Towering majestically over the grassy plains below is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain – majestic Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa. She’s covered in mist, shrouded in mystery and most definitely deserves the first place on your bucket list!
Climb Kilimanjaro and you’ll be treated to the landscape changing from savannah to rainforest, alpine moorland through to snow and ice. And while reaching Uhuru peak doesn’t require you to have previous climbing experience or mountaineering skills, planning and preparation are essential if you want to make it to the top successfully.
There are seven routes up Kilimanjaro which vary in length and difficulty. One of the most important decisions you have to make is choosing which of them will be the best route for you.
We’ve got the answers to your questions over on our FAQ page! (Link to FAQ)
As a specialised and experienced operator, you can rest assured we’ll take care of all your needs. All climbing and camping equipment, food and accommodation, guide salaries, park fees and emergency response facilities are included in all the packages.
Machame is one of the most popular routes to the top. While you can climb the route in a minimum of six days (five nights), we recommend doing it in seven days (six nights) to help with altitude acclimatisation. Remember while Kili might be an ‘easy’ hike, one of the biggest reasons people fail is altitude sickness. 5895m is a long way up, so take it slow and steady and you’ll more likely end up feeling on top of the world!
The route is designed for people who are physically fit with some previous hiking experience. That’s not to say you can’t do it as a first-timer, as plenty have done so – and succeeded!
Marangu’s claim to fame is that it’s the only route you can sleep in dormitory-style huts along the way rather than camp! It’s an old, well-established route to the top that’s popular as it’s suitable for novices, with very few steep climbs. While the route can be done in five days, we recommend doing it in six to aid your altitude acclimatisation. One of the biggest negatives of Marangu is that your path up is the same down, so it’s not as scenic as others and can get crowded.
Lemosho is known as the most beautiful route up the moment with lush forests, moorland and so many jaw-dropping panoramic views for you to enjoy including the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. It’s also the route with one of the highest success rates as the trail has been thoughtfully designed to your acclimatisation. That means longer distances and more time spent on the mountain but shorter elevation gains.
Umbwe is short, steep and hard so it’s definitely not the route for you if you’re an inexperienced high-altitude hiker. But while it’s physically and mentally challenging, it’s also pretty darn beautiful with lush rainforests and stunning views of Mwenzi peak and Kibo’s glaziers to spur you on.
Shira is one of the least used trails up the mountain mainly because it’s got a very high starting point. 3,600meters up to be exact, which can cause altitude problems on day one. Other than that, Shira is a relatively flat and beautiful route especially when you cross the stunning Shira Plateau.
The Northern Circuit is one of the most enjoyable routes up Kilimanjaro’s slopes because it’s done at a relatively relaxed pace, comes with stunning views and has a high success rate due to its acclimatisation profile. At 4,000 meters up, you also get to circuit the mountain so you can experience those stunning views from all sides!
If you want to avoid the crowds then Rongai’s a great choice for you. It’s the only route that approaches the peak from Kilimanjaro’s northern slope, passing Mawenz (one of the three volcanic cones that make up the mountain) as you go. But that’s not all this route has going for it! You’ll get the chance of seeing buffalo, elephant and antelopes on the lower slopes, and is one of the most gradual routes up making it perfect for novices too. As before, the extra day gives you a better chance of success as you get more time to acclimatise.
Luckily our expert team are here to help if you’re unsure which is the right route for you. Our Managing Director Gilly was born and bred on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. He first conquered her summit at the tender age of 22 and has been guiding people up her slopes ever since!
Then take a thrilling one-hour helicopter flight around this beautiful mountain. We promise you it will be an experience you’ll never forget, and the perfect start or finish to your Tanzanian adventure.
Looking for a way to make your life-changing trip even better? Time your summit attempt with the full moon for an extraordinarily beautiful and magical experience! It’s definitely worth changing your trip for as the rolling clouds glow below you while the ice glitters in the moonlight.
Copyright © 2024 Parks Africa Safaris. All rights reserved. Design by TNT Factory.