The Umbwe Route is seldom used these days as a Mount Kilimanjaro ascent thanks to the fact that it has probably the steepest initial climb, and as one of the least developed of the main trails is given on occasions to be a rough scramble over tree roots and slippery gradients. Up to the point of Barranco Camp the trail is direct and unrelenting, and is about as close as Kilimanjaro comes to a technical climb. The upside of choosing Umbwe Route is that, apart from the odd party opting for this trail as a descent route, you will rarely come across a climbing party, and the views from the Umbwe Trail, in particular on the second day as you traverse a narrow ridge in the heather fields, are second only to the vistas that spread forth from the summit. Umbwe Gate 1661m (5449ft) to Umbwe Cave Campsite 2850m (9350ft) Umbwe Gate is the closest trailhead to Moshi so an early and usually uncomplicated start is possible. The initial hike is through the cultivated fringe the rings the mountain, and is mainly a landscape of small gardens, banana groves and patchwork fields. It is a relief to break out of this, step off what in effect is a 4×4 track, and plunge into the cloud forest proper. Before reaching the campsite the trail emerges from the forest, and a brief traverse through the heather belt follows. Umbwe is a route that holds the note as being the steepest and most difficult route on Kilimanjaro. However, since the scenery – in our eyes – is far more dramatic than that of other routes, with far more extremes, the Umbwe route counts as one of our favorites. It is certainly a route to be considered by the more adventurous mountain groups and extreme bush-walkers who like a challenge or two.  There are no Kilimanjaro park gates at the beginning of the trail-head so it starts with a small de-tour to the Machame Gate for registration and park formalities but after you return and head into the afromontane forest the mountain silence will envelope you only to be broken by the reverberating grind of black and white colobus monkeys or the loud guttural call of the Hartlaub’s Turaco as it flashes it wings whilst clipping through the over head canopy. The track is very scenic throughout, with giant stands of Senecio and pristine heather zones; as the Umbwe route is an ascent route only (descent only for rescue purposes) your party can find themselves trekking alone over the first two days before joining onto the popular Machame route a short distance below Lava tower. Umbwe Route is widely regarded as the hardest Mount Kilimanjaro trail, a tough vertical slog through the jungle, in places using the tree roots

Kilimanjaro climb - Umbwe Route
Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route Climbing - The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. Add to your experience - OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER!! Be one of a few fortunate people to spend a night in Africa's largest volcano. This option is highly recommended, as this will be the only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and fascinating glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash pit.

Umbwe Route Day 1: Arrival - Moshi
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met by African Safaris and Adventures safaris guide and assisted. Transfer to Keys Annex Hotel in Moshi for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.

Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m)
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepness to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth, B, L, D.

Day 3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you - etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared, B, L, and D.

Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m)
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and screen in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared, B,L,D.

Day 5: Arrow Glacier (4800m) - Crater (5700m)
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls the route can become icy and in these conditions an ice axe or ski stick may be required. When reaching the crater rim, you will be astonished by the view of snow and glaciers. Visible to you left is the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold as snow might occur. Be one of a fortunate few to spend a night in the inner crater of Kilimanjaro, B, L, D.

Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be provided as well as drinking water, B, L, D.

Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour, scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You will then drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight at Keys Annex Hotel, B,L.

