Travel Advice Our Top 5 Routes to Climb Kilimanjaro 15th October, 2024

You’ve risen to the challenge. You’ve decided to climb Africa’s highest and most iconic peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The question you now face is “which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro”?

This imposing volcano, set within Tanzania’s beautiful Kilimanjaro National Park, offers more than 7 different routes to the summit. This means that, provided you’re suitably fit and are happy to take the time to acclimatise to high altitudes (Kilimanjaro’s highest point lies 5,895 metres above sea level) there’s a Kilimanjaro route to suit you whether you’re a novice trekker or a seasoned mountain-bagger. No matter what trekking experience you have under your belt, and which summits you’ve bagged before, all our clients that have climbed Kilimanjaro come away with a magical feeling of having had a stellar trekking experience, wrapped in a warm Kandoo bubble of support. The Kandoo team themselves have all climbed Kilimanjaro, on a variety of different routes, and collectively we have climbed a fair few mountains, but we all agree that there is something unique about the journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak. It may be that Tanzania factor; it might be this unusual free-standing mountain herself; it could be the hospitality of the Kandoo support team; it is quite possibly all three. There is no denying that this is an experience like no other and one not to be missed, so consider your Kilimanjaro trip carefully.

Whether you’re attempting the mountain for personal fulfilment, a charitable cause or simply ‘because it’s there’, the Kilimanjaro route by which you make your way to the summit will define this unique and magical experience for you. We have our favourite routes up Kilimanjaro, and you might be able to tell in how we describe the different route options, but we’ll do our best to be objective so read till the end and we’ll give our recommendations to help you decide which is the best for you. In a nutshell, how long it takes to climb Kilimanjaro is ultimately determined by which route you choose.

ACCLIMATISATION 

The number one reason why people struggle to summit Kilimanjaro is altitude sickness and unfortunately there is no quick fix for preventing it. There are several ways to manage it though. You can try and spend time at altitude when you’re training for your Kilimanjaro climb although this isn’t always possible, depending on where you live. The more used to altitude your body becomes, the better you will cope with climbing Kilimanjaro.

You can take preventative medicines to relieve the symptoms such as Diamox, although we recommend always seeking medical advice before taking it as there are side effects that can be uncomfortable such as light sensitivity and tingling in your limbs. It is worth noting that these medications won’t stop altitude sickness, though they might lessen the fatigue and nausea that can come with spending time at high altitudes.

Finally, factoring in enough days for acclimatization to high altitudes is essential and something Kandoo do on your behalf with all our trips up Kilimanjaro. If you’re worried you might struggle with altitude sickness, then opt for a longer trip duration to allow plenty of time for your body to adjust.

DIFFICULTY

All our Kilimanjaro climbs are rated a 4 out of 5 for difficulty. These treks are achievable but by no means easy. Choose your trekking route considering your fitness and ability. If you prepare for your climb with cardio, trekking, strength training and a positive mental attitude then you won’t have any issues reaching Uhuru Peak.

ACCOMMODATION

It is important to note that all Kilimanjaro routes except one will require you to sleep in tents. Camping is not for everyone and if you would rather not then the only route for you is the Marangu route. This route makes use of permanent wooden huts along the trek to accommodate hikers. These wooden structures have basic dining rooms and toilet facilities and usually require you to sleep on wooden platforms in dormitory style rooms.

For those of you who are up for camping, Kandoo use mountaineering tents made in the Himalayas to withstand all weathers and subzero temperatures. With comfy sleeping mats and a super warm sleeping bag, they are surprisingly cosy and will be put up for you by your support crew in advance of you reaching your camp for the night.

Lastly, the route you choose to climb Kilimanjaro may be determined by how much time you have available. If you’re flexible on dates and want the full Kilimanjaro experience, then the Northern Circuit and Lemosho routes are slightly longer and stunningly scenic. For those strapped for time the Marangu route is shorter but still wholly enjoyable.

Here are our top 5 routes on Kilimanjaro.

Trek duration: 6-8 days

Trip duration: 10 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Kandoo summit success rating: Over 95%

Accommodation type: Camping

Best route for: stunning scenery - low congestion - steady ascent - wildlife spotting

Starting at Lemosho Gate at the western base of Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho route makes the top of our best 5 Kilimanjaro routes because of its breathtaking beauty. Although this route can be completed in just six days, it’s better to go for a seven or eight night trek as this gives more time to acclimatise and rest, thereby increasing your chances of successfully reaching Kilimanjaro summit, Uhuru Peak. This is the newest of the routes of Kilimanjaro and has the most westerly starting point, offering a longer, steadier ascent than shorter more direct paths, which is especially good for those who haven’t climbed at altitude before.

