BREAKDOWN OF KILIMANJARO CAMPSITES BY VARIOUS KILIMANJARO ROUTES
The camps at Kilimanjaro are massive and sprawling. Almost every campsite has a bunch of small little tents of climbers. From a distance, the tents seem to be stars covering the ground. Except on the Marangu Route, tents are the norm at Kilimanjaro Campsites.
Generally, there are seven main Kilimanjaro routes. The eighth route, known as Mweka, is only used for descent. Kilimanjaro campsites vary by route. Here is a detailed list of Kilimanjaro campsites by route.
ROUTES TO KILIMANJARO CAMPSITES
CAMPSITES ON THE LEMOSHO ROUTE
On the Lemosho Route there are six campsites, excluding the Mweka camp. The Mweka camp can be seen on the descent.
CAMP MTI MKUBWA (2,820 METERS)
Mti Mkubwa Camp is on the Lemosho route on Day 1. The starting altitude is 2,100 meters and the finishing altitude is 2,820 metres. The hiking time to Mti Mkubwa Camp is 4 hours.
SHARIA CAMP 1 (3,500 METERS)
The hike from Mti Mbukwa camp to Shira Camp 1 takes 5 hours. The starting altitude is 2,820 metres to 3500 metres.
The Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)
The hiking time from Shira camp 1 to Shira camp 2 is 4 hours. The starting altitude is 3500 meters to 3,850 meters.
CAMP BARRANCO KILIMANJARO (3,900 METERS)
The starting altitude from Shira camp 2 is 3,850 meters, and the end altitude at Barranco is 3,900 meters.
CAMP KILIMANJARO (3,960 METERS)
On Day 5, the route to Karanga camp crosses another short distance. It starts at 3,900 meters at the Barranco campsite, and ends at 3,960 meters at Karanga.
BARAFU CAMP KILIMANJARO (4,670 m)
Barafu camp is reached on Day 6. Its starting altitude is 3,960 meters at the Karanga campsite and 4,670 meters at Barafu camp. It takes up to five hours to reach this camp.
CAMPSITES ON THE SHIRA ROUTE
Unlike the Lemosho Route, the Shira Route is not suitable for trekkers without high-altitude trekking experience.
Shira is less favorable than Lemosho because of its high altitude. Climbers will experience altitude-related symptoms even on their first night camping.
CAMPSITES ON THE MACHAME ROUTE
There are 5 campsites on the Machame Route, excluding the Mweka camp on descent days.
The Machame Camp (2,820 meters)
On Day 1, Machame Camp is located on the Machame route. It starts at 1,800 metres and ends at 2,820 metres. The hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp takes five hours.
The Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)
On Day 2, Shira camp 2 lies on the Machame route. Its starting altitude is 2,820 meters and its ending altitude is 3,850 meters.
CAMP BARRANCO KILIMANJARO (3,900 METERS)
A seven-hour hike from Shira camp 2 to Barranco campsite is required from the Barranco campsite on Day 3. The starting altitude is 3,850 meters and the finishing altitude is 3,900 meters.
KARANGA CAMP KILIMANJARO (3,960 M)
Karanga Campsite is located on the Machame route on Day 4. The hiking time from Barranco campsite to Karanga Campsite is 4 hours.
CAMP BARAFU KILIMANJARO (4,670 METERS)
Barafu Campsite is on the Machame route on Day 5. The starting altitude is 3,960 meters and the finishing altitude is 4,670 meters. The hiking time from Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite is four hours.
CAMPSITES ON THE MARANGU ROUTE
Climbers should take an extra day to acclimatize on the Marangu Route, which can be crowded at times.
There are three main campsites on the Marangu route.
HUT MANDARA (2,700 METERS)
Mandara Hut Campsite is on the Marangu Route on Day 1, starting at 1,879 meters and finishing at 2,700 meters. It takes 4 hours to hike from Marangu Route to Mandara Hut Campsite.
3720 METERS HIGH HOROMBO HUT
Horombo Hut Campsite falls on the Marangu route on Day 2. Starting at 2,700 meters and finishing at 3,720 meters, it is a 6-hour hike from Mandara Hut Campsite to Horombo Hut Campsite.
Two nights are spent at this campsite by climbers.
HUT KIBO (4,700 METERS)
A total of 6 hours will be required to hike from the Horombo Hut Campsite to the Kibo Hut Campsite on Day 4. The starting altitude is 3,720 meters and the finishing altitude is 4,700 meters.
CAMPSITES ON THE RONGAI ROUTE
There are four campsites along the Rongai Route, excluding the Mweka route on descent days.
If you’re planning to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro then please go through this blog and use it as a canvas for planning your Kilimanjaro Hike. And don’t forget to share your feedback with us!