MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING ROUTES AND ITINERARIES / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

KSTT Kilimanjaro Information

Mount Kilimanjaro wonderful  Crater

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak). It is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania.

Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones:

• Kibo, the highest at 5,895 m (19,341 ft),
• Mawenzi at 5,149 m (16,893 ft) and
• Shira, the shortest at 3,962 m (13,000 ft).

Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim. Kibo is a dormant volcano meaning it could erupt again at any time.  The volcano was active 200 years ago and the last major eruption was 360,000 years ago.

The Kilimanjaro National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the only places on Earth that encompasses every ecological life zone.

• Kilimanjaro lies approximately 205 miles from the equator on Tanzanians Northern border with Kenya.
• Kilimanjaro is approximately 70 miles wide by 47 miles long.  It has five diverse ecological zones with varying temperatures and a vast amount of plant and animal life. Buffalo have been encountered on Kilimanjaro as high as 4000 m.

The meaning of the name “Kilimanjaro” is unknown.  It is thought to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima meaning ‘mountain’, and the Chagga word Njaro (kyaro), loosely translated as ‘whiteness’ giving the name White Mountain.

The name “Kibo” in Chagga means ‘spotted’ and refers to rocks seen on snowfields.  The name “Uhuru” translates as ‘freedom’; a name given to commemorate Tanzanian independence from the UK in 1961.

• It is mandatory to climb Kilimanjaro with a licensed guide and have porters carry your equipment. This sustains the local economy and allows local people to reap the rewards of tourism. At same, a licensed guide is well experienced for your own benefit.
• Kilimanjaro has approximately 40,000 visitors every year from all over the world.

MARANGU ROUTE 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS

Marangu Gate (1980m) -

MARANGU ROUTE

DAY 1 - Walking time: 5hours, approximately 12 kilometers.

Habitat: Montane forest

Driving from Moshi to Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. At the park gate, all hikers must sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will arrange and load their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist you with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)

Your first night stop, at Mandara hut (2700m) is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Hot Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 – Walking time:6 hours approximately 15 kilometers.

Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)

Habitat: Moorland

From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short de-tour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjaro), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; and evening meal and overnight.

DAY 3: - Walking time: 3 up, 1.5 down.

Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatization day

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way, is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a good night's rest.

DAY 4: Walking time: 6 hours, 15 kilometers.

Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)

Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!!

Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

DAY 5: Walking time:8 hours, 6 km ascent, 21 km descent

(Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 23:30Local time, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. We advice our hikers to move slowly.

From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

DAY 6: Walking 6 hours, approximately 27 km

Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with Green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive Gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at your Hotel/Lodge.

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MACHAME ROUTE 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS

(Total hiking distance: Approximately 100 kms)

This is probably the most beautiful route up to Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters, a cook prepares your meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, the Machame route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show" over 6 days. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain - acclimatization. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.

Day one: Walking 6 hours, 18 kilometers.

Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m)

Habitat: Montane forest

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.

Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

Day two: Walking 6 hours, 9 kilometers

Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m)

 Habitat: Moorland

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

Day three: Walking 7 hours , 15 kilometers

Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m)

 Habitat: Semi-desert

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Day four: Walking 7 hours, 13 kilometers

Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)

Habitat: Alpine desert

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.

The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Day five: Walking 8 hours to uhuru, 7-8 hours to Mweka otal 30 kms

(Summit attempt) Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.

Day six: Walking 3 hours, 15 kilometers

Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)

Habitat: Forest

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at your Hotel/Lodge hotel.

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                                                 LEMOSHO ROUTE                                                                    Duration: 7-8 days                 

To climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route is a relatively new option, one that quickly became popular once established.

Strictly speaking not all of Lemosho is new. It is a variation of the Shira route.

Many trekking agencies even call the Lemosho Shira, to stress that you walk across the Shira Plateu.

Read their detailed route description to find out which route exactly you will be on.

Only the first two to three days of the two routes are different. But what a difference!

The Lemosho Route is the most scenic Kilimanjaro route, from the first day to the last.

