The biggest cause of fatality on Kilimanjaro is altitude sickness. Therefore, the safest route will be the one which allows for the best acclimatization.
The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Kilimanjaro. It offers plenty of opportunities to climb high and sleep low. This is the best way to get your body used to the high altitude and reduce the severity of altitude sickness.
Therefore, the Northern Circuit has among the highest summit success rates.
However, on any route, it is most important that you don’t push beyond your limits and follow an experienced guide who will assist with descent if required. If you do so, all the popular routes may be considered more or less equally safe or risky.
Besides acclimatization, Northern Circuit avoids the dangerous Western Breach and the Barranco Wall. It can be considered considerably safer than routes that include one or both of these places.
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