5,895 m
Elevation
5,885 m
Prominence
Coordinates
1889 — Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller, Yohani Kinyala Lauwo
First Ascent
About Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest freestanding mountain, crossing five climate zones from rainforest to arctic summit. It is a 5–9 day trek, not a day hike: the park requires every climber to go with a licensed guide and a paid permit, and the schedule exists to acclimatise to 5,895 m. Machame is the most popular route.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: route, season and difficulty
- How long it takes
- 5–9 days on the mountain. Machame and Lemosho are normally 6–8 days, Marangu 5–6. A day trip is not realistic — the schedule exists to acclimatise, and even the fastest known ascents (Karl Egloff, 6h42 round trip; Kilian Jornet, 7h14) were record attempts by elite mountain runners, not a normal option.
- Do you need a guide?
- Yes — it is compulsory. Kilimanjaro National Park does not allow independent or solo climbing: every ascent must be booked through a licensed operator with a registered guide, and porters and a cook come with it. Trekking alone is refused at the gate.
- Best season
- Usually January to mid-March and June to October — the two dry windows. April–May and November are the rainy seasons and the routes get muddy and cloudy..
- Terrain & gear
- A long non-technical trek through five climate zones, from rainforest to arctic summit scree. The crux is altitude — 5,895 m with roughly half the oxygen of sea level — plus a steep, cold pre-dawn push from high camp to Uhuru Peak. No technical climbing gear, but full cold-weather kit: down jacket, insulated layers, hat and gloves, a sleeping bag rated to around −10 °C, headtorch for the midnight summit push, trekking poles, sun protection and 3 L of water capacity.
- Permits & fees
- Park entry fees, camping or hut fees, rescue fee and guide/porter permits are all mandatory and are paid through your operator as part of the package (typically USD 1,500–3,000+ for the trek). You register at the park gate and sign in at every camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest mountain in Tanzania?
The highest mountain in Tanzania is Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 meters above sea level.
How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Allow 5–9 days on the mountain. Machame and Lemosho are normally 6–8 days, Marangu 5–6. A day trip is not realistic — the schedule exists to acclimatise, and even the fastest known ascents (Karl Egloff, 6h42 round trip; Kilian Jornet, 7h14) were record attempts by elite mountain runners, not a normal option.. Times vary with fitness, conditions and which trailhead you start from.
Can you climb Mount Kilimanjaro without a guide?
Yes — it is compulsory. Kilimanjaro National Park does not allow independent or solo climbing: every ascent must be booked through a licensed operator with a registered guide, and porters and a cook come with it. Trekking alone is refused at the gate.
When is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
The usual season is January to mid-March and June to October — the two dry windows. April–May and November are the rainy seasons and the routes get muddy and cloudy.. Outside that window expect snow, storms or closed access.
What gear do you need for Mount Kilimanjaro?
No technical climbing gear, but full cold-weather kit: down jacket, insulated layers, hat and gloves, a sleeping bag rated to around −10 °C, headtorch for the midnight summit push, trekking poles, sun protection and 3 L of water capacity.
Do you need a permit to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Park entry fees, camping or hut fees, rescue fee and guide/porter permits are all mandatory and are paid through your operator as part of the package (typically USD 1,500–3,000+ for the trek). You register at the park gate and sign in at every camp.
How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).
Where is Mount Kilimanjaro located?
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, within the Eastern Rift (standalone stratovolcano).
Has Martin climbed Mount Kilimanjaro?
Not yet — Mount Kilimanjaro is still on Martin's list of remaining country highpoints.
Nearby highpoints of similar height
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