What is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro
You’ve already decided that you want to trek Africa’s tallest mountain, but the big question now is what is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro to get you successfully to the summit.
Knowing the best route to pick is based on the key factors of health, time and budget. By understanding these three main considerations you can quickly work out which of the seven main routes is best for your journey to the roof of Africa. With each route starting at a different location (gate) and differing in terms of altitude and difficulty, picking the right route can make a huge difference to your trekking experience and success rate. With altitude being one of the main health-related reasons why people don’t reach the top of Kilimanjaro, selecting a route with a favourable acclimatisation schedule can increase your chances of reaching the summit tenfold.
Let’s see how these key factors combine to help you figure out what is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you.
Blog Post – What is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro
The key factors you should consider before selecting a route to climb Kilimanjaro
- Your health – With the success rates ranging from 50-95%, you should know some understanding of your general level of health and fitness before committing to a route. Key questions like how strong are you to walk and sustain the attitude are crucial to know before deciding what is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you.
- Your Time – Each route has a different associated time and day allocation. Most travellers have a good understanding of the total time they have available to allocate to an adventure activity. With different distances making up different routes, you have the option to choice a shorter, steeper route vs longer, flatter routes. But this is why knowing your health is crucial as you might not have the strength or vitality to walk the full distance in 5 days, even though you might only have that time available.
- Your Budget – Knowing your financial position and budgetary requirements will help you filter through the potential options very quickly as most routes to climb Kilimanjaro come with a fixed cost associated with the number of days. This is because all routes are affected by the daily costs of National Park fee’s and the climbing team of guides and porters, which is directly connected to the number of days for each route.
What are the main routes available to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
Over the last few decades there have been five different routes that have emerged as the main options for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Despite the path to the top of the world’s highest free- standing mountain being extremely difficult, selecting the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you will
give you the greatest chance of reaching the summit. Each route offers a mix of different days to climb, costs and stages of altitude. Therefore, making the route choice that suits you, based on your health, time and finances will ensure that you make the right decision on which route will lead you to the top:
Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience. It only takes 7 to 8 days when you climb Kilimanjaro using this route. It is a very scenic route and with an easier summit night it has a lot of attractive things to offer. Meeting with the Machame and Shira trails at the top gives a sense of variety that other routes don’t share. However, in comparison with other routes it can be seen as expensive and long, but all depends on the key factors we highlighted earlier.
Rongai route
This will take a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 6 days to climb. This route is characterized with a remote and wildness trail and it is the only route that approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the North, alongside the Kenyan side of the mountain. This difference to other routes, means it offers a remoteness to see a variety of wildlife while trekking, such as antelope and other animals. If time is important it is the quickest route to ascend and descend. Returning on the opposite side via the Marangu route.
Marangu route
Marangu route has a total of 72 km/ 45 miles to the summit starting from the gate and the feet is approximately to 19305 to reach the summit. This takes from 5 days to 6 days and it is one of the most popular routes based on pricing due to accommodation being in huts and there being no need for camping equipment. It has built a reputation as the easiest route, but don’t be deceived it is still a challenge, with a lower success rate due to people rushing the final section during the night trek to the summit. Due to its popularity, it can be very crowded during the peak dry seasons.
Machame route
It takes 62.5 km / 39 miles from the gate of Machame to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and also it takes from 6 to 7 days. It offers one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro with a relatively low cost. It has a higher success rate than the Marangu route which is why it has grown in popularity the last few years. If you like the idea of camping, the Machame route has no huts, so you get the full outdoor experience unlike the Marangu option where you sleep in huts. The altitude at the first camp is 3000m the next day is 3900m and the final is 4600m, gradually building to give you more time for your body to adjust to the high altitude pressures.
Shira route
This route begins near Shira ridge and takes from 6 days to 8 days climbing depending on the exact path chosen. It has several possible variations, making it less crowded and very scenic, but that exclusive quietness affects the cost. With a higher cost than other climbs, most opt for the Machame as it meets with the Machame route along the way. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route, but Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet. You will approach Mt. Kilimanjaro from the West with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge where your trek to the summit will start.
With so many options and considerations to factor into climbing Kilimanjaro, selecting the best route can be difficult when you don’t a clear understanding of the most important factors. However, when
you know the specifics around your health, time and budget, filtering through the options and selecting the best route to climb Kilimanjaro becomes super simple. So use our framework and be sure to not underestimate the difficulty levels associated with trekking at altitude, as this is often overlooked by novice climbers that haven’t hiked at those heights before.
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As an experienced local provider of Kilimanjaro climbs since 2010, Sawa Africa Adventures is able to work with any budget and travel itinerary requirements to tailor a climbing package that works for all. Our team of local experts are on hand to answer any queries and questions you may have about organising your Kilimanjaro climb.
Contact us at sawaafricaadventures@gmail.com or through our website’s contact form for more details.