The trail begins north of Shira, also on the western side of the mountain. But unlike the Shira route, where for the first day you walk on a wide 4WD road, Lemosho is a narrow wilderness trail right from the beginning, passing through pristine and remote rainforest with good chances of seeing wildlife.

It then crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame route near the Lava Tower.

Luckily, despite its growing popularity (especially with second time Kilimanjaro climbers), Lemosho sees a very low number of people. It's all relative. There is still a massive gap between Marangu route and the Machame route, the two really crowded routes, and all the others...

There is an obvious reason why the numbers on Lemosho will always remain much lower than on Marangu or Machame: it's not the cheapest option...

· Starting your climb on the western side means paying for extra transport.

· Using a longer trail means paying for an extra day or several on the mountain.

· And climbing a less trafficked route means higher prices due to less competition from budget tour operators.

Lemosho is also a fairly demanding route, due to both the nature of the terrain and the duration of the trail.

On the plus side Lemosho offers the best chances of any route to acclimatize to the altitude and with that much better summit chances. The fact that you are likely to climb this route with a professional tour organizer, also means your success chances are much better than average.

And if your operator has developed your itinerary in a way that avoids the big traffic surges on the Machame trail (some operators do) you will have a great climb all the way, on the most scenic route, without the crowds that plague the popular trails.

Below are some more detailed notes about what to expect during a Kilimanjaro climb on the Lemosho Route.

Lemosho Route Itinerary

There are several possible variations to the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, so don't be surprised if you see an itinerary that mentions different camps and different heights...

The itinerary below describes a seven night/eight day Kilimanjaro climb on the Lemosho Route.

Like Machame this trek can be shortened if you skip the night in the Karanga Valley and instead walk straight from the Barranco Huts to the Barafu Huts in one day.

Some operators also skip the second night at Shira One, making it a VERY strenuous six day trek.

The trek can be extended by adding an extra night at Moir Huts for acclimatization.

(Note: altitudes and distances are approximations. Different sources will give you different numbers.)

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF LEMOSHO ROUTE

Starting Point: Londorossi Gate (2100 m/6900 ft)

Day 1 - Londorossi Gate/Lemosho trail head - Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa) (2650 m/8695 ft)

Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles

Walking time: 2-3 hours

Altitude gain: 550 m/1795 ft

Day 2 - Big Tree Camp - Shira I (3480 m/11420 ft)

Walking distance: 8 km/5 miles

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 830 m/2725 ft

Day 3 - Shira I - Shira Huts (3850 m/12630 ft) via Shira Cathedral

Walking distance: 11 km/6.8 miles

Walking time: 6-8 hours

Altitude gain: 370 m/1210 ft

Day 4 - Shira Huts - via Lava Tower (4640 m/15220 ft) - Barranco Huts (3985 m/13070 ft)

Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles

Walking time: 6-8 hours

Altitude gain: 135 m/440 ft (790 m/2590 ft to Lava Tower)

Day 5 - Barranco Huts - Karanga Camp (4040 m/13255 ft)

Walking distance: 5.5 km/3.5 miles

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 55 m/185 ft

Day 6 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Huts (4680 m/15360 ft)

Walking distance: 3.5 km/ 2.2 miles

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 640 m/2105 ft

Day 7 - Summit attempt via Stella Point (5752 m/18871 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m/19340 ft) and descent to Millenium Camp (3820 m/12530 ft) (or to Mweka Hut)

Walking distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 10 km/6.2 miles descent

Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 5-6 hours down (the overall walking time may vary from 10 - 16 hours)

Altitude gain: 1072 m/ 3511 ft (Stella Point) or 1215 m/3980 ft (Uhuru Peak)

Descent: 2075 m/6810 ft

Day 8 - Millenium Camp - Lemosho Gate

Walking distance: 20 km/12.5 miles

Walking time: 5 hours

Descent: 1990 m/6530 ft

Transfer to your Hotel / Lodge for dinner and overnight.

