Marangu Route

The oldest and most established path up Kilimanjaro, with the only hut-based accommodation on the mountain. A gradual profile and shorter duration make it accessible to fit first-timers, while still rewarding you with a sunrise summit on the roof of Africa.

Marangu starts on the southeast flank of Kilimanjaro and climbs through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to Kibo Hut, where summit attempts begin at midnight. The path ascends and descends the same way, which keeps the logistics simple but means you see the same scenery twice. Hut accommodation is a real advantage in bad weather - wooden bunks, hot meals served in a dining hut, and a roof when the rains come.

The Marangu Route is the only path on Kilimanjaro that uses built hut accommodation, which makes it a strong choice for travellers who prefer a bed to a tent and want hot meals served in a dining room. The trail is the most gradual of all the routes, and the path is the widest and best-maintained on the mountain.

The trade-off is traffic - Marangu is the busiest route, especially during the dry season. If solitude matters, consider Machame, Lemosho or the Northern Circuit instead.