Kilimanjaro Routes to the Summit

Your goal: Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro

There are seven routes in total to take to the roof of Africa – but Exodus only offers two of them, because we believe they’re the best by a long way.

Over my past ten years at Exodus, I believe that we have stayed well and truly at the forefront of treks on Kilimanjaro. We were one of the first companies to start offering the beautiful Rongai Route, and the Lemosho Route gives us one of the highest success rates on the mountain, with roughly 96% of trekkers making it to the top.

So, with these two routes, what are the differences, and which way to the summit is best for you?

Crossing The Saddle, Rongai Route

In some books, this route is also called ‘Nale Moru’ or ‘Liotokitok’ but most now use the name Rongai. Although some companies offer it as a five-day trek, in my opinion, this doesn’t give you the best option on Rongai.

The five-day route gives little time to acclimatise and bypasses Mawenzi, one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro.

Mawenzi tarn, Rongai Route

Mawenzi is a jagged peak formed when the volcanic cone eroded away, leaving a volcanic plug jutting out of its surroundings. Generally unclimbed now due to dangerously loose rock, it forms a spectacular backdrop to the third night on the six-day Rongai Route climb – the night that’s missed out on a five-day climb!

The six-day climb is an ideal way up for those who are either not so confident at altitude, or unsure of their physical fitness. Although the summit day on every route is tough, the prior four days trekking on Rongai are not, and if you acclimatize well this is an ideal option.

Climbing from the west the route winds its way up onto the Shira plateau, left by the collapse of Shira volcano into a caldera and then filled by lava when Kibo, the third and highest volcano, erupted many years ago.

The most challenging stretch for many is the Barranco Wall, a short steep climb on the fifth day’s walking.

This route is the ideal trek for those who are confident trekking for eight consecutive days, but maybe not so experienced at altitude.

The extra two days allows time to acclimatize, before heading to the summit from Barafu. Again the summit day is tough – a 12-hour day, climbing and descending well over a 1000m in altitude.

Trekkers on Kilimanjaro

On all routes the summit day is tough, and your fitness – both mental and physical – will be tested. On summit day, the altitude gain and distance covered (from Barafu on Lemosho route, or Kibo on the Rongai route) is similar to that of ascending Ben Nevis, but with 50% of the oxygen!

For those who haven’t trekked at altitude, it is hard to imagine the effect of this, but I can assure you it makes it hard. Prior to your trek, improving your cardiovascular fitness will help, as your body will be more efficient at getting oxygen round your system, but there is little that can help you prepare for the altitude.

If I was you, I’d get some fitness training now. When you get there, listen to your guides and body as you start to experience what a lack of oxygen can do to you.