Mt. Kilimanjaro, the “Roof of Africa”
Mt. Kilimanjaro, the “Roof of Africa”, at an altitude of 5,895 meters (19,344 feet) is the highest point in Africa. The stunning, flat-topped mountain is also the tallest freestanding mountain in the world and one of the world’s largest volcanoes. Situated a few degrees south of the Equator, the unmistakable landmark is the pride of Tanzania and the African continent, and on a clear day, the permanently snow-capped crown can be seen from distances of up to 180 kilometers (112 miles). Kilimanjaro hosts four distinct climate zones from its base, with a diameter of 64 kilometers(40 miles), to its Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. A few day ascent to its summit will take you from African savanna, through tropical rainforests and sparse moorland, to the bare, alpine desert and hanging glaciers of Kilimanjaro’s highest point, Uhuru Peak. An unparalleled view is offered from Uhuru Peak, or the slightly lower peak of Gilman’s Point, as the sun rises over a sea of clouds, with the endless plains of the African savanna stretching far below.
Kilimanjaro, with its gentle slope, can be conquered by any physically fit person. There are many different walkable routes to the summit, the easiest of which is called Marangu Route, and the most beautiful called Machame Route.
Most trips to the summit require a five to seven day trek, led by a guide and staffed by atleast three porters per guest, with tent or cabin accommodation, depending upon the route taken. Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year, but the recommended periods are between August to October and January to March. The wettest months are April through June, and November, and the warmest months are December through February.
One World Safari Tours invites you to undertake an unforgettable journey up Mt. Kilimanjaro, to the Roof of Africa! Karibu sana!
Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek Routes
Route |
Recommended Trip Length |
Accommodation |
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Hut |
|
7 Days / 6 Nights |
Camping |
|
6 Days / 5 Nights |
Camping |
|
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Camping |
|
8 Days / 7 Nights |
Camping |
Which route? Each route is unique in its own way:
Marangu: Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. It is the oldest and most established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest route on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path.
Machame: Machame is quickly becoming the second most popular route. More scenic, and steeper in parts than Marangu, this route is best done in 7 days, but can also be done in 6 days by the fit adventurer.
Umbwe: Steep, direct, and considered the most difficult route up Kilimanjaro, Umbwe is only recommended for advanced climbers. Approached from the south, the fast ascension forced by this route can hinder proper acclimatization.
Rongai: Rongai route is the only route that you can climb from the north of Mt. Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border. With its starting point at a higher altitude, a trek on the Rongai route is short and with less traffic than Marangu.
Lemosho: An improvement upon the Shira route, Lemosho is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, and provides beautiful panoramic views from various sides of the mountain.
Marangu: 5 Days/4 Nights
Day 01:
MARANGU TO MANDARA HUT 7KM, 4-5HRS, 700M ASCENT
From Marangu gate (1980m) the track passes through the lush rainforest, giving the trekkers an opportunity to observe Colobus monkeys and birdlife before they ascend out from beneath the cool canopy. The first destination is Mandara Hut (2700m/9000ft), a group of bunkhouses, with bed capacity of 80 people, toilets and a clean water supply. From here we can visit the nearby Maundi Crater, or stroll to a clearing that offers a view over the forest up to the main peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, providing plenty of inspiration for the trek to come. Meals and Overnight will be served at Mandara Hut.
Day 02:
MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT 11KM, 5-7HRS, 1000M ASCENT
From Mandara Hut there are two paths running roughly parallel out of the forest, then through a narrow band of heather, before meeting near the start of the moorland and to the right are the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Although undulating and steep in places, the trail is easy to follow all the way up to Horombo Hut (3700m/12000ft). Meals and Overnight will be served at Horombo Hut.
Day 03:
HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT 10KM, 5-7HRS, 1000M ASCENT
From here we continue gradually gaining altitude, passing the last point of running water, and crossing the flat plain between Kibo and Mawenzi. From Jiwe La Ukoyo (meaning "pointed Rocks") at 4394m, it is another one and half hours to Kibo Hut, at 4700m. Meals and Overnight will be served at Kibo Hut.
