Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain and the highest freestanding mountain in the world with 3 cones Kibo, mawenzi, and Shira. You don’t need to be a seasoned mountaineer to tackle Kili however; it is not to be taken lightly and requires a certain level of fitness and preparation. Climbing Kilimanjaro will take you through five different climates. The adventure begins in the lush rainforest of the lower slopes where flora and fauna are abundant. As you ascend, the vegetation decreases until there is nothing more than a barren ice cap.Most routes can be done in six days or stretched to eight. We recommend taking longer to better acclimatize to the altitudes and climates.
After deciding to climb Kilimanjaro, the next thing is picking your route. There are 7 main Kilimanjaro routes leading to the summit. Uhuru Peak, one on the Northern side of the mountain, and the rest on the Southern side.
1. The Northern Circuit Route.
2. The Lemosho Route.
3. The Shira Route.
4. The Machame Route.
5. The Rongai Route.
6. The Marangu Route (“Coca-Cola” Route)
7. The Umbwe Route.
“Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?" is a frequently asked question, and the answer depends on the type of adventure one is seeking. How to find the best route to climb Kilimanjaro? Here are 6 factors you need to consider when deciding which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you.
Overall best route.
For the highest chance of summiting the best route to climb Kilimanjaro are the Lemosho route and Machame route over 7 or 8 days – excellent acclimatization
The most scenic route
The Lemosho route approaching from the West wins hands down for the best views with spectacular vistas in all directions.
The Quietest route
If privacy is your priority then the Rongai route is the best route for you. But beware of the lower success rate.
Most challenging route.
If you are looking for an adventure and a unique wilderness experience the crater camp option is the best route for you. Less than 1 % of climbers get to do this and all our climbers do rave about it.
Here are the pros & cons of each route.
Acclimatization on Kilimanjaro
When climbing to a higher altitude the golden rule is to walk high and sleep low. Following this guideline minimizes the risk of altitude sickness and improves your chance of summiting. The best routes for acclimatization are the Machame and Lemosho routes as they naturally allow you to walk high and sleep low.
The difficulty of the summit night
The toughest summit nights are on the Rongai route and the Marangu route: they reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro on the North, opposite Uhuru Peak, and more than 2 hours from the summit itself. The best routes to climb Kilimanjaro to avoid this are the Machame and Lemosho routes as they reach the crater at Stellar point less than an hour’s walk from the summit. An extra hour on what is already a very long day is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
How busy are the routes?
The number of climbers varies depending on the season and the day of the week. If you wish for a more private trekking experience then we recommend the Rongai route. It starts in the North and is less used compared to the popular southern routes.
Accommodation on the climb
The only route with hut-style accommodation is the Marangu route. If you don't prefer tenting then this is the perfect route for you. Be warned though the huts are very basic and noisy.
Routes Safety
We consider all of the routes except the Arrow Point route to be relatively safe if trekked carefully. We do not offer climbs on the Arrow Point route as the risk of falling rock is unmanageable. This is not an advisable route to climb Kilimanjaro.
Which route has the highest Summit Success Rate?
As a result of the better acclimatization offered and the ease to summit, the best route to climb Kilimanjaro is the 9 Day Northern Circuit route, Lemosho route over 8 days followed by the Machame route over 7 days.