15/06/2024
THE BEST ROUTE TO CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
Are you plan to climb Kilimanjaro, but you don't know which route to pick?
I will explain the differences between the routes and help you decide which is the best for you.
As the popularity of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro continues to increase, potential climbers are often uncertain as to which route to take. There are seven major routes used to climb Kilimanjaro. Each route has its own advantages and disadvantages. When selecting the route, make sure it is the appropriate route for your desires, physical ability, aptitude and comfort level.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE KILIMANJARO ROUTE.
To choose the best Kilimanjaro route for you, there are plenty of variables to be mindful of.
WHO:
Who is climbing? The whole group's abilities must be factored into choosing a route. Are there novices in your group? Are there people who have never been to high altitudes? Pick a route that best fits everyone.
WHAT:
What limitations surround your climb? Are you bound by a budget? Or the number of days on your trip? There are cheaper and more expensive routes, and shorter and longer itineraries. Get an idea of how much money and how many days people are willing to spend on the mountain.
HOW:
How do you see your trek? Do you want the most challenging route or a less strenuous one? Kilimanjaro can bring out a lot of discomfort and suffering. Some people don't want to be pushed too hard. These answers will affect which route is for you.
WHERE:
Where do you want to begin your climb? The routes start from all sides of the mountain. Where you begin affects cost, scenery and scenic variety. For instance, the western routes are more scenic because they cover more of the mountain.
WHY:
Why are you climbing? Is it very important to summit? Then choose a route with a high success rate. Do you want to take the best photos? Then pick a scenic route. Do you just want to be there? Then choose a quick, inexpensive route.
WHEN:
When are you climbing? If you are climbing during the dry season, great. But if you are climbing during the rainy season or the shoulder seasons, then the route you select can play into the climb's difficulty. Climbs around holidays and full moons are especially crowded.
KILIMANJARO ROUTES OVERVIEW.
Below are brief descriptions of the climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.
MARANGU ROUTE:
Popular tourist route approaches from southeast, easy, gentle gradients, beautiful rain forest section and moorlands, comfortable but basic hut shelter, poor acclimatization profile, descent on same trail.
72 km
5-6 days. https://africanholidaysafari.com/six-days-marangu-route.html
MACHAME ROUTE:
Most popular route, approaches from south, very scenic route with southern traverse, difficult route but very good for acclimatization, camping.
62 km
6-7 days. https://africanholidaysafari.com/seven-days-machame%20-route.html
RONGAI ROUTE:
Long access drive to trailhead, approaches from north, remote, less frequented, easy, gentle gradients, beautiful alpine desert section, good alternative to Marangu, camping, fair acclimatization profile, camping.
73 km
6-7 days. https://africanholidaysafari.com/six-days-rongai-route.html
LEMOSHO ROUTE:
Long access drive to trailhead, approaches from west, remote, less frequented, beautiful heath section, very scenic with southern traverse, camping, difficult route but excellent for acclimatization, camping
70 km
7-8 days. https://africanholidaysafari.com/eight-days-lemosho-route.html
SHIRA ROUTE:
Almost same as Lemosho, approaches from west, long access drive to trailhead, trail starts at 11,800 ft, remote, less frequented, beautiful heath section, very scenic with southern traverse, camping, difficult route but excellent for acclimatization if ok at 11,800 ft, camping.
56 km
7-8 days. https://africanholidaysafari.com/seven-days-shira-route.html
AMONG THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE ROUTES:
The routes have starting points located on multiple sides of the mountain.
The routes vary distance and accordingly so do the completion times.
There are relatively easy trails, difficult routes, and even dangerous ones.
Certain routes are favorable for altitude acclimatization due to their route profile.
There are routes that are better when climbing during the rainy season.
One route offers hut accommodations while the rest are camping routes.
The map below shows the routes and the corresponding statistics:
Machame is the most popular route on the mountain, with an estimated 45% of all climbers using this route. Next is the Marangu route, with an estimated 40% of all climbers opting for this route. Lemosho and Rongai see far less use but are the preferred routes for the more reputable (expensive) Kilimanjaro outfitters and are thus growing in popularity.
Picking the wrong route can mean a unnecessarily difficult trek, a failed summit, or getting sick and/or injured. So, it is necessary to compare the different elements that makes each route unique.
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