The Shira Route suits the experienced trekker who has been to altitude before and knows how their body responds, and the climber who wants the plateau's vast early wilderness more than anything else on the mountain.

Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. It does not require mountaineering experience. It does not require exceptional fitness. It requires the ability to walk uphill for six to eight hours per day across eight consecutive days.

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

How long does Kilimanjaro take? The answer depends on your route and getting it right is the single biggest factor in whether you reach the summit.