A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER

10 REASONS TO CLIMB WITH ULTIMATE KILIMANJARO®

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® is, quite simply, the #1 guide company on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Proven Expertise

With 20 years of experience, Ultimate Kilimanjaro® has proven expertise on Mount Kilimanjaro. We lead over 150 climbs per year, with more than 1,000 adventurers climbing with us annually. Literally thousands of climbers have stood on the top of Kilimanjaro with us. Our clients have included celebrities, filmmakers, senators, ambassadors, authors, journalists, and even the world record holder for the oldest person to summit.

Best Guides

Our expert guides were hand selected to work for us. We have the best local guides who have received extensive training in first aid and mountain rescue. With unrivaled experience and competence, they are among the most talented and respected professionals in the industry. Our guides have many decades of combined experience on Kilimanjaro and thousands of successful summits.

Fully Staffed Climbs

Our climbs are fully staffed with approximately one guide per two clients. This is the best way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. We strive to create the optimal conditions for a safe, successful climb. Having the right number of personnel to manage the group size creates an organized team on the mountain, but more importantly ensures proper attention for each and every climber.

Focused on Safety

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® is focused on safety, understanding that our top priority is to keep you out of harm’s way. Our guides perform regular health checks on all climbers, and they are prepared to prevent, detect and treat altitude sickness. We include rescue oxygen on every climb and have evacuation plans in place in case of emergencies.

Quality Camping Gear

We only use high quality camping equipment to keep climbers as comfortable as possible while outdoors. Our Mountain Hardwear tents are warm, waterproof, and roomy – and perfectly suited for the rigors of Kilimanjaro. We provide thick foam sleeping pads for all clients. Mountain Hardwear Lamina sleeping bags, rated to -20F/-29C, are available for rental.

Delicious Meals

All food and drink is provided on the mountain. Our mountain chefs prepare delicious meals with fresh, local ingredients. These meals are nutritious and calorie dense, specifically designed to sustain the energy of climbers. An ample amount of clean water is provided so climbers stay well hydrated throughout the trek. We also cater to special dietary requirements.

Best Routes

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® specializes on Kilimanjaro’s best routes. With many routes to choose from, we avoid trails that are very crowded, less scenic, and have poor acclimatization profiles. We operate primarily on routes that offer a combination of high success rates, scenic beauty and low foot traffic. This ensures our clients have the best chance of reaching the summit and have a good time doing it.

Group and Private Climbs

For those who are traveling alone or simply want the company of others, we have scheduled group climbs on our favorite routes. These climbs avoid the rainy seasons, include acclimatization days, and are limited to 14 climbers. We can also organize private climbs on any route, for any size party, on any dates.

Porter Care

We take porter welfare very seriously and do our best to ensure our staff is treated well. As a partner company of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), we comply with all established guidelines on porter wages and welfare. We pay our porters more than the standard compensation. Our porters have proper food and shelter, and their loads are restricted to reasonable weight limits.

Leave No Trace

We are a member of Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Our guides and porters practice Leave No Trace ethics on the mountain so that everyone can enjoy a clean, litter free environment on one of Africa’s most majestic landscapes.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® – the #1 Guide Company on Mount Kilimanjaro for 20 years.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 clouseadam 
 
2026-11-02
 
 
 Verified 
Adventure Is Out There
It is a rare circumstance when there is little I can likely add that hasn't already been captured by fellow travelers and rarer still when the accumulated reviews so positively capture the amazing experience that Ultimate Kilimanjaro offers it's clients. A solo traveler from the US, I started the trip planning process (like many) not knowing which tour operator to choose (from an overwhelming number of options) or which route to take to the top. Ultimate Kilimanjaro quickly made these decisions easy because of their detailed YouTube videos, clear website and quick email communication. The trip itself was an epic adventure. I was one of 8 climbers from 5 different countries, supported by 4 guides and 27 additional support staff (porters). We took the Lemosho route, which I would recommend to any climbers not coming from altitude. Our lead guides were August and Nico, supported by assistant guides Tdaos and Ronald. In every regard, they went above and beyond to ensure our team felt supported, motivated and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience together. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a relaxing holiday, but the delicious (and plentiful) meals and constant surprises (meeting us with juice on the summit descent and cake back at base camp) made for unforgettable memories. After a successful summit and a week spent together on the mountain, I consider it a blessing to have taken part in this adventure alongside of the Ultimate Kilimanjaro team. In every way, I give them my highest recommendation to future adventure seekers!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Aude Abbate 
 
2026-11-01
 
 
  
An extraordinary mountain, an even more extraordinary crew

Kilimanjaro is breathtaking. In a few days we walked through rainforest, moorland, lunar deserts and finally the glaciers at the summit, with a sunrise over the clouds we will never forget.

