Lemosho Route Kilmanjaro trek
The starting point for the Lemosho route trek up Kilimanjaro is in the west, so you can already imagine what the sunsets will be like. This is one of the longer routes, and it boasts some fantastic scenic variation. It also offers more time to acclimatise, giving it the highest success rate of any of the main routes. You walk through Lemosho rainforest for two days on this route; camping in the luscious forest is a true treat on the first night. Then onto the more open, heather covered slopes that lead up to Shira Plateau – which involves a wonderful hike across the entire plain from west to east, on a relatively flat trail. Other routes intersect this Plateau, but this one embraces every bit of it and you pitch camp bang in the middle of it. Watching the mists fall over the plateau all around you is something else.
Our Kilimanjaro Holidays
Kilimanjaro climbing expedition holiday
Kilimanjaro with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
£2819
10 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
£2249
9 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Rongai route
Ascend Mt Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route
From
£3199 to £3779
10 days
inc UK flights
Kilimanjaro & Meru trekking holiday
An incomparable African odyssey for the dauntless trekker!
From
£4450 to £5000
15 days
ex flights
Lemosho trek up Kilimanjaro
Strenuous route up Africa's highest peak
From
£3086 to £3727
12 days
inc UK flights
Climbing Kilimanjaro, Machame Route 7 days
Climb Kilimanjaro and enjoy the scenery & wildlife of Tanzania
From
US $1995 to US $2995
7 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route
Awesome 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route
From
£2499
10 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Climb and Tanzania Safari
13 day Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari
From
£3599
13 days
ex flights
Tanzania holiday, Kilimanjaro trek, safari & beach
Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Zanzibar
From
£6950 to £9000
21 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Machame Route trek
Trek the amazing Machame Route to the summit of Kilimanjaro
From
£2474 to £3050
9 days
ex flights
Climb Kilimanjaro 7 day Marangu route
The Marangu Route is the ideal trek for all abilities
From
£2195
7 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro trek, Rongai Route
See Africa from the peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro.
From
£2155 to £2730
8 days
ex flights
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Eight days of trekking on Africa's highest mountain
From
£3999 to £4649
12 days
inc UK flights
Kilimanjaro Trek, Machame route
Push your mind and body to the limit
From
US $3200
9 days
ex flights
Climb Kilimanjaro 8 day Machame route
Experience the vast range of ecosystems Kilimanjaro has to offer
From
£2555
8 days
ex flights
Climb Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route
Summit the highest peak in Africa
From
£2180 to £2250
8 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Machame Route trekking holiday
Physical challenges, camping adventures & humbling sunrises
From
£2950
8 days
ex flights
Family Kilimanjaro trek in Tanzania
A child friendly trek to the beautiful Kilimanjaro
From
£1600 to £1900
10 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, 10 days
life time expedition and trek Mt. Kilimanjaro
From
£2245
10 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro summit trek and safari holiday, Tanzania
Hike Kilimanjaro and see wild game on a Serengeti safari
From
US $3199
11 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Lemosho trek and safari in Tanzania
Challenging trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
From
£3984 to £4651
14 days
inc UK flights
Climbing Kilimanjaro Marangu route holiday, Tanzania
Classic Kilimanjaro trek up the Marangu Route.
From
£2078 to £2640
8 days
ex flights
Family Kilimanjaro Climb & Serengeti safari holiday
Mt. Kilimanjaro climb with Serengeti wildlife safari
From
£2775
13 days
ex flights
Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro climb
Climb Africa's highest mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro
From
£2195
11 days
ex flights
Climb kilimanjaro 6 day Marangu route
The Marangu Route is a challenging but doable climb
From
£2045
6 days
ex flights
The next stop is Shira Cathedral, a highlight of the Lemosho route which is as dramatic as it sounds, with rocky spires and pinnacles that beckon hikers from across the plain. Lava starts to become a more prominent feature of the ascent, with features such as the dramatic Lava Tower rock mass. In glorious white contrast, the glaciers of the Western Breach come into view, as well as the Southern Icefields once you hit the SE flank of the Kibo cone on day five. From here on in, it is a steep, scree under toe trek to Barafu Ridge, with great views opening up to the east now, completing the wonderful west to east sweep of this route, and culminating in the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. The descent uses Mweka route heading due south.
On the Lemosho route the Shira Cathedral and the Plateau are gorgeous. As well as the Barranco wall, which are highlights for me.![]()
– Andrew Appleyard, keen Kili trekker and expert from our leading Kilimanjaro supplier, Exodus.
The pros and cons of Lemosho
It is a longer route and so it tends to be a little more expensive, but the rainforest experience is a wonderful addition to your trek. As it is more expensive, it also has fewer trekkers on it, although it merges with the Machame Route at one point, so there are more people on this part of the trail. So don’t expect a totally solitary trek all the way. It is, however, a slow, gentle trek, making it a wonderful way to acclimatise and, therefore, the success rate is high on this route. The remote road to Lemosho’s Londorossi Gate can be pretty rough after the rainy season, so be prepared for an adventurous ride if this is the case.
Our top Kilimanjaro Holiday
Kilimanjaro climb, Rongai route
Ascend Mt Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route
From
£3199 to £3779
10 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2020: 9 Oct, 24 Oct
2021: 5 Mar, 18 Jun, 17 Jul, 30 Jul, 14 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 25 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 19 Dec
2020: 9 Oct, 24 Oct
2021: 5 Mar, 18 Jun, 17 Jul, 30 Jul, 14 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 25 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kilimanjaro or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
More about Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March.
Climbing the highest, free-standing mountain in the world is an extraordinary achievement - but as this climbing Kilimanjaro travel guide reveals - it's one that is not out of reach.
Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route takes six to seven days to complete, and involves a fairly gentle ascent from the north. It's a great option if you want to avoid steep climbs, as well as other climbers.
The Machame Route is a seven day trek through varied landscapes, from jungle to heather-covered moors and glacial peaks - but Kilimanjaro’s most popular trail isn’t the easiest.
Many climbers opt for the five-day Marangu Route, the first established route for trekking Kilimanjaro. It’s the only one with huts, rather than tents, but it's often underestimated.
There are seven established routes for trekking Kilimanjaro and, while many climbers just opt for the most popular Marangu, Machame and Lemosho routes, each has their pros and cons.
Kilimanjaro may not be top of your list of family-friendly trips but, while this climb may be challenging, it’s perfectly doable for active children who love the outdoors.
Africa’s highest mountain is a popular but pretty challenging trek, only an estimated 65% of people make it to the top. If you're wondering “am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro?”, read on.
We've chatted to our holiday company experts and asked them for their top Kilimanjaro climbing advice - covering everything from safety on the mountain to what to pack.
Porters' rights are one of the biggest issues when it comes to Kilimanjaro responsible tourism. Read on to find out how to ensure they are protected, and in the best shape to help you up the mountain.
protection
