How can avoid crowds while climbing Kilimanjaro?

The best way to avoid crowds on the mountain 1. Book a private climb
2. Choose a less traveled route
Routes like Machame and Marangu have lots of climbers using them try on avoiding crowding routes. 3. Climb on shoulder or short rain season
Choose the time of the year when many do not opt to climb the mountain 4. Do not summit during full moon
As many people target full moon Summit do not opt for it and you may happen to have Whole Mountain to yourself.
5. Choose alternate camps
Some campsites are heavily populated while others are barely used. By opting for the less popular site, you just might have the space for yourself. For instance, use Moir Hut, Kosovo Camp instead of Barafu Hut, Millienium Camp instead of Mweka Camp, or sleep at Crater Camp after the summit.

The easiest way to avoid a crowd is to not be part of a crowd

Book a private climb
Group climbs on Kilimanjaro usually range from 10 to 16 people. Groups are limited to 16 climbers. Each client requires the support of three to four porters as well as a team of cooks and guides. So for every client there is in a trekking party, the number in the group is multiplied. Booking a private climb allows you to climb with as few people as you want, even solo. On the mountain, you have more flexibility with regards to when to set out for the day, how fast to hike and when to take breaks subject to the judgment of the lead guide of course. All of these factors can be utilized to distance you from the crowds.

Climb during the dry seasons or the short rainy season
Kilimanjaro dry seasons are from July to October and again from December to February. If you are willing to take a gamble, you can climb Kilimanjaro during the transitional periods between dry and wet seasons or during the short rainy season

The shoulder seasons are the months of March and June. The short rainy reason occurs in the month of November. Most operators do not run group climbs at these times. Additionally, during the rainy season, the mornings are usually clear and the rains come in the afternoon and evening. Fast hikers may be able to be at camp before the afternoon rains even begin.

Weather Conditions
Kilimanjaro is close to the equator and doesn’t experience the same four seasons as the more temperate parts of the world. Instead, it has rainy seasons and dry seasons, both of which alter the complexion of the mountain. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is the months of January through early March and June through October. The clear skies, great views, and sunshine make for spectacular photo-opportunities and comfortable hiking conditions.

Avoid to summit on a full moon
Because the final ascent on Kilimanjaro is usually made in the middle of the night, timing the summit to coincide with the full moon gives hikers enough light to see the mountain while hiking in the dark. These appeals too many people and hosts as many as four full moon summit groups comprised of more than 60 clients in total each month of the high season to cater to this demand. Other operators also focus on scheduling full moon summit climbs for their clients, which means that on these particular days, there are hundreds of climbers heading to the summit at the same exact time.

Choose the best route

Marangu route
The Marangu route is also referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route, as it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. It is the oldest and the most well established route on the Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls, basic washrooms and toilet.

Short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason. Africa Natural Tours® offers Marangu Route climbing for five and six days climb. The difference being five days climb does not have an acclimatization day on day three at Horombo Hut.

Advantage of Marangu route
This route is mostly used by climbers with less experience because is the one of the easier trails. It’s also the route with sleeping huts.

Disadvantage of Marangu route
The route reduce the level of acclimatization because its simplest route than other on mountain. As you know that acclimatization will be better as you have longer to adapt to the less oxygen in the air when choosing long route.

Machame route
Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Africa Natural Tours offers Machame as a seven day group climb or as a seven day private climb.

Advantage of choosing Machame route
The route enables climbers to increase the ability of acclimatization.Because it also takes eight days. Through machame route there are three nights sleeping at the same altitude.

The paths are well maintained, The campsites have good toilet facilities and the success rate is high. All in the entire route has good environment. Machame is among of popular route which many climbers use. The number of climbers on this route it is probably the busiest nowadays depending on the time of year.

Disadvantage of choosing Machame route
At the altitude of nearly 6000 meters it will require mental power and good physical health and fitness. In morning the dark can be very cold, icy and windy so as every climber needs to have quality personal gear such as clothes which help to protect your body like jacket.

Umbwe route
The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be very difficult, taxing route - one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.

Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Africa Natural Tours offers Umbwe as a six or seven day private climb. The seven day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp

Advantage of Umbwe route
It’s simple and easier route for porters to deliver foods and quite retreat for people who are sick at either supplies up to Barranco Camp, or Karanga Camp.
Disadvantage of Umbwe route
Acclimatization it would be the hardest to adapt.

