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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Find out why the Lemosho Route is a great option if you want a longer trek for acclimatisation. The extended time at altitude helps prepare your body for the higher elevations in the days ahead, while the trail reveals the incomparable natural beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro. Over 8 days, you will hike from forest trails and moorland to alpine desert and the ice-capped summit, culminating at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour journey.
From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades.
Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.
Elevation: 2400m/7838ft to 2700m/9137ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.
After crossing several streams, continue over the Shira Ridge and then gently descend to Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2700m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the plateau, making this an excellent acclimatisation day.
Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.
As you continue, your direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).
Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
Now continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at about the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Distance: 10 km
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4600m/15,350ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, begin your descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down.
Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4600m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3100m/10,190ft
Distance: 5 km up / 12 km down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 30 minutes away.
Elevation: 3100m/10,150ft to 1633m/5358ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Where this trip takes you
Lemosho Glades, Shira Plateau, Uhuru Peak summit
The route
The fine print
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Medical evacuation with AMREF Flying Doctors
2 nights of accommodation - one before and one after the trek - in good hotels
All park entrance fees
Mountain rescue fees
Airport transfers
All meals while on the mountain
Salaries for the guides, cooks, and porters
Highly experienced, English-speaking, professional Kilimanjaro mountain guides
Government tax
Camping gear
Hot water for washing every day
Clean, purified drinking water
Management and safety procedures
Waterproof tents on the climb, a mess tent, and crew tents
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Arrival and departure transfers
Tips for guides, cooks, and porters
Satellite device services to track your trek
Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for rent)
Travel insurance
Tanzania visa on arrival
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Optional tours (short safari after your climb, etc.)
Is it safe to travel to Africa? Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?
Africa is currently safe. Tanzania is very safe, and we are ready to organize your African epic holiday. Despite the fact that we are mostly safe from COVID-19, Tanzania still has standard operating procedures in place to contain COVID-19 and ensure your maximum safety. Some airlines have already resumed international flights, and we can plan the entire trip for you. Tanzania welcomes you again!
Requirements to get into the country: Visa
Visas are compulsory for all visitors and cost from $50. Visas are obtainable at the airport when you arrive, but it is better to have one before you land, as officials tend to "not have change." Visas are obtainable from the Tanzanian Embassy. You will need 2 passport photos and 2 completed forms. Should you not have the time to organize a visa, we will gladly assist you for a small fee.
Yellow Fever inoculation certificate
The inoculation is obtainable from your nearest travel clinic or from your local physician. Staple it into the front of your passport if you are afraid of losing it. Most African countries require this certificate, so do not travel in Africa without it.
Malaria tablets
Zanzibar is situated in a malaria zone, so it is recommended that you consult your physician on the prescription right for you. Pregnant women are not allowed to take malaria prevention drugs and are cautioned before entering any malaria area. To set your mind at rest, we stayed in Zanzibar for 2 years and fortunately never contracted malaria. This is not to say you will not get it... just be careful.
Insect/mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes, like little vampires, favor night conditions. Be sure to take a repellent and cover all exposed areas of your body, such as your neck and arms. We recommend that you wear trousers at night and long-sleeved shirts if you are outdoors. If the heat is too much and you wear a short-sleeved shirt, make sure you smear or spray your arms with repellent. Before you go to bed, make sure your mosquito net is either touching the ground or tucked in, and that your exposed areas, especially your ankles, are protected with repellent.
Anti-histamine cream
For those irritating bites.
Currency
Traveler's cheques and cash are accepted at hotels and bureau de change offices. US$ are the preferred currency. If you plan on taking cash, make sure you take large bills, such as $50 or $100, as these for some unknown reason always get a better rate. Do not go to the first bureau you see at the airport, as these, along with hotels and resorts, normally have the worst exchange rate. If you are planning on taking a taxi into town, rather pay the fare in US$ and go to a bureau in town. There are many all over town. Try to negotiate a better rate - you never know.
Try to pay for as much as possible in the local currency, Tanzanian shillings, always bearing in mind the exchange rate. If the locals see you have foreign currency, they will try to relieve you of it. Always haggle or bargain and try to pretend you know what you are doing. Remember to keep some of your home currency for your return, just in case. You will also have to pay a departure tax of $30 when you leave.
Embassies
There are a few consulates on the island, but all embassies are situated in Dar Es Salaam.
Do I need vaccinations to travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar?
The vaccination should be acquired a minimum of 10 days before travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar. A certificate of vaccination for Yellow Fever will be necessary for arrival from Kenya or other neighboring East African countries, and if you have traveled recently in any other areas at risk of Yellow Fever, including South America and parts of Asia.
Travel insurance
It is imperative that you have travel insurance. Even though they do not check any certificates when you enter the airports, for your own peace of mind, make sure that you are adequately covered.
What to pack
Communications
There are many internet cafes in major towns and at some hotels and resorts, so in a non-emergency this is the best form of communication. Charges range from Tsh1,000 to Tsh5,000 (about $1 to $5) for an hour's connection. The local telephone company, TTCL, is inadequate, so if you need to phone internationally, it is best to ask at the internet café. They usually have facilities, or they will be able to direct you to someone who has. Be careful, as it may be expensive.
Electricity
This is the same as in the UK and South Africa, being 220/230 V. Do not leave appliances plugged in all day, as there are many power fluctuations that might destroy them. US citizens will have to get an adapter and a transformer for Zanzibar power. If your plug does not match, enquire at a local shop - they should be able to assist.
Driving
If you are planning on renting a car or motorbike, make sure you have a valid international driver's license. You will be stopped at one of the many roadblocks, and often police are just looking for a bribe. Bribery has become a culture among the police, so make sure you have the correct documentation to avoid having to pay a bribe.
If you plan on driving in Stone Town, make sure you know the roads, as there are many one-way streets and the drivers are reckless. If a police car approaches with a siren, you have to pull over to the side of the road and stop, no matter which way it is going. Once it has passed, you may pull out and continue.
Crime
As with all cities, Zanzibar is not free of crime. Unfortunately, it has been on the increase, so make sure you do not take valuables on holiday with you. If you do take expensive jewelry, make sure it is either locked up when you go out or hidden from sight.
Be careful not to walk the streets at night alone, as this invites trouble. If you are confronted, do not resist, and try to report the matter to the police as soon as possible. The police are sometimes rude and arrogant, but an attempt will be made to recover your property.
The shorter rainy period of October to December often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go. Typically, the clouds disappear in the evening, leaving the nights and mornings very clear with excellent visibility.
January and February are usually dry, warm, and clear, with brief rain showers that make for good climbing conditions.
Even though one can climb throughout the year, January, February, and September are the best months, while July, August, November, and December are also good.
Logistics
Your 8 days finish where they began, in Moshi.
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