Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
What You Need To Know
At 5,895m, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and its striking beauty has inspired thousands to climb it over the last one hundred and fifty years. The great advantage of Mount Kilimanjaro is that it involves no technical climbing, and whilst it does test one’s endurance, fitness and will-power, any healthy person can successfully reach the summit. The trek usually lasts for 5-7 days.
Recommendation - At least 6 days as you are more likely to reach the top given longer to acclimatise.
Weather
The temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro range from hot to bitter cold., due the direct result being near the equator. Temperatures at the base of climbing is about 25 to 30 degrees. The hottest months are January to March and the coolest months are June and July. The temperatures at the summit is range between -10 to -20 degrees. In general, the temperature decreases steadily of about 1 degree after every increase in altitude of 650ft.
Tanzania has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
The main and long rainy season is between late March to May with lots of rain.
Short rainy season is between late October to December with less rain.
The main dry season is June - October,
The coolest being from June - July and from August - September are the driest months.
Short dry season is between January - February are the warmest months.
Routes
There are 7 established hiking routes around Kilimanjaro.
Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe and Northern Circuit.
The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes start from the south of the mountain. The Lemosho, Shira and Northern Circuit routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north.
The most popular routes are Marangu and Machame.
Marangu Route
Also known as the “Coca Cola route” - Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it the cheapest option). It is also the only route offering accommodation on the mountain in huts so you can sleep in beds and mattresses at every overnight site. Mineral water, soft drinks, beer and chocolates are available at most sites.
It is unfortunately a well-known fact, that the 5 day Marangu route has one of the lowest summit success rates of all the routes up mountain.
Recommendation - If you choose the Marangu route, we strongly recommend hiking the route over 6 days, to increase your chance to reach the summit successfully.
Machame Route
The Machame route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by porters. The Machame route is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days.
Recommendation - We strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days, allowing for more time to acclimatise. The key to the success of the Machame route is its topography, allowing hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatisation.
Machame Route is the most popular route these days and Lemosho Route join Machame Route from 3rd day of the hike therefore higher numbers of travellers are on this route. The descent is along the Mweka Route, a descent only route.
Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route is a very beautiful and unspoiled route and sightings of wildlife like chameleon and sometimes elephant around start point is possible. The Lemosho route is one of the quiet routes, however this advantage disappears when the route combines with the Machame route on the 3rd day of the hike. For those seeking a quiet route away from the crowds, it is a superior option to the Rongai route. Unlike Rongai the Lemosho route has the same excellent pro-acclimatization features of the Machame route, which joins just before reaching Lava Tower.
Recommdation - Not to hike the Lemosho route during the rainy season as the road to start point of the Lemosho Route is particularly inaccessible during the wet season by vehicles.
Climbers should be prepared to walk the final 2-5 kilometers of the road. The descent route along the Mweka Route, a descent-only route.
Rongai Route
The Rongai Route ascends from the north eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a scene of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching from the north. The Rongai route's premier advantage is that is is one of the quietest routes on the mountain. The route also becomes busier when it connects the Marangu route just before reaching Kibo hut. The Rongai route descends along the Marangu route as well, however you still sleep in tents and not use the huts of the Marangu route.
Umbwe Route
Want a challenge? Are you adventurous? this route is for you! The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatisation. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route - one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatise quickly to altitude.
Shira Route
The Shira route is another path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, and it is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.
Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit route is the newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro. The trek follows the Lemosho trail in the beginning, approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. However, instead of following the southern traverse like all the other west approaching routes, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
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