Want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro — which route is best for you?
Providing our trekkers with unique experiences of Mt Kilimanjaro at Berguide, it is one of the most common questions that we are being asked.
Ascending the highest peak of Africa requires you to choose between 7 official routes to the summit — Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe.
To choose best your route based on your expectations, current fitness level, and prior experiences - we have detailed the key features of each routes, listing them by order of popularity.
Machame — also known as the “Whiskey” route
Very popular for it’s incredible views and varying landscape, the Machame route is nicknamed “Whiskey” as it’s also considered to be relatively difficult due to its steep terrain and long walks. Its challenging profile, provides great opportunity for acclimatization and better your chances at summiting. Being the most popular route, it is also the busiest one, used by half of the trekkers.
A fit hiker will be able to ascent in 6 days, but we recommend a minimum of 7 days for better chances of summiting, especially for first-time trekkers.
- Recommended to: fit trekkers with some hiking or backpacking experience
- Popular for: stunning scenery and relatively high success rate
- Be aware of: busy and relatively difficult
Marangu — also known as the “Coca Cola” route
A classic trek, the Marangu route is the oldest and most established one. With a gradual slope profile and being the shortest route, it has the reputation of being the “easiest” one. However, because it is largely chosen by unprepared or inexperienced climbers and due to its poor acclimatization profile, it shows a lower success rate. Do-able in 5 days, we recommend a minimum of 6 days with an extra acclimatization day for a better chance at summiting.
Note that the Marangu route is the only one offering hut accommodation for the whole duration of the climb. The major downside is that the ascent and descent happens on the same route making it less scenic than other routes.
- Recommended to: economy budget and less prepared trekkers
- Popular for: cheaper tours and short route with comfortable accommodation
- Be aware of: somehow busy, less scenic and lower success rate
Shira and Lemosho
Shira and Lemosho share a similar approach with the exception of Shira offering a higher start point, thus a more challenging and poorer acclimatization.
Known for their remoteness, they offer spectacular views of the dramatic gorges and occasional lucky sneak-picks of the local wildlife. Trekkers will be able to enjoy a quiet climb until the route converges to Machame midway to the summit. With their versatile route profile, they require a minimum of 7 days to complete but deliver a relatively high summit success rates.
- Recommended to: patient trekkers eager to enjoy unique scenery
- Popular for: remote with unparalleled views of the gorges and high success rate
- Be aware of: relatively costly, Shira’s more challenging profile
Rongai
Starting north, the Rongai route’s dryer slopes are little less scenic, but provide a great experience during the wet season. Alike the Lemosho route, it offers a true wilderness experience.
Considering that the route is relatively flat in the first few days, acclimatization opportunities are are not as good as on other routes. We recommend that you choose a tour of seven days or more, and one which includes some acclimatization hikes to better your chances at summiting.
- Recommended to: adventurous trekkers in search of true wilderness
- Popular for: remote, wild and quiet
- Be aware of: less scenic and lower success rate
Northen Circuit
Being the longest route, it offers the highest summit success rates, giving you great opportunities and time to acclimatise. Being longer than other routes, we usually recommend an eight or nine day itinerary.
A side-note is that it also bears the same start point as Lemosho.
- Recommended to: patient and inexperienced trekkers
- Popular for: highest summit success
- Be aware of: relatively costly
Umbwe
The Umbwe is a very challenging route. Short and steep at the beginning, the rapid ascent doesn’t allow for great acclimatization opportunities - thus lowering the success rates. It later joins with the Lemosho, Shira and Machame routes.
- Recommended to: experienced and challenge-hunting trekkers
- Popular for: challenging climb
- Be aware of: low summit success
Important points to remember
The most important factor to a successful summit when choosing your route, is to decided on a right duration for your tour. Longer itineraries with climb high, sleep low opportunities allow for great acclimatization leading to higher summit success rate.
For other tips to better your Mt Kilimanjaro climb, feel free to read our other article:
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