Marangu route – Accommodation
Mt Kilimanjaro Accommodation - Marangu route
Marangu route is the only route that offers huts in the form of dormitory-styled cabins as a form of accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro. Marangu route is the oldest and one of the two most popular climbing routes. Marangu is also known as the “Coca-Cola Route” route since it was formerly simpler to climb than the more difficult Machame route (Whiskey Route). In the past, these were the only routes that were routinely climbed. The Marangu route has a reputation for being an easy trip because of the long, steady rise to each of the day sites. However, don’t underestimate this trail – the approach to the last Hut, with around 1000 meters of vertical gain on that day alone, may be physically difficult.
Marangu Huts:
Staying at the mountain lodges on the Marangu trail is an alternative to camping on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Kilimanjaro National Park maintains these permanent tiny towns in picturesque areas on the mountain’s eastern flank. The huts are used as resting places and sleeping accommodations for climbers during their ascent of the mountain. The Mandara Huts and Kibo Huts each have 60 bunk beds, while Horombo Hut has 120 bunk beds. The Marangu Huts provide dormitory-style lodging with a minimum of 4 beds per room. There is no option to rent a private room, and beds are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, you should expect to share your hut with strangers. However, it is worth mentioning that the huts do not include bedsheets/ sleeping bags or pillows. You will be responsible for bringing your own sleeping bags and/ or pillows.
Marangu huts facilities:
• Sleeping huts to accommodate between 4 (min) to 20 people (max)
• Communal dining hall
• Park ranger hut
• Kitchen hut
• Separate huts for mountain crew
• Bathrooms (except Kibo huts, and not fully utilized)
• Flush toilets (except Kibo huts)
• Solar lighting
• Running water at lower huts (Mandara & Horombo huts)
• Mattress pads
• WiFi Internet – run by Tanzania Telecommunications Limited (TTCL) – not available for free though; you are required to buy internet bundle from TTCL before entering the mountain.
