Lille Bille Safari
Kilimanjaro. Rise above.
One mountain. Several ways to the summit. We build the climb around your pace, your route and the time you need to do it properly.
Choose your way up
Four routes. One extraordinary mountain.
Pick a route — then walk it with us, one day at a time. The map follows every step, from the rainforest gate to the roof of Africa.
THE WESTERN APPROACH
A longer western approach that gives the mountain time to unfold — from rainforest and the Shira Plateau to Kilimanjaro's southern circuit and the final climb toward Uhuru Peak.
More time, a gradual rhythm and a beautiful journey across Kilimanjaro's western side.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Stay
- Camping
- Descent
- Mweka
- Best for
- First-timers who want the best chance on summit night
Lemosho · day
Our recommended way · Meru + Kilimanjaro
Two summits. One stronger climb.
Climbing Mount Meru (4,566 m) first is the best acclimatisation there is. You arrive at Machame Gate already adapted — more energy, better sleep, a higher chance of standing on Uhuru Peak.
- 4,566 mbefore Kilimanjaro
- 12 daysarrival to departure
- 2summits · Socialist Peak & Uhuru
Meru + Kilimanjaro · 12 days
Climb Meru first. Summit Kilimanjaro stronger.
01Karibu TanzaniaKilimanjaro Airport – ArushaArusha Planet Lodge or similar
Arrival, private transfer to Arusha, gear check and climb briefing with your guide.
02Into Meru’s forestMomella Gate 1,500 m – Miriakamba Hut 2,514 mMiriakamba Hut
A walk through Arusha National Park with an armed ranger — giraffe, buffalo and colobus monkeys on the lower slopes.
03The saddleMiriakamba – Saddle Hut 3,570 m · Little Meru 3,820 mSaddle Hut
Moorland and crater views. In the afternoon an acclimatisation walk up Little Meru — climb high, sleep low.
04Socialist PeakSaddle Hut – Summit 4,566 m – Miriakamba HutMiriakamba Hut
A night start along the knife-edge rim and sunrise with Kilimanjaro on the horizon — then down to Miriakamba.
05Down to MoshiMiriakamba – Momella Gate 1,500 m – MoshiBackyard Moshi or similar
A forest descent to the gate, then the drive to Moshi for a shower and a real bed.
06Machame Gate1,800 m – Machame Camp 2,835 mMachame Camp
Your body already knows the altitude. Rainforest all the way to the first camp.
07Shira PlateauMachame Camp – Shira 2 Camp 3,850 mShira 2 Camp
Out of the forest and onto the moorland, with the Western Breach rising ahead.
08Lava TowerShira 2 – Lava Tower 4,630 m – Barranco 3,960 mBarranco Camp
The key acclimatisation day: up to Lava Tower, down to sleep in the Barranco valley.
09The Barranco WallBarranco – Karanga – Barafu Camp 4,673 mBarafu Camp
Scramble the famous wall, then on to base camp. Early dinner, early sleep.
10Uhuru Peak5,895 m – Mweka Camp 3,100 mMweka Camp
Midnight start, sunrise on the roof of Africa — then all the way down to Mweka.
11Down to MoshiMweka Camp – Mweka Gate 1,640 m – MoshiBackyard Moshi or similar
Certificates, the crew song and the tipping ceremony — then a hot shower in Moshi.
12KwaheriMoshi – Kilimanjaro Airport
Transfer to the airport — or continue to safari or Zanzibar.
Open a day — the map follows
Your Meru + Kilimanjaro estimate
Climbers in your group
Private climb, all park fees, rescue, huts & camping, guides, cook, porters, all mountain meals and transfers, plus three hotel nights. Crew wages are included – tipping is your choice, never required. Only flights and travel insurance are extra. For one climber, ask us.
- Mount Meru · 4 days—
- Kilimanjaro · Machame 6 days—
- Hotels · Arusha 1 night, Moshi 2 nights—
Per person—
Request Meru + KilimanjaroThe people behind your climb
You don’t climb Kilimanjaro alone.
The summit may be your goal. But the journey belongs to the whole team.One mountain · one team
The team behind your summit
One climber.
A whole village on the move.
On Kilimanjaro you are never one person — you are part of an expedition. Choose how many of you are climbing and meet the team that walks with you.
14 people on the mountainfor 2 climbers
A typical private team on the Machame or Lemosho route. Your final crew follows route, days and park rules.
- 1Lead guideReads the mountain, your pace and your health — oxygen and pulse checks twice a day.
- 1Assistant guidesWalk beside you, and one stays with any climber who needs to turn back.
- 1Mountain cookThree warm meals a day at up to 4,600 m.
- 1Waiter & camp crewHot drinks, washing water, the mess tent and a smile.
- 1Toilet porterA private toilet tent — and the hardest job on the mountain.
- 9PortersTents, food, kitchen and your bag — up to 20 kg each.
