How much time should I reserve to climb Kilimanjaro?

The longest Kilimanjaro route takes 9 days provided that you can arrive a day before and depart a day after, you can therefore safely say that you can reserve eleven days at least when taking the longest route. The shortest is Marangu 5 days to which you will need at least seven days, including the day to fly in and fly out. Therefore, we can with confidence recommend you to reserve at least seven days for climbing Kilimanjaro.

It takes at least 5 days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. However, a minimum of 6 days, and ideally 7 or 8, offers a far better chance of reaching the top. For those with longer to spare, there are several more gradual and scenic ascent routes that can be done over ten or more days. It takes at least five days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Minimum of five days, and maximum is eight days. For those with longer to spare, there are several more gradual and scenic ascent routes that can be done over ten or more days

What is the summit rate when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

When you thinking about summit success rate on Kilimanjaro climbing you should think about route you’re choosing. Success summit rate for Kilimanjaro it means the percentage reaching the Uhuru Peak. Every route on Kilimanjaro has their own summit success rate. Each route should be considered, as well as the number of climbing days on a given route for example a six-day Machame route has a much different success rate than a six-day trek on the Marangu route. Depending on the route you choose, you will be on the top of mountain for a week and you can return back for five days according to route you have chosen.

Route which can makes you to reach on summit

The following are the route which can makes you to reach on summit
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.

Machame Route
The 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.

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.

Lemosho Route
The 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.

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.

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 another 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.

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.

Therefore, before you want to choose the best route you should first know the characteristic of each route. It advised to choose longer route because it will help you to increase the ability of acclimatization. Rather than choosing shorter route like marangu and machame route. You will spend a lot of time up to summit if you choose the longer route like northern circuit. But if you are choosing route like five days marangu or machame route will offers a far better chance of reaching the top on a time you wish but according to your ability or if there no any emergency.