Lonely PlanetJul 17, 2026
Guide to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro
This guide covers what you need to know before you go: when to climb, which route to choose, what it costs and where to base yourself.
22 things in this story
- Coffee Tree CampsiteHotelexpansive grounds, tents for hire, chalets
- Elsewhere
- Uhuru PeakSightKilimanjaro, Tanzaniahighest point of Mt Kilimanjaro
- Mt KilimanjaroSightKilimanjaro, TanzaniaAfrica's highest peak, world's tallest volcano, free-standing mountain
- MawenziSightKilimanjaro, TanzaniaIt rises to an elevation of 5,149 metres (16,893 ft) and has a prominence of 849 metres (2,785 ft), making it the…
- Marangu RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniaroute to summit, self-limiting due to hut capacities
- Machame RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniapopular route with gradual ascent, contours southern slopes
- Mweka RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniaapproaches summit via Machame Route
- Umbwe RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniasteep, direct route, potentially dangerous ice/snow section
- Western BreachSightKilimanjaro, Tanzaniasteep section of Umbwe Route, often icy or snowy
- Rongai RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniapopular route starting near Kenyan border, northern side
- Shira Plateau RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniascenic, good for avoiding crowds, challenging acclimatization
- Shira HutSightKilimanjaro, Tanzaniaacclimatization stop on Shira Plateau Route
- Lemosho RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzaniabest for scenery and acclimatization, western side
- Londorosi GateSightKilimanjaro, Tanzaniastart of Lemosho Route, two days in forest
- Northern Circuit RouteTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzanialongest route, goes around northern side before summit
- African Scenic SafarisPlaceKilimanjaro, Tanzaniawell-organized Kilimanjaro treks
- Ice & Dust ToursPlaceKilimanjaro, Tanzaniawell-regarded Kili climbs for budget travelers
- Just KilimanjaroPlaceKilimanjaro, Tanzaniasmall, efficient operator with expertly guided treks
- Summit Expeditions & Nomadic ExperiencePlaceKilimanjaro, Tanzaniaexcellent Kili climbs organized by Chagga–American couple
- KiboSightKilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Barranco WallTrailKilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Shira PlateauSightKilimanjaro, Tanzania