Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking

The World's Tallest Freestanding Mountain

Soaring above the savanna, Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest peak in Africa. It is a mountain unique in flora and fauna. An expedition to its summit is like a trek from the equatorial tropics to the icy arctic, in only a few days. There are five main routes to the top. Machame and Marangu are the most popular routes for tourists.

Machame

• The “Whiskey” Route
• Highly recommended for scenic value
• Good for acclimatization with a lot of walking high and sleeping in lower altitude.
• Stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones
• Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting
• Very popular trail
• Fully catered camping only
• Normally 5 nights, 6 days
• See an example interniary [PDF]

Marangu

• Nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route
• It has a reputation for being the easiest route
• It has a lower success rate, because of the many unprepared climbers who choose this route.
• The shortest and cheapest route, but less time to acclimatize.
• Dormitory style accommodation in huts.
• Same way up and down
• See an example interniary [PDF]

Shira / Lemosho

• High success rate. Good for acclimatization
• Remote and spectacular, dramatic views of west Kilimanjaro
• Converges with Machame on day 4 at Baranco
• Shira offers higher start point
• Fully catered camping only

Rongai

• Only northern approach to Kilimanjaro
• Offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb
• Very tough final summit night from the north
• Less acclimatization opportunities
• Fully catered camping only

Umbwe

• Steep, short route with lower success rate
• Poor acclimatization because of rapid ascent
• Very remote and quiet
• Fully catered camping only

The trek to Uhuru Peak (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is considered to be a relatively straightforward climb. However, 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. Some trekkers take altitude-sickness medication. 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 (modified wheelbarrows to transport trekkers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes). Summit attempts are generally begun at midnight so that trekkers can reach the rim of the crater to view the sunrise. Walking overnight also means the ground (loose gravel) is frozen, making the going significantly easier.

If you want to know prices or a more detailed explanation of the routes you can send an email to info(at)wild-tracks.com. You can choose to write in English or Norwegian.

Price example: Machame climb, 6 days, 2 people, 1806 dollar p.p.

Contact us regarding prices and more information about the different routes

Check out our Kilimanjaro checklist for practical details about climbing Kilimanjaro.