Best Route To Climb Kilimanjaro

The best route to climb Kilimanjaro

Picking a route is one of the biggest choices you make when you climb Kilimanjaro. Many people don’t realise there is more than one way to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Summit day is the highlight, of course, but every day on the mountain has something to offer, so the route matters. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa, at 19,341 feet. It is also known as the highest free-standing volcano in the world, and climbers from all over the world come to try it.

Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing routes: which is best for you?

The best route to climb Kilimanjaro depends on you: what you like, how fit you are and what you want from the trip. There are seven well-used Kilimanjaro climbing routes, and the trick is to pick the one that fits you best.

The seven common trails are Machame Route, Marangu Route, Lemosho Route, Rongai Route, Northern Circuit Route, Umbwe Route, and Shira Route.

Every year, over 40,000 people try for the summit, from first-timers to experienced climbers. The average success rate is around 75%, so it pays to choose your route with care. People turn back for many reasons: their fitness, a route that doesn’t suit them, not being mentally ready, long-term health problems, the level of comfort they expected, and more.

Things to consider when choosing a Kilimanjaro route

To find the best route to climb Kilimanjaro for you, think about your fitness, any long-term illness, how much time you have, why you want to climb, what might hold you back, your budget, what you want from a route, the activities you enjoy and how much comfort you need.

Who is/are climbing?

Look at who is in your group: their ages, any medical conditions, how much hiking they have done, and their general health and fitness. This helps you find the easiest route to climb Kilimanjaro for your group.

What are the obstacles?

For many people, the main obstacle to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is money. To keep the cost down, book flights early or on special offer, choose a shorter route, climb in the low season, join a group, use public transport and rent your trekking gear.

How do you want to experience the trekking?

Pick a route that fits what you enjoy, such as photography, big views or time with friends. Think too about how much of a challenge you want and how comfortable you want to be.

From where do you want to begin for trekking?

Where a route starts affects both the scenery and the budget. Western routes, such as the Lemosho route, are more scenic than the southern routes.

Why are you climbing?

Be clear about what matters most to you. It might be the best chance of success, the best views, or fewer people on the trail.

When are you going to climb?

In the dry or high season the trails are busier. In the low or wet season there are fewer people.

Kilimanjaro routes overview & success rates

Here are the key facts to help you choose the best route to climb Kilimanjaro.

An overview of the different Kilimanjaro climbing routes:

1. Marangu Route:
   • Approach: Southeast
   • Cost: Low
   • Difficulty: Low
   • Success Rate: 65%
   • Distance: 72 km
   • Duration: 5 to 6 days
2. Machame Route:
   • Approach: South
   • Cost: Medium
   • Difficulty: Medium
   • Success Rate: 85%
   • Distance: 62 km
   • Duration: 6 to 7 days
3. Rongai Route:
   • Approach: North
   • Cost: Medium
   • Difficulty: Low
   • Success Rate: 85%
   • Distance: 73 km
   • Duration: 6 to 7 days
4. Lemosho Route:
   • Approach: West
   • Cost: High
   • Difficulty: Medium
   • Success Rate: 80%
   • Distance: 70 km
   • Duration: 7 to 8 days
5. Northern Circuit Route:
   • Approach: West
   • Cost: High
   • Difficulty: Very high
   • Success Rate: 90%
   • Distance: 98 km
   • Duration: 9 days
6. Umbwe Route:
   • Approach: South
   • Cost: Medium
   • Difficulty: Very high
   • Success Rate: 75%
   • Distance: 53 km
   • Duration: 5 to 6 days
7. Shira Route:
   • Approach: South
   • Cost: High
   • Difficulty: High
   • Success Rate: Very low
   • Distance: 56 km
   • Duration: 7 to 8 days

How the Kilimanjaro routes compare:

1. Machame Route:
   • Around 50% of hikers choose this route, for its “climb high, sleep low” profile and its views.
   • Good for acclimatization, with lots of ups and downs on the path.
2. Marangu Route:
   • Known for its huts, and used by around 45% of visitors each year.
   • The acclimatization profile is very poor.
3. Rongai Route:
   • A good choice in the wet season, because it is the driest route.
   • Starts from the north.
4. Northern Circuit Route:
   • Has better views of Kilimanjaro than the Lemosho and Rongai routes.
   • Known for its scenery and its high success rate.

Our recommendations for Kilimanjaro routes

So, what is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro? Our answer is the Northern Circuit route, followed by the Lemosho route. Whichever you pick, these tips will help you get the best way to climb Kilimanjaro right:

• Choose a longer route so your body has more time to adjust, for example the Northern Circuit or the Lemosho Route.
• Climb in a dry season: January to mid March, or July to October.
• Read our Climb Kilimanjaro Guide.
• Take your fitness seriously. Do aerobic exercise, breathing work, stretching and resistance training.
• Bring the right gear, and good quality: clothing, camping gear and hiking gear.

For more on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, see our Preparing To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro page.

Kilimanjaro climbing FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about the Kilimanjaro climb: