7- Day Safari Lemosho Route.

After registration at Londorossi Gate, a short drive takes you to the Lemosho trailhead. The hike begins in lush rainforest, where you might spot monkeys and colorful birds. The trail is fairly gentle with a gradual ascent to Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa), located in the forest. This day is mainly about settling into the rhythm of the mountain and allowing your body to begin adjusting to the altitude.

Leaving the rainforest, you climb into the heather and moorland zone. The trail steepens and becomes rockier as you ascend the Shira Ridge, with your first real views of Kibo Peak (the main summit of Kilimanjaro). After crossing into the Shira Plateau, the landscape opens up. You camp at Shira 1, a wide, open area with expansive views.

Today is a shorter trek that allows for further acclimatization. You cross the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The trail is relatively flat, but the high altitude can make it tiring. You’ll arrive early at Shira 2 Camp, giving you time to rest or take an optional acclimatization hike toward Lava Tower. This is an important day for letting your body adapt to the thin air.

This is a crucial “climb high, sleep low” day. You ascend to Lava Tower at 4,630m, where you stop for lunch, before descending into the scenic Barranco Valley. Along the way, the terrain becomes alpine desert—dusty, dry, and rocky—but the views of the Western Breach and Kibo are stunning. After a long day, you descend to Barranco Camp, located beneath the dramatic Barranco Wall.

Your day begins with a scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep, rocky section that requires hands-and-feet climbing in parts. Though it looks intimidating, it’s not technical and is often described as fun. After reaching the top, you hike up and down several ridges in the Karanga Valley before arriving at Karanga Camp. This shorter day is vital for rest and acclimatization before your summit push.

The trail to Barafu Camp is steep and passes through alpine desert. It’s a short hike but feels tough due to the altitude. You’ll reach Barafu by early afternoon to rest, eat, and prepare for summit night. You’ll have an early dinner and try to sleep by 7 PM, as the summit attempt begins around midnight. The camp offers a spectacular view of the summit and surrounding glaciers.

The summit attempt starts in the dark, usually around midnight. You’ll ascend slowly up the scree to Stella Point (5,739m), where the sun begins to rise. From there, a final push along the crater rim leads to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating and taking photos, you descend back to Barafu, rest briefly, then continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain. It’s a long, grueling, but unforgettable day.