Mount Kilimanjaro Routes

The Marangu route is unique because Marangu used to be the most popular route because it is the only one that offers sleeping huts on the way. This is no longer the case as camping now provides better accommodation than the old huts.

Marangu is the shortest route, measuring 22 miles to the top but only about 35% of the people successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro via this route due to the quickness of the ascent and the inability to acclimatize well.

The trek begins in the south-east area of the mountain at Marangu Gate. The route takes five days minimum to complete, although six days is more practical and recommended. The sleeping huts along the route have a dining hall and bunk beds, equipped with mattresses and pillows. The descent is done on the same path, contributing to Marangu’s overcrowded feeling. It is a cheaper Kilimanjaro climb due to the close proximity of the gate to Moshi, the gateway town, and because it is a shorter route.

Scenically, Marangu is not a desirable route compared to all the other routes because it confines climbers to one area of the mountain, thus limiting the variety. Of course, there are still great views of the rain forest, Mawenzi, and it’s equally spectacular for everyone at Uhuru Peak.

The Rongai Route up Mt Kilimanjaro is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. Rongai seems an easier route but it does not allow climbers to “walk high, sleep low” and the summit night is particularly long. This route has low traffic and walks through remote wilderness areas. It is probably the only route where seeing wildlife on Kilimanjaro in the first days is possible.

The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, on the southeast side of the mountain. Because the starting point is far from Moshi, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting climbers to the gate. Scenically, Rongai is beautiful because it travels through an unspoiled rain forest and remote wilderness area. However, it is not as scenically varied as Machame, Lemosho, and Shira.

The Lemosho Route is nearly identical to the Shira route described above, but with one notable difference – the first section of the trail is hiked. Instead of being dropped off at Shira Gate, Lemosho users will trek through the rainforest on day one and exit the rainforest on day two. This schedule means that the Lemosho Route is a longer route, usually taking seven to eight days to complete.

Lemosho is a longer route, but the added days on the lower slopes of the mountain make this an ideal route for altitude acclimatization. The descent is down Mweka, in the south-east. Because the starting point is far from Moshi, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting climbers to the gate. Scenically, Lemosho is considered the most varied and most beautiful because it begins in the rainforest, crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Lemosho has low traffic until it combines with Machame.

Lemosho is ideal for those who place a premium on proper altitude acclimatization, who are confident in their ability to walk over steeper paths for extended periods and want a lesser-used route. However, Lemosho is also more expensive than other routes.