- First-time high-altitude trekkers
- Travellers who want to give themselves the best chance of summit
- Photographers — most diverse scenery
Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru
The roof of
Africa
on your own two feet
the roof of africa is closer than you think — and reaching it is one of those things that changes how you see yourself. we climb with seasoned mountain crews who put your safety and comfort first, at a pace that gets you to the summit and back with memories, not regrets. the mountain is waiting.
5,895 mKilimanjaro summit
4,566 mMount Meru summit
5-9 daysClimb duration
Year-roundClimbing season
90-95%Summit success rate
Scroll
africa's rooftop
the mountain thatchanges you
kilimanjaro is unlike any other major peak. you don't need ropes, ice axes, or technical training. what you need is patience, fitness, and respect for altitude. tens of thousands of ordinary people summit every year. many more turn back at 5,000 metres — exhausted, dizzy, starved of oxygen — and never reach uhuru peak. the difference is rarely fitness. it's almost always acclimatisation strategy.
the right route, the right pace, the right team — these decide whether you stand on the summit at sunrise, or remember kilimanjaro as the one that beat you. what follows covers all six commercial routes, a day-by-day breakdown of our recommended lemosho itinerary, training and preparation guidance, and a section on mount meru — the magnificent second peak that doubles as the best kilimanjaro acclimatisation climb in africa.
"Mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence. Kilimanjaro is the perfect example — it looks easy. Until day five, when it isn't."
— A Con Bush Safaris senior guide
we've run many successful kilimanjaro climbs since we started the company, and our guides — who've been on the mountain far longer than con bush has existed — have each summited well over 200 times. we're kpap partners, paying porters above the industry minimum, and we hold a 90–95% summit rate on routes of seven days or more. choose carefully — the route you pick matters more than almost any other decision about your climb.
choose your route
six routes,very different journeys
each kilimanjaro route has its own character, scenery, success rate and feel. here's an honest breakdown to help you choose.
01
lemosho routethe connoisseur's route
our most-recommended route. long enough to acclimatise properly, beautiful enough to be unforgettable, with the highest success rate of any route on the mountain.
Days7-8 days
Distance70 km
Success rate90-95%
SleepsTented camping
it approaches from the western lemosho glades, crossing the shira plateau before joining the machame route. the best acclimatisation profile, dramatic scenery, and fewer crowds than machame. the extra day costs more, but it's worth every dollar — both for the enjoyment and for your chances at the top.
Best for
02
machame routethe whiskey route
the most popular route — "whiskey" is the local nickname for its tougher reputation. steep ground, the dramatic barranco wall, a well-trodden path, and the heaviest traffic.
Days6-7 days
Distance62 km
Success rate85-90%
SleepsTented camping
it approaches from the south via the machame gate, crosses the shira plateau, then climbs the famous barranco wall — a scramble that's as fun as it is intimidating. the six-day version is rushed; seven days is far better.
Best for
- Travellers on shorter timelines
- Those who don't mind crowds
- Anyone wanting the iconic Barranco Wall
03
marangu routethe "coca-cola" route
the original, and the only route with hut accommodation (no tents). often called the easiest — but the shortest acclimatisation profile gives it the lowest success rate.
Days5-6 days
Distance72 km
Success rate60-70%
SleepsMountain huts
the classic kilimanjaro climb since the 1930s. the same route up and down. the huts appeal to those who'd rather not camp. but the shorter profile means many climbers don't make the summit, so we rarely recommend it.
Best for
- Climbers who prefer huts to tents
- Those genuinely short on time
- Travellers who do not mind a lower summit chance
04
rongai routethe wild north
the only route approaching from the north (the kenya side). drier, less travelled, and the only one to cross the gentler northern slopes.
Days6-7 days
Distance73 km
Success rate80-85%
SleepsTented camping
quieter than the southern routes. it approaches via cave camps and the eastern saddle, and is best in the wet season (the southern routes turn muddier). less varied scenery, but blissfully uncrowded.