But the real heart of this climb was our team. Henock led us with calm, expertise and constant attention to our health at altitude. Deus was always by our side, encouraging us at the hardest moments. Our cooker made remarkable meals in impossible conditions. And the porters carried everything up the mountain, set up camp before we arrived, and still greeted us with smiles and songs.

We reached the summit because of them. If you climb, take time to learn their names and share moments with them. They are the best part of the journey.

Asante sana to the whole team!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Donovan 
 
2026-10-24
 
 
 Verified 
You Are the Sum of the Company You Keep
Ultimate Kilimanjaro, as an organization, is phenomenal. Despite unforeseen circumstances, including fires on the mountain that required our group to be rerouted, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. Our group of seven climbers was assigned three guides: Barak, Ellis, and Philbert. All three were incredible human beings who genuinely cared about our safety and were committed to seeing every one of us succeed. All seven climbers reached the summit, and everyone experienced minimal to no complications. That speaks volumes about the leadership, preparation, and guidance provided by the Ultimate Kilimanjaro team. My two biggest recommendations for future climbers: Show up prepared. Get into the best physical shape you can, and bring all the required gear. Listen to your guides. Trust their experience, follow their instructions, and respect their guidance. Do these two things, and you will significantly improve your chances of a successful climb. Thank you, Ultimate Kilimanjaro, for being an outstanding resource for people pursuing one of their biggest dreams. The right people make all the difference, and our guides were a perfect example of that. May God continue to bless your organization and the incredible work you do helping people achieve their dreams. Live With Purpose.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Rajesh C 
 
2026-10-18
 
 
 Verified 
KILLIMANJARO 9DAY TRIP I would suggest 9 day trip with ultimate killimanjaro is recommended from my end.
I did the Kilimanjaro trip, in early October via the tour operator "ULTIMATE KILLIMANJARO". one of the most technical guide/ operators of the region, Making the choice of no of days was a difficult one, first i thought off of 7 days with high point drop off (which is a choice available with other tour operator) which seemed to be fantastic idea but later on decided to walk through the rain forest - so ultimate it worked to be 8 days trip, While carrying out careful observations and quotations based on different operators - mainly the professional operator - ALTEZZA, The local operator - Gladys Adventure, The most technical -Ultimate Kilimanjaro , the 9 day itenary of day summit caught my eye - which i would say a great advantage from acclimatization from point of view and a warmer day summit rather than freezing cold summit during midnight start, Now the biggest challenge came when the actual decided was Lemosho - 9 day route but just before a week of the trip start - my operator informed that there is fire on Lemosho route and so on Ronghai route - so we were left with few choices- Machame route (decided by tour operator) and we proceeded as per decision. The Machame route appeared tough as per the perception I had in my mind - but i would compare the second day trip from Machame camp to Shira cave would be similar to 2nd last strech of EBC trip , moving up and down on stone route, For me and other trippers who had EBC experience was easy to digest the route, The scenery was very beautiful in Machame route and at no point we regretted the change of route rather than our group was enjoying the trip with pleasant talks on the way, Let me say that my past EBC trek definitely gave an advantage and mind map what to expect during a high altitude trip, i would highly recommend to go for EBC trek before attempting Kilimanjaro - any route -I would say. I would describe the Kilimanjaro trip as a combination of Mount Batur in Indonesia and EBC. The scree terrain is similar to Mount Batur during downhill, while the distance and elevation gain are comparable to EBC. The main exception is the final summit push, which involves about 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Therefore, prior EBC experience would definitely be an advantage. If you are doing Kalapathhar then i would say there is match on profile for summit day - both are steep and windy, so you derive mental toughness through it. The aim is pole -pole and the mental endurance is the key to success. Dream it - train for it - Conquer it. Consider a longer duration until you set a world record. The longer duration gives you a good acclimatization and muscle relaxation. I would also point out that if you are able to maintain a good appetite from Lava tower and onwards - success is on your side. -on the summit day don't rush - keep your breath calm (suppose 15 steps at time, then deep breath to fill your lings with oxygen). - do not go to high point drop off until you are staying in high altitude - practice box breathing at least 1 week before the trek - do warm up breathing exercises in morning before the start of the trek - always waek shocks in the tent if you are cold feet - carry some music for the summit day, it helps a lot. Just remember it’s not a technical climb - it a discipline to follow during the climb. I do wish a good success to whosoever reads this review.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Agamit Boccara Tidhar 
 
