MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro is just iconic! We have been specializing in Mount Kilimanjaro climbs for over 45 years and our clients have nothing to say apart from positive remarks. There are 6 routes to summit Kilimanjaro with the Marangu Route being the popular one and the Umbwe Route being the most difficult. Depending on the route, you might be trekking to The Kibo Hut or The Barafu Hut.
Kilimanjaro
The Peak Of Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed most of the year, although it is inadvisable during the rainy season, which is April and May, and during the short rains in November. The summit of Kilimanjaro is definitely a challenge, and there are risks involved, but it can be reached by any reasonably fit person who enjoys hiking, and reaching the summit will be an experience of a lifetime! The youngest person to make it was seven years old – the oldest seventy-eight!
Mount Kilimanjaro Routes
THE MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu Route is the oldest and most popular trek to Kilimanjaro. Camping is not required because trekkers sleep in dormitory huts along the way. From the Kibo Hut, you climb up to the summit via Gillman’s point. The trail should take a minimum of 5 days and 4 nights but an extra night is usually taken after the second day to acclimatize.
THE MACHAME ROUTE
The Machame Route takes between 6 and 7 days to complete. The Mount Kilimanjaro guides consider this route to be more enjoyable. The success rate and difficulty for this route are higher compared to the Marangu Route due to the fact that the trekkers have more time to acclimatize.
THE SHIRA PLATEAU/LEMOSHO ROUTE
The Shira Plateau is the original plateau trail. This route often begins in the forest in the moorland zone. After traversing the plateau an option of two routes is given to the trekker. The Kibo route is shorter but more difficult also the Barafu route takes longer but is much easier. The Lemosho Route improves on the Shira Plateau by starting under the Shira Ridge, giving the trekkers a walk in the forest at the start of the trek, and increasing acclimatization time.
THE RONGAI ROUTE
The Rongai Route can be completed in 5 nights and 4 days and is the only route to approach the Kibo from the north. The trail originally began against the Kenyan border but has now shifted to the town of Loitokitok. For the final push to the summit, trekkers on this trail take the Kibo huts route, joining it either at the huts themselves or at the 5000m mark just below Hans Meyer Cave.
THE UMBWE ROUTE
The Umbwe Route takes between 5 and 6 days to complete and is the most difficult route to trek Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail involves a tough vertical slog through the jungle. After reaching the southern circuit, they usually continue north-west to tackle Kibo from the west or east round to Barafu and approach the summit from there.