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule. Tour price includes, Transfer to and from the base of the mountain, Umbwe route trek as itinerary depicts, Full board accommodation whilst on the trek, Meal plan, accommodations at Keys Annex Hotel for 2 nights and huts on the mountain, All park entrance fees to include government taxes, Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide, Treated water on the trek, Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport, Mountain rescue fees as makeshift rungs on a ladder. Having reached the Southern Circular Route, Umbwe Route trekkers can continue north-west to tackle Kibo from the west and the difficult Arrow Glacier Route; or you can follow the Southern Circular Route east round to Barafu and approach the summit from there. The entire walk up and down takes a minimum of five days if going via the Barafu Campsite (though this is entirely too rapid; take six minimum, with a day at Karanga Valley); or five minimum (six is again better) if going via the Western Breach/Arrow Glacier, with more days if sleeping in the crater. Despite its reputation as the toughest route trek, the Umbwe Route Mount Kilimanjaro is still a non-technical climb. Taxing but not technical. All you need are an iron will and calves of steel; this is truly a trek to test your mettle. The difficulty is that Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route is so damn relentlessly uphill. As far as rewards go, while your calves and thighs will curse the day God paired them with somebody who would want to undertake such a climb, your heart and lungs will be thankful for the workout. Your eyes, too, will be grateful you chose Umbwe Mt Kilimanjaro as they feast upon the scenery, particularly on the second morning as you leave the forest and find yourself walking on a narrow ridge between spindly heathers. The smacking views on either side of the trail here are amongst the most dramatic the mountain has to offer, save for those on the summit itself. Your ears, too, will be glad that they’re stuck to the side of your head rather than anyone else’s for they’ll enjoy the break, this being the quietest trail of them all – at least until the second day when you find yourself joining the hordes at Barranco Camp, the busiest on the mountain. When trekkers on the Umbwe Route arrive at Barranco, they have a choice: east and round to Barafu Campsite to access the summit via Stella Point; or, if you hanker after the quieter, more dramatic option, you could have joined the path up to Lava Tower to continue to the summit via the Western Breach. The latter option is the connoisseurs' choice, no doubt, though it is also an extremely risky strategy unless you have taken at least one – and preferably two – acclimatization days en route to the Arrow Glacier Hut.  Otherwise, the trip from Moshi up to Arrow Glacier Hut, an increase in altitude of almost 4000m, will have taken you just three days, which is far too rapid. The saner alternative is to head from Barranco to Barafu Campsites. So that’s Umbwe: dramatic views, blessed solitude and some terrific, invigorating walking and all without the clutter and chatter of other trekkers. Those who know the mountain consider it Mount Kili best-kept secret. And it’s hard to argue with that. African Safaris and Adventures is the one of  Africa leading independent Mount Kilimanjaro adventure holiday travel specialist, with many years experience of operating Mount Kilimanjaro group trekking, climbing, family, cycling and school adventure holidays. Choose from our many inspirational and original Mt Kilimanjaro trekking, climbing and mountain biking holidays, family adventures and Mount Kilimanjaro school expeditions. Working in Kenya, Uganda Tanzania and Zanzibar Island, we are your number one adventure holiday choice for Mountain trek and Mountain climb such as:  Mount Kilimanjaro trek and the Mount Kenya trek in Kenya, Mount Meru climb in Tanzania, Mount Elgon climb in Kenya, the Ol Doinyo Lengai trek Tanzania and Rwenzori Mountains climb in Uganda. Whether you are looking to climb amongst the Africa biggest peaks, trek into untamed wilderness areas, or witness at first hand the wildlife and culture of far-off lands, we're sure we have the perfect trip for you, because we an expert trekking holiday specialist with a lot of years' experience in running Africa trekking holidays as well as select Trekking Peaks and Cultural Tours.  We are a boutique trekking organization that strives to improve, protect and preserve the environment of the Kilimanjaro Mountain range; we are leaders in operating ethical mountain treks to Mt Kilimanjaro. African Safaris and Adventures was created and developed by environmentally conscious Trek leaders with many years of experience in leading trekking holidays to Mt Kilimanjaro. All of the founding employees have worked for some of the biggest and most reputed Mt Kilimanjaro adventure travel companies throughout their professional careers. We specialize in Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Vacations that take you Trekking on your Adventure holidays. We strive to make your Hiking Vacations to Mount Kilimanjaro an experience of a lifetime. We say our biggest asset is our staff; consisting of happy porters, talented support crew, trekking chefs and expert trek guides. We value our staff highly.. after all happy staff makes happy customers. We have handpicked and trained all of our field staff who are very capable in making your trek easier. We have a committed fair-trade approach and practice, namely Genuine Responsible Tourism. Providing our staff with a dignified working environment is of high importance to us. We pay our staff a generous wage to help them make a better life for themselves and their families. Another aspect of booking with us is that most of your money will benefit the region and people where you are trekking Mt Kilimanjaro. Despite being only a small Trekking safari company, we have set our standards and integrity high. It is due to our handpicked and highly trained employees that we can proudly say that we provide good value for money and unparalleled trekking services. Whilst on a superb value for money Mount Kilimanjaro trekking tours, our chefs provide culinary touches even in the midst of the wilderness –But whatever the deal, the reason why we get so many Mount Kilimanjaro trekkers returning for more – are the “nice touches” you’ll experience – real coffee at the start of a day, We are a Regional Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure Tour Operator who specialize in unforgettable Trekking Vacations and responsible tourism. If you would like to book our Tanzania safaris listed in this website, simple fill our online form with a relevant Tanzania safari code with all information required and submit. Indicate date you plan you tour to Tanzania and preferred itinerary. We will respond to you promptly to give you a quotation and availability. After confirming with us, we will go ahead and secure you a reservation and send you a confirmed invoice as confirmation of services booked.