2026-10-11
 
 
  
It was an outstanding experience! 9 days of climbing with the best and most experienced guides, the greatest shef, with his surprising dishes, with the modest porters, with a great smile and caring for us every step of the way.
Before I was even  thinking about my next step, they already saw me, and was there for me.
I thank each and everyone of you good people, for sharing your mountain and culture with us.
It was a miracle moment !
Thank you August,Richard, Sckobba, Prey, Prim and angel Gabriel !
You and all 42 team players are amazing!!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Agamit B 
 
2026-10-11
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing travel
It was an outstanding experience! 9 days of climbing with the best and most experienced guides, the greatest shef, with his surprising dishes, with the modest porters, with a great smile and caring for us every step of the way. Before I was even thinking about my next step, they already saw me, and was there for me. I thank each and everyone of you good people, for sharing your mountain and culture with us. It was a miracle moment ! Thank you August,Richard, Sckobba, Prey, Prim and angel Gabriel ! You and all 42 team players are amazing!!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Indah Purnama S 
 
2026-10-08
 
 
 Verified 
Best guides and crews; responsive and fast rescue management
We joined a 6 days private trip to Kilimanjaro (Marangu route) and I am amazed with the crew’s hospitality and attentiveness. We are not the fittest person to climb Kilimanjaro. But the guide (Richardi and Amadeus) helped us along the way and made our dreams to stand at the top of Kilimanjaro came true. Our waiter, Devi, took such a good care of us. He brought our breakfast and dinner to our huts when we were too tired to go to dining hall. After a long summit night, my friend got AMS and needed helicopter to bring him down. Our guides were responsive and called helicopter. The whole rescue process from the helicopter pick up to hospital check was so smooth. In overall, I couldnt ask for a better experience. Thank you Ultimate Kilimanjaro
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Remi B 
 
2026-10-06
 
 
 Verified 
Everlasting memories
I couldn’t have been more delighted and grateful to Ultimate Kilimanjaro. I enjoyed every moment of my trip in Tanzania. Since it was my first time in an African country, I decided to arrive few days before the climb was scheduled. Shawn and Emanuel were able to set up excursions in and around Moshi. As for the ascent on Kilimanjaro, the guide, Richard, the Chef who prepared these delicious meals, the porters, Daniel and the others, Innocent and everyone else on the team, were always encouraging, patient and considerate. I was most touched how caring they were, when I got sick and it was agreed to come down. I will never forget what they did to comfort and reassure me. With Richard and Emanuel’s assistance, transportation to Arusha, hotel reservations and new activities were consequently planned, pending the original scheduled dates for the 3 day safari. The guide/driver, Lalashe, was remarkable, knowledgeable, respectful. I would highly recommend Ultimate Kilimanjaro to anyone, solo traveler or for a group. From the original registration, payments communications, transportations, accommodations, activities…everything went so smoothly. Again, I am most appreciative to everyone. You have given me a once in a lifetime experience.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 janine327 
 
2026-10-03
 
 
 Verified 
Hakuna Matata
We did the 8 day LeMosho climb. Our lead guides August and Moro and our assistant guides Ronald, Michael and Gerald were all amazing! They were friendly and focused on every detail to make sure we were safe, had what we needed, and got us up the mountain. Including singing! They educated us along the way about different native plants, animals and the mountain. The porters in our group were the most amazing and hard working people I have ever seen. They took pride in their work! I love that they shared their culture with us through food and song. I would never pick another company to climb with. Ultimate Kilimanjaro is the BEST!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Mark H 
 
2026-09-29
 
 
 Verified 
One team One dream
We can’t thank the Ultimate Kilimanjaro team enough for such a wonderful experience . We have run out of words to adequately describe the team who looked after us on the mountain. From lead guide August, to the incredible team of assistant guides, cooks, camp helpers and porters whose level of expertise, professionalism, care and attention was truly exceptional. And Shawn your pre trip advice and support was invaluable. Climbing Kilimanjaro is an extraordinary experience in itself, but the dedication and support of the entire team lifted it to another level. Throughout the climb, we felt incredibly well looked after, encouraged and supported, both physically and mentally. Their knowledge of the mountain, combined with their genuine warmth and commitment, gave us complete confidence every step of the way. They also made the whole experience a lot of fun with plenty of laughter and good humour along the way which made the challenging days so much more enjoyable. Reaching the summit was a moment we will never forget, and having such an outstanding team alongside us made the achievement all the more special. Thank you to everyone at Ultimate Kilimanjaro for an incredible experience and memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. We cannot praise the whole team highly enough. Hakuna Matata!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Steven K 
 
