Climbing Kilimanjaro - Introduction

Climbing Kilimanjaro – A Personal View

Kilimanjaro and I have a close bond. For the three months leading up to my climb it was all I could think about; it took over my world as I used it as an incentive to get fit, but the constant nagging feeling of ‘what if I don’t make it’ didn’t leave me until I actually go to the top. 

There are many aspects of the climb that have made it the most exhilarating thing I have ever done, from the sense of achievement upon reaching the summit, the liberating feeling of being without the luxuries of my every day life (mobile phone for one), knowing I was raising money for a very deserving East African charity, the kudos of climbing the highest mountain in Africa, and being so far out of my comfort zone.

However for me the thing that really sticks with me was the atmosphere on the mountain and the camaraderie between our guides, camp team and porters. It is unforgettable and I am completely in awe of my guide Joseph who was by my side every step of the way, and in my eyes is a hero.

Victoria Langmead - One of Aardvark Safaris' Kilimanjaro climb specialists

Climbing Kilimanjaro - Routes in Brief

There are several routes available to climbers on Kilimanjaro, each offering something different in the way of scenery and terrain. Aardvark Safaris choose to offer the two routes that provide the best possible chance for our clients to reach the summit safely; as a bonus these have the most varied and beautiful scenery. We typically achieve over 95% success on our climbs.

Machame Route – One of Aardvark’s featured routes
Taken as a six night climb Machame is probably the most scenic and beautiful route up Kilimanjaro, particularly the traverse below the Western Breach. Few people climb by this route affording greater peace and exclusivity, and comfortable private tented camps are set up by your climbing team at each campsite. The final ascent is via Stella Point, the shorter of the routes to Uhuru Peak, which allows our clients a greater chance of success.

For a detailed climbing itinerary and map of the Machame Route, please see the separate Machame Route web page.

Lemosho Route – One of Aardvark’s featured routes
One of the longer routes with eight nights on Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route offers a very good chance of success since your body gets a lot of time to acclimatise to the altitude. Even quieter than the Machame Route, this route also uses private tented camps that are set up by the climbing team every day, and ascends via Stella Point. This route has the highest success rate of all thanks to spending the most days on the climb.

For a detailed climbing itinerary and map of the Lemosho Route, please see the separate Lemosho Route web page.

Marangu Route
Although this is the shortest, least expensive route up Kilimanjaro with sleeping huts at every campsite, it is the busiest and most developed route with the hardest final climb via Gilman’s Point. Limited time for altitude acclimatisation can mean a lower chance of success.

Rongai Route
This route is logistically awkward, starting on the northern, Kenyan, side of Kilimanjaro. It is a steep climb for the first couple of days, with little in the way of attractive scenery. The final climb is via Gillman’s Point and the descent is by the Marangu route, making it a relatively hard and busy route.

Umbwe Route
This route is one of the shorter but more difficult routes to reach Uhuru peak, with a particularly hard first day’s climb. There is also little in the way of scenery when compared to the Machame and Lemosho routes, and you do not see much of Kilimanjaro itself.

Mweka Route
The Mweka route is used as a descent from Kilimanjaro only.