If you think climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is something only the young and super-fit can do, you will be pleased to know that a whole manner of different celebrities have managed to conquer Kili in recent years, and it is those who were considered ‘unfit’ that made it to the top!
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity is no easy feat, but if you have always wanted to do something amazing, climbing Africa’s highest mountain with a group of friends will definitely tick all the right boxes.
There are many reasons to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – you might want to test your personal limits, or you could do it to raise money for your favourite charity, but if you want to mark a milestone birthday in style, Africa’s highest mountain could be the perfect place to do it!
Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route has grown in popularity in recent years, so much so, that it is now one of the most populous trails on Africa’s highest mountain. While it is possible to climb the Machame Route in just 6 days, it is strongly recommended that you go for the 7-day option, which allows extra time for acclimatisation, and includes an overnight stay at Karanga Camp so that you are fit and ready for summit night.
The Lemosho Route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. Often described as the longest and most scenic trail to the Roof of Africa, it approaches the mountain from the west, starting at the Londorossi Gate, and traverses across the Shira Ridge, before meeting up with the Machame Route at Barranco Camp.
If you are an experienced hiker looking for the challenge of a lifetime, Kilimanjaro’s Umbwe Route could be the perfect choice for your Kilimanjaro expedition. Short, steep, and strenuous in parts, the Umbwe Route jumps from 1,600m to 3,900m above sea-level in just 48-hours, and so it is perhaps no surprise that it is commonly referred to as the most difficult route on Africa’s highest mountain.
Starting north of Mount Kilimanjaro, just south of the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a more relaxed expedition to the Roof of Africa. While not easy, it is less challenging than some of the other routes, and with its gradual inclines and long winding trails, it is suitable for most fitness levels.
With uneven terrain and deep layers of scree, the path to Stella Point is challenging and quite literally breathtaking. Many hikers charged on ahead of us, only to be found several hours later collapsed on the floor – so we are glad we took it slow, and after hiking for around five and half hours, the pink glow of the sunrise brought not only hope, but also much-needed warmth to our tired and aching bones.
Laurie from Florida contacted us to ask about our Kilimanjaro Expeditions. Keen to climb Africa’s highest mountain with her son Ramsay, Laurie wanted to know what routes we had available, and while we offer all routes on Kilimanjaro, we recommended our 7-Day Machame Route Climb due to its great success rate.
When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro along the Machame Route or Lemosho Route, the descent from Lava Tower into the Grand Barranco Canyon is always a welcome one. The pressure eases on your head, the downhill trail is a breeze after the trek from Shira, and the scenery is quite simply breath-taking… if you are lucky enough to see it!