Kilimanjaro campsites
At Kilimanjaro campsites, a multitude of small tents dot the landscape, resembling stars strewn across the ground. Except for the Marangu Route, sleeping in tents is the standard. With seven main routes to choose from and the Mweka Route solely for descent, each Kilimanjaro route features its unique set of campsites. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Kilimanjaro campsites categorized by route:
KILIMANJARO CAMPSITES ACCORDING ROUTES
LEMOSHO ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Lemosho Route offers six campsites along its path, excluding Mweka Camp, which is experienced during descent. Here’s a breakdown of each campsite:
- Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters): Located on Day 1 of the Lemosho route, starting at 2,100 meters and reaching 2,820 meters. The hike to Mti Mkubwa camp takes approximately 4 hours.
- Shira Camp 1 (3,500 meters): On Day 2, starting from Mti Mkubwa camp at 2,820 meters and ascending to 3,500 meters. The hike from Mti Mkubwa camp to Shira Camp 1 takes around 5 hours.
- Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters): Found on Day 3, starting at Shira Camp 1 (3,500 meters) and reaching 3,850 meters. The hike from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 typically takes 4 hours.
- Barranco Camp Kilimanjaro (3,900 meters): Encounter this campsite on Day 4, starting from Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) and ending at 3,900 meters.
- Karanga Camp Kilimanjaro (3,960 meters): Reached on Day 5, starting from Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) and ascending to 3,960 meters.
- Barafu Camp Kilimanjaro (4,670 meters): Finally, on Day 6, ascend from Karanga Camp (3,960 meters) to Barafu Camp at 4,670 meters. This hike typically takes up to 5 hours.
SHIRA ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Shira Route presents a challenging trek, particularly unsuitable for inexperienced high-altitude trekkers. Similar to the Lemosho route, it offers rigorous terrain and stunning vistas. However, its starting altitude poses significant challenges, with climbers encountering altitude-related symptoms even at the initial camping site situated at 11,800 feet. As a result, the Shira route is considered less favorable compared to Lemosho.
MACHAME ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Machame Route features a total of 5 campsites, excluding the Mweka camp used for descent.
MACHAME CAMP (2,820 METERS)
The Machame campsite is situated along the Machame route, marking the journey’s first day. Starting at an altitude of 1,800 meters, the trail ascends to 2,820 meters, with a hiking duration of approximately 5 hours from Machame Gate to Machame Camp.
SHIRA CAMP 2 (3,850 METERS)
On the Machame route, the Shira camp 2 site awaits on Day 2 of the trek. Beginning at an altitude of 2,820 meters, the trail leads to an elevation of 3,850 meters. The hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp 2 typically takes about 6 hours to complete.
BARRANCO CAMP KILIMANJARO (3,900 METERS)
Located along the Machame route, the Barranco campsite awaits on Day 3 of the trek. Starting at an altitude of 3,850 meters, the trail ascends to 3,900 meters. The journey from Shira Camp 2 to Barranco campsite typically takes approximately 7 hours to complete.
KARANGA CAMP KILIMANJARO(3,960 METERS)
Situated on the Machame route, the Karanga Campsite greets trekkers on Day 4 of their journey. Starting at an altitude of 3,900 meters, the trail ascends to 3,960 meters. The hike from Barranco campsite to Karanga Campsite typically spans 4 hours.
BARAFU CAMP KILIMANJARO(4,670 METERS)
Nestled along the Machame route, the Barafu Campsite awaits on Day 5 of the trek. Beginning at 3,960 meters, the trail ascends to 4,670 meters, marking the final push before the summit. Trekkers typically spend 4 hours hiking from the Karanga Campsite to reach Barafu Campsite.
MARANGU ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Marangu Route, renowned for its scenic beauty, typically spans 5 days, although an extra day for acclimatization is advisable. However, the trail tends to be crowded due to its popularity.
Featuring three main campsites, the Marangu Route offers a unique trekking experience amidst stunning landscapes.
MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS)
The Mandara Hut Campsite, situated along the Marangu Route, welcomes trekkers on Day 1 of the journey. Starting at an altitude of 1,879 meters, the hike culminates at 2,700 meters, with a total trekking time of approximately 4 hours.
HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS)
On Day 2 of the Marangu Route, trekkers will reach the Horombo Hut Campsite. Beginning at an altitude of 2,700 meters, the trail ascends to 3,720 meters, with a hiking duration of approximately 6 hours from the Mandara Hut Campsite.
