Climbing Kilimanjaro

KILIMANJARO is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain known to man. It is a mountain where you can hike for more than 90 kilometers, gain 4 000 meters in altitude, traverse rain forest, moorland, alpine desert, snow fields and ice cliffs, all virtually on the equator! A truly unforgettable and fascinating adventure. Kilimanjaro has intrigued modern man for the past century. There's no denying that the human spirit thrives on exploring and conquering the unknown. Although it was spoken of in the second century, Mount Kilimanjaro was only "discovered" by the western world in 1848, when the German missionary Johannes Rebmann came within sight of the mountain, explored the area and traversed the lower slopes. He submitted his findings to the Royal Geographical Society, but his description of a snowcapped mountain in eastern equatorial Africa was doubted by these "experts". During the following years there where a number of unsuccessful attempts by various explorers to conquer the summit and it was only on the 6 October 1889 that Dr. Hans Meyer, with Ludwig Purtscheller an experienced alpine mountaineer, managed to reach the summit successfully. The expedition consisted of many porters, guides and advisors. It took the intrepid Meyer almost 6 weeks to reach the summit, 6 times as long as it takes the average climber today. At the centenary of this climb in 1989 one of their Tanzanian guides was still enjoying live at an age of 118 years!!

About 22,000 climbers set out every year to conquer the Kilimanjaro peak. Several well-marked hiking routes lead to the summit of the mountain. To use the word "climber" is not always correct. Although none of these hikers routes really requires mountaineering skills, hiking to the "roof of Africa" is physically and mentally demanding and should not be under estimated. As much as 40% of those who set out to climb Kilimanjaro turn back before they reach Uhuru peak.

Destination Africa Tours have 10 years of experience in leading clients to the summit. Our experienced guides have a proud success rate of 96%+ and have safely guided over 7000 clients to the peak. Our professional tour consultants have all made successful summit attempts and are therefore in a position to provide you with an in depth knowledge on a planned summit attempt. We provide unique and tailor-made itineraries to suite your individual requirements and preferences, including all your accommodation bookings, meet and assist at the airport, airport transfers, as well as many exciting excursion extensions to the surrounding game reserves and the magical island of Zanzibar.

WHAT ELSE DO WE OFFER?

One of the most comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro guides available on the internet.

Highly trained and registered guides with years of experience, who will lead a team of support staff properly equipped to look after you.

The average ratio of our support staff to climber is 2 to 3 porters per client and one guide per a maximum of 4 clients, which increases your safety and enjoyment on the mountain.

We arrange everything for you: bookings, Park fees, guides, porters, food and equipment, leaving you free to enjoy the climb.

Portable Oxygen and First Aid kits are supplied by us, to all our clients for the duration of their climb.

We provide a complete and quality rental service on all the equipment required on the mountain, as a sensible alternative to purchasing.

CHOOSING A ROUTE

Marangu Route

The main tourist route and by far the most popular route and some claim the easiest route to Uhuru Peak. The 5-day option, which is available on this route, makes it the least expensive route on the mountain. A 6-day option with an extra day of acclimatisation is however also available. This is the only route, which provides comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every campsite. Mineral water, soft drinks, beer and chocolates are also sold at every camp. All the camps on this route have radio contact with the Park Headquarters.

Machame Route

This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the summit. The 6-day route is however physically more challenging than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer and steeper, however the summit night is one hour shorter. The scenic traverse of the Western Breach offers some stunning views! Only tented accommodation available, which can be less comfortable and will require a good sleeping bag and hiking mattress.

Umbwe Route

This route is one of the shorter but also one of the more difficult routes to reach Uhuru peak--but quiet spectacular. Umbwe is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route the following day. Also sometimes used as a descending route.

Shira Route

The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 1/2 hours walk of Shira Hut (4000m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatisation, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.

Mweka Route

This route can only be use as a descending route for all the western routes.

Lemosho Route

It is a remote, unspoiled and very beautiful route to the Roof of Africa. The forest around the Lemosho Glades is rich in big game animals such as elephant and buffalo, which may sometimes require a game ranger to accompany climbers on the first day. This route is however a long route which requires 7-days for a comfortable completion, which also makes it more expensive.

Rongai (Naro Moru) Route

You can start this route from both the Tanzanian side of the border or from Rongai in Kenya, but all park fees and arrangements must be made at the Marangu gate. The route may only be used for ascend and the Marangu route must be used for descend. There are several big caves along the route, which are used by the porters to overnight for the first two nights.

Western Breach / Arrow Glacier

An alternative final ascend route which can be taken from all of the western routes, sleeping at magnificent Arrow Glacier on your summit night. The western Breach poses a very difficult walk up steep scree with some rock scrambling occasionally required. Snow cover makes scree easier but an ice axe is then required. It is also possible to sleep an extra night inside the Kibo Crater!

Technical climbs

No Technical climbs or adventure activities such as paragliding, cycling or skiing are aloud on Mt. Kilimanjaro.