The Lemosho route is more demanding than the Rongai route (below), but the extra endeavour required is amply rewarded by Lemosho’s outstanding scenery. It’s also less crowded with climbers than some of the more established routes on Kilimanjaro.

The journey begins with a trek through verdant rainforest. In this remote and unspoilt area, trekkers may glimpse antelope, elephants, buffalo and other native wildlife. As height is attained, rainforest gradually gives way to scrub vegetation and the vast open moorland of the Shira Plateau. Heading northwards, the Lemosho route takes in one of Kilimanjaro’s most notable landmarks, Lava Tower. This impressive monolith, more than 90 metres in height, is a reminder of Kilimanjaro’s active volcanic past.

Beyond Lava Tower the Lemosho route descends into the cool, Barranco Valley where flowering senecio and lobelia plants grow. This area contributes to Lemosho’s reputation for natural beauty, but at its boundary stands the daunting Barranco Wall which takes around ninety minutes – depending upon your fitness and stamina – to clamber and scramble up. The effort is worth it for the resulting views of the next part of the route, the barren Karanga Valley below.

From the valley, the last part of the ascent to Uhuru Peak is typically made over two days with a rest stop at the Barafu Camp, set on a high rocky ridge, marking the beginning of the final push to Kilimanjaro summit for an exhilarating sunrise finale.

Although this Kilimanjaro route features a number of significant rises and descents, making it tougher than the more gradual ascent offered by the Rongai route, the Lemosho route justifies its place in our top 5 routes to climb Kilimanjaro both for its lack of crowds and for its unforgettably varied and wonderful scenery.

Trek duration: 6-7 days

Trip duration: 9 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Kandoo summit success rating: Over 95%

Accommodation type: Camping

Best route for: budget-friendly - scenic - shorter route

We make no apologies for including the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro in our top 5. Popular means more crowded, and the Machame route’s comparatively steep ups and downs also call for greater reserves of stamina than either the Rongai or Lemosho route, but in other respects Machame ticks all the right boxes.

Beginning on the southern side of Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is more accessible than those which originate on the western or northern sides, making it a less expensive option for the climber on a budget and offering a greater number of tour operators to trek with. And whilst it presents more of a challenge, the Machame route is not as long as others and can be completed in just six days by experienced trekkers.

Another huge plus is the sheer diversity and natural beauty of the terrain that the route takes in. Beginning in lush green rainforest, trekkers will subsequently encounter heather-carpeted moorland, cross the lobelia and senecio strewn Shira plateau and - as altitude is gained and plant life gradually thins out – reach the rock lava slopes and ridges that lead to Kilimanjaro’s summit. At every step of the journey, even in wet weather, the Machame route provides a succession of unforgettable sights, vistas and landmarks.

As with the Lemosho route, trekkers following the Machame route will contend with Lava Tower and Barranco Wall before taking a path that curves around a full half of the mountain. This section opens up yet more spectacular panoramic views and leads the way to Barufu Camp and the winding upward climb that ends with the ultimate prize: Uhuru Peak.

The Machame route’s popularity means that you’re likely to be trekking in the company of many like-minded souls. Frankly, we think this is a minor downside that is balanced out by a route that is budget-friendly, easier to get to than others, and offers unrivalled scenery and a better than average chance of summit success.

Trek duration: 6-7 days

Trip duration: 9 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Kandoo summit success rating: Over 95%

Accommodation type: Camping

Best route for: low congestion - wildlife spotting - shortest route

Widely considered as providing one of the easier ascents of Kilimanjaro, the Rongai route has much to recommend it. This is the only Kilimanjaro route that approaches the mountain from a northerly direction, originating near Tanzania’s border with Kenya.

Less easily accessed than the more popular routes that approach Kilimanjaro from the south, a longer and slightly more expensive journey is needed to pick up the Rongai route. However, climbers are rewarded with an ascent that is less prone to wet weather, is less crowded, takes in spectacular scenery and offers good opportunities to spot Tanzania’s wildlife.

Achievable in six to eight days (longer trips give climbers a better chance to adapt to the altitude), the Rongai route requires no ropes and no technical climbing, offering instead a steady, moderately challenging ascent punctuated with sensibly spaced rest spots and overnight camps.

