Exploring the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
The Northern Circuit Route is not like the other paths up Mount Kilimanjaro. It is not the quick ascent of the Marangu Route or the steep challenge of the Umbwe Route. It is the longest, the least crowded, and the most successful route on the mountain, offering trekkers a full ten to eleven days to acclimatize and a wilderness experience that the other routes cannot match . On Tanzania safaris, most climbers rush to the summit in six or seven days. They push their bodies to the limit, and many turn back due to altitude sickness. The Northern Circuit is different. It approaches the mountain from the west, then loops around the northern slopes, giving you a 360-degree view of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding plains . On Tanzania safaris, the Northern Circuit is for those who want to maximize their chances of reaching the summit, for those who want to walk in solitude, and for those who want to experience the raw, untouched beauty of the mountain's quiet side.
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The Northern Circuit Route Itinerary on Tanzania Safaris
On Tanzania safaris, the Northern Circuit Route is typically completed in nine to ten days, though some operators offer an eight-day option. The ten-day itinerary is highly recommended, as it offers the best acclimatization and the highest summit success rate, often over 95% . The path is a circuit, ascending on the western slopes, traversing the remote northern slopes of Kibo, and descending on the eastern side via the Mweka Route, 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. You arrive at Shira 1 Camp, located on the edge of the Shira Plateau.
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.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut (4,200m)
The trail leaves the main circuit and heads north, away from the crowds. You climb steadily for four to five hours through the alpine desert. The vegetation thins out. You arrive at Moir Hut, a remote campsite on the northern slopes of the mountain. This is where the Northern Circuit truly begins.
Day 5: Moir Hut to Pofu Camp (4,020m)
This is an acclimatization day with a twist. You follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low." In the morning, you will hike up to the Lent Hills at 4,600 meters. The views of the northern plains and the distant Mount Meru are spectacular. After a few hours, you descend to Pofu Camp, a beautiful, remote campsite nestled in a valley. This extra day of elevation gain without sleeping high is crucial for success.
Day 6: Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp (3,900m)
The trail continues across the northern slopes. The landscape is barren and lunar. You are walking on volcanic scree. The views of the Kenyan plains stretch out below you. The silence is profound. After five to six hours, you arrive at the Third Cave Camp, a basic campsite near a series of natural rock overhangs.
Day 7: Third Cave Camp to School Hut (4,700m)
The trail climbs steadily for four to five hours. You are now on the eastern side of the mountain. The vegetation is gone. You are walking on loose volcanic scree. The peak of Kibo looms directly ahead. You arrive at School Hut, a basic campsite at the base of the crater wall. This is the final camp before the summit. You eat a simple dinner, fill your water bottles, and try to sleep by 6 PM.
Day 8: School Hut 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 Gilman's Point at 5,681 meters, on the rim of the crater. The sun begins to rise. The sky turns orange and gold. From Gilman's 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 of accomplishment, after ten days on the mountain, is immeasurable. After a few minutes for photographs, you begin the long, painful descent back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue down to the Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 9: 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.
Wildlife and Nature at Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
The Northern Circuit Route is the wildest route on Kilimanjaro. The northern slopes are remote and see very few trekkers. The wildlife is less disturbed. On Tanzania safaris, you may see herds of eland and zebra grazing on the lower slopes of the Shira Plateau. The area around the Third Cave is known for its klipspringers, small antelope that are perfectly adapted to the rocky terrain. The birdlife is also excellent. The northern slopes are a migration corridor for birds of prey. You might see Verreaux's eagles, augur buzzards, and lammergeiers soaring overhead.
Birding at Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
The Northern Circuit Route offers the best birding on Kilimanjaro. The long itinerary gives you many opportunities to scan the skies and the slopes. The alpine desert zone is home to the alpine chat and the scarlet-tufted sunbird. The heather zone is home to the white-necked raven. The forests on the descent are home to the Hartlaub's turaco and the silvery-cheeked hornbill. The Northern Circuit is also the best route to see the endemic Kilimanjaro white-eye, a small, yellow bird found only on the mountain.
Best Time to Climb the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
The best time for a Tanzania safari to include a climb of the Northern Circuit 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 Northern Circuit is less crowded than the southern routes at any time of year, but the crowds are particularly thin in January and February. For most climbers, the sweet spot is July through September. You get perfect trekking weather and clear views from the summit.
How to Get to the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
On Tanzania safaris, the starting point for the Northern Circuit Route is the Londorosi Gate, the same as the Lemosho Route. The gate is 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). From the airport, you are transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Your tour operator will arrange all transport to the gate.
What to Carry for the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
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. 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.
Accommodation on the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
The Northern Circuit 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.
Why Book with Dav Safaris for the Northern Circuit Route on Tanzania Safaris
Booking your Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris ensures that your climb of the Northern Circuit 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 longest route on the mountain. 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 ten-day route for the best 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 northern views, and the feeling of walking where few have walked before. We handle everything else on your Tanzania safari.
