Activity: Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. Crowned with an everlasting snow-cap, this majestic mountain can be found inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania, at 005.00 degrees south, 036 degrees east, 5895m a.m.s.l. Climbing Kilimanjaro hopes to provide prospect climbers with a comprehensive guide that contains accurate and valuable information to increase one’s chance of a successful summit when climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Detailed itineraries, route maps, useful hyperlink, stunning pictures and photography of all the major routes, including the Arrow Glacier, the Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Mweka (only used for descending), the Rongai (Nalemoru), Shira (predominantly used for evacuation) and Umbwe routes.

Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and determination. People from all walks of life, from a 7 year old child to an 89 year old woman, have successfully summited. But the challenge should not be taken lightly. You need to understand what lies ahead. To climb Mount Kilimanjaro is a once in a lifetime opportunity. People travel from all over the world to stand on top of the Roof of Africa. Being properly prepared to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is the key to a successful summit attempt.
The popular Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes are Rongai, Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho.

Except for Marangu route where accommodation is in huts, overnight in all other routes is in camps. However, the guides and porters do a good job at making it quite easy.

Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking: Routes

Rongai Route
This is the easiest and least scenic of all camping routes. You climb from the northern side of the Mountain viewing Amboseli National Park from the far angle. The route is also less crowded. Marangu Route (Overnight in Huts). Rongai Route – 6, 7 and 8 day route variations – the only route that starts on the Kenyan side of the Mountain. Much dryer and flatter route. Six day ascents are too rapid for adequate acclimatization. The seven day variation includes a small climb high, sleep low opportunity and is recommended

Marangu is the most popular of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. It is relatively easy, but tends to be very busy. The ascent and descent routes are the same and accommodation is in shared huts with other climbers. Shared huts: Mandara hut (2,743 m), Horombo hut (3,720 m), Kibo hut (4,703 m). Marangu Route – 5 or 6 day route variations – the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro with hut accommodation for the entire hike duration. The 5 day has a very rapid ascent profile and poor acclimatization – success rates for the 5 day trek tend to be the lowest on the mountain. If you choose to do the Marangu we highly recommend the 6 day variations which includes a climb high, sleep low day up to Mawenzi Peak

Machame Route
Machame route is highly recommended and it’s probably the most scenic Mount Kilimanjaro trekking route. With gradual ascent through forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira Plateau, Kibo and the Western Breach. Machame Route – 6 or 7 day route variations, both route variations provide the best climb high, sleep low option on Mount Kilimanjaro. Good for acclimatization and high success rates. The 7 day is ideal although the six day is fine for fit trekkers with some experience of high altitude hiking

Umbwe Route
Umbwe route is short and steep, but it’s a wonderfully scenic route to take and as a result it is not recommended to inexperienced climbers. Umbwe Route – 5, 6 or 7 day route variations – one of the steepest and fastest ascents on Kilimanjaro and therefore not great for acclimatization unless one chooses the 6 or 7 day variations. If you elect to do the technically challenging Western Breach you will usually spend 6 days on the mountain

Lemosho Route
It’s one of the most fascinating and scenic routes on the mountain. In Lemosho route one can drive to a relatively high attitude and must be very careful to acclimatize especially if one plans to climb higher. Lemosho Route – 6, 7, 8 day route variations – Ideal length for the average hiker on this route is 7 days. Lemosho has a great route altitude profile and high success rates. If you elect to take the Northern Circuit from day three you will usually lengthen your Kilimanjaro kike by 2 to 3 days for a total of 8 or 9 days on the mountain.

Shira Route – same as Lemosho, although this route has a much higher start point and therefore many trekkers struggle with acclimatization. Poor altitude route profile and low success rates

As on Mount Kenya it is important to acclimatize well to enjoy climbing Kili. Altitude sickness can be avoided by ascending slowly and if at all possible spending an extra day half way up to acclimatizes. Descending to a lower altitude can cure it.