The different routes to Mount Kilimanjaro
by The Adventure People on 25th March 2019
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Machame Route 6 - 9 days
We actually have a full video on Grace's experience trekking the Machame Route that you can watch here.
The Machame route is renowned for its stunning views! You trek around the mountain which gives you a great chance to acclimatise as you go along. You also "trek high, sleep low" which means you're less likely to suffer from altitude sickness. As it has the opportunity to be done from 6 - 9 days means you can choose how tough you want it to be. The 6-day option leaves little time to rest whereas the 9 day option has some rest days in and also a higher summit success rate, in case the weather stops you from summiting one day you have the chance the next day. Click here to see more.
Lemosho Route - 10 days
Starting on the less busy west side of the mountain, the Lemosho route gives you the opportunity to spot wildlife at the beginning of the trek. If you'd like the opportunity to spot some elephants before you head off, this trek is for you! Equally if not more scenic to the Machame route, Lemosho also has a higher success rate due to the longer duration. This also gives you the opportunity to acclimatise more slowly. Click here to see more.
Rongai Route - 8 days
The northern route. Rongai is the only trek that starts on the north side of the mountain. Like Lemosho there is also an opportunity to spot wildlife as you set off. This is perhaps the driest of the treks, so if you're heading off in wet season (March - May) this might be the best option. But since it rains less, it also means that there's less vegetation so it's perhaps not the most beautiful of the treks. The first couple of days are quite flat so it's a good option for the less experienced trekkers. Click here to see more.
Marangu Route - 8 days
The most famous route and the only one serviced by mountain huts. It's the most direct route to the summit which means less time to acclimatise and therefore also has the lowest summit success rate. If you don't like camping though this route is for you. You'll stay in dormitory style accommodation with mattresses for the whole trek. It's also a little less scenic to the other routes as you go up and down the mountain on the same path. Click here to see more.
Shira Route - 10 days
For the more experienced trekkers. The Shira route is less crowded than the above with less trodded trails and more mountainous conditions. It also starts at a quite high altitude so it doesn't give a lot of opportunity for acclimatisation. But you'll see some stunning sights along the way, as the rock formations on the Shira plateau, so perhaps if you've summited Kili before and would like to see something different, this one might be for you. Click here to see more.
