The Lemosho Route on Mount Kilimanjaro is a scenic, 7-8 day trek that takes you through stunning landscapes, from lush forests to icy peaks. Along the way, you’ll stay at specific campsites each night. Below is a list of the campsites typically used on this route, followed by details about the recommended tents we use to keep you comfortable and safe.

Here’s the usual lineup of campsites for an 8-day Lemosho trek, starting at Londorossi Gate and ending at Mweka Gate. (A 7-day version might skip one, like Karanga Camp, to speed things up.) Each spot is chosen for flat ground and good rest:

1. Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp)

   • Height: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet)

   • Day: 1

   • Details: Your first night after a short hike from Londorossi Gate (2,100m/6,890ft). It’s in the rainforest, surrounded by tall trees and maybe some monkey chatter. It’s warm and humid here, with a cozy jungle vibe.

2. Shira 1 Camp

   • Height: 3,500 meters (11,483 feet)

   • Day: 2

   • Details: You climb out of the forest into the moorland. This camp sits on the Shira Plateau, with wide views of the mountain. It’s cooler and less rainy, but still lively with shrubs and birds.

3. Shira 2 Camp

   • Height: 3,900 meters (12,795 feet)

   • Day: 3

   • Details: Higher on the plateau, this spot has more open space and thinner air. You’ll see funky plants like giant lobelias. It’s a good place to start feeling the altitude while enjoying big skies.

4. Barranco Camp

   • Height: 4,200 meters (13,780 feet)

   • Day: 4

   • Details: Nestled below the steep Barranco Wall, this camp feels dramatic with rocky cliffs around. It’s chilly, and you might wake up to frost, but the views of Kibo Peak are worth it.

5. Karanga Camp

   • Height: 4,700 meters (15,420 feet)

   • Day: 5

   • Details: A stop in the alpine desert after climbing the Barranco Wall. It’s dry and rocky, with less vegetation. This extra night (skipped in 7-day treks) helps you adjust to the height before the summit push.

6. Barafu Camp

   • Height: 5,100 meters (16,732 feet)

   • Day: 6

   • Details: The last camp before the summit, high in the alpine desert. It’s cold, windy, and bare—just rocks and tents. You’ll rest here in the afternoon, then start the midnight climb to Uhuru Peak.

7. Mweka Camp (or Millennium Camp)

   • Height: 3,100 meters (10,171 feet)

   • Day: 7 (after summiting)

   • Details: After reaching the top, you descend to this forest camp. It’s warmer and greener, a relief after the icy summit. Some trips use Millennium Camp (3,800m/12,467ft) instead, depending on the pace.

8. Mweka Gate

   • Height: 1,600 meters (5,249 feet)

   • Day: 8

   • Details: Not a campsite, but the end point. You hike here from Mweka Camp, sign out, and head back to Moshi. It’s low, warm, and feels like a victory lap.

Mattresses for Comfort

Inside the tent, you’ll sleep on a foam mattress we provide. It’s padded and wrapped in waterproof material to keep you dry and comfy. The campsites on Lemosho are flat—no bumpy rocks or puddles—so you won’t feel uneven ground. If you want extra cushion, feel free to bring your own mattress, but ours should do the trick for most people.

Sleeping Bags for Warmth

A good sleeping bag is key on Lemosho because it gets cold, especially higher up. You can bring your own—just make sure it’s rated for -18°C (0°F) to handle the chill. Don’t have one? No worries—we rent out high-quality sleeping bags that are cleaned after every trip. Let us know ahead of time if you want to rent, and we’ll have it ready. Either way, a warm bag is a must for those frosty nights near the summit.

Who Sets Up Camp?

Our porters take care of everything. They hike ahead with your gear, pitch the tents, and set up your mattress and bag before you roll into camp—usually between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. You just show up, eat dinner, and crash. It’s all flat and dry, so you’re set for a good rest before the next day’s trek.

How Fatigue, Cold, and Altitude Affect Sleep

Climbing Lemosho is tiring—5-7 hours of hiking daily wears you out. Add in the cold and thinning air as you climb higher, and sleeping can get tricky. Above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), the air’s so thin you might breathe funny (called Cheyne-Stokes breathing), waking you up or making you feel off. Staying warm and rested helps you recover from sore legs and keeps altitude sickness at bay, so we make sure your sleep setup fights the chill.

Tips for a Cozy Night

Here’s how to sleep well on Lemosho:

• Set Up Your Bag: Pull your sleeping bag out of its sack and spread it on the mattress. This puffs it up, trapping warm air inside the fibers or feathers. Keep it away from the tent walls—dampness can sneak in and ruin the insulation.

• Add a Liner: Toss a fleece liner in your bag for extra warmth.

• Sleep Clothes: Pack a special set of cozy clothes just for sleeping—a warm base layer (top and bottom), thick socks, and a hat. At high camps like Barafu (5,100m/16,732ft), layer up more—your head loses heat fast!

• Stay Dry: Never sleep in wet clothes; they’ll make you colder. Keep your bag dry too.

• Warm Tricks: Fill a sealed bottle with hot water and tuck it in your bag as a foot warmer.

• Eat Up: Even if you’re not hungry, eat hearty meals—calories keep you warm and energized.

• Prep for Later: Leave next day’s clothes in your bag during the day so they’re toasty at night.

• Block Noise: Bring earplugs if wind or camp chatter bugs you.

• Pee Before Bed: Empty your bladder so you don’t wake up freezing to use the bathroom.

• Skip Pills: Sleeping pills sound nice but mess with acclimatization—avoid them.

Typical Night on Lemosho

After hiking, you’ll reach camp in the late afternoon. Dinner’s around 6-7 PM, then you’re in your tent by 8-9 PM. Most nights, you’ll sleep 8-10 hours—except summit night (Day 6 or 7), when you nap a few hours at Barafu Camp before starting the midnight climb. Camps like Mti Mkubwa (2,500m/8,202ft) are warmer; higher ones like Barranco (4,200m/13,780ft) get frosty. The routine keeps you rested for the long haul.

Why Camping on Lemosho Works

Lemosho’s 70-kilometer trail takes you through forests, moorlands, and icy peaks, and tents let you camp anywhere along the way. They’re tough enough for rain in the lower zones and snow near the top. If camping’s new to you and you’d rather skip tents, the Marangu Route has huts—but Lemosho’s wild beauty shines with this setup. With porters handling the hard stuff, you just enjoy the adventure and sleep under the stars!

Recommended Type of Tents We Use on Lemosho

On the Lemosho Route, camping is your home for the whole trek, so we use top-notch tents to keep you safe and comfy through all the climate zones—rainforest to Arctic. Here’s why our tents rock:

• Brand and Type: We recommend Mountain Hardwear 4-season tents. These are built for tough outdoor adventures, not just casual camping. “4-season” means they handle spring, summer, fall, and winter conditions—perfect for Kilimanjaro’s extremes.

• Why They’re Great:

  • Durable: Made with strong fabric, they stand up to wind, rain, and snow. Higher up on Lemosho (like Barafu Camp), winds can howl, and these tents won’t flop over.

  • Waterproof: Rain hits hard in the rainforest (Mti Mkubwa), and snow can dust the alpine zones (Barranco or Barafu). The tents’ waterproof layers keep you dry inside, even in a downpour.

  • Sturdy: Thick poles and solid anchoring hold them steady on rocky, uneven ground. No collapsing in the middle of the night!

• Size and Space:

  • They’re designed for three people, but we put just two climbers in each. This gives you room to stretch out and store your gear—like backpacks and boots—without feeling cramped.

  • There’s a small covered flap at the front, like a mini porch. You can leave muddy shoes or wet jackets there, keeping the sleeping area clean.

• How They’re Used:

  • Porters carry these tents ahead and set them up before you arrive at each campsite. By the time you roll in (usually 3-5 PM), your tent’s pitched on flat ground, ready for you to crash.

  • They’re paired with foam mattresses (waterproof and insulated) to cushion the hard earth. You won’t feel rocks poking through, even at high camps.

• Why We Pick These:

  • Lemosho takes you from steamy jungles to freezing peaks. These tents handle it all—rain at 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), frost at 4,700 meters (15,420 feet), and icy gusts near 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).

  • They’re light enough for porters to haul but tough enough to last the whole 70-kilometer (43-mile) trek.

  • Comfort matters. After 5-7 hours of hiking daily, you need a reliable spot to rest, and these deliver.

Comparison of Key Camps on Lemosho Route

Below is a detailed comparison of the key camps on the Lemosho Route, including Fischer’s Camp and its alternatives. This table highlights the main overnight stops, their altitudes, typical use, facilities, and notable features.