Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking
Climbing Kilimanjaro Routes by success rate
Overview
There are 6 routes to ascent Kilimanjaro, each route offers unique experience and scenery of the mountain. The secret to increasing your likelihood of succeeding on Mt Kilimanjaro, is choosing the extended trails. Allowing time for acclimatization and permitting your body to adapt to the altitude, along with navigating different terrains during the climb, will provide you the greatest opportunity to experience the summit’s beauty.
Lemosho Route
This 70km path will require nearly all climbers a minimum of 7 or 8 days to finish. Many regard it as the most stunning path to Kilimanjaro and it has gained popularity for its minimal foot traffic, impressive summit success rate, and breathtaking panoramic vistas. This path comes highly recommended.
- Success rate: High success rate 90 – 95%
- Safety record: Excellent safety record
- Length: 70 km
- Difficulty: One of the easiest routes to climb
Northern Circuit Route
Considered one of the finest paths to ascend Kilimanjaro, the Northern route is also one of the most recent. It is among the longest paths offered, providing extended climbing duration and is excellent for acclimatization. This indicates that it boasts one of the highest rates of success for reaching the peak. The path provides stunning diverse landscapes and typically has few travelers. It takes 9 days to reach to Uhuru peak.
- Success rate: High success rate, often between 85–95%
- Length: One of the longest routes, allowing for more time to acclimatize
- Scenery: Offers a variety of scenery and is generally less crowded
- Difficulty: One of the easiest routes.
Umbwe Route
This is the shortest and the steepest route hence the most difficult route of all. If you are looking to test your limits then this route is perfect for you. It takes a minimum of 5 days and it is 51 km in length. It is less popular among climbers because it is the most demanding route.
- Success rate: Low
- Safety record: Low
- Length: 51 km
- Difficulty: The hardest route.
Machame Route
Arguably it is the most popular route. Most climbers will take a minimum of 6 days to complete Kilimanjaro on this route. It is considered fairly difficult and is well suited to the more adventurous and those with hiking experience. Nicknamed the ‘whiskey route’, it is the most popular route with our guests thanks to its challenging conditions and spectacular views of the summit.
- Success rate: 85%
- Safety record: Fairly Safe
- Length: 63 km
- Difficulty: Fairly difficult
Marangu Route
Maybe the oldest yet also the simplest path to ascend Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route ascends the mountain on a gentle incline. The journey can be finished in 5 days; however, we prefer the 6-day choice for improved acclimatization and higer success rate.The trail measures 69km and is often called the ‘Coca Cola route’ as it is the most traditional hike up the mountain. It is preferred in the rainy season and rises and falls along the same route.
- Success rate: 85%
- Safety record: Very Safe
- Length: 69 km
- Difficulty: Considered the easiest
Rongai Route
This 70km path comes in from the north, situated quite near the Kenyan border. It is a path becoming popular and a suggested choice for individuals wanting to avoid the crowds. This route requires at least 6 days to finish and is considered to be of moderate steepness and difficulty. It is an excellent choice for individuals who have minimal hiking experience. It is additionally a favored choice in the rainy season.
- Success rate: 90%
- Safety record: Safe
- Length: 70 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