Day 04: SUMMIT DAY
KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK PLUS DESCENT TO HOROMBO HUT
4KM 7-81/2HRS, 1200M ASCENT; PLUS14KM, 41/2-7HRS, 2200M DESCENT
The final ascent is started very early in the morning, just after midnight, so that sunrise can be enjoyed from the crater rim, and give we have a chance of avoiding the mist. Also, the scree slope up to Gillman's Point, and the snow on the path to Uhuru Peak, will still be frozen, which will make the walking safer and less strenuous. As the sun rises at around 6am, we will allow ourselves 5 to 6 hrs from Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point (5680m), plus another 2hrs to reach Uhuru Peak (5896m). From Uhuru or Gillman's Point we descend on the same route, continuing past Kibo Hut for 1hrs-3hrs to Horombo Hut. Meals and Overnight will be served at Horombo Hut.
Day 05:
HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE 18KM, 5-7HRS, 1900M DESCENT
Our last day is spent retracing our steps to the park gate. Discretional tipping of your guide, cook, and porters is customary at this time. After you reach the gate, you will go to the park office to sign out and receive your summit certificates. A car will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Machame Route: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1: Machame Gate (1800 m) to Machame Hut (3050m) (Approx:5-6 hrs walk )
You set off from the Machame Gate (1800m), around 11:00, climbing through rainforest with giant ferns and moss covered trees, to the first campsite. The Machame camp, like all campsites on this route, is a shared campsite open to all registered climbers. Basic facilities include pit toilets and ground pump water. Dinner and Overnight at Machame Hut Campsite.
Day 2: Machame Hut (3050m) to Shira Hut (3800m) (Approx. 5 hrs walk)
After an early breakfast and tea, you head on a steep and twisting path into sparser terrain. At the en route lunch stop, you are treated to fantastic views of the eroded peaks of Shira thrusting the moorland ridges into the wispy cloudline. At the top of the Shira ridge the highest point for the day is reached (3840m), before you take a slight descent to Shira camp. Shira Cave Campsite offers fantastic views in every direction; the soft light of the sunset reveals Shira’s peaks and plateau, Mt. Meru in the distance floating in a golden sea of clouds, and shimmering reflections off Kibo’s ice fields. Dinner and overnight at Shira Hut Campsite.
Day 3: Shira Hut (3800m) To Barranco Hut (3955m) Via Lava Tower (4610m)(Approx.: 6 hrs walk )
After breakfast at Shira Camp, you start the day climb walking directly towards Kibo up a broad rocky ridge. The barren looking Shira plateau stretches out to your left and the snow-capped summit looks noticeably closer. Vegetation disappears as you climb over 4000m into the desert zone. The highest point of the day is reached at Lava Tower, a 50m high mound of solidified lava sticking up from the rolling ridges around the summit cone. From the tower you take a gentle descent to the Barranco Hut Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut.
Day 4: Barranco Hut (3955m) to Karranga Valley (3950m) (Approx.: 3 hrs walk )
The day’s first and main obstacle is the imposing looking lava face of the great Barranco Wall. After a short walk across the valley floor, the craggy, sheer-looking wall looms overhead. 30 minutes on easier, but still steep, slopes and you finally reach the top of the wall at an altitude of 4180m, your highest point for today. The reward is your best and closest view of Kibo’s glaciers. To the left, perched on top the sheer cliff of the western breach, the diamond glacier ‘drips’ over the cliff with enormous icicle tendrils reaching down to the Balletto Glacier on the shelf below. To the right, the Heim, Kerstien and Decken glaciers slump over their uneven rock bed. After traversing a series of valleys, you arrive at Karranga Valley, a barren landscape with a few hardy plants sheltered in gaps under and between rocks. You descend to a flat area towards the head of the valley above a cascading stream, where your camp is again set up for you when you arrive. After a welcome lunch, you can lounge around in the sun resting, reading and taking in the scenery as your body acclimates. Dinner and overnight: Karranga Valley Campsite. *(Those wishing to complete Machame in 6 days will travel straight on to the Barafu Camp this day.)
Day 5: Karranga Valley (3950m) to Barafu Hut (4610m) (Approx.: 3 hrs walk)
The morning’s short hike will take you out of the valleys and up a steep boulder strewn path to Barafu Ridge. You arrive at Barafu Hut Camp around 1200 after 3 hrs walking. The leisurely day at camp will give you time to acclimate and your body time to rest for the final push early tomorrow. The cloud shawl around Kibo and Mawenzi peaks usually clears by mid-afternoon, revealing spectacular views in all directions. An early dinner is prepared at 1700 and then you will go to bed to get some sleep before your wake up call at 2300. Wake up arrives with tea. Dinner and Rest: Barafu Hut Campsite.
