The best route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro can be analyzed based on the many factors, We will analyse the best kilimanjaro route based on 7 Key factors but before we go to the best route to climb mount kilimanjaro note that All Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes differ in length, cost, days and scenery.
Selecting a mt Kilimanjaro climb route and selecting a Kilimanjaro tour operator is the most important decision you have to make.
7 Reasons Which Is The Best Route To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
1:
2: The Cost of each kilimaSuccess Rate to Summitnjaro route
3: The Route best views or scenery, Attractive
4: The Easiest Route
5: The Accommodations Available on that Route
6: The Number of days on each Route
7: Advantage and Disadvantages of All Mount Kilimanjaro Routes:
1 According toSummit or Peak success Rate by Climbing Route.
Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route has Highest Success Rate.
The 8 day kili treck has a peak success rate of 90% while the 7 day kili treck has a peak success rate of 85% and for the 6 day kili treck option has a summit success rate is around 65% but the lemosho route has the best mount kilimanjaro summit success rate.
Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Climb
The 7 day kili climb has a summit success rate of 80% while the 6 day kili climb has a 65% summit success rate.
The Machame Route Success Rate
The 7 days kili Machame route has an average summit success rate of 85% while the 6 days kili teck option has a 73% summit success rate.
The Marangu Route lowest Success Rate
The 5 dayskili marangu route has the lowest summit success rate of 50% while the 6 days marangu route has a peak success rate of 70%
2: The Cost of each kilimanjaro route
The Marangu route climb
Its has the lowest cost to climb 5 days is 1800 usd and 6 days is 2000 usd
The Machame Route
The Machame route is the second cheapest from 2100 usd for 6 days to 2300 usd for 7 days
The Rongai Route cost
Climbing mount kilimanjaro from the rongai route for 6 days cost 2300 usd and 7 days cost 2600 usd
The Lemosho Route Cost
Lemosho route is the most expensive route with 7 days costing 2700 usd and 8 days costing 3000 usd
3: The Route with best views or scenery or Attractive
The Lemosho route
It is the most beautifull route with great views of landscape, wildlife and vegatation
The Machame Route
This is the second most beautifull route, all through the lemosho route, rongai route and shira route join in the trial.
The Marangu Route
This is the least attractive route, because it goes up and down on the same route, all those route ascend and descend is different.
4: The Easiest Route
The Marangu Route
It is the easiest route as its straight without many ups and downs, and covering short distance while walking from the gate to summit.
The Lemosho Route
It is the second easiest with 8 days every day you have a simple walk for 4 hours, it also has the highest summit succes rate.
The rongai route
These are the third easiet route, but their is a very small difference that people say shia is a bit more difficult than rongai. With rongai already the driest route i will say its the third easiest followed by shia.
The Shia Route.
These route is the fourth easiest but people can argue since you can use a 4 wheel drive up this route and two days of your treck will be reduced.
The Machame Route
Its the hardest route to climb mount kilimanjaro with many ups and downs and very long distance covered and time consuming. its very tough.
The Umbwe route
This is the expert route, its very very steep and should be opted if you have good climbing experience.
5: The Accommodations Available on that Route
Their are 2 types of accommodation Hut accommodation or tent (camping). Only the marangu route has hut accommodation while all other routes have camping accommodation.
6: The Number of days on each Route
You can climb kilimanjaro any where from 5 to 10 days but i will analyse based on the number most people take.
Marangu route 5 days
Machame 6 DAys
Rongai 7 days
Lemosho 8 days
7: Advantages and Disadvantages of All Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Routes
Marangu | Machame | Rongai | Shira | Lemosho | Umbwe | Mweka
The Marangu Route
For a long time Marangu route was the most popular Kilimanjaro route. But now its second two by the Machame route the most popular now.
Duration of climb: 5 days, An acclimatization day can be increased.
Advantage Of Marangu Route
- Lowest cost. (See Cost of all mount kilimanjaro route)
- Accommodation is in huts or bed, no camping equipment required. ( See pictures)
- Widely sais the easiest route. (I beg to differ See why)
Disadvantage of Marangu Route
- Lowest summit success rate. (See Why?)
- Very crowded route.
- Camping is not allowed in this route.
- The same way up and down. (0ther route uses a different way down)
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Marangu Route | Marangu Route Pictures Return to Overview | Return to Top
The Machame Route
The Machame route is among the most attractive routes on Kilimanjaro. When it was discovered Machame route quickly became the most popular mount Kilimanjaro route.
Duration of Climb: 6 or 7 days
Advantage of Machame Route
- Relatively low cost, second Cheapest.
- Very attractive or scenic.
- Better success rate than Marangu.
Disadvantage of Machame route
- Higher level of difficulty many ups and downs.
- Very crowded route.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route | Machame Route Photos
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Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the easiest route to climb Kilimanjaro. It is a remote wilderness trail. Rongai approach Kilimanjaro from the north.
Durationof climb: 5 or 7 days
Advantage of the Rongai route
- The easiest route to climb kilimanjaro. (see how)
- The quieter route on Kilimanjaro.
- Approaches Kilimanjaro from the driest side, good weather.
- Ascent and descent on opposite sides, (see both sides of Kilimanjaro). (
Disadvantage of Rongai Route
- Higher cost.
- Considered somewhat less attractive.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route | Rongai Route Pictures
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Shira Route
This route over the Shira Plateau has many possible variations.
Duration of climb: 6 – 8 days
Advantage of Shira Route
- Less crowded on the 1-3 days.
- Very attractive or scenic.
Disadvantage of Shira Route
- Higher cost. (compared to Marangu, Machame, Rongai)
- Higher difficulty level.
- Joins the Machame route, (very busy on the later days).
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route | Shira (Machame) Route pictures (the routes join on day 3)
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Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route remote, beautiful, long and expensive. (My opinion the best route to climb mount kilimanjaro)
Duration of climb: 7 – 8 days
Advantage of the Lemosho Route
- Very attractive or scenic route.
- Highest Success rate.
- Very low number of people during the first days.
- Alot of time for acclimatization.
Disadvantage of the Lemosho Route
- Highest cost.
- Higher difficulty level.
- Joins Machame and Shira route on the 4 day, hence very crowded laiter.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route | Lemosho (Machame) Route photos (the routes join on day 4)
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Umbwe Route
This is the steepest Kilimanjaro route. its definately not the best route to climb mount kilimanjaro
Duration: 5 – 6 days.
This route is not very used. The Umbwe route is suitable for people with experience in mountain climbing and have adapted to the altitude.
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Mweka Route
This is route is only for descent. You will be following it from Machame, Shira, Lemosho or Umbwe route. Its not the best route to climb mount kilimanjaro
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Conclusion
We can all agree their is no single the best route to climb mount kilimanjaro but in my opinion Lemosho route is the best as its the most beautifull and has the highest summit succes rate.
There is no single best Mount Kilimanjaro climb route. Which climb route up Kilimanjaro is the best for you depends on time, money, experience and fitness.
See all mt Kilimanjaro climbing routes and good they are:
The Marangu Route kili climb: its the only Kilimanjaro climb route with hut accommodation.
The Machame Route kili climb: its the most popular climbing route up mt Kilimanjaro.
The Rongai Route climb: its the easiest route on Kilimanjaro climb.
The Shira Route kili climb: this one takes you to some high altitude on the first day.
The Lemosho Route kili climb : the most beautiful Kilimanjaro climbing route, but very expensive.
The Umbwe Route kili climb: the most difficult route on Kilimanjaro treck, but the most spectacular.