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Mount Kilimanjaro with a herd of elephants walking across the foreground. Amboseli national park, Kenya.

Our Guide to the Best Routes Up Kilimanjaro

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By Holly Wallis


Tanzania is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a tough but rewarding challenge and a wonderful achievement. With maximum altitudes of 5,895m and averaging around 4,000m, Kilimanjaro is no walk in the park,
but unlike other massive peaks, it gives those daring enough to climb it multiple routes to the top. Choose your favourite Kili route and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

Often considered the most scenic route up the mountain, the Lemosho route is one of the more remote trails. Approaching Kilimanjaro from the west, this route leads you through the forest and heads towards the Shira Plateau, where the peak of Kilimanjaro can be seen in the distance before the push towards the summit begins. The Lemosho route usually takes eight days, allowing for extra acclimatisation time which generally ensures a good summit success rate.


This top-rated tour is a brilliant option for adventurers looking to hike the Lemosho route - Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route.


Young women against the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro volcano, Kenya

Kilimanjaro Machame Route

The Machame route begins on the south west side of the mountain and offers magnificent views of ice fields beneath the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro. Often known as the ‘Whiskey Route’ because of the tougher challenge

it offers, this path will lead you though grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine meadows, deserts, and icy landscapes. This route typically takes between five to seven days which allows for good acclimatisation and offers particularly diverse scenery along the way.


Check out this popular group tour - an excellent choice for combining the Machame route with gorgeous beach time in Zanzibar: Kilimanjaro - Machame Route & Zanzibar Adventure.


Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

The only route to approach the mountain from the north, Rongai has the attraction of being one of the quietest trails. In terms of terrain, it offers a more gradual and easier route compared to the southern slopes for climbing Kilimanjaro, plus there are usually stunning, clear views of the mountain throughout the approach. This route usually takes 6 days which allows for good acclimatisation, so although summit day will be undeniably tough, the success rate is high.


Discover one of our best-selling tours for the Rongai Route - Kilimanjaro - Rongai Trek with Exodus (8 days).


Trekker on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

The oldest of the Mount Kilimanjaro hiking routes, and often considered the most popular, the Marangu route is the only route that offers dormitory style mountain huts along the way, offering a more comfortable overnight experience than the three other routes that only feature camping style accommodation. With one guide for every two passengers on the Marangu Route and a team of porters, all you have to do is focus on the incredible views and keep your footing, while your hiking crew keep you safe and sound.


Check out our popular guided group tour that combines the trek with a wildlife safari experience in the Serengeti - Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route & Serengeti Adventure with G Adventures (12 days).


Woman hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro

For more inspiration, take a look at our Kilimanjaro Trekking Holidays page.

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Written by Holly Wallis

Holly is a Web Content Supervisor in our Marketing Team, based in our Kensington head office.

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