How Long Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro

The time it takes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro depends on the route you take and your fitness level. The shortest route is the Marangu Route, which takes six to seven days. The longest route is the Lemosho Route, which takes eight to ten days. Most people take seven to nine days to climb Kilimanjaro.

It is important to allow enough time to climb Kilimanjaro, especially if you are not in good shape. The altitude can be a challenge, and it is important to give your body time to adjust. If you are not in good shape, you may want to consider taking a longer route.

Here are some of the factors that will affect how long it takes you to climb Kilimanjaro:

Your fitness level: If you are in good shape, you will be able to climb Kilimanjaro faster than someone who is not in good shape.
Your age: Older people may need more time to climb Kilimanjaro than younger people.
Your health: If you have any health problems, you may need to take more time to climb Kilimanjaro.
The route you take: The different routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro vary in difficulty and length. Some routes are longer and more challenging than others.
The weather: The weather can affect how long it takes you to climb Kilimanjaro. If it is raining or snowing, you will need to take more time to climb. Read more about Best time to Climb Kilimanjaro

If you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro, it is important to do your research and choose a route that is appropriate for your fitness level and experience. It is also important to be aware of the altitude and to give your body time to adjust. With proper planning and preparation, you can have a safe and enjoyable climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

The greater the number of days on the mountain, the better your chances of reaching the top. Therefore the key to a safe, successful climb is to take the longest routes possible.

There are minimum days for each Kilimanjaro main climbing routes. However, that is not to be confused with recommended days for the route. SafariBando recommends adding an extra day or two to your trip to help you acclimatize to the altitude. We encourage customers to take 7-9 day routes for the best chance of success and the lowest risk of altitude sickness.

Some companies boast that their overall summit success rates are greater than 90%. We have seen competitor advertisements representing they have 95%, 98%, even 100% overall success rates. It is only a matter of time before someone advertises that they have a 150% success rate. The truth is that each of these figures are statistically impossible! Do not believe these claims!

Our primary concern is that you have a safe, enjoyable, memorable Kilimanjaro climb.

It is possible to climb the mountain in five or six days, but why take the chance? Some clients want to minimize their days in order to save costs, which is understandable. But we feel that the additional cost is well worth it. Not only is it safer, but you increase the probability of your success, have more time to enjoy the experience, can take acclimatization hikes to other parts of the mountain you'd otherwise miss, and will probably feel better as well, given that there is less stress on your body.

Ask yourself this. How would you feel if you scheduled a route with the minimum required days, only to have to turn around within the first couple days because the rate of ascent was too quick? Wouldn't you rather have added a couple days to your trip to give yourself a better chance, to be more fair to your body? Were the 'savings' you got for not taking additional days worth the cost of cutting your climb short, not making it to summit, or even worse, putting your health at risk?