5,895 m
Elevation
5,885 m
Prominence
-3.0674°, 37.3556°
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. Five distinct climate zones from tropical base to arctic summit. The Machame route is the most popular.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: route, season and difficulty
- How long it takes
- 8–14 hours round trip, or two days using a mountain hut
- Do you need a guide?
- Not required if you are comfortable with exposed scrambling and mountain navigation, but a guide is a good call in poor visibility or early season.
- Best season
- Usually the local dry season — anytime outside the monsoon or rainy months.
- Terrain & gear
- Steep trails with scrambling, loose rock or short exposed sections. Helmet, sturdy boots, wind and rain shell, headtorch, and a via-ferrata set if the route is cabled.
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 8–14 hours round trip, or two days using a mountain hut. Times vary with fitness, conditions and which trailhead you start from.
Can you climb Mount Kilimanjaro without a guide?
Not required if you are comfortable with exposed scrambling and mountain navigation, but a guide is a good call in poor visibility or early season.
When is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
The usual season is the local dry season — anytime outside the monsoon or rainy months. Outside that window expect snow, storms or closed access.
What gear do you need for Mount Kilimanjaro?
Helmet, sturdy boots, wind and rain shell, headtorch, and a via-ferrata set if the route is cabled.
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.