2026-09-25
 
 
 Verified 
Lemosho sep 2026
An absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. Everything was handled with professionalism, care, and attention to detail, and the entire team made our Kilimanjaro climb something we will never forget. A very special mention has to go to Andrew Young, our lead guide. Andrew was outstanding throughout the entire climb. He was incredibly professional, calm, knowledgeable, and precise with every recommendation he gave us. He knew exactly when to push us, when to slow us down, and how to manage each person in the group individually. We always felt that we were in extremely capable hands. What impressed us most was the way Andrew handled every member of the group. He understood that everyone reacts differently to the altitude and the physical and mental challenges of Kilimanjaro, and he adapted perfectly to each of us. His experience, judgment, patience, and encouragement made an enormous difference. We reached the summit, and I genuinely believe we did it because of Andrew. His guidance and leadership were exceptional, particularly during the toughest moments of the climb. The entire team deserves huge credit for making this such a memorable experience, but Andrew truly made our climb special. If you are lucky enough to have him as your lead guide, you are in excellent hands. An unforgettable adventure and an experience I would recommend without hesitation. Thank you, Andrew, and the entire team, for getting us to the Roof of Africa!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Facebook  
 
  
 
 
 Berna Retotar 
 
2026-09-24
 
 
 recommends 
An Amazing 10-Day Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Experience!

Our 10-day Northern Circuit Route with Ultimate Kilimanjaro was truly an unforgettable experience. From the beginning until the end, we felt so well taken care of by the entire team.

Our guides, Nicodemus Gideon (Nico) and Amani John (Amani), were absolutely wonderful. They were kind, patient, knowledgeable, and very professional. Our pace was sometimes quite slow, but they never made us feel pressured or rushed. They patiently waited for us, encouraged us, and always made sure that we were okay. We really appreciated how attentive they were to our safety and comfort throughout the entire trek.

A big thank you also to our chef, August, for the delicious food! We honestly didn’t expect to eat so well on the mountain. Every meal was something we looked forward to after a long day of trekking.

Our waiter, Emmanuel, deserves a special mention as well. His service was truly 5-star. He was always attentive, friendly, and ready to help with whatever we needed. His warm personality made us feel very comfortable throughout the trek.

And of course, we want to thank all of our porters. They were always smiling, respectful, hardworking, and incredibly attentive. They consistently treated us with kindness and respect and were always ready to help whenever we needed anything.

What touched us most was the kindness and respect shown by the entire crew. We never felt like we were just clients—they genuinely looked after us and wanted us to have the best possible experience.

We are so grateful to Nico, Amani, August, Emmanuel, and all the porters for making our 10-day Northern Circuit Route such a special and memorable journey.

Highly recommended! If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro, we would definitely recommend Ultimate Kilimanjaro. The entire team made us feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout our adventure.

Thank you for an incredible experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives! ❤️🏔️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Bernadette 
 
2026-09-20
 
 
 Verified 
An Amazing 10-day Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Experience
Our 10-day Northern Circuit Route with Ultimate Kilimanjaro was truly an unforgettable experience. From the beginning until the end, we felt so well taken care of by the entire team. Our guides, Nicodemus Gideon (Nico) and Amani John (Amani), were absolutely wonderful. They were kind, patient, knowledgeable, and very professional. Our pace was sometimes quite slow, but they never made us feel pressured or rushed. They patiently waited for us, encouraged us, and always made sure that we were okay. We really appreciated how attentive they were to our safety and comfort throughout the entire trek. A big thank you also to our chef, August, for the delicious food! We honestly didn’t expect to eat so well on the mountain. Every meal was something we looked forward to after a long day of trekking. Our waiter, Emmanuel, deserves a special mention as well. His service was truly 5-star. He was always attentive, friendly, and ready to help with whatever we needed. His warm personality made us feel very comfortable throughout the trek. And of course, we want to thank all of our porters. They were always smiling, respectful, hardworking, and incredibly attentive. They consistently treated us with kindness and respect and were always ready to help whenever we needed anything. What touched us most was the kindness and respect shown by the entire crew. We never felt like we were just clients…they genuinely looked after us and wanted us to have the best possible experience. We are so grateful to Nico, Amani, August, Emmanuel, and all the porters for making our 10-day Northern Circuit Route such a special and memorable journey. Highly recommended! If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro, we would definitely recommend Ultimate Kilimanjaro. The entire team made us feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout our adventure. Thank you for an incredible experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives! ❤️🏔️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Jeff M 
 
