Explore Kilimanjaro Campsites

At Kilimanjaro’s campsites, a multitude of small tents dot the landscape like stars scattered across the ground. Sleeping in tents is standard on every route except the Marangu Route. With seven main routes to choose from, and the Mweka Route used only for the descent, each Kilimanjaro route has its own set of campsites. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Kilimanjaro’s campsites by route.

Kilimanjaro campsites by route

Lemosho Route campsites

The Lemosho Route has six campsites along the way, not counting Mweka Camp, which is used on the descent. Here is a breakdown of each campsite:

1. Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 metres): reached on Day 1 of the Lemosho Route, starting at 2,100 metres and climbing to 2,820 metres. The hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp takes about 4 hours.
2. Shira Camp 1 (3,500 metres): reached on Day 2, climbing from Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,820 metres to 3,500 metres. The hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1 takes around 5 hours.
3. Shira Camp 2 (3,850 metres): reached on Day 3, starting at Shira Camp 1 (3,500 metres) and climbing to 3,850 metres. The hike from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 usually takes 4 hours.
4. Barranco Camp Kilimanjaro (3,900 metres): reached on Day 4, starting from Shira Camp 2 (3,850 metres) and ending at 3,900 metres.
5. Karanga Camp Kilimanjaro (3,960 metres): reached on Day 5, starting from Barranco Camp (3,900 metres) and climbing to 3,960 metres.
6. Barafu Camp Kilimanjaro (4,670 metres): finally, on Day 6, climb from Karanga Camp (3,960 metres) to Barafu Camp at 4,670 metres. This hike usually takes up to 5 hours.

Shira Route campsites

The Shira Route is a challenging trek and is particularly unsuitable for trekkers without high-altitude experience. Like the Lemosho Route, it offers demanding terrain and stunning views. However, its high starting altitude poses significant challenges, and climbers can experience altitude-related symptoms even at the first campsite, at 11,800 feet. As a result, the Shira Route is considered less favourable than the Lemosho.

Machame Route campsites

The Machame Route has five campsites in total, not counting Mweka Camp, which is used on the descent.

Machame Camp (2,820 metres)

The Machame campsite is situated on the Machame Route and marks the end of the journey’s first day. Starting at 1,800 metres, the trail climbs to 2,820 metres, and the hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp takes about 5 hours.

Shira Camp 2 (3,850 metres)

On the Machame Route, the Shira Camp 2 campsite awaits trekkers on Day 2 of the trek. Starting at 2,820 metres, the trail climbs to 3,850 metres. The hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp 2 usually takes about 6 hours.

Barranco Camp Kilimanjaro (3,900 metres)

Located on the Machame Route, the Barranco campsite awaits trekkers on Day 3 of the trek. Starting at 3,850 metres, the trail climbs to 3,900 metres, and the journey from Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp usually takes about 7 hours.

Karanga Camp Kilimanjaro (3,960 metres)

Situated on the Machame Route, the Karanga campsite greets trekkers on Day 4 of their journey. Starting at 3,900 metres, the trail climbs to 3,960 metres. The hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp usually takes 4 hours.

Barafu Camp Kilimanjaro (4,670 metres)

Set along the Machame Route, the Barafu campsite awaits trekkers on Day 5 of the trek. Starting at 3,960 metres, the trail climbs to 4,670 metres, marking the final push before the summit. Trekkers usually spend 4 hours hiking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.

Marangu Route campsites

The Marangu Route, renowned for its scenic beauty, usually takes 5 days, although an extra day for acclimatisation is advisable. The trail does, however, tend to be crowded because of its popularity.

With three main campsites, the Marangu Route offers a unique trekking experience amid stunning landscapes.

Mandara Hut (2,700 metres)

The Mandara Hut campsite, situated on the Marangu Route, welcomes trekkers on Day 1 of the journey. Starting at 1,879 metres, the hike ends at 2,700 metres, with a total trekking time of about 4 hours.

Horombo Hut (3,720 metres)

On Day 2 of the Marangu Route, trekkers reach the Horombo Hut campsite. Starting at 2,700 metres, the trail climbs to 3,720 metres, with a hiking time of about 6 hours from Mandara Hut.

