About
A Beautiful, Gradual Journey to the Roof of Africa
The Lemosho Route is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic and well-paced approaches, beginning on the quieter western side of the mountain and gradually joining the southern circuit beneath Kibo. The route crosses rainforest, the vast Shira Plateau, alpine desert and Kilimanjaro’s dramatic high-altitude landscapes before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.
With eight days on the mountain, the itinerary provides valuable time for gradual acclimatization. It is an excellent choice for travellers who prefer a less hurried climb, spectacular scenery and a route that allows the body more time to adjust before summit night.
Trek at a Glance
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights on the mountain
Route: Lemosho Route
Highest Point: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
Accommodation: Mountain camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: Londorossi Gate / Lemosho Trailhead
Descent: Mweka Gate
Best For: First-time climbers, photographers and trekkers prioritizing acclimatization and scenery
Itinerary
Day 1: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: Approx. 2,100 m → 2,650 m
Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Your Lemosho adventure begins with a drive to the western side of Kilimanjaro for registration at Londorossi Gate before continuing toward the trailhead. Here, you meet the mountain crew, make final preparations and take your first steps toward Africa’s highest summit.
The opening trail winds through lush montane rainforest where moss-covered trees, ferns and thick vegetation create a wonderfully different introduction to the mountain. Wildlife sightings are possible, particularly monkeys and forest birds. You eventually reach Mti Mkubwa, meaning “Big Tree,” for your first evening beneath Kilimanjaro’s forest canopy.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,500 m
Habitat: Rainforest → Heath & Moorland
Trekking Time: Approx. 5–6 hours
After breakfast, you leave the forest behind and climb into the heath and moorland zone. Trees become smaller, the horizon expands and your first broad views across Kilimanjaro’s western landscape begin to appear.
The trail continues upward toward the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic landscape sitting high above the surrounding plains. By afternoon you arrive at Shira 1 Camp, where the open surroundings provide beautiful views and your first real sense of Kilimanjaro’s enormous scale.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
Habitat: Heath & Moorland
Trekking Time: Approx. 4–5 hours
Today is deliberately gentler. Rather than racing upward, you cross the Shira Plateau toward Shira 2, allowing your body valuable time to adapt to the altitude.
The relatively open terrain offers wonderful views of Kibo and Kilimanjaro’s surrounding wilderness. Depending on conditions and how the group is feeling, your guides may incorporate additional acclimatization walking before settling into camp.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,600 m → 3,950 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 6–8 hours
This is one of the most important acclimatization days of the trek. From Shira, you climb steadily toward the striking volcanic formation of Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 metres.
After spending time at this higher elevation, you descend toward Barranco Camp. The “climb high, sleep low” profile gives your body another opportunity to adjust to altitude.
The scenery changes dramatically along the way, and by the time you reach Barranco, the immense Barranco Wall towers above camp. Tomorrow morning, that wall becomes your trail.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,950 m → 4,035 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 4–5 hours
After breakfast, you begin climbing the famous Barranco Wall. From below it appears formidable, but the route winds cleverly upward through the rock. Your guides lead the way while you occasionally use your hands for balance.
Reaching the top brings one of the great visual rewards of the Lemosho Route, with sweeping views across Kilimanjaro’s southern slopes and glaciers.
The trail then crosses a series of valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp. The shorter trekking day leaves plenty of time to rest, hydrate and continue adapting to the altitude.
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,640 m
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking Time: Approx. 3–5 hours
Leaving Karanga, the landscape becomes increasingly barren as you climb toward Barafu, your final camp before the summit.
Once at camp, your priority is recovery and preparation. Your guides will explain the summit plan while you organize warm clothing, headlamps, water and the equipment needed for the night ahead.
After an early dinner, try to get some rest. The next time you put on your boots, you will be walking toward the highest point in Africa.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
Habitat: Arctic / Alpine Desert → Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 12–16 hours
Summit day begins around midnight.
Under a sky filled with stars, you leave Barafu and climb slowly through the darkness. Your guide maintains a careful pace as the trail zigzags upward toward Stella Point on Kilimanjaro’s crater rim.
From Stella Point, the final section follows the rim toward Uhuru Peak. Dawn begins spilling across the horizon, illuminating glaciers, clouds and the vast plains far below.
Then comes the moment you have spent the previous seven days working toward:
Uhuru Peak – 5,895 metres
You are standing on the highest point in Africa.
After photographs and time to absorb the achievement, you begin descending. You return to Barafu for a short rest and meal before continuing much farther down the mountain to Mweka Camp.
Tonight, oxygen is richer, temperatures are warmer and the summit is finally behind you.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m
Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Trekking Time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Your final walk takes you back through Kilimanjaro’s lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate. After a week of volcanic rock, thin air and high-altitude wilderness, the greenery feels almost impossibly alive.
At the gate, you complete park formalities, say goodbye to the mountain crew and receive your summit certificate where applicable. Your vehicle will then transfer you back to your hotel for a well-earned shower, meal and rest.
The mountain that dominated the horizon eight days ago now carries a very different meaning. You have stood on its summit.
Why Choose the 8-Day Lemosho Route?
More Time to Acclimatize
The eight-day schedule provides a gradual ascent and several valuable acclimatization opportunities before summit night.
Exceptional Scenery
Lemosho crosses some of Kilimanjaro’s most diverse landscapes, from western rainforest and the Shira Plateau to Lava Tower, Barranco Wall and the summit glaciers.
Quieter Beginning
The western approach is generally quieter during the early stages before eventually joining other trails higher on the mountain.
A More Relaxed Pace
Compared with shorter itineraries, eight days allows the journey to breathe. There is more time to walk steadily, recover and appreciate the mountain rather than simply chase the summit.
Inclusives
- All Park fees
- Professional licensed mountain guide
- Porters and mountain cook
- accommodation on the mountain
- Meals during the trek
- Drinking water during the climb
- Rescue fees
- Summit certificate for successful climbers
- Roundtrip Airport transfers
- Government taxes and levies
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Personal expenses
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
Request a Free Quote
Need Help Planning?
Not sure which safari fits your dates, budget or travel style? Speak with our team and we’ll help you shape the right Tanzania journey.
Email Us
info@baloafricansafaris.com
Call / WhatsApp
+255 676 700 743