A porter’s day on the mountain
They start before you.
They arrive before you.
- Before you wake
Water is boiled, washing bowls filled, breakfast on the fire.
- Camp comes down
Tents, kitchen and food are packed. Every load is checked against the 20 kg limit.
- They pass you
With a smile and a “pole pole” — the porters go ahead at their own pace.
- Camp is ready
Before you arrive: tents up, hot drinks and a warm welcome — “Karibu!”
- Water & kitchen
Water is collected and treated, dinner is prepared in the mess tent.
- Rest together
The crew eats, laughs, prays and sleeps — ready to do it all again.
Our promises to the crew
Respect goes both ways.
No porter carries more than 20 kg of expedition gear, plus their own kit. Loads are weighed at the park gate.
The crew eats the same good food, in proper portions, every day on the mountain.
Wages at least the Tanzanian legal minimum, paid in full within two days of the descent.
Warm clothing, rain gear, boots, tents and sleeping gear — and full care or evacuation if a crew member falls ill.
Following the porter-treatment standards of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP).
Tipping – optional, done transparently
Thank them in person.
- 01Before the climb we give you the full crew list — names and roles — so you know exactly who is with you.
- 02If you wish to tip: on the last day, one envelope per crew member, handed over personally.
- 03Amounts are announced to the whole team, in English and Swahili — nothing goes through a middleman.
- 04Then the crew sings for you. Bring a tissue.
Leave only
footprints.
Optional · for the mountain
One more porter.
One cleaner trail.
Add a Clean-Up Porter to your team. Not for your luggage — their only job is to collect litter along the route and carry it off the mountain.
- 01Walks with your team
- 02Collects along the route
- 03Carries it off the mountain
Your climb · your group · your price
Build your Kilimanjaro.
Pick a route and see the mountain you will walk — every camp, every metre — and the price for your group, live.
Machame
Hover a camp · climb high, sleep low
Your journey starts here
Your expedition file.
No payment, no commitment. Tell us what you know — a real person plans the rest with you.
Good to know
Kilimanjaro, questions answered.
Anything else? Write to us – a real person answers.
Ask us about your climb →How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
It depends on the route: Marangu 6 days, Machame and Rongai 7 days, Lemosho 8 days. More days on the mountain mean better acclimatisation and a better chance of reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). For the strongest climb we recommend Meru + Kilimanjaro over 12 days, arrival to departure.
Which route should I choose – Lemosho, Machame, Marangu or Rongai?
Lemosho is our recommendation for first-time climbers who want the best chance on summit night: a longer route from the west with a calm rhythm. Machame is popular and beautiful, with a strong acclimatisation day via Lava Tower. Marangu is the only route with mountain huts instead of tents. Rongai climbs from the quieter northern side. We help you choose based on your time, fitness and wishes.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
The price depends on route, number of days and group size – the calculator above shows the price for your group, live. Example: the 7-day Machame route for two climbers is currently around USD 5,489 per person. Everything on the mountain is included: park and camping fees, rescue fee, lead and assistant guides, cook, waiter and porters on fair wages, all meals, tents or huts, emergency oxygen, pulse oximeter checks and transfers to and from the gate. Only flights and travel insurance are extra – no hidden costs on the mountain.
Do I have to tip the crew?
No. Many operators write 'tips not included', and climbers only discover on the mountain that a large amount is expected. With us, the crew's good wages are already included in the price. Tipping is entirely your choice and never required – if you want to thank the crew extra, you do it personally and openly on the last day.
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The driest periods are January–March and June–October, when conditions on the mountain are usually best. April and May are the long rains, and November can bring short showers. The forecast and month-by-month overview at the top of this page show conditions on the summit right now.
How do I avoid altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro?
Time and pace are key: walk slowly ('pole pole'), drink plenty, and climb high, sleep low – as the Lava Tower day on Machame is designed. Your lead guide checks oxygen and pulse twice a day, and emergency oxygen is always carried. Climbing Mount Meru (4,566 m) first is the best acclimatisation there is.
Do I need climbing experience?
No. Kilimanjaro needs no technical climbing, but you should be in good shape and used to long hiking days. We recommend training on hikes in varied terrain in the months before you travel – ideally with the daypack you will use.
Who is with us on the mountain?
You never climb Kilimanjaro alone. A typical private team for two climbers on Machame or Lemosho is 14 people: lead guide, assistant guide, mountain cook, waiter and camp crew, toilet porter and porters. The final crew follows route, days and park rules. With us, everyone on the mountain – porters, cooks, guides and guests – is one team, and everyone is treated the same. We pay our crew well, because they do hard and important work: helping you safely to the summit, with everything you need along the way.
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Discover →Related programs
- 01PrivateYour own vehicle & guide
- 02LocalGuides born in East Africa
- 03PersonalA small team in Bergen & Tanzania
- 04PurposeConnected to Hillock School
- 05ProtectedReisegarantifondet member