Which Route Should I Use to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes Overview

Choosing the right Kilimanjaro route for your climb is an important decision. There are several routes by which to reach Kibo, or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The eight routes include Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe, Northern Circuit, Western Breach and Machame.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

The trek to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai, and Machame are less challenging and are often trekked by individuals with limited mountaineering experience.

Route travel times range from five to nine days to summit and return to the base of the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route, and camps with fewer facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities.

Machame Route

This is the most popular Kilimanjaro route and one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost. In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding, but is easier overall. It is for fully-catered camping only.

7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

Marangu Route

This route is popularized as “easy and cheap.” However, it is a misconception as the route is more difficult due to the ‘not as good acclimatization profile’ as the Machame, Rongai, and Lemosho routes. Often selected by unprepared, inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the “easiest” route, this route is attributed with a lower success rate as a result.

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. It is fully-catered camping only.

8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route

9 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route

Rongai Route

Rongai is also known as the Nalemuru route. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north.

7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

Umbwe Route

Of all the routes, Umbwe is by far the most scenic, albeit steeper, route up the mountain. This route is not used much. Umbwe route is only suitable for people with mountain climbing experience and who are already well adapted to the altitude.

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Umbwe Route

Mweka Route

This is not an ascending route, it is only used for descent. You will follow it down if climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame, Shira, Lemosho or Umbwe route.

Not sure? The Route Selector asks three questions and suggests one.