Best Route for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro : Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain, rising to a height of 5895 meters, with a snow-capped summit visible for kilometers. Kilimanjaro is a mountain in Tanzania, East Africa that is on many people’s bucket lists and the ultimate aim of many safari visitors to Africa. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Africa for a safari. Because it is Africa’s tallest mountain, climbing up to its highest point (Uhuru peak) is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Some people have tested their physical ability by climbing/hiking Mount Kilimanjaro; nevertheless, some have succeeded in reaching the summit (Uhuru Peak), while others have failed. When planning a safari trip to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, there are a number of elements to consider if you want to reach the top, and one of the most significant aspects is the route you take. Some of the best hiking routes on Mount Kilimanjaro have a high success rate, while others are challenging and have a very low possibility of reaching the summit point, Uhuru Peak.
When planning your Mount Kilimanjaro hiking safari in Tanzania, the best/ ideal route is the first thing you should consider and keep in mind, as the best and finer the route you choose, the higher your chances of summiting are, Best Route for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro . Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania has more than six hiking routes to the summit, each with its own set of characteristics: some routes have beautiful scenery, others are tough to hike, and others are easy and straightforward, so deciding which route to choose depends on your preferences. There are difficult ways to go if you want a true struggle, and there are also simple routes to take if you just want to get to the top without any additional hurdles.
What is the best/perfect/ideal/greatest Kilimanjaro hiking route? The best route for hiking mountain Kilimanjaro is determined numbers of factors such as mountain experience, what you want to see and do along the way, acclimatization factors, the success rate, safety, accommodations and cost. These are all things to consider when planning and deciding the best route for your Kilimanjaro climb. Since there are many things to consider when choosing the best route for climbing Kilimanjaro it’s difficult to find a route with all of those factors and qualities. When planning and choosing the route for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, the following are hints for each route that will help you choose the best route that meets your needs and interests.
Marangu Route:
Due to its popularity and the fact that Coca-Cola used to be offered in all of the huts along the way, the Marangu Route is also known as the “tourist route” or “Coca-Cola Route.” This is one of the more straightforward ways up the mountain, with a constant, progressive ascent until the last night, when the incline sharply increases.
Because the five-day climb does not allow for enough acclimatization, the route has a low success rate. In addition, the Marangu Route attracts a large number of unprepared and unskilled tourists, resulting in many individuals having to turn back before reaching Uhuru Peak. Expect the Marangu route to be busier than the other routes because it is the only route used for both ascending and descending down the mountain. However, this is the only path that has dormitory-style huts, and camping is not permitted.
- The quickest route to the peak, allowing for less time to acclimate.
- A much lower success rate is expected.
- Dormitory-style lodging that can be noisy.
- The Tourist Route
- Distance: 70 km/5-6 days
- Because the ascent and descent are on the same route, it is less beautiful.
The Machame Route:
More than half of those who desire to climb Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak, Africa’s Roof, use the Machame Route. Good for them, because the Machame Route is one of the best on Kilimanjaro when compared to other routes. Endless views, a diverse range of flora and wildlife, a different approach on the way down than on the way up, and, most importantly, excellent for acclimatization.
The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey path, as opposed to the easier Marangu trail, which is known as the Coca-Cola route, due to its reputation as a difficult ascent. Many individuals are put off by this moniker and believe that they should take the Marangu Route instead. The Marangu Route, in contrast to the Machame Route, is a poor choice for acclimatization and, as a result, has low success rates.
- Highly recommended, with the highest rate of success.
- It allows for greater acclimatization by allowing you to “walk high, sleep low.”
- Beautiful scenery as you climb through five different climatic zones.
- The ascent and descent take different paths.
- The Popular Route
- Distance: 61 kilometers/6–7 days
The Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route begins on the west side of Kilimanjaro and offers amazing views of the mountain’s stunning valleys. Before joining the Machame Route, the route takes you through an isolated rainforest. With plenty of time for acclimatization and a high success rate, this route can be done in seven or eight days. One of the only disadvantages to this option is that it is more expensive due to its length and remoteness.
- The best route to climb Kilimanjaro with a high success rate.
- Climbers can “walk high and sleep low,” allowing for improved acclimatization.
- With magnificent gorges and vistas of west Kilimanjaro, this is a remote and spectacular approach.
- The Most Scenic (But Most Expensive) Route.
- Distance: 67 kilometers/7–8 days
The Shira Route
The Shira Route begins at Shira Ridge and is not mostly used route compared to other options. It’s almost the same as the Lemosho path. Shira was the original path, while Lemosho is an upgraded version of it. Shira is a varied and attractive route, but due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting location, which is easily accessible by vehicle, it is less favorable than its predecessor. Climbers may experience some altitude-related problems on the first day of their trip while camping at 11,800 feet.