Mount Kilimanjaro Routes

Mount Kilimanjaro Routes - Choosing the right Kilimanjaro route for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb is an important decision. There are Seven Mount Kilimanjaro routes, six routes up Kilimanjaro, and one down. (One of the ascent Mount Kilimanjaro routes can also be used for descent, so there are two descent routes.) Several of these routes in Mount Kilimanjaro meet after a few days climbing. There are only three dedicated routes from the base of Kibo—the main peak—to the Kilimanjaro crater rim. (One of them, the Western Breach route, is a challenging and dangerous route and not used much.) The routes to climb Kilimanjaro approach the mountain from different sides and they vary considerably in length, difficulty, traffic levels and other aspects. Here is a detailed forum of how a Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route compare regarding difficulty ratings, quality of experience, prices and success rates.); all climbers on Kilimanjaro are required to climb via one of only six officially sanctioned routes. These are, from west to East, Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu, and Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route. The western routes, (Shira Routes, Lemosho Route, Machame Routes and Umbwe Route), are required by KINAPA to descend via the Umbwe Routes, a descent-only route, while the eastern routes, (Marangu and Rongai), must descend via the Marangu Route. Climbers in Mount Kili are required - via their tour holiday operator - to inform the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities which route they are electing to use, and are not permitted to switch routes while on the mountain.  Although there are only six ‘routes’ to Kilimanjaro, that is only to say that there are six different locations from which it is permitted to begin an ascent of Kilimanjaro. Provided that the correct descent route is used, there are actually a very high number of possible route permutations that can be followed, particularly on longer climbs. Rongai route, for example, has at least 11 variations along which we could configure a climb, if asked to. But although there is a great deal of route choice available, very few of the available options can be argued to be intelligent, or in any way optimal. It should be remembered that when the original standard routes were originally built, there was virtually no input from mountaineers, and route selection was simply a matter of how obstacles of topography and vegetation might most Read More 

Machame Route

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route means sharing the Mount Kilimanjaro with a lot of other Mountain trekkers. Ever since the Mount Kilimanjaro budget Safari operators discovered Machame route; traffic on the Machame route has been growing. It has now overtaken the Marangu route as the most heavily trafficked climb route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The reason is not only that Mountain Climbing Safari prices have been dropping. The Machame route Mount Kilimanjaro is considered the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. The Machame route is a very scenic route, but not the only one. Both the Shira route and the Lemosho route share the same path as the Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route after the first day or two. But they are less trafficked and ideally longer, so they are more expensive. It would be more correct to say Machame Kilimanjaro is the most scenic Kilimanjaro route you can climb with a budget operator. Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame is considered to be more difficult than on the Marangu route or Rongai route. Hence it's jokingly called the "Whiskey Route", a tougher climb than the "Coca Cola route" (Marangu). Now before you hit the back button to check out Marangu route, consider that although the Machame route is supposed to be more difficult, the success rates are higher on Kilimanjaro Machame route than on Marangu Route! Climbing the Tanzania Machame route is more difficult, but not technically difficult. Mostly it is simply a longer and often times steeper trek. It covers more ground and involves more ups and downs. It wears you out more, takes more energy, not more skill. But Machame route offers much better acclimatization! Some people are terribly worried about climbing the Barranco Wall. Don't worry. It's not a cliff face and it's not a climb. It's mostly a very steep path that requires you to use your hands every now and then. A bit of a scramble in a couple of places. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodation in Marangu Route, the Mountain climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents. The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six climbing safari days (five nights) on the mountain. However, it is most often tackled over seven climbing safaris days (six nights), for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain,

