Ija Safari offers six different routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, each named after the respective entrance gate used. The gates are named after the closest surrounding village. Moving counterclockwise around the mountain, the routes we offer to ascend are Shira, Lemosho, Machame, Umbwe, Marangu, and Rongai. All routes eventually converge at the summit (Uhuru Peak), but with different camps along the way. The first four routes (Shirt, Lemosho, Machame, and Umbwe) use the same way, Mweka, to descend. Meanwhile, Rongai and Marangu route both use the Marangu route to descend.

When climbing at high altitudes, the human body requires time to acclimatize to increase the chance of completing your climb. Marangu is the only route that provides huts for sleeping. All other routes require tents.

We also offer an alternate route to the summit, the Western Breach, which leads to sleeping on the crater. If you’re interested in this option, please contact us.