Climb Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m) via The Rongai Route

Much Better Adventures offers three routes on Kilimanjaro. Depending on your preferences you can choose a route that is best suited to you; whether that's escaping the crowds on the quieter sides of the mountain, spending more time in Kilimanjaro's forest and moorland environments for best wildlife spotting, and of course finding a trip that suits the time and budget you have available.

Rongai Route (7 days on the mountain): A much quieter and more remote trek away from the crowds. Approaching from the north, your climb starts on Kilimanjaro's second peak, Mawenzi, before crossing a high saddle onto the main peak, Kibo, where you reach the same high point of the other routes, Uhuru Peak. The days are generally considered more moderate, with gradual climbs and avoiding the Baranco Wall scramble. However, the challenges of altitude and a long summit day remain. To reach the start of the Rongai Route involves a 3-4 hour drive.

Lemosho Route (8 days on the mountain): Our longest route with the highest success rate, if you have the extra day available this is probably the best all-round route for most. The Lemosho Route starts to the west of Kilimanjaro and enjoys three days of relatively quiet trails before joining the Machame Route at Lava Tower. These first days are through temperate forest, with good potential for wildlife spotting, before climbing up and across the Shira Plateau. With the extra day on the mountain, it is a more complete experience, seeing all sides and zones of the mountain, as well as allowing more time to adjust to the altitude – it is the route with the highest success rate and growing in popularity because of this.

Machame Route (7 days on the mountain): Considered to be very scenic, the Machame Route strikes a good balance between a safe acclimatisation profile and an efficient itinerary – the Machame Park Gate is only a 45-minute drive from Moshi, so it's the quickest to get to. As with Rongai and Lemosho, you have a different descent route for your way down the mountain.

See our guide to the Best Routes on Kilimanjaro for the full lowdown.

It's possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro all year round; however, the months outside of the rainy seasons are more desirable. The best climbing months are from December to March and July to October. The best weather is usually at the beginning of the year from January to March, which are also typically the warmest and driest months.

Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t a technical climb and anyone with reasonable fitness should be capable of summiting it as long as they are prepared and determined. However, this doesn't mean it is easy: the main challenge is the high altitude, therefore a slow pace is recommended when ascending.

We would recommend working on your hill fitness over several weeks or months before attempting this climb. This would involve developing a reasonable base of cardio and strength fitness combined with some specific hiking preparation in the hills. Think of a few weekends of back-to-back walking days with as much up and down as you can fit in, if you want to make it harder carry a heavy backpack! This preparation will set you up to get the most out of your trek and enjoy yourself on your adventure!

Your host prides themselves on treating their porters and mountain crew as part of their extended family, and advocate for fair pay and treatment of porters through membership of key local associations, Kilimanjaro Porter's Association (KPA) and the Tanzania Tour Guide Association (TTGA). These associations work with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) to set minimum pay rates and regulations that all operators must abide by within the national park. Your host is committed to meeting or exceeding these expectations, as well as providing further benefits such as training opportunities so porters can progress on to roles of cooks or guides as they gain experience on the mountain. As a baseline MBA commit to ensuring:

· Porters are paid a minimum of 25,000Tsh (US $1 = approx 2,000 Tsh)

· Salaries must be paid within two days of the descent of ALL climbs

· A transparent tipping procedure, so porters receive the full tip amount intended for them

· Loads carried by the porter should not exceed 20kg for the company (excluding porter's personal kit)

· Porters are provided with three meals per day

· Porters have proper shelter conditions and sleeping equipment

· Porters are outfitted with proper gear

· Sick or injured porters are properly cared for

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

The guides have been extensively trained at the Mweka Wildlife Centre and are familiar with the routes, terrain and conditions. With over 10 years' experience, they have also been to the summit more than 100 times. Additionally, all of the guides are certified First Aid Responders and CPR trained.

For every customer, you'll be accompanied by approximately 3-4 supporting crew members. For example, a group of 8 is likely to be accompanied by 25 support crew. This is broken down as one lead guide, three assistant guides, one cook/chef, one waiter, one pilot (toilet porter), three tent crew, and 16 porters who carry any additional equipment.