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Marangu Route - Marangu ("Coca Cola") Route Marangu Route also known as the Coca-Cola route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route is the oldest, most well established Mount Kilimanjaro route. Many tourists on Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safaris prefer the Marangu route Mount Kilimanjaro because it is considered to be the easiest path on the Mount Kilimanjaro, given its gradual slope. Marangu route is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodation. The minimum mountain climbing days required for Marangu route is five safari days, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route Mount Kili. The Mount Kili Marangu route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the Mountain ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Tanzania Marangu Mount Kilimanjaro is favored only during the rainy season, where the Mount Kilimanjaro hut accommodation are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro.Marangu route Mt Kilimanjaro is oldest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route, is also known as the "Tourist Route" or "Coca Cola Route" And just about every Marangu route tour operator will tell you: "Of all routes up Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route Mount Kilimanjaro is the easiest, cheapest and by far the most popular." Only one of the statements is true: climbing Kilimanjaro Marangu route is the cheapest option. The Marangu route is not the most popular route any more. It has been surpassed by the Machame route. And we disagree with the statement that the Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Tanzania is the easiest. Because that is misleading. It maybe the easiest trip to organize, have the widest, most comfortable path to walk on and offer hut accommodation, but that does NOT make it easier to reach the summit. Of all climbing routes on Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route has the lowest success rate! Keep that in mind. Don't fall for the promise of "easy"! (If you think your fitness leaves to be desired and are looking for easy, I recommend you tackle Kilimanjaro Rongai route.) Having said that, as long as you are aware of the aspects that lead to the high failure rate, you can avoid them to some degree. This page tells about climbing safaris Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Rongai Route

The Rongai route Mount Kilimanjaro enjoys one of the highest success rates on the Mountain Kilimanjaro, We African Safaris and Adventures enjoy a near 99% success rate on this route solely because we take our time in ascending this peak and allow plenty of time for acclimatization. After all it is you who has taken the time, expense and commitment in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and you deserve the best chance and the highest possibility to stand on the summit. This is the only realistic program that will ensure maximum success. The Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the North and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on the more popular trails. Trekking Rongai route allows for more in depth exploration of the mountain as the days are shorter and less demanding when compared to the other routes. Sights that contribute greatly to the overall Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari experience are the exploration of the lava tunnels near Kikelewa camp, and an ascent to the crater of Mawenzi peak during the acclimatization day at this camp. The Rongai route has a relatively gentle gradient and shorter daily stages, as it winds its way from the starting point. It passes through a fantastic diversity of terrain the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with greater possibilities for wildlife viewing, and extras such as the exploration of lava tunnels and a hugely beneficial extra day to aid acclimatisation below the towering spires of Mawenzi. The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit and across the East African plains far below. Descend in Rongai Route through lush tropical forest and down to a cold beer below. The Rongai route Mount Kilimanjaro Africa has several variations. It can be done as a five, six or even seven day trek. The extra day is not spent in the same camp as the previous day (on the Marangu route it is). The six day trek usually follows a different trail after day two. Some operators of six day treks simply ascend slower, making an extra camp instead of the detour. All seven day treks make the detour. The Rongai route Tanzania is marketed as a remote wilderness experience and for much of the year it still is, Mount Kili Rongai has seen a surge in popularity. If you climb Kilimanjaro on Rongai route during the main season (August to mid October) and if your Rongai route climbing Safari - Read More  

