The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and less crowded routes for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its beauty and higher success rates due to better acclimatization opportunities, it is a popular choice among trekkers seeking a less busy and more varied path to the summit.

Overview of the Lemosho Route

Duration: Typically 7-8 days

Distance: Approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles)

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Popularity: Moderate

Scenery: Extremely varied and scenic, offering diverse landscapes

Key Features

1. Accommodation: The Lemosho Route involves camping in tents. Porters carry the camping equipment, and campsites are set up at designated spots along the route.

2. Campsites:

• Mti Mkubwa Camp: The first campsite located in the rainforest.
• Shira 1 Camp and Shira 2 Camp: Campsites on the Shira Plateau, offering expansive views.
• Barranco Camp: Situated in the shadow of the Great Barranco Wall.
• Karanga Camp: Often used for acclimatization before the final ascent.
• Barafu Camp: The base camp for the summit push.
• Mweka Camp: The descent route ends here.

3. Scenic Beauty: The Lemosho Route is known for its stunning and varied landscapes, including lush rainforests, heath, moorland, alpine deserts, and breathtaking views from various vantage points. The trek also includes a challenging climb up the Barranco Wall.

4. Better Acclimatization: The route provides excellent acclimatization due to its length and the “climb high, sleep low” principle. This increases the chances of successfully reaching the summit compared to routes with a more rapid ascent.