Best for
- Climbers seeking solitude
- Wet-season climbs
- Those who have done Kili before and want a different angle
05
northern circuit routethe longest, the best
the newest official route, and quite possibly the best. nine days, circling the mountain at altitude, with superb acclimatisation and unmatched success rates.
Days9 days
Distance98 km
Success rate95%+
SleepsTented camping
it combines the lemosho approach with a high-altitude traverse of kilimanjaro's less-visited northern slopes. the extra time up high gives the best acclimatisation of any route — and, arguably, the best experience overall.
Best for
- Anyone with the time and budget
- Climbers prioritising summit success
- Those who want the most varied scenery
06
umbwe routethe steepest
the shortest, steepest, and least-travelled route. for experienced mountaineers only — the fast altitude gain means lower summit chances unless you're already well-acclimatised.
Days6 days
Distance53 km
Success rate70-75%
SleepsTented camping
a direct, demanding line up the southern slopes — a steep climb through the rainforest. beautiful, dramatic, and very challenging. we only recommend umbwe for experienced high-altitude climbers.
Best for
- Experienced high-altitude climbers
- Those who have already trekked above 4,000m
- Climbers seeking a physical challenge
side by side
the routes,compared
| Route | Days | Distance | Difficulty | Success rate | Crowds | Scenery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemosho | 7-8 | 70 km | Moderate | 90-95% | Moderate | Excellent |
| Machame | 6-7 | 62 km | Moderate-Hard | 85-90% | Heavy | Excellent |
| Marangu | 5-6 | 72 km | Moderate | 60-70% | Moderate | Limited |
| Rongai | 6-7 | 73 km | Moderate | 80-85% | Quiet | Different |
| Northern Circuit | 9 | 98 km | Moderate | 95%+ | Quiet | Outstanding |
| Umbwe | 6 | 53 km | Very hard | 70-75% | Quiet | Spectacular |
day by day
the lemosho8-day itinerary
01Day 1
arrival in arusha
arrive at kilimanjaro airport and transfer to arusha. a pre-climb briefing, gear check, and equipment rental if you need it. a final dinner before the mountain.
Altitude1,400m
SleepHotel
02Day 2
londorossi gate → mti mkubwa
drive to londorossi gate (2,250m), then trek 3 hours through montane rainforest to mti mkubwa (big tree) camp. an easy first day, with a gentle gain in altitude.
Trekking3-4 hours
Altitude2,820m
SleepTented camp
03Day 3
mti mkubwa → shira 1
climb through heather moorland onto the shira plateau. a long but beautiful day, with your first glimpses of kibo (kilimanjaro's summit dome).
Trekking6-7 hours
Altitude3,505m
SleepTented camp
04Day 4
shira 1 → shira 2
an acclimatisation day across the shira plateau, with an optional climb to shira cathedral. easy walking at altitude — exactly what the body needs.
Trekking4-5 hours
Altitude3,845m
SleepTented camp
05Day 5
shira 2 → lava tower → barranco
a climb-high, sleep-low day. up to lava tower (4,640m) for lunch, then down to barranco camp. a crucial day for acclimatising.
Trekking6-7 hours
Altitude3,960m
SleepTented camp
06Day 6
barranco → karanga
cross the iconic barranco wall — a fun morning scramble (no technical climbing) — then on to karanga camp. short, but spectacular.
Trekking4-5 hours
Altitude4,035m
SleepTented camp
07Day 7
karanga → barafu
climb to barafu camp, the summit base. an early dinner and sleep before the midnight summit attempt. rest matters more than anything here.
Trekking3-4 hours
Altitude4,673m
SleepTented camp
08Day 8
summit day → mweka
a midnight start. a 6–7 hour climb to stella point and uhuru peak (5,895m), then down to mweka camp via barafu. the longest, hardest, most rewarding day of your life.
Trekking12-14 hours
Altitude5,895m peak
SleepTented camp
09Day 9
mweka → arusha
the final descent through rainforest to mweka gate. certificates, a transfer to arusha, a celebration dinner, a hot shower, and sleep.