Lemosho Route Mount Kilimanjaro  
The concept of Lemosho Route to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro is a relatively new option, one that quickly became popular once established. Truly speaking not all of Lemosho Route is new. It is a variation of the Shira route. A lot of Mount Kilimanjaro trekking Companies even call the Lemosho Shira, to stress that you walk across the Shira Plateau. Read their detailed route description to find out which route exactly you will be on. Only the first two to three days of the two routes are different. But what a difference! The Lemosho Route is the most scenic Kilimanjaro route, from the first day to the last. The trail begins north of Shira, also on the western side of the mountain. But unlike the Shira Route, where for the first day you walk on a wide 4 WD road, Lemosho is a narrow wilderness trail right from the beginning, passing through pristine and remote rainforest with good chances of seeing wildlife. It then crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route near the Lava Tower. Luckily, despite its growing popularity (especially with second time Kilimanjaro Mountain climbers), Lemosho sees a very low number of Mountaineers and there is still a massive gap between Marangu Route and the Machame Route, the two really crowded routes, and all the others. There is an
obvious reason why the numbers on Lemosho will always remain much lower than on Marangu or Machame: it's not the cheapest option, Starting your climb on the western side means paying for extra transport, Using a longer trail means paying for an extra day or several on the mountain and climbing a less trafficked route means higher prices due to less competition from budget cheap Mount Kilimanjaro tour operators. The Lemosho Route is also a fairly demanding route, due to both the nature of the terrain and the duration of the trail. On the plus side Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route offers the best chances of any route to acclimatize to the altitude and with that much better summit chances. The fact that you are likely to climb this route with expert Kilimanjaro tour operators also means your success chances are much better than average. And if your safari operator in Mount Kilimanjaro has developed your safari itinerary in a way that avoids the big traffic surges on the Machame trail (some operators do) you will have a great climb all the way, on the most scenic route, without the crowds that plague the popular trails. There are several possible variations to the Kilimanjaro Lemosho routes, so don't be surprised if you see an itinerary that mentions different camps – Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Shira route
The Shira route is a path that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, and Shira route nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira route was the original route and Lemosho Route Mount Kilimanjaro is the improved variation. While Lemosho Route starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a Safari vehicle to transport Mountain climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge. On the first day on the mountain, a Mountain climber to Shira Route begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and spend their first night at the same elevation at Simba Camp. Then, the route merges with Lemosho at Shira 2 and follows the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the Southern Ice fields before summiting from Barafu Camp. Descent is made on the Mweka route. Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, Lemosho is recommended over Shira due to the high altitude of Shira starting point. It is possible that climbers will experience altitude related symptoms on the first day due to failed acclimatization. Climbers using Shira should be confident of their ability to acclimatize. Both the Shira Plateau and Lemosho trails involve a crossing of the expansive Shira Plateau which stretches out for around 13km to the west of Kibo. This plateau is actually a caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater: when you are walking on the plateau, you are walking on the remains of the first of Kilimanjaro three volcanoes to expire, around 500,000 years ago; it was then filled by the lava and debris from the later Kibo eruption. The Shira plateau has a reputation for its fauna, largely thanks to its proximity to Amboseli National Park in Kenya from where herds of elephant, eland, buffalo, and big cats such as the lion have been known to wander, and there for booked as Amboseli safari package. Indeed, not so many years ago Mount Kilimanjaro trekkers on these routes had to be accompanied by an armed ranger (for which they had to pay) to protect them against encounters with Wildlife. That said you will be very, very lucky to see any evidence of wildlife existing on the plateau, save for the odd hoof print or two and the occasional sun-dried lumps of scat and spoor. So while the proximity of Africa’s finest wild beasts adds a certain frisson of excitement to the walk, don’t choose either of these trails purely on the strength of their reputation for spotting game: it’s an awful long way to come just to see some desiccated elephant shit. Climbing Kilimanjaro Shira Route means to invest some huge budget. The Shira route safari is one of the two longer Kilimanjaro climb routes that start on Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters
 