2026-09-19
 
 
 Verified 
Great experience with Ultimate Kilimanjaro - highly recommended
Our group had a great experience with Ultimate Kilimanjaro during our 8-day Lemosho route kilimanjaro hike. Our guides were Filbert, Richard, Leonard, and Ewalt. I would recommend them all to others. They were professional, experienced, courteous, encouraging, and truly were interested in our success. Beyond our lead guides, the entire staff was very positive and enjoyable. Emmanuel, our meal server, and Gaston, our camp lead really stood out. The food was good and plentiful - thanks to our cook. All staff and porters were friendly and very helpful. Having such positive and supporting staff made the mental and physical challenges of the hiking easier and more enjoyable.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Trustindex  
 
  
 
 
 John Mason 
 
2026-09-09
 
 
  
An Exceptional Kilimanjaro Experience — Highly Recommended
I would like to give my highest recommendation to Ultimate Kilimanjaro for the outstanding support, professionalism, and care they provided throughout our incredible nine-day climb from August 21–29, 2026.
On August 20, we were met by our lead guide, Andrew Mathias, who immediately made us feel welcome and prepared. Andrew took the time to thoroughly explain everything we would encounter during the climb, answered all of our questions, and even took us on a walking tour of Moshi. His friendliness, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm were incredibly reassuring and provided a great sense of comfort as we prepared for what was, for us, a challenging and somewhat intimidating adventure.
When we began our climb on August 21, we met the rest of our guide team: Andrew, MSafari, Gabriel, and Justin. From the very beginning and throughout all nine days, every one of them was cheerful, professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. They constantly encouraged us, monitored our well-being, and made our safety their highest priority. Their experience and dedication gave us tremendous confidence throughout the journey.
Our support team was equally exceptional.
Every morning, we were awakened by Innocent, our main waiter, whose pleasant voice and cheerful knock on our tent door was a wonderful way to start each day. He always made sure we were awake and checked on how we had slept before we headed to the mess tent for breakfast.
There, we were treated to outstanding meals prepared by August, our chef. Every meal throughout the entire climb was delicious, plentiful, and remarkably varied considering the remote environment in which we were traveling. We were consistently impressed by the quality of the food, and we certainly never went hungry!
One of the small touches that made a huge difference was receiving our nightly “teddy bear” — a hot-water bottle we placed in our tent to help keep us warm. After long days on the mountain, climbing into a cold tent and having that warm bottle waiting for us was an incredible comfort and something we looked forward to every evening.
Each day when we returned to camp, we were greeted by Gaston, who would carefully brush the dust from our shoes, gaiters, pants, and backpacks. His cheerful personality and friendly smile were always a welcome sight after a long day on the trail. It was another example of the incredible attention to detail shown by the entire Ultimate Kilimanjaro team.
Our group of eight successfully reached our goal, and we could not have done it without the dedication, encouragement, and hard work of our guides and porters. I like to think of the porters as “mountain soldiers,” which is a very fitting description of the incredible effort they put forth every single day. They worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make our journey possible, often carrying tremendous loads while ensuring that we had everything we needed.
Throughout the entire climb, safety was clearly the number-one priority. Our guides constantly monitored us, adjusted the pace when necessary, and made sure we were prepared for each stage of the journey. Their experience, judgment, and genuine concern for our well-being gave us confidence every step of the way.
And then came the moment we had all worked so hard for — success! The celebration dinner afterward was outstanding, and being greeted by August with a congratulations cake was the perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable accomplishment.
I cannot thank Ultimate Kilimanjaro and the entire team enough for making this once-in-a-lifetime adventure so special and memorable. A particular thank-you goes to Andrew Mathias, whose leadership, professionalism, encouragement, and genuine kindness made an enormous difference to our experience.
From the guides and porters to the chefs, waiters, and entire support staff, every member of the Ultimate Kilimanjaro team played an important role in our success.
If you are considering climbing Kilimanjaro, I would recommend Ultimate Kilimanjaro without hesitation. Their professionalism, organization, hospitality, commitment to safety, and genuine care for their clients are second to none.
Thank you, Ultimate Kilimanjaro, for helping us accomplish something we will remember for the rest of our lives.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Trustindex rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 548 reviews