Kibo Hut (4,700 metres)

On Day 4 of the Marangu Route, climbers reach the Kibo Hut campsite. Starting at 3,720 metres, the trail climbs to 4,700 metres, with a hiking time of about 6 hours from Horombo Hut.

Rongai Route campsites

The Rongai Route has four campsites, not counting the Mweka route used for the descent.

Simba Camp (2,625 metres)

The Simba campsite is situated on the Rongai Route and is reached on Day 1 of the trek. Starting at 2,364 metres, the hike ends at 2,625 metres. The journey from Nalemuru Gate to Simba Camp usually takes around 3 hours.

Kikelewa Camp (3,630 metres)

The Kikelewa campsite is located on the Rongai Route and is reached on Day 2 of the trek. Starting at 2,625 metres, the hike ends at 3,630 metres. The journey from Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp usually takes around 7 hours.

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 metres)

The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated on the Rongai Route and is reached on Day 3 of the trek. Starting at 3,630 metres, the hike ends at 4,310 metres and usually takes around 4 hours from Kikelewa Camp. Climbers usually spend two nights at this camp.

Kibo Camp (4,700 metres) and the summit

The Kibo campsite is situated on the Rongai Route and is reached on Day 5 of the trek. Starting at 4,310 metres, the hike ends at 4,700 metres and usually takes around 4 hours from Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

Northern Circuit Route campsites

The Northern Circuit Route on Mount Kilimanjaro has seven campsites, not counting Mweka Camp, which is used on the descent.

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 metres)

On Day 1 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers reach the Mti Mkubwa campsite. Starting at 2,100 metres and climbing to 2,820 metres, the hike from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp usually takes about 4 hours.

Shira Camp 1 (3,500 metres)

On Day 2 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers reach the Shira Camp 1 campsite. Starting at 2,820 metres and climbing to 3,500 metres, the hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1 usually takes about 7 hours.

Shira Camp 2 (3,850 metres)

On Day 3 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers arrive at the Shira Camp 2 campsite. Starting at 3,500 metres and climbing to 3,850 metres, the hike from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 usually takes about 4 hours.

Moir Hut Camp (4,150 metres)

On Day 4 of the Northern Circuit Route, trekkers reach the Moir Hut campsite. Starting at 3,850 metres and climbing to 4,150 metres, the journey from Shira Camp 2 to Moir Hut usually takes about 7 hours.

Buffalo Camp (4,020 metres)

Day 5 of the Northern Circuit Route takes trekkers to the Buffalo campsite. Starting at 4,150 metres and descending to 4,020 metres, the hike from Moir Hut Camp to Buffalo Camp usually takes about 7 hours.

Third Cave Camp (3,870 metres)

Third Cave Camp is reached on Day 6 of the Northern Circuit Route. Starting at 4,020 metres at Buffalo Camp, hikers descend to 3,870 metres, reaching Third Cave Camp after about 6 hours of hiking.

School Hut (4,750 metres)

On Day 7 of the Northern Circuit Route, hikers climb to the School Hut campsite. Starting at 3,870 metres at Third Cave Camp, they climb to 4,750 metres, reaching School Hut after about 5 hours of hiking.

Kilimanjaro base camps

There are three main base camps on Mount Kilimanjaro:

1. Barafu Camp Kilimanjaro (4,670 metres): on the Lemosho, Machame and Umbwe routes, Barafu Camp is a bustling hub for climbers. Positioned on the zigzag path towards Stella Point, it sits at 5,739 metres above sea level and is the busiest camp on Kilimanjaro.
2. Kibo Hut (4,700 metres): at an altitude of 4,720 metres, Kibo Hut is the final resting point before the summit push on the Marangu and Rongai routes. Climbers gather here to prepare for the challenging ascent ahead.
3. Kilimanjaro Crater Camp (5,800 metres): the highest base camp on Kilimanjaro, just 475 feet below the summit. Because of its extreme altitude, climbers must be properly acclimatised before spending the night there.