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Tips for Kilimanjaro Climbers
This remote and less frequently used
route is the second easiest route to
Kilimanjaro. The approach to the
mountain is from the less-forested north
side and the descent is by the Marangu
Route. There are several variations, the
one described below is a longer route
taking in Mawenzi Tarn. The second day
on this variant is quite long and could
be broken up into two days walk allowing
more time for acclimatisation. The
ascent to Uhuru Peak is almost the same
as for the Marangu Route from the Kibo
Hut.
Accommodation on the mountain is in
tents (even on descent) which the
porters will pitch for you. You will
need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and
walking poles. This is a steep, tough
trek within the limits of a fit
individual used to walking in mountain
areas.
We will pick you up at the airport and
taking you to Springlands Hotel where
you can relax by the pool or go for an
evening monkey-viewing forest walk. You
then go up your chosen route. We do not
charge you extra if you are on your own!
You will have a guide, a cook and
porters to carry as much of your
equipment as you want. We organise year
round trips on any route. On the last
day you return to the hotel for a clean
up, final meal and overnight, this is a
good time to have a sauna or maybe a
massage. Everything is included in our
prices except for drinks, tips and the
hotel is on a B&B basis. For high
seasons (Christmas - New Year and July -
August) please book in advance to avoid
disappointment.
Now take a look at the routes available
up the mountain ranging from the least
demanding Marangu to the rugged and
spectacular Umbwe or long and wild
Lemosho. The Machame Route is a popular
one as it combines the beautiful and
varied scenery with plenty of
opportunities to acclimatise.
If you are not accustomed to camping and
mountain walking you could consider the
Marangu Route as the most suitable. This
follows easy angled paths through
magnificent rain forests to the Mandara
Hut. Shortly beyond it passes Maundi
Crater, a fine view point located at the
edge of the forest belt. Above you enter
the moorlands with their fine giant
heathers stands, groundsels, lobelia and
other exotic tropical high altitude
plants. The next hut is the Horombo Hut,
soon after this hut you reach the
Saddle, a high altitude desert
separating the rugged Mawenzi summit
from Kibo. The final ascent starts from
the Kibo Hut and involves steep paths on
loose scree. There is fresh running
water at all the huts apart from Kibo
where it will be carried by your
porters. You will be accommodated
generally in 4 person clean huts with
mattresses.
The other routes are all more demanding
as regards steepness and in places
involve some scrambling. Accommodation
is in tents and there is no running
water at the campsites though warm water
for washing is provided. The scenery
more than compensates for these
difficulties. Whichever route you choose
it is essential to allow enough time for
acclimatisation to the altitude.
Although Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed
throughout the year it is worth avoiding
the two rainy seasons (late March to
mid-June and October to the beginning of
December) when the route becomes
slippery. Probably the best time to
visit is January to February and
September to October when there is
usually no cloud.
Mount Kilimanjaro (19340’) (5895m) lies
just 3 degrees south of the equator and
is one of the highest volcanoes in the
world. It rises some (15000’) (4572m)
above the surrounding plains and
savannahs. The Kilimanjaro National Park
covers some 1864 sq. Km (720 sq. miles)
The base of this immense mountain has
diameter of 80 Km (48 Miles) and the
outstanding features are its three major
volcanic centers: Shira (4160m) in the
west. Mawenzi (5280 m) to the east and
the permanently snow-capped Kibo in the
middle.
In climbing, the terrain passes from a
tropical to an artic clime in just a few
days. The encircling rain forest ensures
the fertility of the lower lying shambas
and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain
forest lies the Alpine Meadow, a
beautiful moorland, offering many
splendid views. Exotic plants such as
the giant Lobelia and the fork-like
Groundsel are to be seen. The latter
blooming once every 50 – 70 years.
Leaving the Alpine Meadow we reach the
Alpine Desert and eventually the ‘’snows
of Kilimanjaro’’.
Mt. Kilimanjaro by the Rongai Route
The Rongai route begins on the
northern side of the mountain and is the
least travelled route. It is a long
drive to the starting point but you are
rewarded by fantastic views and the
likelihood that you will be the only
climbers around. If you take this route
up the mountain you are obliged to
descend via the Marangu Route that is
the most popular and well-used route.
Day 1
Arrive Springlands Hotel in Moshi,
where you will overnight in preparation
for your climb the next day.
Day 2 After breakfast we will
transfer you to Rongai. The climb begins
from the attractive wooden village of
Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small path
that winds through fields of maize and
potatoes before entering pine forest.
The track then starts to climb
consistently, but gently through
attractive forest that shelters a
variety of wildlife, including the
beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey.
These monkeys are black with a long
‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white
tail. The forest begins to thin out and
the first camp is at the edge of the
moorland zone (2,600 m.) with extensive
views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours
walking]
Day 3
The morning walk is a steady ascent up
to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with
superb views of Kibo and the Eastern
icefields on the crater rim. After
lunch, we leave the main trail and
strike out across the moorland on a
smaller path towards the jagged peaks of
Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered
valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa
Caves (3.600 m.) [6-7 hours walking]
Day 4
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes
is rewarded by superb all-round views
and a tangible sense of wilderness. We
leave vegetation behind shortly before
reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn
(4,330 m.), spectacularly situated in a
cirque directly beneath the towering
spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be
free to rest or explore the surrounding
area as an aid to acclimatisation. [3-4
hours walking]
Day 5
We cross the lunar desert of the
‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to
reach School campsite (4,750 m.) at the
bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The
remainder of the day is spent resting in
preparation for the final ascent before
a very early night! [4-5 hours walking]
Day 6
We will start the final, and by far the
steepest and most demanding, part of the
climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We
plod very slowly in the darkness on a
switchback trail through loose volcanic
scree to reach the crater rim at
Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) We will rest
there for a short time to enjoy the
spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those
who are still feeling strong can make
the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak
(5,896 m.), passing close to the
spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that
still occupy most of the summit area.
The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is
surprisingly fast and, after some
refreshment, we continue the descent to
reach our final campsite at Horombo
(3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]
Day 7
A steady descent takes us down through
moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the
first stopping place at the Marangu
route. We then continue descending
through lovely lush forest on a good
path to the National Park gate at
Marangu (1,830 m.). [5-6 hours walking.
You will be transferred to Springlands
Hotel or Alternative Hotel in Moshi for
overnight.
Day 8
Depart after breakfast. |
