10 minute read
Seven Routes to Kilimanjaro
When booking your bucket-list hike up Mount Kilimanjaro it is important to bear in mind there are seven possible routes to the top. To help you make an informed choice on which one you should follow, experienced guide JOSEPHAT MASHEHE breaks down the pros and cons of each.
1. Machame Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 62 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - HIGH
AVERAGE DURATION - 5 TO 7 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
When booking your bucket-list hike up Mount Kilimanjaro it is important to bear in mind there are seven possible routes to the top. To help you make an informed choice on which one you should follow, experienced guide JOSEPHAT MASHEHE breaks down the pros and cons of each.
Almost half of people who take on Mount Kilimanjaro do so via the The Machame route – also known as the ‘Whiskey’ route. The scenery is excellent with four types of landscapes to pass through. This is a good route for dealing with altitude as many tours allow you to climb high and go back down to sleep low on the same days, allowing your body to better adjust to the elevation. Extra rest days are often available and if you have the time or money for this, it’s worth the investment to lower the risk of altitude sickness and also physically prepare yourself for the summit climb.
The route can get crowded. Like all the camping routes on Kilimanjaro, porters will carry the tents. Walking days are longer on Machame than the other popular route, Marangu, and steeper, so it’s considered more challenging. This trail for Machame starts in the south before heading east under the southern ice field before the summit bid. You then descend on the Mweka route, which is used as a downhill-only path for many of the routes from the summit. There are two particularly difficult sections on this trek – an area before the Shira ridge, and the Barranco Wall – both of these are physically challenging and also may affect those with a fear of heights. Overall, though, this is a highly rated route with an excellent success rate and has some of the best scenery of all the routes. Just be prepared for it to be busy!
2. Marangu Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 72 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - MEDIUM
AVERAGE DURATION - 5 TO 6 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - HUT/DORMS
The oldest and the second most popular trail is the Marangu Route, or the ‘Coca-Cola’ route – so called because porters used to bring bottles of the soft drink to the various huts along the trail. Around 40 per cent of all visitors take this trail so it is one of the busiest. It is the preferred route for more casual and inexperienced trekkers as it is considered the easiest of the Mount Kili- manjaro hiking options. However, this also contributes to it having the lowest success rates – which is usually attributed to people underestimating its difficulty and the route’s extreme altitude changes. Many tours offer an extra day to do this route to combat the risk of altitude sickness and it’s definitely worth investing in that to maximise your chances of resisting the effects of altitude.
The other reason this route is so popular is that the Marangu route is the only one to offer hut accommodation along Kilimanjaro for its entire length. Trekkers sleep in dorms with mattresses and other basic amenities, although there is no electricity. Usually, you can buy snacks and drinks at the huts as well. The Marangu route departs from the south-east of Kilimanjaro and reaches Uhuru Peak (the summit) via Gilman’s Point. It is also the only route to use the same trail on the descent, so in terms of scenery variation over time it’s probably the weakest option, however, the views that you do get are great, especially from the Saddle. This is a good route if you’re short on time or do not want to camp.
3. Rongai Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 73 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - MEDIUM
AVERAGE DURATION - 6 TO 7 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
Popular with more expensive tours and much quieter than the main routes, the Rongai route travels along a more isolated part of the mountain and starts off much more easily than the other treks. Accommodation is camping only, except for the last night which usually finishes in a hut. Rongai is unique in that it’s the only trail which approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, which as well as giving you a different perspective on the mountain, also allows for clearer views of the peak. The highlight aside from the summit are the first few days in which you’ll pass through unspoiled wilderness and alpine desert near the Kenyan border, with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, although after that, the scenery is less varied than other routes. Many trekkers coming in from Kenya prefer this route.
This is one of the easier trekking options for Mount Kilimanjaro with flatter gradients than the other routes, however, there’s less opportunity for acclimatisation and the northern approach summit day is one of the toughest. A good option for less-experienced trekkers who want to get away from the busy Marangu route, and for those who want a slightly more sedate and chilled version of the trek!
4. Lemosho Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 70 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - HIGH
AVERAGE DURATION - 6 TO 8 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
The Lemosho route is an exceedingly scenic route that starts to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro before joining the Southern Circuit, and then varies depending on the tour, with some joining the Machame route and others going onto the Northern Circuit. Typically, it descends via the Mweka trail. It is another very quiet trail and has camping only, making it a great way to get away from the crowds, however, it is one of the tougher routes of Kilimanjaro. The rewards are excellent though, with amazing scenery, including a nice heath section. Lemosho is also one of the best routes for acclimatisation with high summit success rates.