Trekking3-4 hours
Altitude1,800m
SleepHotel
4,566 m
Mount Meru · 4 days
mount meru
the mountainno one talks about
just 70 kilometres from kilimanjaro, mount meru is tanzania's second-highest mountain and arguably its most beautiful — a perfectly conical stratovolcano rising out of arusha national park, with wildlife on the lower slopes (buffalo, giraffe, sometimes elephant) and one of the most dramatic ridge walks in africa near the top.
most travellers overlook meru in favour of kilimanjaro. that's a mistake. meru is the best acclimatisation climb on the continent — 4,566 metres, done in 3–4 days, with wildlife kili can't match. many of our most successful kilimanjaro summits come on the back of a meru pre-climb.
4,566Metres summit
3-4Days to climb
85%+Success rate
$1,400From per person
Best combined with Kilimanjaro — Meru first as acclimatisation, 2-3 days rest, then Kilimanjaro. This is the climb sequence professional mountaineers use, and it has the highest success rate of any combination.
how to prepare
six thingsthat matter most
successful kilimanjaro climbs come down to a handful of factors. get these right and your odds improve enormously.
01
physical preparationstarts months before
kilimanjaro isn't technical, but it's long, cold and high. train for that. the fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it.
- 3-4 months of cardio training (running, cycling, hiking)
- Long weekend hikes with a loaded pack (8-10 kg)
- Stair climbing or step training for the steep sections
- Mental preparation — you will feel terrible at altitude, that's normal
02
altitude & acclimatisationthe real challenge
kilimanjaro's success rate is largely set by your acclimatisation profile. more days means more time at altitude, which means a better chance at the top.
- Choose 7+ day routes (Lemosho 8-day or Northern Circuit 9-day are ideal)
- Diamox (acetazolamide) significantly improves acclimatisation — discuss with your doctor
- Hydration is critical: 4-5 litres per day from day 1
- "Pole pole" (slowly slowly) — walk at half your normal pace
03
gear & packingrent or buy?
you need serious gear: a -10°C sleeping bag, a waterproof shell, layered clothing, sturdy boots. we can rent everything in arusha, though the quality varies.
- Boots — must be well broken in (avoid blisters at altitude)
- Layered clothing system (base, mid, shell)
- -10°C sleeping bag (rentable in Arusha)
- Trekking poles (essential for the descent)
- Headlamp with spare batteries (for summit night)
- We send a detailed packing list with every booking
04
best time to climbtwo windows
kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but two windows are clearly best: january–march and june–october. avoid april–may (long rains) and november (short rains).
- January – March: Clear skies, cold nights, fewer climbers
- June – October: Peak season — warmest temps, busiest
- April – May: Avoid (long rains, muddy slippery trails)
- November: Avoid (short rains, less reliable visibility)
- Summit day weather is unpredictable in any month
05
combining with safarithe natural pairing
most climbers pair kilimanjaro with a tanzania safari. the order matters — climb first while you're fresh, then safari to recover.
- Climb first, safari second (climb is harder, easier to enjoy bush from a vehicle)
- Add 2-3 rest days between climb and safari
- Northern circuit safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti) starts 1.5 hrs from Arusha
- Many climbers add Zanzibar at the end — the perfect reset
06
the team behind youmatters more than the route
your guides, cooks and porters make the climb. we use experienced senior guides, full mountain crews, and pay porters above the kpap fair-wage standard.
- Lead guide + assistant guide ratio is 1 per 2-3 climbers
- Mountain cook prepares 3 fresh meals daily
- Porters carry equipment, tents, cooking gear (your daypack is yours)
- We are KPAP partners — porters paid above industry minimum
- Pulse oximeter checks twice daily for altitude monitoring
ready to climb
begin yourascent
whether it's kilimanjaro alone, meru alone, or the classic pairing of both — tell us your dates and your goals. we design every climb personally.