Those who have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro know that the Mount Kilimanjaro porters and Mount Kilimanjaro Guides are the heart and soul of your Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Without their hard work and strength we would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of Mt Kili. But the truth is Guides and porters in Mount Kilimanjaro are often impoverished Tanzanians who depend on this labor-intensive employment in order to feed themselves and their families. Mount Kilimanjaro Guide and Porters can be severely underpaid and many climb Kilimanjaro without adequate clothing, footwear, or equipment. Like climbers, porters can suffer from altitude sickness and hypothermia. In fact, in September 2002 three porters died of hypothermia when a late season storm hit Mount Kilimanjaro.  The importance of your Mount Kilimanjaro Porter and Guides cannot be underestimated. A quality Mountain Climbing guide and porters will make for a wonderful time on the mountain, while a mediocre staff can put your life in danger. Most Mount Kili companies hire a guide solely, while the rest of the crew remains unknown as they are contracted by the guide himself. Climbers may end up with inexperienced, part-time, or even dishonest people accompanying them on their climb. AtAfrican Safaris and Adventures we spend a great deal of attention is put into finding the right staff. Each and every employee, from lead guide to porter, has been screened intensely prior to hire and only the top performers plus genuine are retained. Because of this rigorous process, we can ensure professional, high quality, consistent performance across the board. This is very rare amongst Kilimanjaro operators. We are one of only a handful of companies that operate this way. Though certainly more expensive and laborious for us, knowing that our clients are on the mountain with the best crew makes the process well worth the time and effort. When you climb with us, you climb with the best crew on Kilimanjaro, period. Our local Mount Kilimanjaro guides are experts on the mountain. Each of our guides in Mount Kilimanjaro is licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park and Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, climbs Kilimanjaro around 20 times each year, and speaks English fluently. For every climb, we assemble a competent team of lead Mount Kilimanjaro guides, Mount Kilimanjaro assistant guides, Mount Kilimanjaro cooks, porters in Mount Kilimanjaro and other camp staff to support you on the mountain. Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Tour Operator - Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Company
A Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing tour is a once in a lifetime tour, It is a tour trip on which you spend a heck of a lot of money. Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing tours is a trip into a part of the world that you are likely not familiar with, and it is a tour that, if organized by irresponsible or incompetent Kilimanjaro tour operators, can quickly become dangerous and even life threatening. So how do you select a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking companies: After all you may think that, they have to get approved by the Mount Kilimanjaro Park authorities, right? And all the mountain Kilimanjaro guides have to be licensed, right? So that would ensure that no matter who you go with, at least you would be safe, right? Think again! There are several hundred Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari Operators who offer Kilimanjaro tours. We would trust only a small fraction of them with my life and money. Tanzania is a typical African country and regulation exists only on paper. There are a million loopholes and evasion strategies. The Tanzania authorities supposed to enforce the regulations are poor. A budget Kili tour operators can bribe his way out of any requirements that would cost him too much money to keep his rock bottom prices. Safety may be the most dramatic
 issue, but it's not the only one. Your chances to reach the Mount Kilimanjaro summit depend on your Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Operator more than on anything else. Yes, your tour operator in Mount Kilimanjaro is more important than your fitness level! We talked to long time Kili mountain guides about success rates, to investigate how the "official" numbers compare to their real life experience. They would not give me a number or estimate, because in their experience the success rate totally depends on the Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safaris Operators. And last but not least, there is the issue of the Kilimanjaro porters. How they are treated does not necessarily affect your safety or success rate. But is that a reason to support the blatant exploitation of the people who make it possible for you to climb Kilimanjaro in the first place? If you haven't done so already, you may want to read the pages about the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro and the page about the Kilimanjaro porters. Reading them will help you make a better decision about who is the best tour Operators in Mount Kilimanjaro for you. So now that you know that you want a quality trekking operator with a good safety record, with good client success rates, who treats their staff fairly, how Read More  

When To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is, at 19,340 feet above sea level and the highest peak on the continent of Africa is located in Northeast Tanzania, near the Tanzania and Amboseli Kenya border. Mount Kilimanjaro towers 19, 340 feet above the surrounding arid plains, and 2.5 square miles of its surface. Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania is the highest freestanding mountain (not part of a range) in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro summit crater known as Kibo measures 1.5 miles across. The highest point on Kibo's steep rim is Uhuru, the highest peak in Africa. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest Mountain in Africa and fourth highest of the Seven Summits. Mt Kilimanjaro highest point the Mt Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak is raised to an altitude of 5,895 m (19,341 ft) AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level). Mount Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo 5,895 m (19,341 ft); Mawenzi 5,149 m (16,893 ft); and Shira 3,962 m (13,000 ft). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's crater rim. Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago, when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. Two of its three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest peak) is dormant and could erupt again. Though it is dormant Mount Kilimanjaro has fumaroles that emit
gas in the crater on the main summit of Kibo. The Early maps of Mount Kilimanjaro were published in 1963, based on air photography; these were on a scale of 1:50,000, Tourist mapping of Mount Kilimanjaro was first in 1989 based on the original mapping, this Mount Kilimanjaro Maps are available online in many Mt Kilimanjaro Websites. There are six official Mt Kilimanjaro routes by which to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, namely: Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route, Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route, Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route, Mt Kilimanjaro Shira Route, Mt Kilimanjaro Umbwe and Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route. Of all the climbing routes in Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame  Route is the most scenic route up the Mount Kilimanjaro Peak and you can climb in six or seven days. Mountain climbers who wish to climb Kilimanjaro are advised to undertake Mountain climbing research and ensure that they are properly equipped and physically capable. Though the Mt Kilimanjaro climb is not as challenging as climbing Himalayas, the altitude, low temperature, and occasional high winds make Mount Kilimanjaro trekking a difficult and dangerous trek. Mount Kilimanjaro acclimatisation is essential and most experienced Mt Kilimanjaro climbers suffer Read More  

