Standing on the Roof of Africa – Kilimanjaro Ascent via the Lemosho Route
Standing on the Roof of Africa – at 5,985 meters, the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream for many mountaineers and trekkers. Together with local guides who live at the foot of the mountain and a German-speaking mountain hiking guide from the Alpinschule Garmisch, this dream can become a reality.
To maximize the chances of a successful ascent, it is essential to take enough time for acclimatization. That’s why, and because of its unique scenery, we have chosen the Lemosho Route for this adventure. The 8-day trek along the Lemosho Route is considered one of the most scenic and successful paths to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It leads through dense rainforest, across the mystical moorland of the Shira Plateau, and into the barren, high-alpine zone of the volcanic summit. Thanks to its gentle ascent and longer acclimatization phases, it offers the best conditions for a successful climb of Africa's highest peak.
We also want to highlight that the entire trip is led by a certified, German-speaking mountain hiking guide. The local guides from Tanzania speak excellent English, ensuring smooth communication and support even in challenging situations.
Tour Information
- Duration: 10 days
- Meeting Point: Hotel in Moshi (airport transfer included)
- Minimum number of participants: 6 people
- Included Services
- Guided by a certified German and english-speaking mountain guide and English-speaking local guides from the foot of Kilimanjaro
- 2 hotel nights (double room) with breakfast and dinner (single room available for €75/night, i.e. €150 total)
- 8 nights in tents incl. breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, clean drinking water all day, plus tea, hot chocolate, and coffee
- Robust expedition tents (2 people per tent)
- Warm, clean sleeping bag
- Comfortable sleeping mat
- Round-trip airport transfer to the hotel
- Transfers from the hotel to the start and end point of the trek
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
- Group tent for dining and relaxing
- Toilet tents including toilet paper
- Medical kits and emergency Oxygen
- Emergency evacuation with AMREF Flying Doctors or Kili MedAir Aviation
- Luggage transport by local porters (Fair and ethical treatment of porters)
- Additional Costs
- Flights to/from Tanzania (approx. €700–1,000)
- Visa (approx. USD 50)
- Tips: approx. USD 300 per person (mandatory in Tanzania)
- Optional single room surcharge (€150 total)
- Optional parking fees for your private car at the airport
- Participant Requirements
- Fitness: Good physical condition for daily stages of up to 10 hours, with up to 1,400 m ascent and 2,000 m descent
- Technique: Surefootedness and confident walking on intermediate mountain hiking trails (red-marked trails)
- Recommended Equipment
- Recommended Insurance
- Travel health insurance that covers mountain trekking (not classified as an expedition, but check if rescue/evacuation costs are included!)
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Optional: Accident insurance
- Country: Tanzania
Planned Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi, Kilimanjaro
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a representative from Kili World Born Safaris will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. The hotel offers everything you need for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, friendly staff, a pool, and internet access. In the morning, there will be a briefing with our guides to ensure you're ready for the climb.
Note:
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Hotel check-in from 12:00 p.m.
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Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
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Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 2: Trek from Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
A guide and the mountain team will meet you at the hotel in the morning for another briefing. Then you’ll drive about 2–3 hours to the western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park: the Lemosho Gate (2,100 m). After formalities (permits, rescue registration), the trek begins toward the first camp: Mti Mkubwa (2,780 m). Since you're walking through rainforest, rain protection is essential. Upon arrival, the team will set up tents and prepare lunch. Afterward, you'll take an acclimatization hike toward Shira 1 Camp (+300 m), then return for dinner at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Acclimatization hike:
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Elevation: 2,780 m → 3,095 m
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Distance: 2 km | Time: approx. 1 hour
Main trek:
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Start time: approx. 8:00 a.m.
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Elevation: 2,100 m → 2,780 m
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Distance: approx. 6 km | Time: 3–5 hours
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Vegetation: Rainforest | Difficulty: Easy
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m)
Breakfast and steady ascent to approx. 3,500 m, with views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo. The stage is moderate and supports acclimatization.
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Start time: approx. 6:00 a.m.
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Elevation: 2,780 m → 3,505 m
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Distance: approx. 5 km | Time: 5–6 hours
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Vegetation: Heathland | Difficulty: Easy
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m)
Gentle ascent with impressive views, including Mount Meru (in clear weather). Afternoon acclimatization hike (+300 m) toward Lava Tower.
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Start time: approx. 6:00 a.m.
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Main hike: 3,505 m → 3,900 m | 7 km | 3–4 hours
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Acclimatization: 3,900 m → 4,270 m | 2 km | 1–2 hours
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Vegetation: Moorland | Difficulty: Easy
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower (4,630 m) → Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Challenging section with several ascents and descents. Time spent at Lava Tower aids acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp with views of the Barranco Wall.
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Start time: approx. 6:00 a.m.
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Distance: approx. 12 km | Time: 6–8 hours
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Vegetation: Moorland | Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 6: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Early start to climb the Barranco Wall (easy scramble, approx. 1 hour). The trail continues with several elevation changes. Afternoon acclimatization hike toward Barafu (+200 m).
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Start time: approx. 6:00 a.m.
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Main hike: 3,960 m → 4,035 m | approx. 5 km | 4–5 hours
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Acclimatization: 4,035 m → 4,270 m | 2.5 km | 1–2 hours
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Vegetation: Moorland | Difficulty: Moderate
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 7: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Final ascent before summit day. Afternoon acclimatization hike to Kosovo Camp (+160 m). Early dinner and rest before the night climb.
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Start time: approx. 6:00 a.m.
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Main hike: 4,035 m → 4,640 m | approx. 6 km | 4–5 hours
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Acclimatization: 4,640 m → 4,800 m | 2 km | 1–2 hours
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Vegetation: Alpine desert | Difficulty: Moderate
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 8: Summit Ascent → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m)/Mweka Camp
Start around midnight. Each participant is accompanied by a personal guide. After summiting Uhuru Peak, descend via Barafu to Millennium or Mweka Camp.
