Which is the best route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Choosing which route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro by is one of the biggest choices you will make when planning your successful Kilimanjaro climb. There is a huge amount of conflicting opinion but we have compiled this easy, one stop guide to the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro by.

Marangu Route (Tourist or Coca Cola Route)

This is the original and, because of the low cost, still one of the most popular routes. Accommodation is in huts and you ascend and descend by the same route. Unless you are really pressed for cash this route is to be avoided as the three day ascent does not give enough time for acclimatisation and the success rate is low.
Pros:

Cheap
No camping (if you don’t like camping)

Cons:

Not enough time for acclimatisation
Low success rate
Very busy
Shared huts (if you don’t like sharing huts)

Machame Route

The Machame route is a popular route on Kilimanjaro as it doesn’t involve a long drive, ascends and descends by different routes, enjoys beautiful campsites, passes many of Kilimanjaro’s finest features and the overall success rate is excellent. If you have the time it is best to do this climb in 7 days as this will give you a the best chance of acclimatisation and thus the greatest chance of summiting.
Pros:

Scenic, western ascent.
Least expensive camping route.
Varied scenery.
Easy access to trailhead.

Cons:

Most popular camping route. (Apparently now more popular than Marangu)

Lemosho Route (Also known as Shira Plateau Route)

Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route gives an exclusive experience of Kilimanjaro as, although it joins the more popular Machame Route on day three the first two days are spent on very quiet trails and it can sometimes feel like you have the whole mountain to yourself. (It joins the Machame Route shortly after Shira Camp.
The guides often say that this is their favourite route not least because of the wonderful views of Kilimanjaro as you approach from the west, the excellent chances of seeing wildlife on your walk and the experience of crossing the Shira plateau.
We offer the Lemosho Route over 8 days climbing as this gives you an extremely high chance of success as acclimatisation is helped by the additional time spent on the mountain. It is also possible to do the trail in 7 days if you are short of time.
Pros

Scenic, western ascent .
Fewer climbers.
Beautiful views of Kilimanjaro.
Crossing the scenic Shira plateau.
High success rate.
Possibility to see wildlife.

Cons

More expensive as there is an extra day and permit fees are higher.
May not be possible to access the trailhead in the wet season.

Rongai Route (aka Loitokitok)

The Rongai route is the least crowded route on Kilimanjaro because of the long journey to the gate where your climb begins. It retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro. As there are fewer people this also gives you the best chance of viewing wildlife. The fauna is quite different on these Northern slopes, you will see juniper and olive trees. You don’t miss out on the Lobelias and the Giant Groundsels tho as you will see these on your route down.
Although the journey to the trailhead from Arusha is much longer it passes through a rural Chagga heartland allowing you to see village life. If you are short on time it is also people to complete this trail in 6 days but, this does not allow you as much time for acclimatisation.
Pros