Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes – Which is the Best for You?

The six Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes vary not only in length, cost and scenery. They also have different difficulty levels and different success rates. Selecting a Kilimanjaro climb route is one of the most important decisions you have to make. Each of the seven Kilimanjaro routes has its pros and cons, like cost, how varied the scenery is, and summit success rate. It’s therefore a good idea to look at each to help you make a smart choice about which is the best route for you to climb and take you to the roof of Africa.

There is no single best Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route. Which route up Kilimanjaro is the best for you depends on several factors: The time and money you have available, previous experience and fitness, the time of the year, and personal preference.

Kilimanjaro has several official climbing routes. These are: Northern Circuit, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Londorossi Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira, and Mweka (descent only) all are the best Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes. But in our opinion, the best Kilimanjaro routes are the Lemosho, Machame and Northern Circuit. We think most operators would agree with us here.

We like these routes because they’re beautiful and varied, and don’t require you to descend along the same path. They also enjoy high summit success rates, and of course, we want all of our climbers to enjoy standing at the summit!

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).

The Northern Circuit is also the longest route, taking 9 days. Because of its length, it’s the safest and most successful route up Kilimanjaro with an average top-roof success rate of over 95%! If you have the time and want to get off the standard busier routes, this is probably the best option for you. The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/ 37 ml from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some trekking experience, but plenty of first-time trekkers use the route as well and do just fine.

Trekkers on Mount Kilimanjaro typically have a support crew of guides and porters who are integral in helping climbers reach the summit.