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 are often organising climbs for single travellers and grouping you with other people so you are not climbing alone.

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 7 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.
Mweka Route : This route has a very direct and fast return back down the mountain however there are limited views and the path can be very steep and slippery, often impassable.
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. If you are travelling alone and are hoping to be joined with other people the Machame Route definitely has the highest chance of getting a group together.

Please Note :

* Upon confirmation we provide a listing of all equipment you need to bring and a price list for hiring anything you don't have.

* Once you arrive in Moshi and before climbing we provide a pre-Kili briefing as well as checking all of your equipment (clothing, walking poles etc). If you need to hire anything we have access to good discounted rates on equipment hire in Moshi and will assist you with this.

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 climbing 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 4,5685m 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 and enjoy the amazing views of the lava whilst climbing. Reach the peak by sunrise and 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.