Beginning with a long journey from Moshi to Shira Ridge, the route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. The vehicle drives through the rain forest zone before arriving at Shira Ridge, where the hiking track begins. In a pleasant, somewhat flat hike, the Shira route spans the entire Shira Plateau from west to east. The route then follows the Southern Circuit route beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field before summiting from Barafu. The Mweka path is used for descent.
- The Poor Acclimatization Route
- Distance: 58 kilometers/6–7 days
The Rongai Route
The Rongai Route is the only way to get to the top of the mountain from the north. During the rainy season, this approach is favored over the southern slopes since it is considerably dryer. Although the path is not as spectacular as other routes, the camp beneath Mawenzi Peak is one of the most beautiful on the mountain. The hike begins with a steady, gentle ascent, and the campgrounds are widely spaced. The trip usually lasts seven days, with a high success rate of reaching Uhuru Peak, Best Route for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro .
- The only route summiting Mount Kilimanjaro from north.
- In the early stages of the climb, it provides a truly wilderness experience.
- The final peak at night is quite difficult.
- With no opportunity to “walk high, sleep low,” there is less natural acclimation.
- One of the Easiest Route
- Distance: 74 kilometers/6–7 days
The Umbwe Route
The Umbwe Route involves a quick ascent to Barranco Camp, with the camp being reached on the second night rather than the third or fourth night as with other routes. The path is quite steep and exposed, making it unsuitable for anyone who is afraid of heights. This is the most difficult of the seven routes, with limited options for acclimatization, and should only be attempted by those with prior mountain climbing expertise.
- The route is steep and short, with a very low success rate.
- Rapid ascent causes poor acclimatization in this route.
- For the first two days, it is very distant and silent.
- The Most Difficult Route
- Distance: 48 kilometers/5–7 days
The Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit Path is Kilimanjaro’s longest, a nine-day trek that begins on the western side of the mountain and ascends to the Shira Plateau before reaching the Lava Tower, then heads north and circumnavigates the main summit massif in a clockwise way before connecting with the Rongai route. The summit is then reached from the mountain’s eastern flank, and the descent is made via the southern Mweka route.
This is also known as the Grand Traverse or the 360 Route, as it provides the whole Kilimanjaro experience, including all habitats and 360-degree views of the mountain. With views across the southern flanks, western woods, northern plains to the Kenyan border, and parched eastern slopes, the lengthier route provides great acclimatization and spectacular scenery. The pathways are rather peaceful and unfrequented, Best Route for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro .
Also, because the altitude rise per day is lower than on other routes, with a gentle gradient until reaching Kikelewa or Third Caves camp, the risk of altitude sickness is greatly reduced over the course of nine days. Despite this, the trip is only 96 kilometers long, which is not significantly longer than the other routes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE BEST ROUTE FOR HIKING MOUNT KILIMANJARO
The highest success rate and overall best route to climb Kilimanjaro
- The Lemosho and Machame routes over 7 or 8 days are the finest routes to climb Kilimanjaro if you want the best chance of summiting, superb acclimatization and an easy summit night make these clear winners. And, because reaching the summit is the most essential goal for most of climbers, we declare this the best path to climb Kilimanjaro.
The most picturesque approach to Mount Kilimanjaro.
- With breathtaking panoramas in all directions, the Lemosho route entering from the west wins hands down for the best views.
The Quietest route to climb Kilimanjaro.
- If staying away from the crowds is a major concern for you, the Rongai path is the ideal option for your Kilimanjaro ascent. However, be aware that the success rate is lower, Best Route for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro .
The most difficult route to climb Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe path is the most difficult and challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of the shortest approaches to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. The Umbwe Route is ideal for those seeking a serious climbing challenge.
Conclusion, Because there are so many routes for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, as explained above, choosing the best route is a difficult task because the best route depends on personal interest, and each individual attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro has his or her own interests, as some people want more challenges in hiking while others want no challenges; others want the fastest route while others want longer routes; so it is difficult for us to choose which route is best because of these factors.
Regardless of these factors, the most recommended routes for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro are the Lemosho, Northern Circuit, and Machame routes, as they have excellent acclimatization and an easier summit night, making them the easiest and best routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and having a high rate of success in reaching the summiting point (Uhuru peak). The Northern Circuit Route has the highest Kilimanjaro success rate of 95 percent, followed by the Lemosho Route with a 90 percent success rate and the Machame Route with a 90 percent success rate.
