Routes For Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

There are 6 routes that are fully approved for the hike of Mt Kilimanjaro to reach to the peak of Uhuru. Each route offers different scenic views of nature that comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the route the guest chooses one has to be well prepared for the great challenge of the mountain. One has to be fit enough, well prepared mentally for the hike and equipped with all the basic and necessary equipment for hiking.

Kilimanjaro is the African highest mountain and it’s the world’s highest free-standing mountain that needs a positive and determined mind to hike mountain Kilimanjaro. The fitness of the guest determines the chances of reaching the Uhuru peak.

We advise the guest before traveling and we help them choose the best routes and suggest a number of days for their successful hike depending on several factors which we base on. The fitness level of the guest determines the number of days one can take to hike Kilimanjaro mountains. Taking 7 to 8 days hike with enough litters of drinking water and fluids makes high chances of one reaching to Uhuru peak. The hiking effect is always felt from 3,000 meters above sea level for almost 75% of the hikers. While few start feeling the effect before 3,000 meters above sea level, these are mostly unprepared or inexperienced hikers.

Well prepared and experienced guests always reach to the summit, following the guidelines of the rangers and with our key slogan “slow but sure”, we trek slowly till we reach to the summit. This has created good chances of the guest reaching to the peak, while those guests who always want to hurry or trek within a short period of time have low chances of reaching to the peak and over 40% fail to reach to the peak. The longer the days one plans the higher the chances of completing the hike due to great acclimatization period.

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro can be done through different routes and all routes take you to the Kilimanjaro summit. Such routes are:

  1. Machame route
  2. Marangu route
  3. Lemosho route
  4. Rongai route
  5. Shira route
  6. Umbwe route

Ascending and descending Mount Kilimanjaro through Marangu route takes about 75kms, machame route is about 90kms-100kms. During climbing Mount Kilimanjaro through Marangu route accommodations such as Mandara, Horombo and Kibo camps are used. Through Machame route camps like Machame camp, Shira camp, Baranco, and Barafu camps are used as accommodation. Through Rongai you use Simba camp, Kikelewa camp, Mawenzi turn hut, Kibo camp and Horombo camp. Millenium camp is also used during descending the mountain through Mweka gate.

POINTS TO NOTE

  • Hikers attempting to reach the summit should be physically fit.
  • If you have a sore throat, cold or breathing problems do not go beyond 3000meters.
  • Children under 10 years of age are not allowed above 3000meters.
  • If you have heart or lung problems do not attempt the mountain at all without consulting your doctor.
  • Allow plenty of time for the body to acclimatize by ascending slowly.
  • Do not push yourself to go if your body is exhausted or if you have mountain sickness.
  • Drink 4-5 liters of fluid each day, water is best but fruit juices are good supplement.
  • If symptoms of mountain sickness or high-altitude diseases persist, please descend immediately and seek medical treatment. The rescue team is always stand-by to render such services at Kibo, Horombo and Marangu.
  • Please do not litter the trail, park all trash and leave the park s clean as you found it.