Kilimanjaro is five climates stacked on top of each other. You start warm and humid in the rainforest, cross open moorland where the sun burns and the wind bites, walk an alpine desert that swings from hot noon to freezing night, and finish in arctic conditions on summit night, well below freezing with wind on top.

There are six main ways up Kilimanjaro, and choosing between them is the single biggest decision of your climb. It shapes what you see, how busy your trail is, where you sleep, and, more than anything, your chance of standing on the summit.

The Marangu Route suits the climber who genuinely prefers a hut to a tent, who is climbing in the wetter months and wants a roof each night, or who is watching the budget. It is a reasonable choice for a first climb too, provided you take the six-day version so your body has the time it needs to adjust. If comfort and simplicity matter more to you than scenic variety, Marangu has real and lasting appeal.

The Rongai Route suits the climber who wants peace and quiet, a gentle and forgiving gradient, or a dependable option in the wetter months. It is a lovely choice for first-time climbers and for anyone who would rather ease up the mountain than tackle the steeper, busier southern routes.

Africa has two great trekking mountains. Here is how Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya compare, and why the right answer for many people is both.