Kilimanjaro National Park Map

Your starting gate depends on the route you choose. Machame Gate on the southern slopes starts the Machame route, while Marangu Gate in the south-east starts the Marangu route with its mountain huts. Londorossi Gate in the west is the registration point for the Lemosho and Shira routes, Umbwe Gate serves the steep Umbwe route and Nalemuru Gate in the north starts the Rongai route. Most climbers finish at Mweka Gate, and we arrange private transfers to and from every gate.

The best Kilimanjaro route depends on your fitness, the time you have and the scenery you want. Lemosho crosses the Shira Plateau and offers excellent acclimatization and fewer people at the start. Machame is scenic and popular, joining the Southern Circuit via the Barranco Wall. Rongai approaches from the drier north, Marangu offers hut accommodation and Umbwe is short and steep. Longer itineraries generally give better summit chances, so we tailor your private route to your goals, experience and preferred trekking pace.

Uhuru Peak sits on the southern crater rim of Kibo, the central and highest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones. Climbers on most southern routes reach the crater rim at Stella Point, then follow the rim to Uhuru Peak, while Marangu and Rongai climbers usually reach the rim first at Gilman's Point. From the summit you can see glaciers and ice cliffs and, on clear mornings, Mawenzi to the east and the plains far below. Descents usually head south toward Mweka Gate.

Kilimanjaro National Park lies just north of Moshi, the main base town for climbs, and most southern gates are roughly an hour's drive from town, depending on the gate. Arusha is farther west, and Kilimanjaro International Airport sits between the two towns, making arrival convenient. Londorossi and the northern Rongai trailhead involve longer drives. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris arranges private transfers from the airport, Arusha or Moshi to your starting gate and back after your descent, so your climb begins and ends smoothly.