TZ · Kilimanjaro Region · 3.07°S 37.36°E

mount kilimanjaro

Rainforest, giant groundsels and a multi-day climb towards Africa's highest summit.

Best time
January–February and July–October are the main drier climbing windows. April–May is wet and November has short rains; the summit is below freezing in every season.
How long
9–11 days, including a 7–8-day climb
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Kilimanjaro airport, usually via Addis Ababa, Doha or Dubai, about 14–18 hours all in. Moshi is about 45 minutes away by road, and your operator drives you on to the gate for your route. Tanzania is 5 hours behind KL.
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TZ · Kilimanjaro Regionmount kilimanjaro3.07°S 37.36°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Rainforest, giant groundsels and a multi-day climb towards Africa's highest summit.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMount KilimanjaroTZ, Kilimanjaro Region
KLmount kilimanjaro
≈ 7,183 km from KL, as the crow flies
Rebmann Glacier on top of Kilimanjaro, Southern Icefield. Mount Meru in background.

Photo: ProfessorX · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, a walk rather than a technical climb, but a serious one: several days through rainforest, heath and alpine desert before a freezing night push to the summit. Moshi is the usual base for meeting your crew.

Makan

  1. Camp mealsSoups, rice, pasta and vegetables cooked by the crew.Map ↗
  2. Chips mayaiA chip omelette, the post-climb meal in Moshi.Map ↗
  3. BananasThe Chagga farms on the lower slopes grow dozens of kinds.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Montane forestThe lower trails, through tall, mossy trees with colobus monkeys overhead.Map ↗
  2. Shira PlateauBroad high moorland on the western routes, with Kibo's summit cone ahead.Map ↗
  3. Barranco WallA steep scramble above a valley of giant groundsels, on the Machame and Lemosho routes.Map ↗
  4. Uhuru PeakThe 5,895-metre summit, reached by a night climb to arrive around sunrise.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Climbs must go with a licensed operator. A 7–8-day route gives your body time to adjust and a much better chance of the summit.
  • Altitude sickness can hit anyone, however fit; tell your guide about headaches or nausea, and go down if they get worse.
  • Operators can cater halal if they know before buying the expedition food.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.