Kilimanjaro

At 5,895 meters, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro consists of three different volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The highest peak, Uhuru Peak, is located on Kibo. Climbing to the top of Uhuru Peak is a popular activity for hikers and climbers. You can reach your destination on several routes of different lengths, levels of difficulty and landscape experiences.

Without exaggeration, it can be said thatclimbing Kilimanjaro is life experience. A life experience that needs to be well prepared. Your preparation begins with the question of when. And how many times in life , the only answer to this question is: “It depends”. Basically, the ascent is possible all year round. As in the national parks, however, there is also different levels of tourism on Kilimanjaro, depending on the seasonal weather. The hottest month is February, between June and October the temperatures on the mountain arelowest. We at MERU SAFARIS do not have to tell you that if you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro, you should be prepared and technically well equipped. The rewards are well worth it. The summit offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the ascent gives the opportunity to see a unique alpine flora and fauna in the world.

Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes

To reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, you have 6 routes of varying difficulty and sights to choose from:

Marangu Route

Known as the “Coca-Cola” or “tourist” route, it is the oldest and most popular route to the summit. It is considered the easiest and most comfortable route, with accommodation in huts along the way.

Machame Route

It is considered to be the most scenic and offers a variety of varied landscapes, including rainforest, moorland and alpine desert. It is also known as the “whiskey” route and is considered more challenging than the Marangu route.

Rongai-Route

The only route that starts from the north side of the mountain is considered the least crowded.

Lemosho Route

One of the most scenic routes, it starts on the west side of the mountain. Your ascent also takes you through rainforest, moorland and alpine desertlandscapes. It is considered a challenging climb and is one of the longest routes.

Umbwe Route

This is the steepest and most direct path to the summit. It is a shorter route and is not recommended for first-time climbers.

Northern Circuit

Is probably the most demanding route. It is the best place for experienced mountaineers, and especially for photographers interested in taking stunning photos of the mountain.