Which Kilimanjaro route should you choose?

Every route up Kilimanjaro reaches the same summit, but the journey to get there could not be more different. The choice comes down to three things: how many days you have, how well you acclimatise, and the kind of scenery you want to wake up to.

Machame — the "Whisky Route" — is the most popular for good reason. Over seven days it crosses the widest variety of scenery, and its climb-high-sleep-low profile gives your body the best shot at adjusting to altitude. It's busier, but the success rates are excellent.

Lemosho is Machame's quieter, longer cousin: more days, more remote, even better acclimatisation. If your budget and calendar allow eight days, it's our top recommendation for first-timers who want the best possible summit odds.

Whatever you choose, the single biggest factor in reaching Uhuru Peak isn't fitness — it's time. Always pick the longest route you can. Your lungs will thank you at 5am on summit night.