African Environments specializes in and recommends the more scenic and less-traveled Western routes on Kilimanjaro. However, with three decades of Kilimanjaro experience there is no limit to our capabilities. African Environment Directors have climbed every inch of Kilimanjaro and can make suggestions and tailor any route to your specifications.
Ultimate Kilimanjaro, 10 nights
The most scenic and successful itinerary time and money can afford, this is African Environments specialty itinerary. It allows the most time for acclimatization and therefore has a very high summit success rate. Similar to the Wilderness Shira, 9 nights route below, it has a longer, slower ascent with an extra night at Lava Tower. The route starts through the montane forest, onto Shira plateau, then to Lava Tower, and then you stay at Arrow Glacier followed by Crater camp by day 8. After summiting, you descend and return to Arusha.
Wilderness Shira, 9 nights
This is the best possible itinerary time can afford! This itinerary is the most successful trek on the mountain with 98% of the climbers reaching the summit. One of the best features of the route is the longer, slower ascent which gives the body time to acclimatize to the altitude gradually, greatly increasing the success rate. The route starts through the montane forest, onto Shira plateau, then to Lava Tower, and then you stay at Arrow Glacier followed by Crater camp by day 8. After summiting, you descend and return to Arusha.
Acclimatization Machame, 8 nights
Machame/Barafu passes though five different environmental zones from the tropical montane forests on the lower slopes to the barren scree of the summit. Between Barranco camp and Barafu camp, the route traverses under the huge hanging glaciers of Kili’s steep southern flanks. Arguably the most scenic area found anywhere on the mountain. Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route has the advantage that, the summit day goes up and down the same trail which allows each member of the group to climb as high as he or she is able before descending with one of the guides.
Machame, 7 nights
This is African Environments shortest Kilimanjaro itinerary; recommended for those who have hiked at altitude before and know their limits. It is a beautiful 7 night/8 day mountain route following the Machame and Barranco Valleys before making a direct ascent to the Kibo Summit. We always recommend 2 nights at our acclimitization private camp on Mt Meru before your start your climb. This route traverses under the massive southern glaciers of the mountain offering stunning views of the Southern Ice Fields.
NB. There is a recently instated single-use plastic bag ban in Tanzania. If you are travelling to Tanzania then make sure you don’t bring plastics bags with you, otherwise you might face a fine.
