Glad Of Africa · · 1 min read · Kilimanjaro
Which route gives you the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak? A guide to scenery, difficulty, crowds and acclimatisation.
Why the route matters most
Kilimanjaro is a walk, not a technical climb, but altitude is the challenge. The best predictor of reaching the summit is how slowly you gain height. A longer route gives your body more time to adapt, and that matters more than fitness alone.
Machame route
Often called the whiskey route, Machame is the most popular choice. It climbs high and sleeps low, which helps acclimatisation, and the scenery changes from rainforest to moorland to the Barranco Wall. It is usually done in six or seven days, and it is steady rather than easy. See our 6-day Machame trek.
Lemosho route
Lemosho starts on the quiet western side and is widely regarded as the most scenic route. With eight days, it offers the best acclimatisation profile and a high summit success rate. Wildlife sightings on the first day are possible. Our 8-day Lemosho route trek is the one we recommend to most first-time climbers.
Marangu route
Marangu, sometimes called the Coca-Cola route, is the only one with hut accommodation instead of tents. It is short and direct, but the fast ascent in five or six days means a lower summit rate, and the same path is used for the descent. It suits people who prefer a bed to a tent and who are already well acclimatised.
Choosing and preparing
If you can spare the time, choose the longer route. Train with long hikes in the boots you will wear, and plan an extra night in Arusha before the climb. Pack warm layers: the summit night is cold. A reputable operator pays porters fairly and carries safety equipment such as an oxygen supply and a pulse oximeter.