Day 6: SUMMIT DAY
Barafu Hut (4610m) to Mweka Hut (3100m) Via UHURU Peak (5895m) (Approx.: 12 hrs walk)
The Summit climb starts at midnight, under a ceiling of stars. The first goal is Stella Point at 5794m, about a 6 hour hike. The pace will be slow and measured, with short breaks about every hour to help with acclimatization and cut off before the below-freezing cold creeps in. In the darkness you will pass Rebman Glacier and Mawebzi Peak. At Stella Peak you will be rewarded with awesome view of the extinct volcanoe’s huge crater with the ash pit rising up in the center. As the sun rises over an endless sea of clouds, its light reaching in all directions around you and broken only by the smaller peak of Mt. Meru in the distance, you begin the final hour ascent around the gently sloped crater rim towards Uhuru Peak. Upon reaching the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 meters, you can finally say that you are on the “Roof of Africa”. You breathe in with satisfaction, sign the elite summit log, capture the feat with some pictures, and soon begin your descent, as the cold and high altitude take their toll. The whole eastern sky is lit by a golden, fiery glow. The horizon is visible so far in either direction that the curve of the earth can be clearly seen. Physical relief comes as high altitude discomfort is soon dispelled by the quick 2 to 3 hour descent to Barafu and the air is warmed by the exposed sun. There you are rewarded with a short nap and a hearty lunch, before you continue your descent to Mweka Hut Campsite (3100m), approximately 3 hours. This comfortable altitude around the cloudline will allow you to get some much deserved rest. Dinner and Overnight: Mweka Hut Campsite.
Day 07: Mweka Hut (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1800m) (Approx.: 4 hrs walk)
On your final morning, after an early breakfast, you start to descend from the camp. Discretional tipping of your guide, cook, and porters is customary at this time. You descend through the rain forest. After you reach the gate, you will go to the park office to sign out and receive your summit certificates. A car will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Rongai Route: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Day 1:
Depart from Arusha to Rongai forest station and then proceed to Kilimanjaro
National Park gate, registration formalities are done at the Marangu gate. After
there you start climbing through rainy forest and Moorland to the first Cave
for overnight stay.
Day 2:
After breakfast, you proceed to Cave II for overnight stay.
Day 3:
After breakfast you start trekking to Outward Bound School Hut through the
path which leads towards a point on the Saddle. You will pass "Bread
Rock" after about 1.5 hours. The track then divides, to the right is the
Outward Bound School Hut. Dinner and overnight there.
Day 4: SUMMIT DAY
To reach the Summit you start early at about 01:00 hours. After about
5 hours you reach Gilman's point 5,680m, from here you have another couple
of hours to get to Kibo Peak (Uhuru peak 5,896m) the top roof of Africa. After
a short rest and few Photographs, you descend to Horombo Hut for overnight
stay.
Day 5:
After breakfast you descend to Marangu Gate for certificate Award. Our vehicle will be ready waiting to transfer you back to Arusha.
Lemosho Route: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1:
After breakfast transfer from your hotel to National park forest edge. From here walk through the undisturbed forest to Mti Mkubwa camp site for dinner and overnight. By luck you will be able to see colubus monkeys and signs of elephants.
Day 2:
Take your time to walk through the forest sporting some of plentiful game and bird life. You will pass through montane forest and hagenia zone. Dinner and overnight at Shira camp.
Day 3:
The hike today is across Shira plateau up the western slope of Kibo massif. Overnight at Fisher campsite.
Day 4:
After breakfast hike up LavaTower - The first introduction to the alpine zone. The only plant life being the hardest of grasses and Lichen. Here you will be able to have a spectacular view of final ascent route up the Western breach.
Day 5:
With the Western breach ascent route in view, spend a few hours climbing to the base of the route where you will make a camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help you acclimatize and improve your performance the next day.
Day 6:
Wind your way up the Western Breach non -technical climbing route about six hours to the crater rim. Explore the inner crater and ash pit before to pitching the camp at the crater floor.
Day 7: SUMMIT DAY
Start your ascent to the summit early enough in the morning to put on the Summit by 10 am. After Uhuru peak descend via Barafu Hut and on down to Mweka Hut camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 8:
It take about 3 to 4 hours to make the descent to the road head . After your lunch bid bye to your porters and transfer to Arusha for dinner and overnight.