BY Rami Rasamny | May 22 2025
What is the Best Route to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Rami Rasamny
Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Path to the Roof of Africa.
When it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make is choosing your route. With several options available, each offering different landscapes, acclimatization profiles, and levels of difficulty, selecting the best way up Africa’s highest peak is about more than just reaching the summit—it’s about the journey that gets you there.
Whether you’re hiking Kilimanjaro for the first time or returning for a second attempt, understanding the pros and cons of each route can make the difference between a successful climb and a challenging experience. Here’s a breakdown of the main routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and why we believe the Machame Route is the best overall choice.
Marangu Route “The Coca Cola Route”
Duration: 5 to 6 days
Starting Point: Marangu Gate (southeast)
Accommodation: Huts
Pros:
- The only route with hut accommodation, ideal for those not keen on camping
- Fewer logistics and a shorter duration
Cons:
- Follows the same path up and down, which limits scenic variety
- Short acclimatization period contributes to lower success rates
- Often crowded
The Marangu Route is often marketed as the easiest way to climb Kilimanjaro, but the short duration and rapid ascent make it deceptive. It’s a popular choice for budget conscious trekkers, but its limitations in acclimatization and scenery can take away from the overall experience.
Lemosho Route Remote and Scenic
Duration: 7 to 8 days
Starting Point: Londorossi Gate (west)
Accommodation: Camping
Pros:
- Excellent acclimatization profile
- Remote and less crowded for the first few days
- Incredible scenic variation
Cons:
- More expensive due to longer duration and logistics
- Longer drive to starting point
The Lemosho Route is a favorite among those who want to take their time climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. It merges with the Machame Route after a few days and shares the same southern traverse, making it a good alternative for those with extra time.
Rongai Route The Quiet Northern Approach
Duration: 6 to 7 days
Starting Point: Rongai Gate (northeast)
Accommodation: Camping
Pros:
- Less crowded
- Drier climate, great during the rainy season
- Gentle slopes early in the trek
Cons:
- Less scenic than other routes
- Lower success rate due to faster ascent
- Returns down the Marangu Route, repeating steps
The Rongai Route offers solitude and a unique perspective of the mountain but lacks the dramatic scenery of the western and southern approaches. Its relatively quick ascent can also pose acclimatization challenges.
Northern Circuit The Longest and Most Comprehensive
Duration: 9 or more days
Starting Point: Londorossi Gate (west)
Accommodation: Camping
Pros:
- Highest summit success rate
- Full circumnavigation of Kilimanjaro
- Exceptional acclimatization profile
Cons:
- Longest and most expensive
- Less commonly used
If time and budget aren’t constraints, the Northern Circuit offers the most gradual ascent and the greatest diversity of views, circling the mountain before approaching from the east. It’s the most immersive way to climb Kili but also the most time intensive.
Umbwe Route Direct and Demanding
Duration: 5 to 6 days
Starting Point: Umbwe Gate (south)
Accommodation: Camping
Pros:
- Very quiet
- Direct path to the summit
Cons:
- Steep and physically demanding
- Poor acclimatization profile
- Recommended only for experienced high altitude climbers
The Umbwe Route is the most challenging and least forgiving of the established paths. It’s scenic but not ideal for first timers due to the high risk of altitude sickness.
Why the Machame Route is the Best Route to Climb Kilimanjaro
Duration: 7 days
Starting Point: Machame Gate (southwest)
Accommodation: Camping
The Machame Route, often called the “Whiskey Route,” strikes the perfect balance for most trekkers climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Here’s why:
- Ideal Acclimatization: The 7 day itinerary allows your body to gradually adjust to altitude. Plus, the natural terrain follows a “climb high, sleep low” pattern, an essential technique for altitude adaptation.
- No Repetition of Steps: Except for the descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you won’t repeat your route. Every day brings new scenery and a sense of forward momentum.
- Diverse Landscapes: Traversing the southern slopes from west to east, the Machame Route takes you through rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and glacial summit zones. Few routes offer such an extraordinary visual journey.
- Efficiency Without Rushing: Seven days provides enough time to acclimatize without dragging the journey out. It keeps you energized and focused without succumbing to unnecessary fatigue.
Whether you’re climbing Kilimanjaro for personal challenge, self discovery, or just to stand on the tallest point in Africa, the Machame Route offers the best all around experience for most adventurers. It combines beauty, variety, safety, and efficiency in one unforgettable Kilimanjaro trek.
Ready to Climb Kili?
At Life Happens Outdoors, we believe that adventure should be both transformative and attainable. Our Kilimanjaro expeditions via the Machame Route are designed to give you the best shot at the summit while enjoying every step of the journey.
