Trekkers climbing a heath-covered mountain ridge

Northern Tanzania · Roof of Africa

Kilimanjaro

Africa's highest peak, climbed over six to nine days on the Lemosho, Machame or Rongai routes.

Best time: Jan–Mar · Jun–Oct
Getting there: 45 min from Kilimanjaro Airport
We suggest: 7–8 days on the mountain
Known for: Africa’s highest summit, 5,895 m

The mountain

Five climates in one climb

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. A climb passes through farmland, montane rainforest, giant heather and moorland, alpine desert and finally the arctic summit zone around the crater rim.

No technical climbing is needed — the challenge is altitude. Longer routes give your body time to adjust, which is why we recommend seven or eight days on the mountain.

Why go

The best of Kilimanjaro

Sunrise from Stella Point on summit morning
The Shira plateau under the stars
Scrambling up the Barranco Wall
Your crew singing you off at the gate

Wildlife

What you may see in Kilimanjaro

Wild animals keep their own schedule — these are the species our guides know best here.

Colobus monkey
Black-and-white colobus in the lower rainforest.
Blue monkey
In the forest canopy on the western routes.
Giant groundsel
Other-worldly plants of the moorland and Barranco valley.
Giant lobelia
Found only on East Africa’s high mountains.

When to go

Climbing through the year

Best climbing weather

Quieter trails

April and May bring the long rains; we do not recommend climbing then.

Quiet
Fair
Good
Peak

Tap a cell to see the month.

Where to go

Routes we climb

Lemosho
8 days from the west, through rainforest and across the Shira plateau. Our favourite.
Machame
7 days on the scenic southern route, a little busier.
Rongai
7 days from the north, drier and quieter — good in the rainy months.
Northern Circuit
9 days around the mountain; the longest route and the best for acclimatisation.

Good to know

Before you go to Kilimanjaro

Fitness: Regular hiking in the months before makes a real difference.
Gear: Warm layers for summit night are essential; quality kit can be rented in Moshi.
Insurance: Must cover trekking to 6,000 m and emergency evacuation.
Afterwards: Most climbers add a few days of safari or Zanzibar to rest their legs.

Safaris

All safaris

10 days · 9 nights Trekking