African Scenic Safaris | Northern Tanzania

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro : The Rooftop of Africa

Want to experience the rooftop of Africa? We can help organise this for you.

***Contact us if your wanting information regarding climbing for charity. We regularly organise group charity climbs and money fundraised can go towards a new orphanage we are building, visit www.pathtoafrica.org***

At 5895m, Mt Kilimanjaro stands as Africa's highest peak and one of the highest in the world which is accessible by foot. A good level of fitness is recommended and any pre-existing medical conditions need to be discussed with us.

There are 6 routes to climb Mt Kilimanjaro :

Machame Route : By far the most popular route and has the highest success rate of making it to the top. It starts with a nice day of walking through the rainforest and has a nice steady altitude increase each day. It also has the best protection from the weather and any high winds.
Marangu Route : Another popular route which uses shared huts rather than camping. Some people find this more comfortable for sleeping however it is less private than having your own tent. During peak season these huts can be very overcrowded. The summit day of this route is particularly difficult with a high altitude increase.
Rongai Route : This route is popular for experienced climbers and offer a greater challenge. It is slightly more expensive due to the additional cost in getting to/from the park entry gate. This gate is located around the other side of the mountain.
Shira Route : The first day of this route is the Shira Route and then it meets up with the Machame route for the rest of the climb. Although distance is shorter than the start of the Machame route it is much steeper and Day number 1 can be quite a shock to the system.
Lemosho Route : This route is rarely used due to the higher price of getting to the park entry gate however it is extremely beautiful and you can include camping on the crater. After day 2 this route meets up with the Shira and then Machame routes.
Umbwe Route : This route is a very strenuous walk up very steep paths and only recommended for experienced climbers.

We can organise any route for you however ninety percent of our clients choose the Machame Route. Machame route has the highest success rate of making it to the top and this is because it's the best route for acclimatisation. It's is also one of the most scenic routes with the environment changing each day.

If your a single traveller however do not want to climb alone, contact us. We can group you together with other climbers which reduces the cost and gives you someone to share the experience with.

For the year Jan-Dec 2011, African Scenic Safaris enjoyed a success rate of over 96% of our clients making it to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. This is Shira or Uhuru Peak and an extremely high success rate. This is due to our fantastic guides who are completely dedicated to getting you safely to the summit.

Please Note :

* Upon inquiry we provide you with a pre-climb information kit. This includes general information about climbing Kilimanjaro and a hiring price list. Upon arrival in Tanzania, we check through your equipment and help you hire anything additional which you need. We have access to discounted hiring rates in Moshi.

Other trekking options :

Should you have less time or on a lower budget there are still other amazing trekking options in Northern Tanzania. Below are some examples.

Mt Kilimanjaro Day Hike :
Want to say you have climbed Kilimanjaro however do not have the time or budget? We can organise for you to do a day hike to the first camp. This is a pleasant hike and a popular option.

Mt Meru :
Located within Arusha National Park, Mt Meru is a fantastic second option to Kilimanjaro. It is Tanzania's 2nd highest mountain reaching 4,565m and gives you the chance to experience many types of wildlife while climbing. This mountain is quite challenging however can be climbed within 3 or 4 days, making it a faster and cheaper alternative to Kilimanjaro.

Oldonyo-Lengai : (Lake Natron)
Olyonyo-Lengai is an active volcano located near Lake Natron. This can easily be added to your safari as an extension or done as a separate weekend trip. During the day you can visit Lake Natron (famous for its millions of flamingos), enjoy many different hikes, visit the waterfalls or stop into a local maasai village. The climbing of Oldonyo-Lengai is done during the night. Depart your camp site or lodge at approx 11pm with the plan to reach the peak by sunrise, enjoy the incredible views before walking back down. This hike is extremely challenging however even those not making it to the top still find it a wonderful experience.