We rate the Rongai route highly because it gives climbers the best chance of successfully reaching both Gilman’s Point and going on to attain the summit, Uhuru Peak, via a long, steady climb rather than a succession of steep ups and downs.

The only drawback of note for the Rongai Route up Kilimanjaro is that it is harder to trek high and sleep low. This is the golden rule of acclimatising to high altitudes. So, whilst this route is great in terms of a slightly easier ascent, those without experience of altitude are more at risk of not reaching the summit.

Trip duration: 8 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Kandoo summit success rating: Over 95%

Accommodation type: Camping huts

Best route for: classic route - shorter duration - no camping

Approaching Kilimanjaro from the southeast, the Marangu route is the original route established to climb Kilimanjaro. This route is famously known as the “Coca-Cola” route as you can get a bottle of Coca-Cola at each hut on the trail. Marangu is often billed as one of the easier Kilimanjaro routes with its gradual and direct path but suffers from one of the lowest success rates because too many trekkers try to complete the trail in only 5 days, not allowing for acclimatisation.

For trekkers who do not wish to camp, Marangu is the only Kilimanjaro route that offers shared dormitory style hut accommodation. The huts have a communal dining room, simple washrooms and toilets which lower down the trail will be flushable, but as you move higher up the mountain will be "long drop" loos. These huts mean the Marangu route is also one of the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season.

The Marangu route is the only Kilimanjaro route that uses the same path going up and coming back down. Unfortunately, this means that it is less scenic than the other routes and it can also get very overcrowded during the best times to climb Kilimanjaro as traffic is going in both directions. Still, it is difficult to top the experience this classic route to Kilimanjaro provides.

Trip duration: 11 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Kandoo summit success rating: 95%

Accommodation type: Camping

Best route for: remoteness - wildlife spotting - non-circular route

Beginning at the Londorossi Gate, the Northern Circuit approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and avoids the crowds on the southern Kilimanjaro routes. The route follows the Lemosho route, passing through majestic rainforest where some of the region’s most unique wildlife can often be seen.

The Northern Circuit continues up to the mountain’s third summit at Shira Ridge. From here, trekkers will cross the Shira plateau and see the Shira Cathedral before turning onto the little-used northern trails. On a clear day, views stretch over the Amboseli Plains of Kenya and the trail joins the Rongai and Marangu routes for the final ascent via Gilman’s Point. After reaching the summit, the route descends by the Mweka trail, rather than retracting your steps along the ascent route.

The northern side of Kilimanjaro is much more remote and has the benefit of less traffic from other trekkers. This Northern Circuit is not short of beautiful scenery, solitude and potential to spot wildlife, offering a fantastic combination of all the best elements of the other routes on Kilimanjaro.

Achievable in 9 days for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes (experienced trekkers may opt for the 8-day ascent) the Northern circuit has one of the highest summit success rates. It is considered an easy route due to its gradual elevation gain and the long time spent on the mountain allows trekkers a great chance of acclimatising to the altitude.

Whichever Kilimanjaro trek you choose, Kandoo Adventures have a 98% average success rate across the Kilimanjaro routes we operate and have some of the best mountain guides in Tanzania, so you can trust you are in the best hands when you are out there.

Kilimanjaro is a fairly difficult trek, but it isn’t a technical climb. While the trek may not require technical equipment such as ropes, harnesses and helmets you will need a good level of fitness, stamina, determination and, most importantly, a positive mindset. Even if you’re extremely physically fit, you’ll need to be mentally prepared for the challenge for the best chance of success. If you feel yourself tiring, set small goals that are easy to achieve and reward yourself with regular breaks. Read our blog on how hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro for more information.

Another differentiator in terms of pricing is the trip duration. There are park fees incurred for every person for each day they spend inside the park. Those trips that are longer, such as the Northern Circuit and the Lemosho route will spend longer inside the national park so have more park fees included, as well as the operational costs that go alongside a longer trek such as food, water and support staff.

The prices for Kandoo Adventures trips to Kilimanjaro in 2025 are as follows:

• Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route – from £2,499 ($3,099)
  
• Kilimanjaro Machame Route – from £2,149 ($2,599)
  
• Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – from £2,299 ($2,855)
  
• Kilimanjaro Marangu Route – from £1,799 ($2,335)
  
• Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit – from £2,999 ($3,749)