Lemosho Route

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10 Days Safari in Uganda and Tanzania

10 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Northern Circuit Route

On Tanzania safaris, the Lemosho Route is typically completed in seven or eight days. The longer itinerary offers the best acclimatization and the highest summit success rate, often over 90%. The path is a circuit, ascending on the western slopes, traversing the Shira Plateau, and descending on the eastern side, giving you a diverse, 360-degree view of the mountain's ecosystems .

Day 1: Londorosi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)

The climb begins with a long, bumpy 4x4 drive from Moshi to the Londorosi Gate on the western side of the mountain. From the gate, you drive a bit further to the trailhead. The first day is a short, gentle walk through the lush, undisturbed rainforest. The path is often muddy and quiet. You will see troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys. After three to four hours, you reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp, which means "Big Tree" in Swahili. The camp is nestled in a forest clearing.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)

The trail continues through the rainforest, but the trees begin to thin. You cross several streams and climb steadily for five to six hours. The forest eventually gives way to the heather and moorland zone. The views open up. You get your first clear sight of the peak of Kibo, the highest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanoes. You arrive at Shira 1 Camp, located on the edge of the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic caldera.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

This is a short, easy day designed to help you acclimatize. You hike for three to four hours across the Shira Plateau. The landscape is otherworldly, a high-altitude desert of volcanic rock and strange, prehistoric plants. You will see giant groundsels and lobelias. You arrive at Shira 2 Camp, which has stunning views of the peak and the plateau. This is a perfect spot to rest and take photographs.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

This is a crucial acclimatization day. You follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low." The trail climbs steadily for four to five hours to the Lava Tower at 4,630 meters. The landscape becomes barren and lunar. You stop here for lunch. The altitude is punishing, and many climbers feel the first effects of thin air. After lunch, you descend for two to three hours to the Barranco Camp, located in a sheltered valley at 3,960 meters. The descent gives your body relief and helps it adapt to the altitude. The camp is famous for the imposing Barranco Wall, which you will climb tomorrow.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

The day begins with the climb up the Barranco Wall. This is not a technical climb, but it is a steep scramble over loose rock. You will use your hands. The exposure is significant, but the views from the top are breathtaking. You look back at the route you have climbed and forward to the summit. After crossing the wall, the trail undulates through the alpine desert for four to five hours, passing through the Karanga Valley, before arriving at Karanga Camp.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

The trail climbs steadily for three to four hours through the barren alpine desert. The vegetation is gone. You are walking on volcanic scree. The peak of Kibo looms directly ahead. You arrive at Barafu Camp, a stark, exposed campsite perched on a rocky ridge. This is the final camp before the summit. There is no water here. You eat a simple dinner, fill your water bottles, and try to sleep by 6 PM. The summit push begins in a few hours.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Your guide wakes you at midnight. The night is freezing. You put on every layer of clothing you have. You start the climb by headlamp, the line of tiny lights snaking up the steep scree slope. The path is loose and steep. The air is thin. You stop every few steps to catch your breath. After five to seven hours of slow, grinding effort, you reach Stella Point at 5,739 meters, on the rim of the crater. The sun begins to rise. The sky turns orange and gold. From Stella Point, it is another one to two hours of hiking along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The feeling is overwhelming. After a few minutes for photographs, you begin the long, painful descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to the Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

The final day is a knee-jarring descent of four to five hours through the rainforest. The trail is steep and can be slippery. At the Mweka Gate, your driver is waiting. You receive your summit certificate. Those who reached Uhuru Peak get a gold certificate. The adventure is over. You are driven back to the hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.

The Lemosho Route is famous for its incredible biodiversity. The western slopes are wetter and less disturbed than the other sides of the mountain. The rainforest is thick and teeming with life. On Tanzania safaris, you will see troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys, their long white fur a stark contrast to the dark green leaves. You will also see blue monkeys and hear the calls of the silvery-cheeked hornbill. The forest floor is carpeted with ferns and wildflowers. The Shira Plateau is home to unique, prehistoric plants. The giant groundsels and lobelias look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss book. They have adapted to the freezing nights by closing their leaves to protect their growing tips. The plateau is also a good place to spot birds of prey, such as the white-necked raven and the alpine chat.

The Lemosho Route is a paradise for birders. The western rainforest is less disturbed than on other routes, offering a higher chance of seeing shy forest species. The Hartlaub's turaco is a spectacular bird, with a green body, purple wings, and a white crest. It is common in the forest canopy. The silvery-cheeked hornbill is another highlight, its massive beak and loud call echoing through the trees. As you climb into the moorland zone, the birdlife changes. The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a tiny, brilliant red bird that feeds on the giant lobelia flowers. The alpine chat is a grey and white bird that is common around the camps. The Lemosho Route also offers a chance to see the endemic Kilimanjaro white-eye, a small, yellow bird found only on the mountain.

The best time for a Tanzania safari to include a climb of the Lemosho Route is during the dry seasons from June to October and December to February. The weather is stable, the skies are clear, and the trails are dry. The worst months are April and May, the peak of the long rainy season. The trails become slippery and dangerous. January and February are also good months, though they are colder. For most climbers, the sweet spot is July through September. You get perfect trekking weather, clear views from the summit, and the best chance of a successful ascent.

On Tanzania safaris, the starting point for the Lemosho Route is the Londorosi Gate, located about a 2 to 3 hour drive from the town of Moshi. The road is rough and requires a 4x4 vehicle. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which has flights from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. From the airport, you are transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Your tour operator will arrange all transport to the gate.

Packing correctly is the difference between success and failure on Kilimanjaro. You need a warm, 4-season sleeping bag rated for -10°C or lower. The nights on the mountain are cold. You need a good quality tent. Your tour operator will provide a tent, but you can bring your own. You need sturdy, broken-in hiking boots. Do not bring new boots. You need layers. The temperature at the summit can drop to -20°C. Bring thermal underwear, fleece layers, a down jacket, a warm hat, thick gloves, and a balaclava. You need a headlamp with extra batteries for the summit night. A good pair of sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen are essential. The sun at altitude is brutal. Pack a reusable water bottle and a hydration bladder. You will drink three to five liters per day. A lightweight daypack for your water, camera, and layers is essential. Do not forget your camera.

The Lemosho Route uses tented camps. There are no huts. Your tour operator will provide a large, dome-style tent for sleeping. You will also have a separate mess tent for eating and socializing. The camps are basic. There are no showers and no flush toilets. Your guide will dig a "long drop" toilet. You will be expected to use wet wipes to clean yourself. The camps are located in exposed, windy locations. The tents are your only shelter from the cold.

Booking your Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris ensures that your climb of the Lemosho Route is safe, well-organized, and led by experienced, certified guides. Our guides have climbed Kilimanjaro hundreds of times. They know the signs of altitude sickness and the proper pacing for the summit push. On a Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris, we handle everything, including your airport transfers, hotel bookings in Moshi, park fees, camping permits, guides, porters, cooks, and all meals on the mountain. You just show up with your gear and your determination. Their itineraries are flexible. Want to take the recommended eight-day route for better acclimatization? We can do that. Want to combine your climb with a safari in the Serengeti or a beach holiday in Zanzibar? We can arrange it. You focus on the remote wilderness, the stunning Shira Plateau, and the feeling of standing on the roof of Africa. We handle everything else on your Tanzania safari.