The Umbwe route is the shortest and steepest route up Kilimanjaro. It ascends the southern slope. It's the least used trail, which isn't surprising given its poor acclimatization profile. Only about 500 people climb it each year. The summit success rate of this route is very low.
The Umbwe route is a very pretty trail up the mountain and the scenery is varied and very rewarding. Apart from that, however, we don't feel there's much more that's positive to say about this route. This is because it's simply too short to allow for proper acclimatization. And for this reason, it has one of the lowest summit success rates (perhaps the lowest one).
Further to this, the Umbwe is the steepest route up the mountain, so it's physically very demanding. If you're going to spend all of the time and money traveling to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, we highly recommend choosing a longer and gentler route to give yourself the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak.
You will meet our driver and pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel. Pre-trek briefing at your hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed
Drive from Arusha to the Umbwe Gate about 2 hour. Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Distance: 11km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Distance: 6km
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Distance: 4km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Distance: 5km up / 13kmi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy
From the gate A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
The Northern Circuit Route is a scenic and less crowded trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It's known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, offering a longer and more gradual ascent compared to other routes.
The Lemosho route is one of the best routes for acclimatization. The route is less used and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephants, and other wildlife.
This is arguably the most beautiful Kilimanjaro route, and it’s very popular. It begins on the western slope and then skirts around the south of Kibo Peak. You descend the mountain’s southeastern slope via the Mweka route.
Fargin Safaris offers various travel experiences that highlight Tanzania’s rich culture, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes.