Overview of the Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route is the shortest and steepest path to the summit of Kilimanjaro, ascending the southern slope. It is the least popular trail, with only about 500 climbers using it each year, partly due to its poor acclimatisation profile. As a result, this route has one of the lowest summit success rates.
Pros and Cons of the Umbwe Route
While the Umbwe route offers stunning scenery and varied landscapes, it has significant drawbacks. The main issue is that the trail is too short to allow for proper acclimatisation, which contributes to its low summit success rate.
Additionally, the Umbwe route is extremely steep, making it physically demanding. Given the time and financial investment required to trek Kilimanjaro, we strongly recommend opting for a longer, less strenuous route to increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. If you’re set on the Umbwe route, we advise undertaking a pre-acclimatisation trek, such as climbing Mt. Meru, before starting your Kilimanjaro ascent.
