Mt Kilimanjaro

activities

There are 6 hiking/trekking climbing routes you can use to successfully reach the Kilimanjaro summit, these routes differ in length, costs, scenery, difficulty levels, and succession rates

Selecting a Kilimanjaro climb route is one of the most important decisions you will have to make, with the routes being different, the question of which route you should take to climb Kilimanjaro depends on many factors.

Factors to consider before you choose your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route

• The time of the year
• Budget available
• Previous hiking/trekking experience
• Fitness
• Personal preference 

Tips to know about the routes

• The Marangu route: is the only route offering hut accommodation
• The Machame route: is the most popular Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route 
• The Rongai route: is the easiest and driest route up the Kilimanjaro
• The Shira route: is one you get serious altitude on the first day
• The Lemosho route: the most beautiful route up the Kilimanjaro
• The Umbwe route: the most demanding and challenging route

Other routes you should know about

• The mweka route: is a descent route.
• The kilema route: the only summit-bound Mount Kilimanjaro cycling route 
• The northern circuit route: the longest and the only route going across the Kilimanjaro
• Western breach: unsafe and risky, we don’t operate up this route

Best time to visit

When to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is an important decision one that not only affects having a successful hike but your overall experience. To your benefit, we have created a list of things you should consider when you have to make the decision on when you should hike Africa’s highest mountain.

Factors you should consider when choosing when to hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Weather is the ultimate factor, the Kilimanjaro being near the equator we face only dry or wet(rainy) seasons, with the dry season favored as it makes the hike less challenging therefore having more success chances. The rainy season is less favorable as you will slog through very deep mud in the first days, at a higher altitude you fight your way through ice, snow, and fog with moisture in your clothes, and gear you will not only be facing a challenge to the summit but risking your health through the process 

Tip: bad weather on Kilimanjaro will ruin your overall experience, and your photos and will make the hike twice as hard 

Number of people on the mountain, many hike enthusiasts will be on the mountain in favorable weather so if you prefer a hike with fewer visitors you should opt for the low season and carefully choose a route 

Budget, on the peak season there are many group hikes that will slightly reduce the cost of the trek.

The views, if you prefer to have a certain experience like summiting on a full moon, a snowy summit, stunning sunrise and sunset views dates are to be considered as it will influence these aspects

• Full moon dates, summiting on a full moon is possible within each month, but some months are less cloudy so you get an even better experience, peak dry season (August) is the best time for a clear full moon. we also have estimated full moon dates worth considering.
• A snowy summit, some months Kilimanjaro can have less snow & other months it can be very snowy. You can favor a snowy summit (peak wet season) or a summit without snow again this will be down to the dates & your decision on when you should hike Kilimanjaro.
• Sunset and sunrise views, during the dry season there it is less cloudy so you have an even better view of the sunrise and sunset.