Is Kilimanjaro Crowded?
Tens of thousands of people come to Kilimanjaro every year to summit the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Since it’s a largely popular mountain to climb, you might be wondering if it’s very crowded.
Large crowds on the mountain can change your experience, especially if you’re interested in experiencing the nature of Kilimanjaro in a quiet environment. Animal spottings are also more common when the route is not crowded because the animals will not be easily scared away.
Many people come to climb Kilimanjaro and are surprised to find that the mountain is not as tranquil and quiet as they were expecting.
If you think you might mind the crowds, there are several things you can do to ensure you have a less crowded climb. Keep in mind though that avoiding all the people on the mountain is not possible, especially during the busy season.
Some Routes Are More Crowded Than Others
Not all routes on the mountain see the same amount of foot traffic. The Rongai, Umbwe, and Northern Circuit routes are all less crowded compared to the Lemosho and Machame.
All routes join together before the summit though which means the day or two before you summit, you might find more people on the path.
Some campsites are also more crowded than others, so you might find some nights of your climb very busy and others more serene.
Campsites and Crowds
The busiest camps on the mountain are Barafu, Barranco, and Karanga. Barranco is the biggest campsite and therefore also the busiest. Up to 1000 climbers and staff members can all be there at the same time.
If your route includes Barranco you will need to be prepared to be in a very busy environment.
For the Marangu Route, climbers sleep in huts rather than in tents. Horombo Hut Camp has 120 beds because climbers use this campsite on both the ascent and the descent.
Keep in mind there will always be staff members at each campsite which increases the number of people that will be there with you at any given time.
Which Parts of the Mountain are the Most Crowded?
There are several parts of the mountain where you will encounter more crowds than others. No matter what time of year you climb, these places tend to be overcrowded.
Barranco Wall
The first is at the Barranco Wall. This is a famous cliff between the Barranco and the Barafu camps.
If you are climbing via the Machame, the Lemosho, the Umbwe, or the Shira route, you will encounter the Barranco Wall.
During the busy months of the climbing season, you might even have to wait in line to cross the Barranco Wall.
The path along the wall is very narrow, so only one person can cross at a time. This also means it gets backed up if many people are climbing at the same time.
Climbing the Barranco Wall is a fun adventure for most people, but some people can get a bit antsy as they are waiting in line for their turn.
Our best advice is to chat with other climbers or sing one of the songs taught by our guides to keep you distracted.
Uhuru Peak
Uhuru Peak is the summit of Kilimanjaro. All Kilimanjaro routes end at Uhuru Peak so there are bound to be many people there taking photos and celebrating their victory. Almost all climbers get to the peak around sunrise. Since everyone gets to the peak around the same time, it can make it a crowded place.
The good news is you don’t stay at the peak for a long time. It’s very cold at the top and oxygen levels are lower. Most people just stay at the top long enough to get photos of themselves at the Uhuru Peak sign and then they head back down.
Tips for Avoiding the Crowds
Not interested in encountering many people while climbing? Here are some tips for avoiding the crowds in Kilimanjaro.
1. Pick a Less-Crowded Route
If you want to avoid the crowds on the mountain, we recommend climbing one of the routes less traveled. The Rongai Route and the Northern Circuit Route are currently the best choices for avoiding crowds.
The Umbwe route is also much less crowded but is known to be one of the more difficult routes up the mountain. Climbers who choose the Umbwe route are usually more experienced in mountain climbing or high-altitude trekking.
The Rongai route is also a little bit more difficult because it allows less time for adjusting to the altitude. The Northern Circuit is longer so is the best route for those looking to avoid crowds and have a high chance of summiting.
2. Climb During the Off-season
If you don’t mind rain while climbing, you might also want to consider climbing during the wet season. The rainiest months on the mountain are November, April, and May.
Keep in mind though that the conditions make the climb harder since the trail can become really muddy and slippery. Summiting during the wet months can also be harder so you want to ensure you are physically and mentally prepared to climb when it’s wet.
March and June are part of the shoulder season and also great times to climb if you want to avoid crowds. These months see some rain, but not as much as the months in the wet season.
3. Skip the Full Moon Climbs
Full moon climbs allow people to start their summit attempt on the night of a full moon. This is a really unique experience as it makes the path bright and easier to trek.
Full moon climbs are extremely popular though and there are always more climbers on the mountain during the full moon.
4. Book a Private Climb
We offer private climbs for those not interested in climbing in larger groups. Although we keep our groups small (10-12 climbers maximum) some people prefer to climb solo or only with people they know.
When on a private climb, you can choose your start times for each day of climbing to get ahead of the crowd. You can also choose your own pace to help you get away from the crowds.
Keep in mind though you’ll still end the day at the same campsites as other climbers so the campsites might still be a source of crowds.
On private climbs, you can also choose different campsites rather than the other ones commonly used. Crater Camp and Kosovo Camp are two examples of routes that are less crowded where you can have more peace and quiet.
These camps sometimes require special permits and an added cost, so let us know if you’re interested in them so we can give you all the information.
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