Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori Mountain, which one is better for hiking?

Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori are the top hiking safari destinations in East Africa. Tourists who are interested in climbing either of the mountains find it hard to decide on which mountain to hike and in this article, we are giving you a guide to climbing both mountains so that you can easily make your decision. The best way to decide which is better is to read through this guide and also visit the two. Tourists also have different preferences like other activities that you can engage in after or before mountain hiking and these play a huge role in choosing which is better for hiking.

Most Popular Safaris

14 Day Uganda birding and wildlife

9 Day mountain Rwenzori hiking

4 Day Gorillas & Sabinyo hiking

20 Days Birding, game and culture

15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari

14 Day Uganda safari via Kigali

3 Day Bwindi double trek via Kigali

4 Days Gorillas & Golden monkeys

5 Day Chimp & Gorilla Habituation

3 Day fly in Safari

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent and its peak is known to be the highest point in Africa. Kilimanjaro is located in northeastern Tanzania along the Kenyan border 140 kilometres from Nairobi in the south. Mount Kilimanjaro has seven hike routes that are used to access the peak and each of these has its pros and cons. To be able to take on one of the seven hike routes, you need to be properly acclimatized for a better experience along Kilimanjaro.

The different routes that are used to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro include the Machame route, Umbwe route, Marangu route, Lemosho route, Rongai route, Northern Circuit route and Shira route. The Rongai route is the most scenic and easiest route to use, Lemosho and the northern circuit are also good routes to use, the Marangu route is the oldest route and the only one with permanent dormitory-like accommodation, the Shira route is a bit hard to use and the Machame route offers beautiful scenery.

Tourists planning on hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro need to know that there are five climatic zones before you get to the peak and you need to be ready for the change in climatic conditions as you hike. The first climatic zone is the lowland forest coupled with the tropical montane. The lowlands are at 1850m and 2800m. The second climatic zone is the shrubs which are approximately 3000m, the change starts at 4000, which comprises of arid and rocky climate which is similar to the lunar landscape. The fourth climatic zone is the glacial and desert setting which is partially snow-capped however the glaciers have been receding over the years.

Sample itineraries for hiking along Mount Kilimanjaro

Below are some of the itineraries for the different routes used to get to the peak

Marangu route/Coca-Cola route

Day 1: Marangu gate to Mandara hut (5 hour hike)

Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (6 hours hike)

Day 3: Horombo hut (for acclimatization however this can be skipped)

Day 4: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (6 hours)

Day 5: Kibo hut to Uhuru Peak (8 hours) and Uhuru Peak to Horombo hut (6 hours)

Day 6: Horombo hut to Marangu gate (6 hours)

Machame route/Whiskey route

Day 1: Machame gate to Machame camp (4 to 6 hours)

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (6 hours)

Day 3: Shira to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (7 hours)

Day 4: Barranco camp to Barafu Camp (7 hours and usually divided into two for proper acclimatization)

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak (8 hours), Uhuru to Mweka camp (7 or 8 hours)

Lemosho

Day 1: Londorossi to Mti Mkubwa (6-7 hours)

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 camp (6/7 hours)

Day 3: Shira to Lava Tower to Barranco camp (7 hours)

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (7 hours)

Day 5: Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak (8 hours), Uhuru Peak to Mweka camp (8 hours)

Day 6: Descent to Mweka camp to Mweka gate (3 hours)

Rongai Route

Day 1: Rongai gate to 1st caves camp (5 hours)

Day 2: 1st cave to Kikelewa cave (6 to 7 hours)

Day 3: Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn camp (3 to 4 hours)

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo hut (4-5 hours)

Day 5: Kibo hut to Uhuru Peak (8 hours), Uhuru Peak to Horombo (6 hours)

Day 6: Horombo hut to Marangu gate (6 hours)

Northern circuit route

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa camp (5-6 hours)

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp (3-4 hours)

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 (5 to 6 hours)

Day 4: Shira camp 2 to Lava tower to Moir camp (5-7 hours)

Day 5: Moir camp to Buffalo camp (6 hours)

Day 6: Buffalo camp to Rongai Third cave (6 hours)

Day 7: 3rd Cave to School hut (5 hours)

Day 8: School hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp (7 hours)

Day 9: millennial camp to Mweka gate (5 hours)

Umbwe route

Day 1: Umbwe gate to Umbwe cave camp (5-6 hours)

Day 2: Umbwe cave to Barranco camp (4-6 hours)

Day 3: Barranco camp to Karanga Camp (3-4 hours)

Day 4: Karanga camp to Barafu camp (3-4 hours)

Day 5: Barafu camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka camp (5-6 hours)

Day 6: Mweka camp to Mweka gate (3-4 hours)

Mount Rwenzori

Mount Rwenzori is one of the most amazing hikes on the African continent and is also challenging if you don’t have prior experience with hiking.  The Rwenzori Mountains were discovered by Stanley and cover about 120km in length and 65km wide. It is made up of 6 peaks which include Mount Speke at 4890m, Mount Baker at 4843m, Mount Gessi at 4715m, Mount Luigi di Savoia at 4627m, Mount Emin at 4798m and Mount Stanley at 5109m above sea level. The treks along Mount Rwenzori take 7 to 12 days to get to the peak and descent.

Mount Rwenzori has different hike routes that are used to get to the summit and these include the Kilembe Trail, the Central Circuit Trail and the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.

The Central Circuit Trail is the most used trail by both experienced and inexperienced hikers. It is also the oldest trail along the mountain getting you to the Magherita peak. The central trail is the easiest taking you through the 5 different vegetation zones, through valleys, gorges and the rocky top.

