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UMBWE ROUTE SUMMARY - KILIMANJARO

Is Umbwe The Best Trek Route For Kilimanjaro? Scroll Down For Details..

UMBWE ROUTE EXPERIENCE ON KILIMANJARO

The Umbwe Route is precarious, steep and short, a seven day ultra-highlands tour of Kilimanjaro including acclimatization day at Karanga, covering around 32 kilometers of sharp ascent and another 21 kilometers downwards. It is least used of all. Only seriously fit, experienced AfricanMecca climbers should attempt this test of mental and physical endurance, which is seriously life-threatening without previous proper acclimatization.

Success rates are very low, and there is a high risk of altitude sickness with headaches and nausea, even below 4000m. It is the shortest and most direct but most breathtakingly spectacular Kilimanjaro climb. It can be summited via the Western Breach, now considered too dangerous because of rock falls, so it now joins other three routes via Barranco and Barafu. A 4x4 drive through rainforest climbs a steep ridge.



A six to seven hour hike then leads to the first camp at almost 2800m. From the edge of the forest, a heart-stopping ridge affords fantastic views of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall and Valley. The Great Barranco Wall involves a sheer rock scramble with surreal views of conical Mount Meru floating on amber clouds in the distance.

Another day to reach Karanga Valley, traversing ridge and scree beneath glacial falls brings you to bleak Barafu, camping on windy ridges in arctic conditions. The route is testing for you, but even more so for your porters who carry your tents and drinking water to leave you with hands free and chance to conserve your energy for the climb.



A midnight start to the tough summit ascent through snow and scree, where trekking poles may be necessary, will test you to the last flicker of willpower as you struggle to Stella Point. Enjoy the sunrise far above the floor of Africa, but don’t rest there long enough to get chilled before the last slow haul to Kibo and Uhuru Peak for your ultimate thrill of Tanzanian mountain safari achievement.

Although, from Barranco onwards, the Umbwe trail follows the same route as more popular Machame, Shira and Lemosho, the initial fast ascent, straight up the southern face of Kilimanjaro, already predisposes trekkers to altitude sickness unless they are well acclimatized beforehand. Descent is via Mweka utilized by the same three other routes. Umbwe is not a trail to be generally recommended for a Kilimanjaro trekking vacation for the fainthearted Uhuru Trails guests!

Click here for detailed itinerary and price for Umbwe Route

Review Your Preferred Route Option Below

Lemosho is a very beautiful, isolated, 70 kilometer trail traversing from the west, through dense forest still rich in life, crossing the scenic heathland of the Shira Plateau all the way south and then east towards Barafu. Read More On Lemosho

Rongai starts from the Tanzanian village of Nale Moru on the lower farming slopes before leading up to a pine forest. The route begins in the north, approaching by a more remote route than the others. Read More On Rongai

Machame covers around 62 kilometers from its gate in the south to the summit, via a number of different habitats and stunning viewpoints, returning along the steep Mweka descent trail. Read More On Machame

Marangu is one of the more popular, first-born, shorter-timed routes utilized by uninformed holiday trekkers in Africa who are on a low budget, and those mislead by its “easy” reputation. Read More On Marangu

Shira is used by very few mountain visitors who climb Kilimanjaro. It has been largely replaced by the Lemosho Route, which is almost identical, but starts lower down. It is mainly used for quick access for rescue work. Read More On Shira

Umbwe is a precarious, steep and short distanced trail. Only seriously fit, experienced climbers should attempt this test of mental and physical endurance, which is seriously life-threatening without previous acclimatization. Read More On Umbwe

KILIMANJARO TREK GUIDE- HOME
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KILIMANJARO TREK GUIDE- HOME

Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca is a fresh team name for a long-established partnership between AfricanMecca Safaris and one of our most experienced, dependable and registered team outfitters on Kilimanjaro to provide discerning climbing experiences.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB INTRODUCTION
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KILIMANJARO CLIMB INTRODUCTION

AfricanMecca believes Kilimanjaro is a mountain with attitude. Towering enigmatically like an ethereal island in the sky wreathed in mists, at 5895 meters, it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest stand-alone mountain in the world.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICES
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KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICES

Here you will find prices for various recommended and acclimitized routes for Kilimanjaro including Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe and Marangu. We recommend you customize your private climb based on your preference and group size.

TOP 10 REASONS TO CLIMB WITH US
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TOP 10 REASONS TO CLIMB WITH US

We have 10 great reasons why you should climb with us. The first is a pioneering approach to guiding standards on Mount Kilimanjaro. Uniquely, we offer every trekker his or her own personal support guide (1 GUIDE : 1 CLIMBER RATIO).

WHICH KILI ROUTE TO CHOOSE?
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WHICH KILI ROUTE TO CHOOSE?

There are six approved routes for a Kilimanjaro climb with Uhuru Trails By AfricanMecca, each offering different advantages and drawbacks. Regardless of which route you choose, you need not be a rock climber, superlatively fit or supremely well-equipped.

OUR MOUNTAIN FAMILY TEAM
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OUR MOUNTAIN FAMILY TEAM

We trust our clients to the care of some of the best experienced mountain guides in the Tanzanian travel industry. Our guide leaders have 100 hundreds of climb experiences in between 10 to 20 years' of the best way to succeed in climbing Kilimanjaro.

BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO
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BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO

One of the best times for a Tanzanian trek vacation on Mount Kilimanjaro is in the warm months of January and February when clear skies afford excellent views of superb scenery, especially from the upper slopes; though, expect some snowfall during this period.

UHURU SUMIMIT SUCCESS GUIDE
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UHURU SUMIMIT SUCCESS GUIDE

Trekking to the roof of Africa can be a glorious, triumphant achievement that can color the rest of your life with self-confidence and pride. Or it can be an ordeal or even an abject failure. You need to know exactly what you are letting yourself in for.

KILIMANJARO SAFETY CLIMB GUIDE
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KILIMANJARO SAFETY CLIMB GUIDE

It must be clearly understood that Mount Kilimanjaro is a dangerous environment where climbers are risking their lives. One person in every thousand (0.1%) will die on the mountain and more than half of these deaths could be preventable.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
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SAFETY EQUIPMENT GUIDE

Kilimanjaro kills those climbers who go beyond their sensible limits. We have an enviable safety record because its leaders do not waste time on technological fixes on high altitude, but get sick and injured trekkers off the mountain without delay.

KILIMANJARO HIGH ALTITUDE GUIDE
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KILIMANJARO HIGH ALTITUDE GUIDE

The general impression is that a climbing tour of Kilimanjaro is an easy mountaineering option, since the 5895 meter mountain has been successfully climbed by hardy children and by octogenarians. It is not. It is a perilous undertaking.

FAQ ON KILIMANJARO
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FAQ ON KILIMANJARO

Review Frequently Asked Questions for our Kilimanjaro treks. Questions range from custom private climb options, charity climbs, Crater Camp add experience, costs, tipping, a day on a climb, packing list, reducing ecological footprint to combining safari.

FIVE ZONES OF KILIMANJARO
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FIVE ZONES OF KILIMANJARO

Review the 5 geographical, flora and fauna zones of Mount Kilimanjaro. The zones include the lower countryside slopes, montane forests, heathlands and moorlands, the towering alpine deserts and the arctic ice cap summit of the shinning mountain.

KILI GEOLOGY, HISTORY & TRIBES
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KILI GEOLOGY, HISTORY & TRIBES

Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, is a unique Tanzanian highland vacation destination: a stand-alone pinnacle which creates its own climate in zones of distinct character, from fluted glacial columns and cathedrals of ice on the summit.

GUIDE ON KILIMANJARO PARK
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GUIDE ON KILIMANJARO PARK

Kilimanjaro, the shining mountain, floats in a wreath of cloud above the vast South Amboseli plains (a.ka the Western Kilimanjaro wilderness), offering an amazingly diverse series of fauna and habitats. It is a superlative destination for trekking.

AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

What are our Customers saying about us? READ MORE REVIEWSfive star africanmecca safaris reviews

  • Loretta and I had a great time on our honeymoon. Simiton, your safari guide in Tanzania was awesome! He was very professional, very accommodating and very knowledgeable. We are already talking about our next trip to Africa!
    Loretta and Danny Haag - California, United States
  • First off, we had the most amazing time ever and wanted to thank you very much. Tanzania proved without a doubt to meet all of our expectations. Every detail was thought of on our trip by AfricanMecca and were are all flawless.
    Marcy Burton & Ryan Kerr - Ontario, Canada
  • We have returned from our African adventure and would like to thank you very much for your part in making this such a wonderful experience. We were lucky enough to time the Great Migration from the Serengeti, which was amazing.
    Denise Paterson - Belmont, Australia
  • Jambo Raza, It was a wonderful experience in Tanzania. Rogers, our guide was superb; knowledgeable, helpful and very friendly. We were treated very well by all your ground team and everything ran smoothly. I enjoyed it all.
    Alan Winner, Minnesota, United States
  • AfricanMecca's professionalism and care understands that what distinguishes Africa is its authenticity, the land, people and wildlife who do not share our world of fashion and fanfare that distinguish so many travel companies today.
    Cyril Christo & Marie Wilkinson, Conservation Photographers, Authors & Wildlife Documentary Producers - USA
  • AfricanMecca Safaris created a remarkable honeymoon tailored to our interests and desires. The quality of service and delivery of experience was unsurpassed. I highly recommend AfricanMecca Safaris to honeymooners, families, or any traveler.
    Noorin & Jason Nelson - Maryland, United States
  • I booked my safari holiday through AfricanMecca. They were the most helpful company I have ever dealt with and I work within the travel industry. I had the most amazing time. The holiday went as clockwork with no hitches anywhere.
    Shelley Roberts - Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

EAST AFRICA SAFARI BOOKING TRIP IDEA FOR MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN NORTHERN TANZANIA

When visiting Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, we recommend combining it with your Northern Tanzania safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti (wildebeest migration). End your trip with a Swahili cultural tour and beach holiday in Zanzibar.

You may optionally extend out to offbeat parks in Southern and Western Tanzania such as Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha or Katavi ending with a chimpanzee trekking safari at Gombe or Mahale by the relaxing Lake Tanganyika.

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