KIBO HUT (4,700 METERS)
On Day 4 of the Marangu Route, climbers will reach the Kibo Hut Campsite. Starting at an altitude of 3,720 meters, the trail climbs to 4,700 meters, with a hiking duration of approximately 6 hours from the Horombo Hut Campsite.
RONGAI ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Rongai Route features 4 campsites, excluding the Mweka route used for descent.
SIMBA CAMP (2,625 METERS)
The Simba Campsite is situated along the Rongai route and is reached on Day 1 of the trek. Starting at an altitude of 2,364 meters, the hike concludes at 2,625 meters. The journey from Nalemuru Gate to the Simba Campsite typically takes around 3 hours.
KIKILEWA CAMP (3,630 METERS)
The Kikilewa Campsite is located along the Rongai route and is reached on Day 2 of the trek. Starting at an altitude of 2,625 meters, the hike concludes at 3,630 meters. The journey from the Simba Campsite to the Kikilewa Campsite typically takes around 7 hours.
MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4,310 METERS)
The Mawenzi Tarn Campsite is situated along the Rongai route and is reached on Day 3 of the trek. Beginning at an altitude of 3,630 meters, the hike concludes at 4,310 meters. It typically takes around 4 hours to travel from the Kikilewa Campsite to the Mawenzi Tarn Campsite. Climbers usually spend 2 nights at this campsite.
KIBO CAMP (4,700 METERS) TO SUMMIT
The Kibo Campsite is situated along the Rongai route and is reached on Day 5 of the trek. Starting at an altitude of 4,310 meters, the hike concludes at 4,700 meters. It typically takes around 4 hours to travel from the Mawenzi Tarn Campsite to the Kibo Campsite.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE CAMPSITES
The Northern Circuit Route on Mount Kilimanjaro includes 7 campsites, not including the Mweka camp designated for descent.
MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2,820 METERS)
On Day 1 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers will reach the Mti Mkubwa Campsite. Starting at 2,100 meters and reaching an altitude of 2,820 meters, the hike from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Campsite typically takes about 4 hours.
SHIRA CAMP 1 (3,500 METERS)
On Day 2 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers will reach the Shira Camp 1 Campsite. Starting at 2,820 meters and reaching an altitude of 3,500 meters, the hike from the Mti Mkubwa Campsite to Shira Camp 1 typically takes about 7 hours.
SHIRA CAMP 2 (3,850 METERS)
On Day 3 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers will arrive at the Shira Camp 2 Campsite. Starting at 3,500 meters and reaching an altitude of 3,850 meters, the hike from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 typically takes about 4 hours.
MOIR HUT CAMPSITE (4,150 METERS)
On Day 4 of the Northern Circuit Route, trekkers reach the Moir Hut Campsite. Beginning at an altitude of 3,850 meters and ascending to 4,150 meters, the journey from Shira Camp 2 to Moir Hut typically spans about 7 hours.
BUFFALO CAMP (4,020 METERS)
Day 5 of the Northern Circuit Route leads trekkers to the Buffalo Campsite. Beginning at an altitude of 4,150 meters and descending to 4,020 meters, the hike from Moir Hut Campsite to Buffalo Campsite typically takes about 7 hours.
THIRD CAVE CAMP (3,870 METERS)
The Third Cave Campsite is reached on Day 6 of the Northern Circuit Route. Starting from an altitude of 4,020 meters at Buffalo Campsite, hikers descend to 3,870 meters, reaching the Third Cave Campsite after approximately 6 hours of hiking.
SCHOOL HUT (4,750 METERS)
On Day 7 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers ascend to the School Hut Campsite. Beginning at an altitude of 3,870 meters at the Third Cave Campsite, they climb to 4,750 meters, reaching the School Hut Campsite after approximately 5 hours of hiking.
KILIMANJARO BASE CAMPSITES
There are three main Mount Kilimanjaro base camps:
- Barafu Camp Kilimanjaro (4,670 meters): Located on the Lemosho, Machame, and Umbwe routes, Barafu Camp is a bustling hub for climbers. Positioned along a zigzag path toward Stella Point, it sits at 5,739 meters above sea level, making it the busiest camp on Kilimanjaro.
- Kibo Hut (4,700 meters): Positioned at an altitude of 4,720 meters, Kibo Hut serves as the final resting point before the summit push on the Marangu and Rongai routes. Climbers gather here, preparing for the challenging ascent ahead.
- Kilimanjaro Crater Camp (5,800 meters): The highest base camp on Kilimanjaro, situated just 475 feet below the summit. Due to its extreme altitude, climbers must acclimatize properly before spending the night there.