Lemosho route
Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Climb and Safari Tours® specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Africa Natural Tours offers Lemosho as an eight day group climb or as a seven to eight day private climb. The seven day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. A nine day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

Advantage of Lemosho route
The longer trail through the low level forest is particularly attractive and you are more likely to see some wildlife here than on the busier.

Disadvantage of Lemosho
The Lemosho is longer and easiest route. The route is through in forest so as the clients you get the chance of see animals like monkey and other animals.

Rongai route
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way. Descent is made via the Marangu route. Africa Natural Tours offers Rongai as a seven day group climb or a six or seven private climb. The six day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day four at Mawenzi Tarn.

Advantage of Rongai route
The route offers a less challenging way up with an easier acclimatization profile and lower traffic.

Disadvantage of rongai route
Extra psychological push needed to get from the crater rim at Gilman’s Point up to the summit. To climb through this route you’ll need both physical and mental strength.

Northern circuit route
Northern Circuit is also the longest because you see so much of what the mountain offers. Due to the additional length of time for acclimatisation, success rates for the summit are higher. When using this route you will summit Uhuru Peak via Gilman’s Point as like other route. You will get an opportunity to travel through the quiet and rarely visited northern slopes, which really give a heightened sense of adventure and remoteness on this mountain which attracts so many hikers every year.

Advantage of north circuit route
It is the one of the safer trails in terms of acclimatizing as there will be plenty of time to get your body used to the altitudes.

Disadvantage of northern circuit route
It is the longer route which takes much time up to summit the uhuru peak. Physical and mental stamina are important as it is a longer trip

Western Breach route
The Western Breach is the most technically difficult approach to Mount Kilimanjaro, but it’s the most rewarding. The approach to the Western Breach usually starts on the Umbwe Route and then continues north and up from Lava Tower. The Western Breach is very dangerous route so according to its dangerous it was closed due to fatal rock fall in 2006 but reopened in 2007 with a new and safer route configuration. Success rates are typically moderate to high as the route is usually only tackled by experienced high altitude trekkers.

To climb Kilimanjaro, you’ll need both physical and mental strength, but you should also be carefully when choosing the route. Almost 30,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year. Kilimanjaro Mountain is among of the tourist attraction in Tanzania. Mountain involves increasing national income. This is done through clients from different countries in the world who pay money for the purpose of climbing Kilimanjaro. These countries including USA and so other many countries. Mount kili is the among of the highest mountain in world but in Africa is the first highest mountain and also Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits in the world.

Temperature

Temperatures on the mountain vary with the seasons and also within the different climate zones as you climb higher. The summit zone is when temperatures drop well below freezing at all times of the year. December to March and June just after the rains are usually the coldest, and there’s a good chance you’ll see snow on the summit. This reduces the number of visitors as compared to July through August which is the busiest time.

Use best camp
Some camps are heavily populated while others are barely used. By opting for the less popular site, you just might have the space for yourself. For instance, use Moir Hut instead of Shira 2, Kosovo Camp instead of Barafu Hut, Millienium Camp instead of Mweka Camp, or sleep at Crater Camp after the summit. Did you know that the Best Time is very important to avoid the crowd is to hike during the shoulder season March to June or the short rainy season November. For those who wish to avoid climbing Kilimanjaro in rain can hike during this period to avoid the crowd on Mount Kilimanjaro. If you are looking forward to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the rain, you can choose the Rongai Route. This is because this route is simple and easier than others.

Your Kilimanjaro Summit night climb starts at midnight. As there is cold and dark during this period many climbers consider Kilimanjaro Full moon Climb due to better visibility on the mountain at night. But this comes with a compromise of climbing Kilimanjaro with the crowd. To Climb Kilimanjaro without a crowd are definitely not the full moon days.

Avoiding the worst
There are ways to avoid the crowds. Trekking out of season, particularly in the rainy months is a great start. The other solid option is to choose one of the quieter routes. Rongai and Lemosho are fantastic routes in their own right and avoid the crowds that are guaranteed on Machame. When is the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is the months of January through, March, June, and October. The clear skies, great views, and the sunshine make it the best comfortable hiking conditions. However, there is always the possibility of weather changing dramatically, regardless of the season.

You can climb Kilimanjaro at any time of the year, but there are sme months that are better than others. We recommend best to climb Mount Kilimanjaro during the driest months. April and November as these are the main rainy seasons, making the trails more dangerous.