The Best Route to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Successfully

Summiting Kilimanjaro can be both rewarding and challenging. As you dream of reaching the peak of Africa’s tallest mountain, the success of your journey somehow depends on the route you choose. In this guide, I’ll be taking you through the best route to climb Kilimanjaro.

Seven major established routes lead to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. 

1. Lemosho Route – 70 km (42 miles)
2. Shira Route – 56 km or 33 miles 
3. Umbwe Route – 53 km (32 miles)
4. Rongai Route – 81 km (50 miles)
5. Machame Route – 62 km (37miles)
6. Marangu Route – 82 km (51 miles)
7. Northern Circuit Route – 88 km (53 miles)

Although all these routes lead to the same destination, each has its advantages and disadvantages. The Lemosho route and Machame route are the best overall routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Their success rate is high, hikers get adequate time for acclimatization.

The choice of a route can also determine how long it may take to climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Experienced climbers may choose steep ascents like the Umbwe route to reach the summit within a short period of time. Otherwise, longest treks are highly recommended.

What are the best routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

When ascending to altitude, the golden rule is to trek slowly by slowly. This minimizes the risk of altitude sickness and improves chances of summiting. Machame and Lemosho routes offer the longest treks with scenic views thus highly recommended for climbers aspiring to summit.

Machame route – The most popular

Machame route is approximately 62 kilometers (37 miles) from the tail up to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It is located in the southern base of the mountain, just a short drive from Moshi or Arusha. This route is also named “whiskey” for being longer and with steeper trails.

Trekking the Machame route takes at least 6 days. However, it is best done in 8 to 9 days to increase chances of success. Most people choose this route due to its scenic views and impressive habitats. About 50% of most experienced climbers prefer the Machame route.

Lemosho route – The best overall

The Lemosho route is considered to be the best overall route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts on the west side of the mountain and spans about 70 kilometers (42 miles). This route offers both great acclimatization and scenic views thus highly recommended for climbers.

The Lemosho route begins in a lush rainforest, offering a breathtaking start. As you trek you also enjoy great panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. This route can be done in as little as 6 days but it’s best covered in 8 to 9 days for a better altitude acclimatization.

North circuit route – The longest 

The North Circuit route is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The trekking distance on this route is about 88 kilometers (53 miles), offering a 9-day climb. With great acclimatization strategies, low traffic, and scenic views, the North Circuit is certainly one of the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro.

Understandably, the North circuit route is also known as Grand Traverse. It offers a complete experience of all Kilimanjaro habitats and climate zones. The route follows the Lemosho trail in the star, approaching the mountain from the west before it turns to the northern slopes, which are quiet and rarely visited.

Rongai Route – Recommended

The Rongai route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side, close to the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Covering a distance of about 81 kilometers (50 miles) Rongai route is recommended for climbers who want to make it to the top of the mountain in a quiet environment.

Unlike other crowded routes, the Rongai route is the least visited. The route cuts through true wilderness areas before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. The low traffic and steady climb of the Rongai route give climbers a great mountaineering experience.

Because this route lies on the northern side of the mountain, the trails remain dry year-round due to infrequent rainfalls. Other advantages of the Rongai route include a view of the wildlife and nicely located campsites along the trek.

Marangu – The easiest route

Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route is the oldest and most well-established climbing route to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the only route that offers hut accommodation protecting climbers from rains and winds. There is no need to camp in tents when using this route.

Interestingly, these huts are equipped with bunk beds, a simple mattress, and pillows which gives hikers great comfort when resting. Hikers are also able to purchase various snacks at the facility including soft drinks like Coca-Cola, water, and candy bars. This is why this route is named Coca-Cola. 

The 82 km path offers a slow, steady climb, which can be done in 5 to 6 days. However, due to its reputation as the “easiest trekking route”, Marangu can get overcrowded and hikers may miss enjoying the scenic view of the mountain. Climbers may also not have enough time to acclimatize.

Also read: The things I wish I knew before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Other Mount Kilimanjaro routes

Other less popular routes can take you to the Kilimanjaro summit. They include the following:

Shira route – The less used route

Shira route is approximately a 56 km or 33-mile path that approaches the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. This route is pretty similar to the Lemosho route but the only difference is the Shira’s higher altitude starting point. 

Climbers using this route may experience altitude sickness right on their first day of trekking. The Shira route is less used and those who choose it may need to camp at the starting point for several days for adequate acclimatization. Reaching the summit via this route takes about 6 – 7 days but the success rate is commonly low.

Umbwe route – The most difficult route

Umbwe route is short and direct to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. This 53km (32 miles) path is considered the most difficult route. Approaching from the south, it is probably the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro. However, few people use it when climbing Kilimanjaro.

The Umbwe route is suitable for experienced hikers looking for a serious climbing challenge. The steep ascents, ridges, and rocks on this path are not for the faint-hearted. Because of its shortness, the summiting success rate of Umbwe is lower than other Kilimanjaro routes.

Final Thought

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not hard especially when you choose the right route to the summit. Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Marangu, and the North Circuit route are the most suitable routes to summit Kilimanjaro. They all have scenic views, great acclimatization, and great success rates.