أي مسار لكليمنجارو هو الأنسب لك؟

Kilimanjaro has seven official trekking routes recognized by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), but the vast majority of climbers choose between five: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, and the Northern Circuit. Each route offers a different trade-off between scenery, crowding, comfort, and — most importantly — your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. Overall, climbers on Kilimanjaro achieve roughly a 96.7% summit success rate with Alkebulan Travels, but that number varies significantly by route and duration, so choosing wisely matters.

Marangu Route — 'The Coca-Cola Route'

Marangu is Kilimanjaro's oldest route and the only one offering hut accommodation instead of camping, which appeals to climbers who prefer a bed over a tent. It follows the same path up and down the mountain, so the scenery is less varied than other routes.

Best for: climbers prioritizing comfort and shorter trip length. We strongly recommend the 6-day itinerary over the 5-day version — the extra acclimatization night at Horombo Hut makes a meaningful difference to your summit chances.

Machame Route — 'The Whiskey Route'

Machame is Kilimanjaro's most popular route thanks to its dramatic, varied scenery and the 'climb high, sleep low' acclimatization profile built into its standard 7-day itinerary. It's steeper and more physically demanding than Marangu, but the payoff is spectacular views from the Shira Plateau and Barranco Wall.

Best for: reasonably fit first-time climbers who want classic Kilimanjaro scenery and don't mind camping. Choose the 7-day version over the 6-day for meaningfully better acclimatization.

Lemosho Route — The Most Scenic Approach

Lemosho approaches from the west, crossing the remote Shira Plateau before joining the Machame route near Barranco Camp. It's widely considered the most scenic route on the mountain and, over 7–8 days, offers the highest summit success rate of any standard itinerary thanks to its longer acclimatization profile.

Best for: climbers who want the best possible combination of scenery, a quieter first two days, and the strongest odds of a successful summit. We recommend the 8-day itinerary.

Rongai Route — The Northern Approach

Rongai is the only route approaching from the north, near the Kenyan border, and descends via Marangu. It's the driest route on the mountain (useful in the rainy season) and the least crowded, with a gentler, more gradual ascent profile.

Best for: climbers visiting during the rainy season, or those who prefer solitude over the more social atmosphere of Machame or Lemosho. Choose the 7-day itinerary for improved acclimatization over the 6-day version.

Umbwe Route — The Steepest Route

Umbwe is Kilimanjaro's most direct and demanding route, gaining altitude quickly with minimal acclimatization built in. It's best reserved for very fit, experienced trekkers who have climbed at altitude before.

Best for: experienced mountaineers looking for a serious physical challenge and willing to accept a lower success-rate trade-off for a shorter, quieter climb.

Northern Circuit — The Longest Route

The newest route on the mountain, the Northern Circuit circles Kilimanjaro's quiet northern slopes over 8–9 days, offering the best acclimatization profile of any route and correspondingly excellent summit rates.

Best for: climbers with the time for a longer trip who want maximum acclimatization, the fewest other trekkers on the trail, and 360-degree views of the mountain.

Our Recommendation

If this is your first major trek and you're unsure, we recommend Lemosho (8 days) or Machame (7 days) — both balance scenery, comfort, and strong acclimatization. If your schedule is tight, Marangu (6 days) is the most time-efficient option that still allows a genuine acclimatization day. Whichever route you choose, more days on the mountain almost always means a higher chance of standing on Uhuru Peak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Further Reading

• Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA)
• Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)