the roof of africa
Guided climbs on Africa's highest mountain on seven routes, planned around your time, fitness and dates.
5,895 m
Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
3
volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira
5
climate zones from farmland to glacier
1987
year Kilimanjaro National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site
about the mountain
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It rises from farmland at around 900 metres to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of its three volcanic cones.
No ropes or technical skills are needed. Walking through the zones feels like crossing the planet in a week: coffee and banana farms, then rainforest with colobus monkeys, giant heather and lobelias on the moorland, bare alpine desert and, finally, ice and glaciers near the top.
What the mountain does demand is time to acclimatise, steady walking and a good team around you. We help you choose the route and number of days that give you the best chance of enjoying the climb and standing on the summit.
on your schedule
Tell us when you want to climb and how much time you have, and we will plan the route and number of days around you. Climb privately with your own group, or ask us about joining other climbers on your dates.
Your mountain guides stay with you from the gate to the summit and back down. They set a steady pace, check on you every day and make the call on the mountain if anyone needs to turn back for their safety.
Best months to climb
Jan
Dry, clear and fairly warm
Feb
Dry, clear and fairly warm
Mar
Early March dry, rain builds later
Apr
Long rains, wet trails and cloud
May
Long rains, very quiet mountain
Jun
Drying out, cold nights, fewer climbers
Jul
Dry and clear, busy routes
Aug
Peak season, dry and clear
Sep
Peak season, dry and clear
Oct
Dry, clouds build late month
Nov
Short rains, mostly in afternoons
Dec
Drying out, busy over the holidays
Best: dry and clear Good Rainy: possible, but wetter
choose your path
Each route has its own scenery, pace and accommodation. We will help you choose the one that suits you.
Often called the Whiskey route, and one of the most popular ways up. It climbs through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to the summit zone, with varied scenery and some challenging sections. Camping.
Approaches from the west with a longer, gradual crossing of the mountain, giving more time to adjust to the altitude. Beautiful forest, open moorland and dramatic views of the summit. Camping.
Known as the Coca-Cola route, and the only route where you sleep in mountain huts instead of tents. It follows the same trail up and down through rainforest and moorland.
Approaches from the north, near the Kenyan border. A quieter climb with different scenery from the southern and western routes, before joining the upper sections of the mountain. Camping.
A steep, demanding approach that gains height quickly, for experienced trekkers. Our seven-day version climbs via the Western Breach with a night in the summit crater. Camping.
Approaches from the west and crosses the Shira Plateau, with impressive views. It starts at a relatively high elevation, so the itinerary is planned carefully. Camping.
The longest route, circling the quiet northern slopes before joining the summit route. The extra days on the mountain give more time for acclimatisation. Camping.
choose a starting point
9 days · 8 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
10 days · 9 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
8 days · 7 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
9 days · 8 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
Arusha National Park
Price on request
12 days · 11 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
2 days · 1 night
Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
Price on request
5 days · 4 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
7 days · 6 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
6 days · 5 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
7 days · 6 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
7 days · 6 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
8 days · 7 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
10 days · 9 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
13 days · 12 nights
Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Mount Kilimanjaro
Price on request
17 days · 16 nights
Arusha National Park · Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Mount Kilimanjaro · Mount Meru
Price on request
3 days · 2 nights
Arusha National Park · Mount Meru
Price on request
4 days · 3 nights
Arusha National Park · Mount Meru
Price on request
3 days · 2 nights
Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
Price on request
5 days · 4 nights
Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Lake Manyara National Park
Price on request
from the farms to the ice
800 to 1,800 m
The lower slopes are farmed by Chagga families, with coffee, bananas and maize around small villages. You pass through on the drive to the park gate.
1,800 to 2,800 m
Tall, damp forest hung with moss, where you may hear or see blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus. It is warm and humid, and the trail can be muddy.
2,800 to 4,000 m
The forest opens into giant heather, then moorland dotted with giant groundsels and lobelias. Views widen, and nights at camp become cold.
4,000 to 5,000 m
A dry, rocky landscape with little but lichens and moss. Days can be hot in the sun and nights well below freezing. This is where acclimatisation matters most.
5,000 to 5,895 m
Scree, ice and glaciers around the crater rim. You reach this zone on summit night, walking by headtorch to arrive at Stella Point or Uhuru Peak around sunrise.
before you go
Kilimanjaro is a long walk rather than a technical climb. In the months before, walk regularly on hills with a loaded daypack, building up to several hours at a time. Wear the boots you will climb in so they are properly broken in.
Go slowly, drink plenty of water and eat even when you are not hungry. Tell your guide at once about headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual breathlessness. Talk to your doctor before the trip about altitude medicine and any existing health conditions.
You will need moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece, a warm down jacket and a waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers. Add a warm hat, a sun hat, thin and insulated gloves, and good wool or synthetic socks. Gaiters help on muddy or dusty trails.
Bring a headtorch with spare batteries, UV sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm, a water bottle or bladder for 2 to 3 litres, trekking poles, snacks, a small first aid kit and dry bags to keep clothes and electronics dry.
Choose travel insurance that covers trekking to 6,000 metres and emergency evacuation, and check the policy wording before you book. Bring the policy number and emergency phone number with you on the climb.
before you ask
Climbs typically take between 5 and 9 days, depending on the route. Longer routes gain height more gradually and give your body more time to acclimatise.
There is no single best route. Machame and Lemosho are popular for scenery, Marangu offers huts, Rongai approaches from the north and the Northern Circuit gives the most time for acclimatisation. The best choice depends on your time, experience and the kind of climb you want.
It is physically demanding, mainly because of the altitude, the long days and the steep summit night. No technical mountaineering skills are needed on the standard routes, but good preparation and a steady pace are important.
Yes. Send us your dates and we will tell you about any groups you can join. You can also climb privately with your own group.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the most popular periods are around January to March and June to October, when trails are generally drier.
Our cooks prepare fresh, filling meals every day, with vegetarian, vegan and halal options on request. See meals on the mountain for a sample menu.
Yes. We rent clothing, hiking and camping gear in Arusha. See our Kilimanjaro gear rental price list.
start your own journey
Tell us your dates, interests and budget. Our team in Arusha will plan an itinerary around you and send you a quote.
Plan your trip
Asante sana
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