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Costs and PricesMount Climbing Safari is not cheap. Undoubtedly, if you have done some mountain climbing research, you have already noticed this. And you probably have also discovered that there is a very wide range of Mount Climbing Safari prices charged for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by different safari companies. There are many licensed operators on Mount Kilimanjaro and the choices may be overwhelming. Do not make your decision based on Mount Climbing Safari price alone. Price of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro should be only one component of your overall decision. High altitude trekking is not the place to shop for the lowest priced "deal", nor is it the place to overpay needlessly. We often are asked how we can price Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing more than the competition. There are minimum expenses Kilimanjaro operators face, such as Mountain Kilimanjaro park fees, staff wages, food, Mountain Kilimanjaro equipment, transportation and other logistical costs. Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) entrance and Mountain Kilimanjaro camping plus hut fees by far make up the biggest expense, costing over $120 per climber per day. The other significant expenses are staff wages, food, and transportation costs. Local wages amount to around $25 per climber per day
(depending on Mountain Kilimanjaro group size). Food costs come out to about $13 per climber per day. Add up the daily costs shown above and you can estimate what it costs to fund a Kilimanjaro climb. So instead of asking how we can be priced so low, you should be asking how those other Mountain Kilimanjaro companies can be priced so high. Do not assume that a high cost Mountain Kilimanjaro operator is providing a superior climb for the money. Do not assume high budget Mountain Kilimanjaro operators are better simply because they charge more. These operators pitch greater summit success, high safety standards and added luxury... and then they take advantage of climbers by charging exorbitant fees. Do not be misled. It is mind boggling that some operators will charge $4,000, $5,000, even $7,000 per person for 12-15 person parties on Mountain Kilimanjaro standard itineraries. It should not cost more than $3,500 per person to climb Kilimanjaro! The premium you pay goes straight to the pockets of the operator. The high priced Mountain Kilimanjaro operators are typically international Mountain Kilimanjaro safari companies who use foreign guides. But ask yourself, who knows the mountain better? A foreign guide, flown in for a few climbs per year, or a Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Temperature and Climate Due to Tanzania proximity to the equator (between 1 and 11.45 degrees latitude south of the Equator and 29.20 and 40.35 degrees longitudes east), this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. The local Mount Kilimanjaro Weather conditions can be somewhat unpredictable to say the very least. Mount Kilimanjaro Rainfall varies from 2100 mm per year in the rainforest belt to less than 120 mm per year in the summit zone. Similarly, daily Mount Kilimanjaro temperature changes are unexpected when compared to normal weather cycles, and are largely dependent on Altitude. Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the Mount Kilimanjaro climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (27°C to 32°C). From there, the Mount Kilimanjaro temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro ecological zones. At the summit, Uhuhu Peak, the Mount Kilimanjaro night time temperatures can range between 0°F to -15F (-18°C to -26°C). This make Kilimanjaro weather very dynamic and you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights. We recommend to our clients who want to climb Kilimanjaro that the long rains typically occur from February to May, and basically it is at this time when visibility is bad and the mountain becomes slippery and treacherous. The shorter rains occur during November and December white June though October it is a summer time and conducive for climbing the Mountain. Note Provided that February through May is long rain season mountaineers climb this mountain to the top without any problem so long as they have all required climbing gears. Weather in Mount Kilimanjaro near the base of the mountain tends to be tropical to semi-temperate and is relatively stable all year round. The lower plains are hot and dry with average temperatures of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As one heads away from the Lower Plains towards the Rain Forest condition become increasingly warm and humid. Kilimanjaro is big enough to have its own weather pattern. The theory behind this pattern is essentially very simple. Strong winds travel across the oceans, drawing moisture up as they go. Eventually they collide with a large object – such as a mountain like Kilimanjaro. The winds are pushed upwards as they hit the mountain slopes, and the fall in temperature and atmospheric pressure leads to precipitation or, as it’s more commonly called, snow and rain. A second seasonal rain-earing wind, the north-east monsoon, having already lost much of its moisture after traveling overland for a longer period, brings a short rainy season between November and February. While the northern side receives Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear & Equipments

