In this 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking safari, you will appreciate the fact that every journey of a thousand miles begins with a step and that step is now. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest snow-capped mountain covering a large area of Northern Tanzania, located on the border with Kenya; very scenic and ready to host the strong-hearted, mentally and physically fit hikers who spend five to nine days trekking to the peak, navigating their journey through Lemosho, Shira, Barranco, Karenga, Barafu, Uhuru and Mweka trail.
The hike gives you great views of lush forest, rocky paths, and maundering rivers till when you hit the peak where you will celebrate and be certified. Expect short breaks, stopovers, and camping during the trip, so you have to be fit physically and mentally, and equipped with torches, camera, supporting stick, a porter, good hiking boots, appropriate dress code among others.
Hiking commences at Lemosho trailhead after document verification at Londorossi gate and ends at the Mweka gate.
Hiking details
Day 1: Start your hike from Lemosho trailhead
Early in the morning, our driver-guide will meet you at either Kilimanjaro or Arusha international airport, brief you on every aspect of the trip before taking on a 4 hours’ drive to Londorossi gate where you will have document verification before proceeding to Lemosho trailhead.
Today’s hiking covers a distance of 11kms, a height of 5380 ft. above the ground and an estimate of 6-7 hours walk, depending on your speed, while crossing the thick rain forest, making a lunch break and watching the homesteads spread on the ground.
You will arrive at Machame camp where the first night of the seven nights will be spent, have sweet dinner and memorable stories as you take priceless photos of every level covered because it is a real sacrifice.
Day 2: More 5kms to Shira camp
Have morning refreshment, a cup of tea and then start a new journey upwards, covering 5kms and 5-6 hours walk but with short breaks and lunch stopovers; proceed with the journey that connects from forest woodland to savannah grassland, volcanic valleys and fascinating rolling hills, covered with numerous streams of water. Upon arriving at the second camp, relax with dinner before sleeping off.
Day 3: Proceed with 7m, from Shira camp to the Lave Tower
I believe the energy and morale is still a life, as you will start from where you stopped the previous day after breakfast. A walk that will take you approximately 5 hours gives 7kms and puts you 12,500 ft above the ground. It is at this point that you will admit and so “No retreat, no surrender”, as you navigate through the alpine deserts. You will spend your night at Barranco camp, located southeastern direction of the lava tower, a 300ft high volcanic creation.
Day 4: Resume from Barranco camp to Karanga camp
Early morning, the suns raise will wake you up for yet another task, that doesn’t require any technical skills but only a strong heart and a winning spirit. You will move from Barranco camping station, descending to 5kms, 13044 ft. above sea level and a journey that lasts for approximately 4-5 hours. Crossing a 900m long cliff, but passing by the base of the massive Barranco wall.
Watch the beautiful valleys and hills as you approach Karanga campsite where you will have dinner and overnight upon waiting for the next day’s journey. Take as many photos as possible because some chances come only once.
Day 5: Connect from Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, you will start a walk that will see you depart the southern circuit as you catch a compelling view of the summit from several directions. The journey that will last for 3-5 hours takes you to 13,106ft above the ground after having an exciting 4km walk to the record you have kept in the bag.
You will follow the Mweka trail with some of the unforgettable sceneries while on a tour that never ceases to amaze as you get a good view of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Day 6: Depart Barafu camp for Uhuru peak
Light at the end of the tunnel, that will be the victory song that will follow this day as you will be next to hit your target and become one of the countable hikers who have managed to reach the tallest peak in Africa. You will first have very heavy energy-giving breakfast before embarking on a 7-8-hour trek that passes through a forested area, yet covering 12kms and taking you 18,341 ft above the sea level.
You will have a relaxed evening upon arriving at Uhuru peak, very exhausted but with unquestionable happiness, as you have dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 7: Journey to the summit from Uhuru peak
Wake up refreshed and ready for the climax, to break the egg and hoping it doesn’t spill. A journey that is a bit strenuous, with a lot of coldness and windy weather at the summit. Torches will be at work here as you approach the Stella point which is 18900 ft high above sea level.
One gift that won’t furnish from your memories will be the beautiful sunrise not seen anywhere but easily spotted from the Mawenzi peak. At last, you will reach the Uhuru peak, Kilimanjaro highest point, and the highest peak in Africa, take photos will at on top, ask questions and so on before descending to Mweka, and stopover at Barafu for lunch.
Dinner, celebrations and all sorts of fun will be at Mweka camp where you will call off the day with a peaceful sleep
Day 8: Descend for Certification and departure
Wakeup excited, strong and with endless stories of how interesting or tasking the experience was, but start it up with breakfast before descending for 10km, on a 3-4 hour walk to Mweka gate where you will be given the certificate or reaching the peek before you proceed to Mweka village where the driver will pick you up for the drive to either Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport.
End of the safari while using the Machame Trail