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 RONGAI ROUTE

7 Days 6 nights

The Rongai route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the North side of the mountain, South of the Kenyan boarder (Tarakea),and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is through Marangu route to to the South of the mountain. There are many views of the mountain seen clearly by the climbers, beautiful ones. It takes about 4-5 hrs drive from Moshi to to the starting point, via several villages. On the way climbers enjoys the environment, which includes local markets, coffee and banana plants, village life, etc etc.

Itenerary:

Day 1 – Caves Camp

 Rongai Gate - 1st Caves camp.

Hotel

Arrive at the hotel in Moshi (Or Marangu) for overnight.

Hiking

To First Cave.

1950m to 2880m.

6400ft to 9450ft.

Hiking time: About 3-4 hours / 4 miles.

Temperatures: high 70's to mid 80's F.

Transfer by Land Rover (about 4-5 hours) to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru (1950 m / 6398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m / 8530 ft) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Day 2 – Second Cave

To Second Cave.

Hiking

To Second Cave.

2880m to 3450m.

9450ft to 11,320ft.

Hiking time: About 3-4 hours / 4 miles.

Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F.

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Alternatively, you can hike to Kikelewa Camp and spend a rest day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. 

Day 3 – Kikelewa Cave

 Second Cave - Kikelewa Cave.

Hiking

To Kikelewa Camp.

3450m to 3600m.

8500ft to 11,800ft.

Hiking time: About 3-4 hours / 4 miles.

Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F.

Strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa Camp.

Day 4 – Mawenzi Tarn

Kikelewa Cave - Mawenzi Tarn camp.

Hiking

To Mawenzi Tarn.

3600m to 4330m.

11,800ft to 14,200ft.

Hiking time: About 3-4 hours / 3 miles.

Temperatures: mid 30's to mid 60's F.

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn , spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.

NB:- If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike. 

Day 5 – Kibo Hut

 Mawenzi Tarn camp - Kibo hut.

Hiking

To Kibo Camp.

4330m to 4750m.

14,200ft to 15,600ft.

Hiking time: About 4-5 hours / 5 miles.

Temperatures: low 30's to high 50's F.

Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

Day 6 – Horombo Hut

To Summit and Horombo Hut.

Hiking

To Summit and Horombo Hut.

4750m to 5895m.

15,600ft to 19,340ft.

Hiking time: About 11-13 hours / 5 miles.

Temperatures: mid teens to mid 20's F.

(and down to 3720m).

(and down to 12,200ft).

Hiking time: About 3-4 hours / 6 miles.

Temperatures: low 50's to high 60's F.

Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5685m/18,650ft) Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo.

Day 7 – Back to Moshi.

Hiking

To Moshi.

3720m to 1700m.

12,200ft to 5500ft.

Hiking time: About 5-6 hours / 11 miles.

Temperatures: high 40's to mid 70's F.

After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Private Car Service

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. It is time for celebrations/ certificate issuing (If you wish)! Otherwise, certificate may be issued at your Hotel after hot shower.(For dancing celebrations, that will be the BEST time for certificates isuing)

NB:- KSTT offers a free entertainment of traditional dance (Or live Band African Music) for groups of 10 or more climbers after the trek. This will take place at the summit of the Hotel (For Hotels/Lodges of that type) or at any other special arranged venue in the township.

If clients are less than 10, and they wish to enjoy Tanzanian traditional dance, this entertainment may be ordered on request before climbing starts, with additional payment, which will be quoted by the leader of the dancing team, and agreed by both parties. (Dancers & Climbers) . This is optional.

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KSTT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

No 1: What is the weather condition on the mount Kilimanjaro?

 Until recently the weather system on Kilimanjaro was very predictable but like everywhere else in the world the weather system has been changing.  Over the last few years the rainy season seems to have been arriving early.  It is hard to say whether this will last but it has been noted over the last few seasons.

The rainy season should not put you off visiting Kilimanjaro.  It is not always as wet as you may expect and there are some advantages. The mountain is very quiet during the raining season and for those hoping for snow on the summit it can usually be guaranteed during the rainy season.   The two best routes to use during the raining season are the Rongai route and the Marangu route.  The Rongai route ascends via the Northern side of the mountain and it is usually drier on this side.  Accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts and it is better to retire to one of these after a day in the rain rather than a tent.  The huts also give a better opportunity to get your gear dry before the next day.

