Best months to climb
- January to early March: warm days, clearer mornings.
- June to October: dry season, cold nights.
- Late December: short dry window.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Trek Routes & Preparation Guide
Compare routes, understand difficulty, plan your climb.
Route comparison
Compare Kilimanjaro routes
Route
Marangu Route
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Crowd level: High
- Acclimatisation: Medium
- Accommodation: Huts
- Typical summit success rate: 75%
Route
Machame Route
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Crowd level: High
- Acclimatisation: Strong
- Accommodation: Camping
- Typical summit success rate: 85%
Route
Lemosho Route
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Crowd level: Medium
- Acclimatisation: Strong
- Accommodation: Camping
- Typical summit success rate: 90%
Route
Rongai Route
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Crowd level: Medium
- Acclimatisation: Strong
- Accommodation: Mixed
- Typical summit success rate: 80%
Route
Northern Circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Crowd level: Low
- Acclimatisation: Strong
- Accommodation: Camping
- Typical summit success rate: 92%
Success rates assume standard itineraries and proper acclimatisation.
Ready to plan
Talk to a local Kilimanjaro team
Preparation
Prepare for the mountain
Fitness expectations
- Walk 6 to 8 hours per day on uneven terrain.
- Train with hills, stairs, and loaded day packs.
- Arrive rested and injury-free.
Altitude safety basics
- Move slowly and keep a steady pace.
- Drink water consistently through the day.
- Report symptoms early. Descent is the cure.
Common mistakes
- Choosing too few days to acclimatise.
- Underpacking warmth for summit night.
- Skipping acclimatisation hikes.
Packing
Pack with purpose
Essentials
- Layered clothing for heat and cold.
- Broken-in hiking boots and socks.
- Headlamp, sun protection, refillable bottles.
What guides provide
- Mountain tents, dining tents, and cooking gear.
- Meals, filtered drinking water, and safety checks.
- Support crew and daily briefings.
What climbers must bring
- Sleeping bag rated for summit night.
- Personal medication and first-aid basics.
- Warm gloves, hat, and waterproof shell.
Trust & safety
We focus on safe, responsible climbs
Licensed local guides on every climb.
Crew welfare practices you can verify.
Safety-first pacing and daily health checks.