The Bukurungu trail is the newest introduction and was made after the Kilembe and Central circuit hike routes. The Bukurungu trail has safe camps that are used by hikers since there are no huts and it offers great views of the magnificent lakes including the Bujuku and Irene lakes, Mughuli and Bukurungu lakes and at the same time offers great sceneries. It takes 8 days to get to the Margherita Peak when using the Bukurungu route.

Kilembe trail is also known as the southern circuit route and it is managed by the Rwenzori trekking services. There are new huts that have been constructed along this route and being the longest route along Mount Rwenzori, it gives hikers ample time to acclimatize and it will take you 7 to 8 days to get to the peak.

As of 14th May 2024, the Uganda Wildlife Authority announced the temporary suspension of hiking activities leading to the Magherita Peak because of the crevasse formation around the Magherita glacier. They have opted to install a permanent ladder on the right of the Margherita glacier and this option is still being explored. In the meantime, hikers are encouraged to explore other peaks of Mount Rwenzori.

Why you should combine Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori hiking

Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rwenzori are snow-capped ranges that both offer tourists a memorable hiking experience. These are considered to be beginner-friendly summits but you need to have intermediate skills to be able to take on the climb. Both Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori offer beautiful scenery to the hikers and it is one of the most adventurous safaris that can be carried out in East Africa.

What to pack for a Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori hike safari

The packing list for the Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori hikes should be precise and make sure that the clothes and items packed are comfortable. Below is a list of items that are recommended for a hike on Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro.

• Garden gloves to protect your hands from the cold
• Warm clothes including sweaters, jackets, a scarf and socks
• First aid kit
• long-sleeved shirts
• Trousers
• A camera
• Strong hike boots
• Waterproof rain jacket
• A waterproof backpack
• Snacks
• A sunhat and sunglasses
• A Beanie or hat to keep warm during the cold mornings and when you get to the peak
• A scarf

What you need to know about hiking on Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori

Choosing the best route: Mount Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori have different hike routes that will get you to the peak and you need to talk to your guides about the best route to use when hiking up the mountains according to your preparedness, preference and physical fitness. Each of the routes has its advantages and disadvantages and you need to know all these before making the right choice.

You need to be prepared mentally and physically fit to be able to climb both Mount Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro. Prepare and condition your whole body especially the legs, ankles, joints and muscles so that you do not get muscle pulls during the hike.

Altitude sickness is one of the common factors that affect hikers during the climb to the summit. Getting to the summit is not for the faint-hearted and due to the change in altitude, the higher you go, the lower the levels of oxygen and this can make you dizzy forcing some hikers to turn back. Altitude sickness can be controlled especially with medicine and the climbing high and sleeping low method which helps tourists get used to the altitude change.

Accommodation when hiking along Mount Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro: The seven hike routes along Mount Kilimanjaro each have camps which tourists can use during the trek apart from the Marangu route where permanent huts were constructed. The different camps along Mount Kilimanjaro are well taken care of and porters and other staff always trek ahead to make sure that everything including tents is set up before the trekking team arrives at the camp.

Rwenzori: The different accommodations you can use along Mount Rwenzori include Nyabitaba hut, John Matte hut at 3505m, Bujuku hut at 3962m, Elena hut at 4023m, Kitandara hut located at 4023m, Guyeoman hut at 3505m shine hut at 2585m, Kalalama camp at 314m, Kiharo camp at 3460m, Mutinda Camp at 3688m, The Butawu at 3974m, Hunswick camp at 3974m, Bugata camp at 4062m and Margherita Camp at 4485m

Best time to go for Mountain climbing along Mount Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori

Mountain climbing along Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro can be carried out all year round however the best time to go for the hike is during the dry season which is from June to September and December to February.

June is the transition from the rainy season to the dry season and although it is not fully a dry month, it tends to be drier than April to May. You should however be ready for the cold temperatures that higher you go and note that the weather can change at any time so you need to be ready for the rains and the sun.

July to October are good months to go for mountain climbing on both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rwenzori. It is a drier season as compared to the previous months although there is a chance of spotting some rain especially when you are trekking through the moorlands and rainforest.The only disadvantage about trekking during these months is that they are busy months, the crowds tend to be a lot and it’s also more expensive during the period.

 The rainy season starts in September through to November and continues through the start of December.  There will be clear skies during this period but expect the rains to come in at any time of the day. You can still hike both mountains but it is not the best time because the hike routes can be slippery, wet and muddy.                                     

December to February is a dry season however the start of December is a short rainy season and in mid-December, the dry season starts. This is a good time to go hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rwenzori because the hike routes are not slippery and easy to use. You should however note that the nights and early mornings are cold and the weather can change at any given time.

March to May is the long rainy season and the least favourite time to go hiking on Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro. This time of the month is not recommended due to the heavy rains, wet and slippery hike routes and extreme snow. Hiking through the rain is less enjoyable and you also miss out on the great and beautiful views that you might have got during the wet season. The best part of hiking during this season is that there are fewer crowds and it is more affordable.

There is also what they call the Full moon and this is considered to be a good time to hike especially when getting closer to the peak, especially on Mount Kilimanjaro. The glaciers on the mountain and the path are lit improving the visibility of the trekkers.

In conclusion, Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori are good safari destinations and the best way to know which one is better, you have to visit each of the two to make the best decision. However, with the years of experience we have, we suggest that you visit both mountains to gain experience from both.

Let us help you plan the hiking safari to Mount Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori by contacting us for more information.