Easiest Hiking Route for Kilimanjaro Hiking? Over 30,000 tourists attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro every year. However, not all of them successfully reach the summit, with the main challenge being altitude sickness, which can affect anyone regardless of age or fitness level. Choosing the right route for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro greatly contributes to a higher success rate.
Easiest Hiking Route for Kilimanjaro Hiking
Mount Kilimanjaro has seven well-established hiking routes: Lemosho Route, Rongai Route, Marangu Route, Machame Route, Kilema Route, Umbwe Route, and Shira Route. Each route provides unique experiences and varies in difficulty, scenic views, acclimatization opportunities, and the number of days required.
Below are details about the easiest routes to hike, reach the summit, and achieve good acclimatization—all of which are important for a successful climb.
- Northern Circuit Route: The Northern Circuit Route is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Its extended itinerary allows for better acclimatization, which contributes to its high success rate. The main disadvantage of this route is its cost, as spending more days on the mountain increases expenses.
- Lemosho Route: The Lemosho Route offers a good success rate, especially when choosing the 8-day option. Its short ascents and lower sleeping altitudes make it manageable for most climbers. However, the last two days can be physically demanding and may require some fitness.
- Marangu Route: The Marangu Route is considered one of the easiest routes for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, particularly for those who already live at high altitudes and are less likely to experience altitude sickness. This route takes only 5 days to ascend and descend, which is shorter than most other routes. An advantage of the Marangu Route is that it offers dormitory hut accommodations, unlike other routes where hikers sleep in tents. However, for people not accustomed to high altitudes, this shorter route may not provide sufficient time for proper acclimatization.
- Machame Route: The Machame Route, also known as the Whisky Route, offers excellent acclimatization because three of its campsites are located at similar altitudes. Acclimatization is crucial for a successful climb, as your body needs time to adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher elevations. The Machame Route allows for “hike high, sleep low,” which helps the body adapt to the altitude. However, this route is challenging and requires physical fitness and some hiking experience. Despite its difficulty, the views along the Machame Route are outstanding.
- Rongai Route: The Rongai Route is another option considered one of the easiest routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers good acclimatization and is less physically demanding. While the route is not as scenic as others, it descends via the Marangu Route, providing hikers with varied perspectives of the mountain.
Each route on Mount Kilimanjaro has its own advantages and disadvantages. To maximize your chances of a successful climb, choose a route based on your fitness level, ability to acclimatize, and the difficulty of the trail. Proper preparation, selecting a suitable route, and taking enough time to acclimatize are key to reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
