Machame is the most popular route on the mountain with 45% of climbers chosing this option.

The route begins from the South and then heads east travesring under Kilimanjaros fastly receeding ice field, before summitting.

The route can be completed in 6 days, however we recommend taking 7 days to give your body a better chance to acclimtise and therefore increase the chances of a successful summit.

The scenery along the route is beautiful, however, the large crowds do detract from it somewhat.

It is also worth noting that although the most popular route, it isn’t the easiest. The days are long and the terrain steep. It is best suited to those with some backpacking and hiking experience.

Marangu is the oldest and best established route on Kilimanjaro. It is considered the easiest option with the most gradual ascent. It also happens to be the only route which offers dormitory style sleeping huts.

This route can be completed in 5 days, although we always recommend taking at least an extra day to aid with acclimitisation.

Although the easiest option, we believe it is the least scenic, and therefore rarely recommend it.  The only exception to this would be in the rainy season as the huts are preferably to soggy ground.

A relatively new route, Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Starting in the West you will spend the first two days hiking in the rainforests before emerging on Shira Ridge.

Unlike any of the other routes you will then cross the entire Shire Plateau on what is a relatively flat path, making it perfect for acclimatisation. Not only does this route offer fantastic panoramic views, it is devoid of crowds until you meet up with the Machame route close to the Lava Tower.

Joined with Machame you will now cross under the ice field before summiting from Barafu. The descent will take place via the Mweka.

You can complete this hike in 6 days, however, we recommend taking 8.

The North Circuit route is the newest and most exciting route. It follows the Lemosho trail all the way to the Laval Tower. However, rather than joining the busy Machame route to cross the sourthern circuit, it branches off following the hardly ever visited Northern slopes of Kilimanjaro.

With excellent and varied scenery and very low traffic, you will feel as if you have the tallest mountain in Africa to yourself. The route takes 9 days which means elevation is gained slower and therefore success rates are very high.

The route then descend via Mweka.

Rongai is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the North, close to the Kenyan border. It is a relatively easy ascent but has the benefit of not being particularly popular and therefore it can be enjoyed without large crowds of hikers.

It is also a good choice if climbing during the rainy season as the north often experiences much less precipitation.

Although the scenery isn’t as varied as on the Western route, you will experience true wildnerness.