Kilimanjaro Route Comparison

So, you want to climb Kilimanjaro?

The first step is to choose a route.

The Kilimanjaro massif is composed of three volcanic cones more or less horizontally aligned on an east-west axis. The length of this axis, from Marangu Gate in the east to Londorossi Gate in the west, is over 40 kilometres as the crow flies. To the south of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and to the north is Kenya. Kilimanjaro is entirely within the borders of Tanzania so the five main approach routes commence in Tanzania and mainly from the south, southeast and southwest aspects of the mountain.

Which route is best for you?

Kilimanjaro routes comparison chart


Machame	This very popular route approaches from the south-west, and can be very crowded in peak season. Beautiful scenery along the southern traverse and during the climb to Shira plateau. Some tough, steep climbing days, particularly on the Barranco Wall. However, great acclimatisation profile following climbers’ adage of “climb high, sleep low”. Joins Lemosho/Shira route near summit.	Low	Excellent	Low-cost	6-7 days
Lemosho	Remote route approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. With Shira, often considered the most scenic route due to approach through rainforest and heathland. Some tough climbing days, including steep climb on Barranco Wall, but excellent acclimatisation profile due to longer approach. Joins Machame route near summit.	Medium	Excellent	Mid-cost	7-8 days
Marangu	The so-called ‘cola-cola’ route is, after Machame, the most popular and most affordable route. Approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. A generally easy ascent with gentle gradients. Descent is on the same trail, meaning you see less of the mountain. The oldest trail on the mountain, and the only one to offer basic dorm-style accommodation for the entire climb (most climbers prefer the privacy of a tent!) Poor acclimatisation due to 5/6 ascent being standard, hence lower success rate.	Medium	Poor	Lowest-cost	5-6 days
Northern Circuit	The longest route on the mountain. Approaches from the west via either Shira or Lemosho trails, before branching off for a full traversal of the northern face of the mountain to meet with Rongai route for the summit ascent. Excellent acclimatisation profile. Total escape from the crowds. However, remoteness means rescue is more complicated.	Medium	Best	High-cost	9 days
Rongai	Remote route approaching Kilimanjaro from the north. Long drive to trailhead from Arusha, meaning route is less frequented than others. A comparatively easy climb with a reasonable acclimatisation profile. However, longest and toughest summit night due to position of high camp. Less scenically spectacular than western approach routes, but unique approach to mountain with very special trek through alpine desert, owing to lower rainfall levels on Kilimanjaro’s northern face.	Medium	Good	Mid-cost	6-7 days
Shira	Identical to Lemosho except for the different approach used during the first two days’ climb. Like Lemosho, a remote, scenic trail, with comparatively few climbers and a great acclimatisation profile. Trail starts relatively high (3,600m), largely bypassing the rainforest section, but has a gradual ascent thereafter with few peaks. Joins Machame route near summit.	Medium	Excellent	Mid-cost	7-8 days
Umbwe	Rarely used rapid-ascent trail. Very poor acclimatisation profile so pre-acclimatisation recommended (consider the Mt Meru-Umbwe combination climb). Route is difficult so far as the ascent is rapid, and the initial approach very steep. Joins with Machame, Lemosho and Shira routes at Barranco.	Tough	Poor	Mid-cost	5-6 days
Western Breach	Technical climbing route with a rapid ascent. Initial approach on Umbwe route, but uses different track to summit. For many years closed following a fatal rock fall. Since re-opened, but only accessible to experienced climbers travelling with a technical guide.	Tough	Poor	High-cost	5-6 days
North Face	First climbed in 1999, but not at the time an officially sanctioned route. First commercial climbs took place in 2016. Approach is on Shira or Lemosho route (Umbwe also viable), followed by a full crossing of Kibo’s crater. Note: high-altitude bivouac required!	Toughest	Excellent	Highest-cost	9 days

Kilimanjaro Routes With High success rates.

Rongai Route Success Rate.

Rongai route is the only route that ascends Kilimanjaro from north-eastern side of the mountain along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and most of the hikers normally suffer more from altitude sickness on this route compared to other routes.

Therefore, spending an extra day on the mountain (acclimatization) becomes even more valuable compare to the 6-day option.

Seven days trek success rate is 80% and 65% for the six days trek.

Lemosho route success rate.

The Lemosho Route is widely acclaimed as the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Earlier, there were only two easy routes to ascend Kilimanjaro the Marangu (Coco Cola) route and the Machame (Whiskey) route.

The Lemosho route is a relatively new trail and is preferred because of its beauty, remoteness and success rate. This route increases the chances of a climber to make it to the summit. With increasing popularity of the Kilimanjaro, the Kilimanjaro Park Authority created more trails to the highest peak in Africa to spread climbers across more areas of the park, and to tackle congestion at certain points to enhance the experience and make it a pleasant one.

When you take this route in six days (five nights) on the mountain the success rate is 65%. Seven days summit success rate is 85%.

With eight days (seven nights) on the mountain it will maximize your chances of reaching the top at 90%.

Marangu route success rate.

Marangu route is easy, beautiful and shorter. It is one of the most favoured routes to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Being able to reach to the summit earlier compared to the other routes.

Disadvantage of this route is you will not have enough time to spent on acclimatization, which directly reflects on the success rate.

What makes this route a complete standout is the shared hut accommodations unique to this route. It takes only 5 days to reach the summit. Success rate is below 50%.

Umbwe route success rate.

The route ascends Kilimajaro from the southern side of the mountain. The route is short, steep and direct climb. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Amongst all the trek routes to Kilimanjaro, the Umbwe route gathers attention for throwing a lot of curveballs thereby earning the reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Umbwe route doesn’t provide the requisites ideally for acclimatization owing to the fast ascent to high altitude.

The route has very less number on this trail as it is considered to a very strenuous and taxing, hence it is highly recommended to be attempted by strong hikers confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.

Most people can’t brave the hassles of this route, so opt for this route after some meticulous thought and careful consideration.

Northern Circuit Success Rate.

This is the newest route on the mountain and traverses all of the Northern Slopes on a circumnavigation of the mountain. The northern circuit is also the longest route on Kilimanjaro in term of distance and time. It will take you 9 days to reach the summit via this route.

Because of its length (more time to acclimatize), it’s considered to be the safest and most successful route up Kilimanjaro with an average summit success rate of over 95%!

Machame route success rate.

The Machame route has equally good success rate. This is the results of ups and downs along the route which allows better acclimatisation for the climbers. To ensure a higher success rate it is best to take your time. The 7-day itinerary has an average summit success rate of 85%. For the 6-day itinerary success rate drops to 75% on average.

Lemosho route success rate.

Known to as the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Back in the days, they were only two routes to climb up Kilimanjaro- Marangu(Coco Cola) route and the Machame (Whiskey) route. The Lemosho has scenic beauty, wild and a good success rate.

The ideal time to ascent Kilimanjaro via this route is eight days (seven nights) as this will give better altitude acclimatization schedule. Chances of summiting is very high, around 90%.

To Summit up

Many of the tour operators and tour guides may claim a 98% summit success rate but the true statistic depends on several factors like type of route and acclimatization, food, tents, Diamox usage, Mental and physical condition, sex and age of the trekker.