Thanks to Tanzania’s proximity to the equator, the region doesn’t typically experience the extremes of winter and summer weather you might expect and instead has dry and wet seasons. The local weather conditions on Kilimanjaro can be somewhat unpredictable (to say the least) and rainfall varies from 2100mm per year in the rainforest belt to less than 120mm per year in the summit zone. Daily temperature changes are also unpredictable when compared to normal weather cycles, and are largely dependent on the altitude.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are, of course, entirely at your discretion but the norm in Tanzanian culture means there is an expectation to tip for good service. This particularly applies to climbing Kilimanjaro, where tipping culture is deeply ingrained and an important custom. Even if it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. After your climb, there will be a ‘tipping ceremony’ in which you’ll have the opportunity to show your gratitude to the team who have supported you along the way.

We would suggest a minimum tip of $400 per guest.

Your host will provide guidance on the appropriate split of the money between the team members. Each individual will be presented with their portion of the tip in a sealed envelope, and in turn you’ll be presented with your Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

In Tanzania, many banks and businesses refuse notes that are old or damaged in any way, so tips with bills that are no more than 15 years old and in good condition are gratefully received.

If you need to be taken down to a lower altitude as a matter of urgency, there are two options in place. In most instances, steel-framed, mobile stretchers can be pushed by porters to descend quickly. Most people feel immediate relief at lower altitudes where you will be evaluated and if the guides determine you are well enough, you will wait for your group at a lower camp or be taken to the gate for transfer to Moshi for medical treatment (if necessary). For more serious concerns, through a partnership with Kilimanjaro SAR, emergency helicopters can be deployed within 5 minutes for evacuation, complete with in-flight medical treatment. If you require further medical attention upon landing, you will be taken to their modern, private High Altitude Medical Clinic, designed to tackle Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Please ensure that you have appropriate insurance coverage for trekking with evacuation coverage for up to 6,000 metres above sea level.

No, however, if you would like the peace of mind of a doctor accompanying you, this can be arranged. Please contact your host and book at least two months in advance.

Unlike many operators, your host carries oxygen on all climbs and guides perform daily health and pulse oxymeter checks, which measures both your heart rate and the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Ensuring and monitoring your health and safety at all altitudes is your host's top priority, and your guides are well-trained to identify the signs of AMS and resolve them immediately.

When you trek in the mountains, there's always the risk of getting altitude sickness, regardless of how old, young, fit or unfit you are. We would expect most trekkers to feel some mild symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, sleeplessness, heavy breathing) when over 3000m. Our guides are trained to identify the symptoms of altitude sickness so if any more serious symptoms are noted, there is a strict procedure regarding extra care or a rapid descent or evacuation if needed. All of our trips have been designed with altitude best practice in mind so acclimatisation days have been built in and our experienced guides follow advice to ‘walk high and sleep low’.

There is a limit to the weight that the porters can carry and your kitbag must be no heavier than 20kg. You will also have a rucksack to hold your basic kit for each day of walking. If you wish to bring more than 20kg it is best to arrange another bag and an extra porter charge will apply.

Your team of porters will provide you with boiled and filtered water throughout the trek.

Yes! Just mention this in the enquiry form when you book or message your host after you have booked and they can help you to arrange this. Prices are shown above in the Optional Extras section.

You can securely leave any excess luggage at your host's base before setting off on the trek.

We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

For current advice about travelling in Tanzania, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages.

You are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice. Information about visas can also be found on the Tanzanian Immigration website.

If you are eligible for an e-visa and are required to provide the address of your accommodation, please use the following details:
Weru Weru River Lodge
Address: Mailisita, Moshi-Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +255 788 829 777
PO Box 855

A plastic bag ban went into effect across Tanzania from 1st June 2019 and the use, manufacture or importation of plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags, is now illegal and convicted offenders, including tourists, can face heavy fines, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Visitors are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags in their suitcases or hand luggage before flying to Tanzania. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should also be removed from plastic bags. Please check your hand luggage before disembarking at entry points and any plastic bags should be left on the plane. Similarly, the transparent zip-lock plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries etc are also not permitted and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking.

If you have any hiking gear that’s in good condition but you don’t need after your trek, donations to your team of porters will be gratefully received. Talk to your host if you’d like donate any of your gear.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.