Africa's Best Safaris

Marangu Kilimanjaro Climb

PRIVATE BASIS
Days of operation from Kilimanjaro International Airport – Daily on Request

Starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Arrival and departure may be at any time as the first and last nights are in the base hotel in Moshi. Please remember check-in at the hotel is after 1400 and check-out is by 1030 hours.

The Marangu Route
Often considered the easiest and one of the most popular routes to the summit, the Marangu route is used by almost 40% of all climbers and uses comfortable mountain huts with solar power lighting. It is suitable for those adventurers who are not particularly experienced in the mountains, therefore classified as a moderate trek rather than a climb. Although the trail can be a little crowded at certain times of the year, the views are beautiful and each day of walking progresses through a different climate zone, adding considerably to the interest of the trek. The real highlight is the walk from Gillman’s point along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that occupy most of the summit area. The views as the sun rises behind Mawenzi on a clear morning are absolutely magnificent - The Rift Valley, Mt. Meru and the Masai Steppes stand out from the endless plains, almost three vertical miles below.

Day 01 Arrive - Moshi
Collection from Kilimanjaro airport, and transfer to Springlands Hotel located in Moshi Town close to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a climb briefing and time to prepare and overnight.
Overnight at your base hotel on bed & breakfast basis


Day 02 Mandara Hut (2,700 m)
The National Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through an attractive and unspoilt forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.), a group of comfortable 'A' frame wooden huts. The largest cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory and mattresses. Smaller huts sleep eight persons. The total capacity is sixty persons. Water is piped onto site from a spring above and there are flush toilets behind the main cabin. The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. (3-5 hours walking)
Overnight at on the mountain on a full board basis


Day 03 Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heathers and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach the hut complex at Horombo (3,720 m.). The buildings here are similar to Mandara Hut, but total capacity is one hundred and twenty persons. Water is piped from the stream behind the huts. There are platform toilets south east of the main hut, about eighty metres down the slope and flush toilets have been built within the complex of small huts. Sunrises and sunsets here are often spectacular and the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo. There is a real sense of being above the clouds here. (4-6 hours walking)
Overnight at on the mountain on a full board basis


Day 04 Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
We climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday. Kibo is a stone-built block house with a small dining area and a number of dormitory rooms leading off a main corridor. There are bunk beds and mattresses for about sixty people . There is no water here so one has to bring an ample supply from the 'last water' supply above Horombo Hut. Platform toilets are behind the hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! (4-5 hours walking)
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis



Day 05 Summit (5,896 m) - Horomobo Hut (3,720 m)
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. A picnic lunch is served overlooking a small lake populated with hippos. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis



Day 06 Moshi
We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day and it really makes you realise how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. (5-6 hours walking). When you finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to meet you and transfer you back to base hotel for overnight.
Overnight at the base hotel on bed & breakfast basis