What You Need to Know: Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, with its summit, Uhuru Peak, at 19,341 ft (5,895 m) in northern Tanzania. It is a dormant volcano made of three cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, and climbers walk through five climate zones from rainforest to an arctic summit. Six main routes lead to the top; no climbing skills are needed, but every climber must go with a licensed guide.
Kilimanjaro at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft (5,895 m) |
| Location | Kilimanjaro National Park, northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border |
| Type | Dormant volcano with three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira |
| Nearest town | Moshi, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| First recorded ascent | 1889: Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and their guide Yohani Lauwo |
| Main routes | Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe and the Northern Circuit |
| Climbing rule | All climbs with a licensed guide and a registered operator |
Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira: The Mountain's Three Peaks
Kilimanjaro is made of three volcanic cones. Kibo is the highest and holds the summit, Uhuru Peak. Mawenzi is a jagged second peak, and Shira is a high plateau on the western side.
Kibo is dormant. Its crater rim has the points you will hear about on the climb: Stella Point and Gilman's Point, where most climbers reach the rim, and Uhuru Peak, the highest point, a walk further round. Mawenzi is not climbed on our routes, but you see it from the Marangu and Rongai trails. The Shira Plateau is crossed on the Lemosho and Machame routes.
| Feature | Height | Where you meet it |
|---|---|---|
| Uhuru Peak (Kibo) | 19,341 ft (5,895 m) | The summit on every route |
| Stella Point | About 18,900 ft (5,756 m), on the crater rim | Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe |
| Gilman's Point | 18,652 ft (5,685 m), on the crater rim | Marangu, Rongai, Northern Circuit |
| Mawenzi | Second-highest peak | Seen from Marangu and Rongai |
| Shira Plateau | About 12,500 ft (3,800 m) | Lemosho and Machame |
Your route decides which rim point you reach first, but every route ends at Uhuru Peak.
The Five Climate Zones You Walk Through
Climbing Kilimanjaro takes you through five zones, from farmland and rainforest at the bottom to an arctic summit, in a few days: the forest is warm and wet, the moorland open and cooler, the alpine desert dry and windy with cold nights, and the summit zone below freezing, with glaciers on the crater.
| Zone | Approximate altitude |
|---|---|
| Cultivation | Up to about 5,900 ft (1,800 m) |
| Rainforest | About 5,900–9,200 ft (1,800–2,800 m) |
| Heath and moorland | About 9,200–13,100 ft (2,800–4,000 m) |
| Alpine desert | About 13,100–16,400 ft (4,000–5,000 m) |
| Arctic summit | Above 16,400 ft (5,000 m) |
Each zone is described in our climate zones guide, and the packing list shows what to wear in each.
Is there snow on Kilimanjaro?
Yes. There are glaciers and snowfields on and around the summit crater, though they are much smaller than they were a century ago. Fresh snow can fall on the upper mountain in any season, most often in the rainy months. On summit night temperatures are well below freezing, which is why warm layers matter more than anything else you pack.
A Short History of Climbing Kilimanjaro
The first recorded ascent to the summit was in 1889, by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller with their local guide, Yohani Lauwo. Since then the mountain has become one of the most climbed high peaks in the world. Kilimanjaro National Park now manages the routes, the camps and the permits, and every climber must go with a licensed guide.
The mountain is also home to the Chagga people, who farm its fertile lower slopes; many of the guides and porters on the mountain today come from villages around Moshi and Marangu.
The Routes to Kilimanjaro's Summit
There are six main routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe and the Northern Circuit. They differ in length, scenery, crowds and how gradually they climb. Marangu is the only route with huts; the others are camping routes.
| Route | Days we run | Character | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marangu | 5 or 6 | Huts, same trail up and down | US$1,600 |
| Machame | 6 or 7 | Most popular camping route; varied scenery | US$1,845 |
| Lemosho | 7 or 8 | Quiet western start; the Shira Plateau | US$2,090 |
| Rongai | 6 or 7 | Drier north side, quiet | US$1,845 |
| Umbwe | 6 or 7 | Steepest, for experienced hikers | US$1,845 |
| Northern Circuit | 9 | Longest and quietest | US$2,580 |
For most first-time climbers we recommend the 7-day Machame or the 8-day Lemosho, because their profile helps acclimatization. Compare them all on the Kilimanjaro climbing packages page or in our route guide.
When to Climb, and Where to See Kilimanjaro From
Late May to October and January to March. We don't recommend April, early May, November or the late-December holiday period. The dry months bring firmer trails and clearer views from the crater rim. More detail: the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.
From Moshi and Arusha on clear mornings, from Amboseli in Kenya, and from the air on flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport. Early morning is usually clearest, before cloud builds around the mountain. Not from the Serengeti, which is too far west. If you'd like to experience the mountain without climbing it, a Kilimanjaro day hike from Moshi takes you into the rainforest on the lower slopes.
Common Questions About Mount Kilimanjaro
How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?
Uhuru Peak, the summit, is 19,341 ft (5,895 m).
Is Kilimanjaro a volcano?
Yes. Kibo, the summit cone, is dormant. Mawenzi and Shira are extinct.
Where can you see Kilimanjaro from?
From Moshi and Arusha on clear mornings, and from Amboseli in Kenya. Not from the Serengeti, which is too far west.
Do you need climbing experience?
No. All the main routes are trekking routes. Good fitness and enough days to acclimatize are what count.
How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
Our climbs take 5 to 9 days on the mountain. We recommend at least 7 for a first climb.
Which country is Kilimanjaro in?
Tanzania, close to the border with Kenya.
The Bottom Line
Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and one of the few great peaks you can walk to the top of. Choose enough days, the right season and a route that suits you, and the rest is steady walking, with our crew from Moshi beside you.
Send us your dates, the number of climbers and your hotel level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.