two days of the trip, trekkers traverse through beautiful rainforests, where small animals such as the Colobus and blue monkeys are visible. In comparison to the Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, Lemosho crosses the Plateau from east to west, providing marvelous views of Kibo Peak. Elephants in Kilimanjaro National Park Scenic views with relatively low traffic Other attractions that can be explored while trekking the Lemosho Route include the Lava Tower, where climbers get to enjoy panoramic vistas and the Great Barranco Wall, which presents a difficult and thrilling challenge. Climbers will rest overnight in tents and after reaching the summit, the descent is made on the Mweka Route (designated descent trail for the other routes). Extremely high success rates After a few days of climbing, the Lemosho route 7 days itinerary merges with the Machame route all the way up to the summit and the descent down Mwaka. Due to the extra days on the lower altitudes, this is the best trek in terms of acclimatization.

Starting near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the only approach that starts from the north of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is considered one of the easier routes with a gradual climb to the summit. A remote alternative to the crowded Marangu While Rongai takes a minimum of six days, a seven-day itinerary is recommended as one day should be spent for acclimatization. The scenic diversity is not as great as the western routes, but Rongai is the only route in which you get to experience African wildlife during the early stages of your climb. Combines African wildlife with exotic treks The Rongai route starts at a fair distance from from Moshi, making this route more expensive, as transportation costs to and from Moshi must also be included. The route takes you past pristine rainforests and African wilderness, and despite feeling drier, it’s actually quite scenic and beautiful. Just don’t make the mistake of comparing the scenery to the western routes. Preferred route during the rainy season Although the route is gaining popularity of late, climbers who seek a remote hike can expect low traffic. However, the trail will join the Marangu route at Camp Kibo and the descent is common for both routes. If you’re looking for a nice quiet hike up the mountain without having to deal with a lot of traffic, this is the route for you. Dawn Hut in Kilimanjaro National Park

Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southwest, the Machame Route is the second most popular of the Kilimanjaro routes. It is also known as the “Whiskey Route Kilimanjaro" since it is more arduous than the “Coca Cola” (Marangu) route owing to its longer and steeper walks, and lack of sleeping huts. Higher success rate than Marangu Beginning at the south-west side of the mountain, the route takes around six days to complete; however, seven days is advised for a day should spent for acclimatization for safety reasons and for a higher probability of a successful summit. Climbers will sleep in designated campsites in tents. Trekkers have two options to reach Uhuru Peak. Majority of the trekkers choose the long Barafu Trail that offer the scenic view of the Rebmann Glacier. The other route is on the Western Breach Route, which is more thrilling and traverses through Lava tower and the Arrow Glacier. Scenic beauty and sheer diversity The trail starts off by traversing through the lush, green rainforest to the moorlands and then to dry and dusty Shira Plateau. After climbing up to the Uhuru Peak in the Arctic climate zone, the descent is made on the steep Mweka Route, which allows trekkers to experience the dry mountain desert and the lowland forest. So, take this route if you want a more challenging and scenically varied trail to the mountain and don’t mind crowds.

“Which is the best route for Kilimanjaro?” is a question we get asked very frequently from people who are planning on climbing Kilimanjaro. While the definition of “best” is very subjective, we will try to summarize each route in this article and give you some key information to help you decide the best Kilimanjaro routes for yourself. The routes are ordered in the order of popularity. The numbers mentioned have been received from trekking operators and are approximate as the official association only keeps data for the Marangu route. Please note that the cost and difficulty are expressed in a range of 1 to 5 and are relative to those of other Kilimanjaro routes. So, even a route with a difficulty of 1 out of 5 is not really easy, but is only easier compared to other routes.

As the newest kid on the block, its obvious that the Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro is nothing if not hip. It offers 360 degree views and boasts of untouched slopes that have very little footfall. The scenery is spectacular and the summit success rates are mind-blowing. Simply put, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro is probably the one of the best ways to climb the mountain. The most scenic route with little to no traffic The journey starts at the Londorossi Gate (Moshi). You follow the Lemosho route for a couple of days, passing the rainforest zone, before ascending to the Shira Ridge and crossing the Shira Plateau. You depart from the Lemosho Route near Lava Tower and head towards an area that most will never get to see. The ONLY route to travel north around Kili At this point, you circle around towards the northern slopes of the mountain to get into untouched surroundings. The climb is entirely unique and the scenery often tends to take the breath away. You’re likely to encounter very few travelers here, so the experience is extremely rewarding as well! Highest summit success rates The route takes you past western forests and southern planks deep into the northern plains. It lets you walk on remote slopes and enjoy quiet, seldom-used camps. As a result, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro can be extremely expensive. But if you have time on your hands, and wish to enjoy a connoisseur-like experience of the mountain, this is probably your best bet of doing so. Above the clouds on Kilimanjaro

If you’re looking for the ultimate experience, it doesn’t get better than Umbwe. Your legs, thighs and calves will curse you all day long, but your eyes and senses will delight at the scenery on display. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all! The most mesmerizing scene can be found early in the trek, as you leave the rainforest behind and walk between skinny heathers. Narrow this ridge may be, but the mouth-watering imagery on each side ranks as the second-most dramatic views that Kilimanjaro has to offer. Relentlessly uphill, yet mesmerizingly beautiful The Umbwe Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south. It is an extremely steep and direct climb that goes all the way to Barranco Camp before turning east and traversing under the Southern Ice Field. Sure, the scenery is mesmerizing and the slopes stay untouched, but this private climb is never easy. The most challenging route You ascend quickly to a higher altitude and that’s never easy. The Umbwe route doesn’t offer easy acclimatization and this means that the route specifically caters to experienced trekkers and strong hikers only. Camping in the Kilimanjaro Umbwe route

The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca Cola Route Kilimanjaro” because of the availability of Coca Cola in the tea huts back in the day, is the easiest of all the Kilimanjaro routes due to its gradual slope and the removal of obstacles to create a well-defined path. One of the easiest and most popular routes The sleeping huts found here are quite comfortable, which eliminates any need for camping. Also known as the “Tourist Route” because of its popularity and relative ease of ascent, Marangu is ideal for people who prefer walking on well-defined paths rather than secluded steep slopes. Because of its ease, Marangu is much cheaper than other routes as well. The oldest route on the mountain The minimum number of days from the base to the summit is 5, but it is highly recommended that trekkers spend a day or more for acclimatization for safety reasons and a greater chance of a successful summit. All along the route, there are dormitory-style huts where trekkers can rest overnight. Views from Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro National Park The best route during rainy season The ascent and descent are on the same path making it the most crowded and one of the least scenic of all the routes, as it only goes through a single part of the mountain. So, only take the Marangu route if you don’t mind crowds. Granted Marangu is not the greatest choice of routes, but it is the best route during the rainy season because hut accommodations are generally preferred to camping in wet grounds.

September is a magical time to tour Tanzania. As the cooler dry season sets in, wildebeest and zebras start their annual migration across Tanzania's vast Serengeti Plains in search of green pastures. Visitors will also find an abundance of wildlife in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous Game Reserve, and Tarangire National Park. Meanwhile, the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of Zanzibar beckon. As visitor numbers ease between peak seasons, Tanzania in September also serves up quieter trails to hike the peaks of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.