Like the Rongai route, the start is in a scenic, remote area giving the opportunity to see wildlife and it also offers great views of the dramatic gorges which lie on Kilimanjaro’s western side. Another bonus is the chance to hike over the Shira Plateau, one of the highest in the world. It’s also a peaceful route which only gets busier when it joins the more popular trails. Bear in mind that Lemosho is not usually recommended during the rainy season as the start point can become inaccessible.
5. Shira Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 70 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - HIGH
AVERAGE DURATION - 6 TO 8 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
The Shira route is actually the original version of the Lemosho route. It starts at a much higher altitude with travellers transported to 3,600 metres at Shira Gate and on day two merging with the Lemosho route. For this reason, it’s usually only offered to trekkers who have already acclimatised to high altitudes and can be dangerous to those who haven’t. The advantages are that it’s a day quicker than the Lemosho route, and the drive up is spectacular.
About Josephat
Choosing the right guide can make all the difference in ensuring a safe, successful, and unforgettable climb. Josephat has over 15 years of experience climbing and guiding Mount Kilimanjaro and has successfully led over 500 climbers to the summit. He is certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) as an official guide. Josephat speaks English fluently in addition to Swahili and other local languages. He also provides thoroughly checked equipment for climbers who need it and meticulously checks their condition daily to maximize safety. Josephat is among the guides at Mount Kilimanjaro Guide. Find out more at mountkilimanjaro.guide or email mountkilimanjaro@gmail.com
For more details on Josephat, head to his Instagram account @josephatmashehe
6. The Northern Circuit Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 98 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - HIGH
AVERAGE DURATION - 9 TO 10 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
The newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro is another very quiet trail and the longest hike available. It has very high success rates as the length of the trip gives lots of opportunity for acclimatisation. This trek starts on the Lemosho route but after a few days strikes out on its own, traversing the deserted northern slopes of Kilimanjaro with spectacular scenery – and offering views that you won’t get on the other routes.
Thanks to its length the Northern Circuit has very varied scenery and goes nearly all the way around Kilimanjaro. So, this is one of the best, however, it’s also generally the most expensive tour as it’s so long. You’ll also need to be prepared for the endurance required for the extra days hiking and camping.
7. Umbwe Route
AVERAGE LENGTH - 53 KM
ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY - VERY HIGH
AVERAGE DURATION - 5 TO 7 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION - CAMPING
Probably having the least foot traffic of all the routes, the Umbwe route is perfect for those wanting to get away from it all. This is a fast and direct route for experienced trekkers, being the hardest of the main trails with the steepest climbs. Its sharp altitude changes are reflected by its lower success rates. You should only consider the Umbwe route if you are confident at high altitudes or have pre-acclimatised. In return, you’ll get the quietest trip of all, with stunning ridges and some of the best views of any route. This route starts to the southwest of Kilimanjaro and climbs steeply, before usually connecting to the Southern Circuit before summitting. Umbwe is also well known for its many caves which can be visited during the trek.
Western Breach
Although it’s no longer a main Kilimanjaro route, it would be remiss not to mention the Western Breach. This is a dangerous route and is not offered by most tour operators for this reason. In 2006 the route was temporarily closed when a rockfall killed three unfortunate trekkers. This is a steep route with poor acclimatisation and despite changes to the trail and route since re-opening, it still has hazards which make it too unsafe for most. This is a route for very experienced trekkers and climbers and technically difficult.
When is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
• January and February are great times to climb Kilimanjaro. The weather is relatively warm, and visibility is good. However, it is a busy time on the mountain.
• March to May is the long rainy season. There are very few people on the mountain, but the trail conditions can be very muddy, wet and snowy.
• June is a transitional period that is characterised by low visibility and cold temperatures. It is considered the start of the climbing season.
• July to October is the busiest period on the mountain. It is dry but the temperatures are relatively cold. Visibility is great.
• November is the short rainy season. Precipitation is moderate compared to the long rainy season. Few visitors climb Kilimanjaro during the month.
• December is a crowded time due to the holiday season. But the short rainy season often runs into this month.