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Start time: between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
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Elevation: 4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,820 m
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Distance: approx. 15 km | Time: 8–12 hours
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Vegetation: Arctic | Difficulty: High
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Accommodation: Tent
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Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, water (all you can drink and eat)
Day 9: Descent to Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Final descent through rainforest after breakfast. At the gate, you’ll receive your certificate and be transferred back to the hotel.
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Start time: approx. 7:30 a.m.
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Elevation: 3,820 m → 1,650 m
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Distance: approx. 12 km | Time: 4–5 hours
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Vegetation: Rainforest | Difficulty: Easy
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Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
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Meals: Dinner included
Day 10: Farewell / Departure
Rest day at the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note: Check-out by 11:00 a.m. Late check-out available for an additional fee.
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Departure time: depending on your flight
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Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
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Meals: Breakfast included
Included Services:
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Guided tour by a certified German-speaking mountain hiking guide and English-speaking local guides from the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro
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2 hotel nights including breakfast and dinner in a double room (single room available → surcharge €75 per night, i.e. €150 total)
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8 nights in tents, including breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, clean drinking water throughout the day, as well as tea, hot chocolate, and coffee
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Robust expedition tents (2 people per tent) (single tent available for an extra charge)
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Warm, clean sleeping bag
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Large and comfortable sleeping mat
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Round-trip airport transfer to and from the hotel
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Round-trip transfer from the hotel to the start and end point of the trek
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National park fees for Kilimanjaro National Park entry
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Group tent for dining and resting
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Toilet tents including toilet paper
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Medical kits and emergency oxygen bottle
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Emergency evacuation by AMREF Flying Doctors or Kili MedAir Aviation
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Luggage transport of additional travel gear by local porters ("Fair and Ethical Treatment of Porters")
Flights to and from Tanzania are not included in the tour Price!
Important Information About the Tour
1) Acclimatization
Take the short acclimatization hikes seriously – they help your body adapt to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Important notes starting from Day 1:
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No alcohol or caffeine
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Drink at least 3 liters of water per day (in small sips)
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If necessary, take Diamox (only after consulting your doctor)
2) Accommodation
We spend the first and last nights at a hotel in Moshi. The hotel offers clean rooms with showers, Wi-Fi, a pool, and a beautifully landscaped garden to relax in. A single room can be booked for an additional fee.
During the trek, two people share durable, high-quality expedition tents by Mountain Hardwear. A single tent is available for an extra charge. Included in the price is a comfortable, large sleeping mat and a warm sleeping bag. You may also bring your own sleeping bag and mat, although this does not reduce the tour price.
During the trek, a large mess/dining tent is available, as well as toilet tents with dry toilets, which are regularly emptied and do not smell.
3) Luggage
You should organize your gear as follows:
At home, try to pack all your equipment into one trekking backpack and one waterproof duffle bag (e.g., Ortlieb Duffle 85 or 110L). Be sure to observe the baggage weight limits of your airline! In one of these bags, pack a compressible stuff sack or small packable backpack in which you can store items you wish to leave at the hotel before the trek. Recommended: Ortlieb Light Pack or Salewa Ultralight 22 backpack.
1. Daypack (25–35 L)
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This backpack is carried by you during the day’s hikes
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Pack everything you need during the day: drinks, rain gear, personal medications, etc.
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It must have a waterproof rain cover
2. Waterproof duffle bag (80–110 L)
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This bag is carried by porters during the trek
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Maximum weight: 16 kg – this must not be exceeded!
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The bag must be waterproof and robust – porters carry it on their heads, and if it rains, no water should seep in
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Pack everything you don’t need during the hike: sleeping gear, spare shoes, toiletries, etc.
3. Light backpack or stuff sack
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For storing everything you don’t take on the trek in the hotel
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The hotel has a safe for valuables and cash
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Should be lightweight and compact, so you can pack it in your duffle or daypack during travel
4) Visa
A tourist visa for Tanzania is valid for three months from the date of issue and allows a single entry. The maximum length of stay is 90 days. Apply in advance, as processing may take time, and your passport must be valid for at least six months upon departure.
Additional visa information:
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Validity: 3 months from the date of issue
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Entry: Single entry only
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Maximum stay: 90 days
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Extension: Expired visas cannot be extended. A new application is required.
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Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Tanzania
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Online application: An e-visa can be applied for online; processing may take time
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Visa on arrival: Possible, but pre-approval is recommended
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Cost: Approx. USD 50
⚠️ Important:
Please do not apply for the visa until we confirm that the tour is guaranteed to take place. The visa fee cannot be refunded if the tour is canceled.
5) Vaccinations
In addition to standard vaccinations (measles, mumps, rubella), you must be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio – these are considered mandatory.
Optional vaccinations for Tanzania:
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Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis B
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Typhoid
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Yellow fever (no longer mandatory for entry into Tanzania)
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Malaria prophylaxis (note: the trek stays above 2,000 m where mosquito exposure is minimal)
Please consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations based on your personal health condition.
6) Flights
Flight booking is your responsibility, but we’re happy to assist if you have questions. The destination airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania. Airlines with connections include Lufthansa, SWISS, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and KLM.
⚠️ Important:
Please wait for our confirmation that the tour is guaranteed before booking your flight.
Alternatively, book a flexible ticket that can be canceled without fees.
We cannot reimburse cancellation costs if the tour is canceled!
7) Currency
Credit cards are accepted in many places in Tanzania. However, each participant should bring USD 350–450 in cash.
Don’t forget to bring money for tips (see “Additional Costs”).
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