Don’t be fooled. Whilst the mountain is achievable for almost anyone in good physical shape, you need to plan carefully, have the right attitude, a sensible approach to acclimatisation, a half decent pair of calf muscles, lots of warm clothing and an experienced trekking team with great guides, reliable porters, appropriate medical support and a fantastic set up to ensure comfortable nights on the mountain.
The trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro is magnificent and a 5 to 9 night undertaking depending on which route you take. Whilst mostly a walk, there are some stages, particularly summit day where you encounter steep slopes grueling on the legs.
For what it’s worth, Encompass Africa’s favourite times to climb are February to March when there are less people, clearer skies and less snow than in January. Late September through to October for the same reasons, less people, clear skies and very little snow to contend with.
Full moon Kilimanjaro summits have become hugely popular too. It means your final push to the top is conducted at night under the brightness of the full moon. Weather is more stable, just less stars visible.
We absolutely loved our trip and you were all right- once you’ve been you just have to go back. The memories that we will have from climbing Mt Klilmnajaro will last forever!
When to Go
There are two main trekking seasons which correspond with the mountain’s dry seasons. January to mid March and June to October. You can walk in rainy season, just be willing to walk in rain, trudge through snow to the summit and not be guaranteed the great views of Kibo and Mawenzi. January to mid March is colder with greater chance of snow on the path. Days are often clearer than later in the year. June to October sees clouds hanging around the tree-line area. Otherwise it is a stunning time to climb.
Good to Know
There are always cheap climbs available and it is worth remembering you get what you pay for. We work with highly experienced climbing teams on the ground to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the challenge, from start to summit and back again. Always ensure a medic travels with you and does daily health checks. Whilst tipping is not compulsory on an Africa safari holiday, it is highly recommended for your Kilimanjaro climbing team, particularly guides and porters because it helps supplement their wage to support them and their families.
Browse our Itinerary Collection for Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari inspiration
Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the only one that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border which means chances of seeing wildlife are greater. You may come across colobus monkeys, buffalo, eland and the odd elephant or tracks of one. It is popular for its gentle gradient and sense of unspoilt wilderness. Climbing the Rongai route lets you see a whole side of the mountain that few do and the best bit is that though you climb from the north, you get to descend via the southern Marangu Route, seeing both sides of the mountain on a single climb.
Machame Route
A popular route and now the busiest, Machame is known as the ‘Whiskey Route’ because it is more difficult than the Marangu. It has a better success rate because it is longer, 40.16 kilometres to the summit via Barafu or 36.7 kilometres via the Western Breach. It passes through the mountain’s finest features including the cloud forest and the dry and dusty Shira Plateau. The descent is a different path, the Mweka Route which is steep but very pretty.
Marangu Route
Commonly known as the tourist trail or coca cola trail, this 5 or 6 day climb to the summit is always busy. It doesn’t mean it is easy, in fact more fail to summit than on any other route. Accommodation is in huts and it is a 35.5 kilometre uphill walk followed immediately by a 35.5 kilometre knee-jarring descent. It is one of the shorter routes and can be achieved in five days. We always recommend an extra day for acclimatisation to give you a better success rate.
Lemosho & Shira Route
Two routes have been categorised together here simply because they both cross the expansive Shira Plateau and it is common for the Lemosho Route to be referred to as the Shira Plateau Route. The actual Shira Plateau Route is seldom used because the first few days it follows a road whereas the Lemosho takes you through picturesque forest. The Lemosho Route is one of the quietest on the mountain so if you seek solitude it may suit you.
Umbwe Route
This is the mountain’s greatest secret. It is the shortest route, just 24.35 kilometres from gate to summit or 27.71 if trekking via Barafu and the steepest and hardest because it is literally all up hill. It is also one of the most pretty routes with forest, ridges between spindly heathers and gobsmacking views on either side. Expect dramatic views, solitude and intense walking. Few people know about or consider this route – that’s exactly why we like it.
Browse our Itinerary Collection for Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari inspiration
The guides on the mountain were fantastic, can’t speak highly enough of them. Our head guide Josh was very experienced and personable and really ran a tight ship. Honestly, without their help and motivation I’m not sure we would have made it to the top! They really made summit night a fantastic experience – well, as good as the experience could be given that we were walking in darkness for 6 hours in the freezing cold! Our cook, waiters and summit porters were also great (David, Yuseph, Victor and James) and we had a lot of laughs with all of the team.
We were successful! Got up in 5 days although the altitude was a challenge. Awesome experience as father and son.
We absolutely loved our trip and you were all right- once you’ve been you just have to go back. The memories that we will have from climbing Mt Klilmnajaro will last forever!
Want to know what others said? Read all our customer ovations.
Get in touch today so we can customise a Kilimanjaro Climb for you.
