How to visit Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro without climbing to the summit!

Do you want to visit Tanzania to see Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world? It’s the highest of the high, covered in the clouds, snow-capped, and often referred to as the rooftop of Africa. Of course, it is the highest point on the continent and in the country that boasts another high mountain, Mount Meru, a mountain that stays in the shadows of Kilimanjaro in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro, sacred to the Chaggah tribe that inhabits its environs, rises 19,340 feet or 5,895 m in elevation into the blue sky. It’s an adventure magnet for hikers and climbers the world over, but also for adventurers and tourists. But the main question is can you just visit this majestic mountain without climbing it? In the words of the famous Barack Obama, the simple answer is YES YOU CAN! A huge percentage of both newbies and experienced climbers have attempted and successfully scaled this majestic mountain in northern Tanzania to the summit, Uhuru Peak. Most people, including you, can arrange to see this snowcapped and mighty mountain on the equator of Africa– up close and personal.

Things to see and do at Mount Kilimanjaro

Click here to see the kind of activities that you can do when your visit Moshi, Tanzania in the Kilimanjaro region.

The Mountain

At a rarefied elevation, Mount Kilimanjaro also nicknamed the “rooftop of Africa”, is Tanzania’s highest mountain, raising its snow-capped summit into the sky near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Viewed from afar, the mountain looks almost table-like at the peak, from afar. Kilimanjaro stands on its own in the endless savannah. dotted by acacia trees and a lush green environment filled with wild animals, like Mount Olympia rising in the Serengeti! The mountain comprises three notable peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, three volcanic cones that make up the three summits with the Kibo peak being the highest of the three and the ultimate goal of reaching the top at Uhuru Peak (5,895m above sea level).

So high is this mountain that it has its own ecosystem and climatic zones, home to varied bird species, wild animals, and vegetation.  To climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need a mountain guide and porters plus a cook assigned to you that will assist you to climb to the top but to just visit and see it or to do a day trip you will just need a guide.

The Bird’s-Eye View

Not everyone is thrilled at the thought of donning mountain gear, and clothing and heading up Kilimanjaro. Remember you will need to have some considerable stamina and physical fitness to scale the mountain. But you can still glory in the view, admire the surroundings, and the views, and get the thrill of being on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Let’s go over the options starting from the easiest possible, and almost anyone with some travel money saved can manage it. You fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, in Tanzania, located between Moshi and Arusha towns. From there, you will be transferred to Moshi town, Kilimanjaro region for overnight at a comfortable hotel that we will recommend according to your budget. You’ll take a scenic flight or helicopter ride to see Mount Kilimanjaro from above the clouds.

A Little Trekking – A Big View

To get up-close and personal to Mount Kilimanjaro you may choose to have a light hiking day trip to Mount Kilimanjaro’s scenic, Shira Plateau. Plan to overnight in Moshi town. A drive from Moshi town to the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro also offers scenic views as you bypass various villages on your way to the Kilimanjaro entrance. A very short hike up the slopes will expose stunning vistas of the mountain and its wonderful features. Even better, plan a personal trek for a few days even via the 6 days Marangu route or if you have time choose the best route on Kilimanjaro, the 8 days Lemosho route itinerary that will take you to the peak of the mountain at Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

Okay, here it is, the next best thing to making the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro: in about 9 days, you can opt to extend an extra day to sleep at the crater camp. The view will be worth the effort, as all the glaciers, craters, and views stand in a line before you. Check our Mount Kilimanjaro day trips

Best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of year, but the best time to do so is when there is less chance of rain. From the beginning of December to the beginning of March, and then from late June to the end of October, are the dry seasons. In terms of weather, they are the ideal months to climb, and as a result, they are the busiest months (high season).

The dates of our group climbs are set to coincide with the dry seasons.

Learn about the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Short Dry Season: The warmest months are January through mid-March, with a clear sky in the mornings and nights. Clouds and light showers are possible during the day.

Long Rainy Season: From the end of March until the beginning of June, the long rainy season occurs. Unless you are an experienced traveler who has hiked in similar conditions, we do not advocate climbing during this time. It may be extremely rainy, and visibility may be limited owing to dense clouds. However, the throngs have dispersed.

Long Dry Season: The mountain is normally a little colder, but also drier, from mid-June to the end of October.

Short Rainy Season: From the beginning of November to the beginning of December, the short rainy season occurs. Rainfall is typical in the afternoons, while the skies are clear in the mornings and evenings.

We highly recommend that you climb Mount Kilimanjaro during the full moon.

Suggested itinerary featuring Mount Kilimanjaro

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Click here to choose your best route and ultimately climb Mount Kilimanjaro with us.

Why visit Tanzania

There are a thousand reasons why you should visit Tanzania, a marvelous country located in East Africa and Mount Kilimanjaro is just one of the reasons. Here is why.

• In the famous Serengeti, marvel at sweeping views and rich resident game as you follow the Great Wildebeest Migration.
• On a balloon safari, float silently over the limitless plains.
• Off the coast, dive the stunning coral reefs and sheer wall dives.
• Take in the breathtaking panorama of the Rift Valley and the towering cliff views.
• Stand on the brink of the Ngorongoro Crater’s beautiful wonder.

Tanzania is the wild half of east Africa, home to vast savannah, volcanic mountains, the Great Migration, and the towering walls of the Ngorongoro Crater, which originally drew explorers from all over the world.

The mighty Mount Kilimanjaro is only a few hours away, where adventurers can climb through a variety of vastly varied landscapes in an attempt to reach Africa’s apex, accompanied by a full complement of sturdy porters and professional guides. Despite the fact that the mountain may be summited without any strenuous climbing, it must be respected. Though the summit of Kilimanjaro is obscured by clouds, individuals who wish to stand atop the mountain can do so on special tours that include short walks and picnic lunches on the mountain’s slopes.