The National Park has its Headquarters at Marangu (Marangu Climbing Gate) which is a distance of about 44km from Moshi town and 86km from the Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The Climate at the Kilimanjaro Mountain is mainly influenced by the winds. This makes the two rainy seasons in a year. The wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak. The dry season is from late June through September during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear. However there are short rainy period of October to December where you can find rain during the day which does not affect the nights and mornings which remains remain clear with excellent visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rain showers that provides for good climbing conditions. With the Climate, it makes the good time to climb the Kilimanjaro Mountain, though the Mountain Can be accessed throughout the year. Ngaiza Adventures will gives you the details regarding the Mount Kilimanjaro with all the climbing facts.
1. Mount Kilimanjaro best route
As for a climber, there is more just like a best Route when climbing the Kilimanjaro, as the best depends on the choice for the climber as with the description of each route, a climber can describe and choose the best route on their taste. The best can be with number of days (Maximum Acclimatization), difficulties in Climbing, Accommodation or even development and Smoothness of the specific route.
2. Mount Kilimanjaro – route description
Climbing the Kilimanjaro Mountain takes Minimum of 5 Climbing days. Number of days for reaching the Uhuru peak of the Kilimanjaro Mountain normally depends on the Climbing route. Uhuru Peak of the Kilimanjaro Mountain can be reached via the 5 different ascending routes which are Lemosho, Umbwe, Machame, Rongai and Marangu route which is the easiest and well developed route.with all the five routes Marangu and Machame are the popular route to Many climbers whereby Marangu route is well developed with the accommodation in hut while accommodation is camping throughout on the Machame route.
MARANGU ROUTE
Marangu climbing route is the most popular and well developed route which makes it to be the main route whereby the national park headquarters office are located there. The route is nicknamed as the Coca-Cola route which being said as the easiest route with no professional equipment is required on the climb. It was the first discovered route hence well developed with accommodation is provided in mountain huts with all the basic necessities whereby climbers are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags should be brought along. There are communal dining halls, washrooms and toilets. There are 60 bunk beds each (for 60 people each) at Mandara Hut (2700m) and Kibo Hut (4700m), and 120 bunk beds (for 120 people) at Horombo Hut (3720m) which is also used for descent. With the facilities, the route has reduces the adventurous hence noted as the easiest route but the adventure of climbing the mountain remain the same as to other routes.
Climbing the Kilimanjaro Mountain via the Marangu Route usually takes a minimum of 5 days/4nights for ascending and descending. The trek can also be taken in 6 days/5 nights to add acclimatization with an extra day at Horombo Hut. Hence with each number of days it has its own price. Climbin through the Marangu route, you will be using the same route for ascending and descending which is difeferent from other routes.
MACHAME ROUTE
This makes one of the Kilimanjaro ascending route which is the next popular after the Marangu route. The route can be the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. The accommodation used throughout on the way up and down is strictly camping only. Trekking via the Machame route is of extreme vigor which may be better suited to more adventurous hikers. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days/5nights on the mountain. Climbing the Kilimanjaro via the Machame route uses Machame route for ascending up to the uhuru peak and descend down via the Mweka route.
RONGAI ROUTE
This is the only route in the north eastern side of the Kilimanjaro Mountain; the route is usually of a five night climb. Rongai is the less popular route which means it might not be quite as spectacular as the western routes. This makes the route with lower traffic than the other five night routes. Rongai route retains the sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. It is generally considered to be the easiest of the quality routes on the mountain. Rongai is the best route for people who are looking for a decent quality experience and are perhaps not absolutely confident about their fitness. Nevertheless, the route is favored with it being the driest route in most of the time. Climbing via the Rongai route, climbers will be ascending via Rongai and descend down via the Marangu route, with the camping accommodation throughout.
UMBWE ROUTE
Umbwe Climbing route of the Kilimanjaro Mountain is the ascending route approaching the Uhuru peak from the South. Climbers via this route spend a minimum of 6-days / 5-night tour. The routs is said to be one of scenic route and it is the difficult climb offered on Kilimanjaro which is sometimes referred as the technical climb whereby the first two ascending days are extremely steep, muddy and generally vigor which make it suitable for well-trained mountaineers. An acclimatization day is rarely offered on the standard program, but can be added whereby giving the climber an extra day in the Karanga Valley. Ascending via the Umbwe route, climbers will descend down via Mweka Route.
LEMOSHO ROUTE (SHIRA) GLADES ROUTE
Though not popular and being the least used route due to it being on the remote with dificultires on reaching the climbing trail, Lemosho is one of the scenery ascending route to the Uhuru peak of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The trailhead 9starting point) is at relatively high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. Buffalo and elephant sightings are possible on the first day trekking through the forest, and the trail is often overgrown from lack of use. It is the longest ascending route of the Kilimanjaro Mountain with the minimum of 7 Climbing days. With it being longer it gives maximum acclimatization time hence have the good result for success summit rate. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special. Climbing via the scenic Lemosho route, Climbers will be lodging in Camps and will be descending down via the Mweka route.
