Kilimanjaro Routes

Our ascent of Kilimanjaro can be considered a trek since the terrain, while steep at times, is covered in trail all the way to the summit. Participants can leave their ice axe and crampons at home- the only ice you will see is the bizarre ice cap that rises abruptly out of the moonscape surrounding the Crater Camp. Accessible to beginning trekker/climbers, Kilimanjaro is a must, taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit.

Scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro takes you through five distinct climates that are appoximately 3,300 ft. apart. Each climate varies in rainfall, temperature, flora, and fauna.

You can reach the summit via five different routes:

•SHIRA PLATEAU/ WESTERN BREACH
The Shira Plateau/Western Breach is one of the least crowded routes and one of the most fascinating. This is by far the most popular route for Destination Tanzania Safaris clients! It is the best non-technical route on the mountain and our summit day is only a 1-2 hour hike from our last camp One of the best features of the route is the longer, slower ascent which gives the body time to acclimatize to the altitude gradually- this greatly increases the success rate. The final night before summit is spent sleeping in the crater next to the towering Furtwrangler Glaciers, giving you a stunning view westward towards Mount Meru and the setting African sun. The final ascent is then only 800 feet and can be undertaken after sunrise and a leisurely breakfast or just early enough to be at the summit during sunrise. This is quite a contrast to the 3,000 feet slog required to summit via all the other ascent routes on Kilimanjaro. The Shira Plateau/Western Breach is an exhilarating option for walkers keen to explore less trodden trails and who are comfortable in variable mountain conditions.

View Shira/ Western Breach Itinerary

•MACHAME
The Machame-Mweka Route (also known as the Whiskey Route) is one of the most scenic routes and the 2nd most popular route to Kibo. This route is less used than the Marangu route, but more strenuous and involves camping at basic campsites throughout the trek. The start of this route involves a strenuous climb through rainforest, from 1900 to 3000m. The summit attempt is a long day, involving about 14 hours walking, most of it during the night. After summiting, we descend through Stella Point to Barrafu Hut Camp and then to Mweka camp, a very comfortable hike, but very dusty and long.

View Machame Itinerary

•MARANGU
The Marangu route has a moderate slope, making it less difficult to climb. It is the most populated route and it has huts with dormitory and dining rooms.
*Due to the overpopulation and the unsanitary conditions on this route, Destination Tanzania Safaris has chosen to no longer use the Marangu Route. This route offers very little, if any, time to acclimatize resulting in the lowest success rate of all the routes and highest rate of altitude sickness. It has also unfortunately been misused by many companies and clients and has lost it's beauty.

•RONGAI
The Rongai Route approaches the highest mountain in Africa from the north. This route is seldom used due to the fact that the trailhead is very remote and difficult to reach. This route begins just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border through farmland and forest to several other climate zones, adding interest to the trek. There are magnificent views over the Amboseli Plains and genuine possibilities for wildlife viewing. This route normally takes 6 days ,however we highly recommend 7days to allow for more time to acclimatize.

View Rongai Itinerary

•UMBWE
Umbwe is a seldom traveled, steeper, and more aggressive route up Kilimanjaro. This route is fairly direct but at the top a very steep section is often covered in ice or snow. This route requires proper acclimatization and is designed for those who are experienced, properly equipped and looking for a challenge.

View Umbwe Itinerary