Welcome to our guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro!
The goal to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a fantastic one, and standing on the highest point in Africa is incredibly rewarding.
Preparation is the key to your success on the mountain.
Climb Kilimanjaro Overview
Soaring majestically above the African plains, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and one of the most impressive in the world.
Its peak, which stands at an imposing height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), is visited every year by trekkers from all over the world who take home memories which will stay with them the rest of their lives.
As part of the iconic Seven Summits circuit, Kilimanjaro has been hiked by nearly all the greatest climbers in the world. This mountain is also part of the volcanic seven summits, a similar circuit of the highest volcanos on each continent.
The path to the peak of this dormant volcano will take the intrepid traveler through five distinct ecological zones. As the ascent up the mountain begins, hikers leave the cultivated farmland surrounding Kilimanjaro (800 - 1800m) and enter a dense jungle, rich with flora and fauna (1800 - 2800 meters).
The jungle gives way to starkly-beautiful moorland (low alpine region), populated with heather and wild flowers (2800 - 4000 meters). Still higher, nearly all vegetation ceases and hikers enter the highland desert (or high alpine) region (4000 - 5000 meters), where volcanic rock stretches all around. Near the summit, the glacial region (5000 - 5895 meters) consists of scree fields on its lower slopes and huge glaciers higher up, leading to the mountain peak.
The climb to the top of Kilimanjaro has a reputation for being nothing more than a "long hike." This perception leads many trekkers to underestimate its difficulty and fail to reach the summit. In fact, statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park suggest that on some routes as few 50% of hikers actually reach the summit!
What stops these hikers, you ask?
While many of the routes leading to the peak of Kilimanjaro offer little in the way of technical mountaineering challenges, altitude sickness can be a significant difficulty. The sheer difference between the altitude of the surrounding landscape (800m) and the altitude at the summit (5895m) causes many hikers to exhibit symptoms of altitude sickness, which in its worst form causes brain swelling and death! But not to worry, with proper preparation, these dangers can be avoided.
Here you will find a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know in order to reach the summit of the tallest mountain in Africa.
Kilimanjaro Routes
For the intrepid trekker, there are several routes to the summit of the highest mountain in Africa.
See below for a short summary of the most popular routes up Kilimanjaro.
For more information, be sure to follow the links below to our detailed route pages.
Machame Route
Offered as a six or seven-day trek, the Machame Route has in recent years become the most popular route to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro. According to statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park, about 50% of Kilimanjaro hikers choose to take the Machame Route.
Lemosho Route
Approaching from the west, the Lemosho Route offers trekkers a good chance to see wildlife on the mountain’s lower slopes. Higher up the mountain, the Lemosho Route follows the same iconic path as the Machame Route, offering climbers good time to acclimatise.
Rongai Route
Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from its remote Northern slopes, the Rongai Route receives the least amount of traffic of the five routes featured in this guide. Hikers travel through unspoilt wilderness and occasionally see wild animals including antelope, elephants and buffalo. Trekkers are also more likely to enjoy clear weather on the northern side of the mountain, as it receives less rainfall than the other slopes.
Northern Circuit Route
This relatively-new route to Uhuru Peak links together portions of the other routes. Beginning in the West, the Northern Circuit Route follows the same path as the Lemosho Route before heading off towards the northern slopes. Circumnavigating the mountain towards its east side, trekkers reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point. This route is usually completed in eight or nine days.
Marangu Route
Approaching the mountain from the southeast, the Marangu Route is the only route to offer hut accommodation to hikers for their entire journey to Uhuru Peak. Via the Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro can be climbed in as little as five days. This fact makes the Marangu Route the cheapest route up the mountain.
Climb Kilimanjaro FAQ
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
As it's close to the equator, the temperatures around Kilimanjaro are relatively stable and the mountain can be climbed at any time of the year.
That said, there is a rainy season in April and May that should be avoided. There is also a short rainy season in November.
Many hikers choose to climb between June and September as the weather is best.
Near the summit of Kilimanjaro, the weather can change drastically at any time of year. Be sure to check our hiking gear list for general recommendations of what to bring for your summit bid so you don’t get caught out in the cold.
How difficult is Kilimanjaro?
To reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is no easy task. Trekkers must hike for between four and ten hours a day for multiple days in a row and experience significant changes in altitude.
It’s a good idea to work on your aerobic fitness before taking on a summit bid to prevent any injuries.
However, hikers of all ages regularly reach the summit, so the goal is well within the reach of anyone who sets their mind to it.
What are some recommended routes for Kilimanjaro?
I highly recommend the Machame, Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes as they offer good acclimatisation profiles and have high summit success rates.
What is altitude sickness? Is Kilimanjaro a risk for it?
Altitude sickness (aka Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS for short) is a real issue when climbing Kilimanjaro. This is simply because of the high-altitude climbers need to go to reach the summit. Hundreds of trekkers are forced to turn back every year due to the harmful effects of altitude sickness.
Acute Mountain Sickness is not the only problem, many trekkers often suffer from HAPE or HACE. These are both life threatening illnesses when left untreated.
Therefore, before you climb Kilimanjaro, it is vital that you understand the risks, symptoms, medications and treatments surrounding altitude sickness. The altitude on Kilimanjaro should not be taken lightly. Proper acclimatization is vital if you are to succeed in climbing the mountain.
What gear should I bring for Kilimanjaro?
To help you prepare for your trek to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, take a look at our comprehensive Kilimanjaro gear list.
There you’ll find detailed recommendations for what to bring to the mountain, from your boots all the way up to the woolly hat.
Some of these items can be purchased in nearby Moshi or Arusha before your climb, while some should be brought from home.
How much does climbing Kilimanjaro cost?
The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro can vary widely, from $3,000 to $6,000 (including flights).
The cost varies based on which route you choose to take, how many days you spend on the mountain, how large your group is, and whether you work with a local guiding company or a Western trekking agency.
It’s important to be aware of where your money goes, because many trekking agencies cut costs by drastically-reducing wages for the porters and guides who work hard to make sure your trip is a success.
When shopping around the various trekking agencies, look for those which partner with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). KPAP has a list of partners on their website. These agencies are guaranteed to pay their porters a fair wage, make sure they have adequate equipment such as good boots, and verify they’re not carrying loads which are exceedingly heavy. Please support trekking agencies which partner with KPAP, and promote sustainable business practices on Kilimanjaro!
A rough cost breakdown is as follows:
- Visa, Vaccinations, Insurance etc: ~$300-$500
- Equipment (buying and hiring): ~$200-$500
- Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport/Dar es Salaam/Nairobi: ~$800
- Tour Agency: Highly dependent on route and days on the mountain. The cheapest options on the shortest 5-day routes are around $1,500. The longer routes with reputable local operators cost around $2000-$2500 per person. This includes the cost of the park permit, which ranges from $800 to $1200, or about $120 per trekker per day
- Tips: ~$200-$300
- Misc (additional food, unplanned travel / hotels etc):$200
- Total Costs: $3,000 – $6,000
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See more information on Tanzania. Or check out these other Kilimanjaro Hiking articles:
Great article, one thing I wish I knew before climbing was the horrible exploitation of porters by tour operators. Here is a great article that explains how to avoid companies that endanger the lives of their porters by not feeding/paying them enough and even leaving them to die on the mountain at some points: theuprootedrose.com/blog/responsible-kilimanjaro-climb
I feel like most climbers are unaware of how horrible the situation is and we can really do a lot to change it by educating ourselves.