The temperature on Kilimanjaro can vary from one extreme to another during your expedition and you need to be prepared for everything.  Temperatures during the day can be as high as 30 degrees centigrade but can plummet into the minuses once the sun disappears.    Higher on the mountain and on summit night the temperature can plummet to around -15 degrees centigrade and with wind chill this can seem as cold as -25 degrees centigrade.

The seasons explained (Please note this is not an exact science and as mentioned earlier seasons may vary).

 No 2: What is the BEST time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

A: Mid January to Mid March

This is a good time to climb Kilimanjaro.  The weather is quite stable with clear skies and the occasional shower.  The temperatures are reasonably warm and the mountain is quite quiet.

AVOID Mid March to Mid June

The rains increase during March until April where the mountain becomes very wet and warm.  The mountain is very quiet during this period.  This period is known as the long rains and is the wettest period Kilimanjaro experiences.
(Not recommended for climbing as it will affect speed and photo taking)

Mid June to Mid August

The rain decreases into June and the weather turns very dry and clear as the months go on.  Night time temperatures can be very cold at this time of year.  June is a quiet time on the mountain but it gradually becomes busier as the year moves along.

Mid August to End of October

This is considered peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro and the mountain can be very busy.  The weather is warm and the skies are clear.  Rain can still linger around the rain forest zones on Kilimanjaro but once above this the chances of rain are slim.  The rains increase towards the end of October

November/December

The short rains begin at the start of November and carry on until mid December.  The temperature drops and the clouds close in around Kilimanjaro.  The mountain is usually quite quiet around this time.  During December the mountain becomes busier again and the weather changes for the better.  The 6 weeks around New Year are very busy on the mountain and the weather is quite stable with occasional showers.

No 3: What is the BEST time for Wildlife Safari?

January, February and September are regarded to be the BEST months.

June, July and August are a little colder but still great for Safari.

April and May are not recommended due to heavy rains. Some people decide to go as the areas are not crowded and the rates are low. But they may not be able to make nice photos when it rains. They can only make photos when the rain stops. Also camping sites are wet, therefore they have to stay in Hotels/Lodges.

No 4: Is there a limit of age for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or going to Wildlife tours?

The Tanzanian National Park laws do not allow anyone under the age of 12 years old to attempt climbing. But for old age there is no limit if the climber is physically and mentally fit.

For Wildlife safaris, children under twelve years old may travel with their parents, except for walking safari and/or camping safari. It must be a lodge safari. 

 No 5: Which Route Should I Use to Climb Kilimanjaro?

There are seven established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all approach from the south of the mountain (Mweka is used only for descent). The Lemosho, Shira and Northern Circuit routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north. The illustrations below depict a three-dimensional view of Kilimanjaro's climbing routes and a close up of the approaches to the summit.
If you are not experienced in Mountain climbing, we recommend you go through the Marangu route (Coca Cola route) This joke “Coca Cola” route is used as an easy path, while other camping routes are called “Whisky routes”. The names are not official.
For best photographs take Machame or Rongai routes.
For adventure climb, hard and awarding routes, go through Umbwe, Lemosho and Shira routes.
It is estimated that tourists are climbing Kilimanjaro using the routes in the following percentages: Machame (45%), Marangu (40%), Lemosho (8%), Rongai (5%), Shira (1%),  Umbwe (0%).  In contrast, Kilimanjaro-Serengeti Tours clients use Machame (47%), Rongai (20%), Lemosho (3%), and Marangu (30%) .
Selecting a route is a tough choice for most. To find the best route for you, considerations should be taken for the route's scenery, difficulty, foot traffic and its altitude acclimatization characteristics. Kilimanjaro-Serengeti Tours & Travels Ltd (KSTT) has assigned overall ratings to each route. The details may change yearly due to interests of climbers.

MAP OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO ROUTES

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