Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Find Your Perfect Path to the Roof of Africa (5,895m)

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, is a dream for adventurers worldwide. Standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), this dormant volcano offers an unparalleled trekking experience through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and icy glaciers.

But with 7 main routes to choose from, which one is best for you? This guide will help you decide.

How Many Routes Are There on Kilimanjaro?

There are seven established routes to Uhuru Peak:

• Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route)

• Machame Route (Whiskey Route)

• Lemosho Route

• Rongai Route

• Shira Route

• Northern Circuit

• Umbwe Route

Each route differs in terms of difficulty, duration, scenery, and summit success rate.

. Marangu Route 

• Nicknamed: Coca-Cola Route

• Pros: The only route with hut accommodations

• Cons: Shorter acclimatization period, lower success rate

• Best For: Budget travelers and those who prefer hut stays

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Success Rate: 70% (6-day option recommended)

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2. Machame Route 

• Nicknamed: Whiskey Route

• Pros: Stunning scenery, good acclimatization, high success rate

• Cons: Can be crowded during high season

• Best For: Adventurers who want a scenic route with varied terrain

• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

• Success Rate: 85%

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3. Lemosho Route 

• Pros: Spectacular views, excellent acclimatization, less crowded

• Cons: Longer and slightly more expensive

• Best For: Those who want the best success rate and stunning landscapes

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Success Rate: 90%

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4. Rongai Route 

• Pros: Approaches from the north, less crowded, drier conditions

• Cons: Less scenic compared to Machame or Lemosho

• Best For: Trekkers during the rainy season

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Success Rate: 80%

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5. Shira Route 

• Pros: Scenic, joins Lemosho route later

• Cons: Starts at a high altitude, which can increase altitude sickness risk

• Best For: Experienced hikers comfortable with quick altitude gain

• Difficulty: Challenging

• Success Rate: 75%

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6. Northern Circuit 

• Pros: Longest route, best acclimatization, least crowded

• Cons: More expensive and time-consuming

• Best For: Trekkers who want the highest success rate and solitude

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Success Rate: 95%

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• Pros: Fastest and most direct route

• Cons: Extremely steep, poor acclimatization, very low success rate

• Best For: Experienced climbers seeking a challenge

• Difficulty: Very Challenging

• Success Rate: 60%