Escape to the summit of your dreams.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
At 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and one of the continent’s magnificent sights, it has three main volcanic peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The name itself “Kilimanjaro” is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans.
Above the gently rolling hills and plateau of northern Tanzania raises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro its slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Once inside the park, thick lowland forest covers the lower altitudes and breaks into alpine meadows once the air begins to thin. Near the peak, the landscape is harsh and barren, with rocks and ices the predominant features above a breathtaking African view.
Mt.Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don’t even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, and the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 meters – to an imperious 5,895 meters (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates and their memories.
But there is so much more to Kilimanjaro than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush Montana forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lays the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.
About Kilimanjaro National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Getting there
– 128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
– About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
Marangu (Coca Cola) Route
Marangu Route is often called the Tourist Route or the Coca Cola Route, and is both the least difficult and the shortest way to reach Uhuru Peak. It is also the oldest of the routes. 70% of all climbers choose to take this route, as it mostly consists of easy hiking.
While this is the ‘easiest’ route, it also has a high failure rate due to poor preparation. If you take the route seriously and prepare adequately, you’ll be fine.
Marangu route offer the following
- Shortest route to the summit which means less time to acclimatize.
- Much lower success rate.
- Dormitory style accommodation which can be noisy.
- Less scenic due to ascent and descent on same route.
You can choose to complete this route in either five days or six days.
Rongai Route
The six day Rongai Route is the only route up the north-eastern part of the mountain. Second to the Marangu Route in terms of difficulty, this path is also gaining popularity due to the stunning and unique wilderness conditions it features.
Caves along the way offer an opportunity to overnight in a completely unique fashion, and the route is a popular choice for those wanting to avoid the Marangu crowds.
Rongai offer the following
- Only northern approach route to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit.
- Offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb.
- Very tough final summit night.
- Less natural acclimatization with no opportunities to “walk high, sleep low”.
- Fully catered camping
The Rongai Route takes six days.
Machame (Whiskey) Route
Considered to be the most beautiful and scenic of the various routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame Route is appropriate for more adventurous hikers who wish for a more physically demanding climb than Marangu or Rongai can offer.
Machame is presently the most popular route despite its higher degree of difficulty, so you can expect to not be the only one climbing.
Machame route offer the following
- Highly recommended, best success rate.
- Allows “walk high, sleep low” for better acclimatization.
- Stunning scenery climbing through five diverse climatic zones.
- Ascent and descent is via different routes.
- Fully catered camping.
You can choose to complete this route in either six days or seven days.
Lemosho Route
With two options when it comes to reaching Uhuru Peak, the longer Lemosho Glades Route is an alternative way to ascend up to the Shira Plateau. The Lemosho route offers climbers an opportunity to see some of Africa’s most iconic animals up close, and the first day’s climbing even requires the presence of an armed ranger.
Lemosho offers
- An excellent route to climb Kilimanjaro by with a high success rate.
- Allows climbers to “walk high, sleep low” enabling better acclimatization.
- Remote and spectacular approach with dramatic gorges and views of west Kilimanjaro.
- Shira route offers higher start point therefore is less good for acclimatization.
- a great combination of scenic views,low climber density, and a high success rate.
- Fully catered camping.
It is recommended to allow six to eight days for completion of Lemosho Route.
Shira Route
The Shira Route is very similar to Lemosho Route, but starts at a higher altitude. In fact, Lemosho was a route designed to improve upon Shira Route, and is considered a vastly superior climbing experience.
Climbers will need to be very confident in their ability to acclimatize should they take this route. Given Lemosho is an improved version of this route
Umbwe Route
Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach and it’s the most hardest and challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe Route is the trail for trekkers looking for a true climbing challenge. It is a quiet, seldom used path that can be very difficult, yet very rewarding at the same time. This is the route to choose if you want to test yourself on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, far from the crowds that are found on the more common trails.
While Umbwe route is a non-technical climb, it does offer steep ascents and requires trekkers to scramble over rocks and tree roots at certain points. It is the hardest and most direct route up the mountain and even features several exposed ridges that are not for the faint of heart. The fitness and stamina of hikers may be tested along the way and it is best for experienced mountain trekkers who are looking for a challenge.
Umbwe route its really amazing amazing because of the following.
- Steep, short route with very low success rate.
- Poor acclimatization due to rapid ascent.
- Very remote and quiet for the first two days.
- Fully catered camping.
- You can use six days to accomplish this route.