Mount Kilimanjaro Equipment - Getting the right Kilimanjaro equipment will put a fair dint into your budget. But there is no way around it; you need good gear to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Do you want to be cold, wet and miserable not even make it to the Mount Kilimanjaro Peak? Or would you prefer to be comfortable, toasty and triumphant? The Kilimanjaro equipments list below has all the essential gear that you need for your Kilimanjaro climb. It tells you why you need it and a bit about the different options you have when buying equipment specifically for your Kilimanjaro climb. (This is not meant as a Kilimanjaro packing checklist. A proper checklist to use when you are actually packing is included in the Mount Kilimanjaro guide. Any half decent safari tour operator to Kilimanjaro should supply the camping safari tents. Tents on Kilimanjaro need to be able to take a beating, so if you have to take your own, make sure it is one that is meant for such conditions (extended bad weather, strong winds and very rocky ground). You can not afford to have any leaks or tears, zips that don't keep wind out etc. Invest in a good thermal sleeping mat. Often you can hire those from the Mt Kilimanjaro Safaris tours Operators. (You don't need this on the Marangu route as accommodation is in Mountain Huts. You still need a good sleeping bag, though...)
Invest in a good sleeping bag that's rated for at least -10°C/four seasons. Down sleeping bags are great. They are light, pack down small and definitely keep you warm at night, but down is of course expensive. Again, you can usually hire sleeping bags, since the real warm ones don't come cheap and most people will not need theirs again after Mount Kilimanjaro holiday. A sleeping bag liner can help with temperatures. We have a silk liner and it makes a huge difference at the higher camps. We wake up every time it slips of my shoulders. A liner is also good for people who are squeamish about renting a sleeping bag. (Or if you plan to backpack through Tanzania before or after and stay in more dubious accommodation...) You can also get more expensive fleecy liners that are made specifically for warmth and are made from the same material as the filling of synthetic sleeping bags. They may be a good option if you already have a good three season’s bag.  The most important piece of equipment for Kilimanjaro is a pair of good Mount Kilimanjaro trekking boots. Some people recommend leather, Read More

Mount Kilimanjaro Rescue    
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is an ultimate challenge of life for both first time and regular climbers. Kilimanjaro unlike other mountains in the world has funny weather to share. In the lowland of Moshi town and around Marangu and other entrance gates the weather is tropical (the temperature ranges from 20 o c - 20o c) and much sun on the day. As you climb the altitude changes and here is when the drama starts (at the summit 5o c and below). The Kilimanjaro weather therefore gradually changes and might bring about altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air as one gains altitude. It is likely that you will experience some form of mild altitude sickness on a high mountain climbing. Mount Kilimanjaro Search & Mount Kilimanjaro Rescue is probably among the top three principal concerns that every Mt Kilimanjaro climber has when they start to ponder an expedition. This concern becomes acute when planning a Mountain climbing to somewhere like Kilimanjaro, and this thanks mainly to the fact that developing world standards can never be wholly relied upon. Even bringing to bear criticism is a bit of a minefield, and the best efforts of any individual operator are bound to some degree to be premised on the permission and facilitation of the local governing authority. On the Whole TANAPA (Tanzanian National Parks Authority) has a good reputation in matters of high altitude rescue. It could be said that they are guilty of massaging the actual numbers of incidences that occur, but that is not in any way unique, since some spectacular examples of this exist elsewhere on the continent too. Perhaps most notably this is so with the numbers of people annually dispatched on the crazy roller coaster of Zambezi white water rafting, and again on the Zambezi with regards to the extraordinarily close to nature canoe trips down the length of the wild lower section of the river. If you are on a cheap Mountain Climbing Package up the Mt Kilimanjaro, and you are feeling dizzy, or if your head is exploding and your lungs are gradually filling with fluid, then the odds are that you will be escorted back to base by a porter. If you collapse and are incapacitated a cell phone alert will probably bring up the famous one-wheeled gurney with its sole accommodation to comfort being a motorcycle suspension system. Upon this you will ride home, and no doubt feel much better when you get there. If, on the other hand, your problem is of a deeply serious nature, such as a spinal or head injury, then your hope will be that a helicopter is locally available to lift you Read More