African Safaris Hub Kilimanjaro
- +255 784 419 343
- kilimanjaro@africansafarishub.com
Kilimanjaro · Lemosho Route
Lemosho Route Full Moon Summit Climb
Kilimanjaro’s most scenic route, with summit night timed to the full moon — a naturally lit ascent across the glaciers of Uhuru Peak.
Overview
The Lemosho Route, summited by moonlight
The Lemosho Route is widely regarded as Kilimanjaro’s most beautiful path to the summit — a wide, quiet approach through untouched rainforest and across the wide-open Shira Plateau, with lower foot traffic than the busier eastern routes. It joins the southern circuit at Barranco, taking in the famous Barranco Wall on the way to Barafu.
This package times your summit push to fall on or near a full moon. Instead of climbing through total darkness lit only by headlamps, you ascend under moonlight strong enough to pick out the glacier fields and the outline of the crater rim before sunrise — a genuinely different summit-night experience, and a favourite for photographers.
Because timing is fixed to the lunar calendar rather than your preferred travel dates, full-moon departures run on a small number of fixed windows each month. Everything else — guiding standard, crew welfare, safety protocol — matches our standard Lemosho climb.
Trip at a glance
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Route
Lemosho, full moon timed
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
Uhuru Peak, 5,895m
Accommodation
Mountain tents + hotel
Departure dates
⚠ Fixed to lunar calendar — confirm with our team
Group
Private or small group
Trip highlights
What you’ll experience
- A moonlit summit push — ascend Barafu to Uhuru Peak under natural light rather than darkness alone.
- The quiet Lemosho approach, with lower climber traffic than the eastern routes.
- The wide-open Shira Plateau, one of the most photographed stretches on the mountain.
- The Barranco Wall scramble, a fun, non-technical climb with sweeping views.
- Sunrise on Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point, as moonlight gives way to dawn.
Day by day
Your 7-day Lemosho itinerary
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Forest Camp)
After registration at Londorossi Gate and a scenic drive to the trailhead, you begin climbing through dense rainforest — quieter and less trafficked than the routes further east.
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
The forest thins into open moorland as you climb onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau, with your first real views back across the plains below.
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
A shorter, gentler day crossing the Shira Plateau itself — useful acclimatization at a comfortable pace, with Kibo’s summit visible for most of the walk.
Shira 2 to Barranco Camp, via Lava Tower
A key acclimatization day: climb high to Lava Tower (4,630m) for lunch, then descend to sleep lower at Barranco Camp — “climb high, sleep low” in action.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day opens with the Barranco Wall — a non-technical scramble with big views — before a shorter walk on to Karanga Camp.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
A steady climb to Barafu, summit base camp. You rest through the afternoon and evening — tonight, timed to the moon, you climb.
Summit day: Barafu to Uhuru Peak under full moon, then descend to Mweka Gate
You leave Barafu under moonlight strong enough to light the trail and the glaciers above you, reaching Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak for sunrise. After summit photos, you descend all the way through the forest to Mweka Gate.
The details
What’s included & what’s not
Included
- All national park, camping & rescue fees
- Professional, licensed mountain guides
- Fairly paid cooks & porters
- All meals & drinking water on the mountain
- Quality tents, sleeping mats & equipment
- 2 hotel nights in Moshi (before & after)
- Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro / JRO)
- Emergency oxygen, oximeter checks & first aid
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania entry visa
- Travel insurance (with high-altitude cover)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Personal climbing gear (available to rent)
- Meals & drinks not on the mountain
- Personal expenses & laundry
- Optional upgrades (private crew, luxury camp)
Good to know
Before you book this climb
Fitness
No technical skills needed, but good general fitness helps. Train with hikes and cardio beforehand.
Full-moon timing
Departures are set to land your summit night on or near a full moon, so dates are fixed to the lunar calendar rather than open booking — confirm the nearest window with our team.
Safety & acclimatization
Twice-daily health checks, emergency oxygen, and a Lava Tower acclimatization day are built in as standard, moon or no moon.
Gear
You’ll still want a headlamp — cloud cover can obscure the moon on any given night. Rent quality summit-night kit from us if needed.
Questions
Frequently asked
How are full-moon departure dates set?
We schedule summit night to land on or as close to the full moon as the route timing allows. Because this depends on the lunar calendar, available start dates are more limited than our standard departures — send us your preferred month and we’ll confirm the nearest window.
What if it's cloudy on summit night?
Moon visibility depends on weather, which we can’t guarantee this far out. You’ll still carry a headlamp as standard, so the climb itself is unaffected either way — the moon is a bonus, not a dependency.
Is this route harder than Machame?
No — Lemosho is graded moderate, the same as our standard Machame climb. It's a longer approach with a quieter trail, not a more difficult one.
Do I need climbing experience?
No. Lemosho is a non-technical trek — no rope work or climbing skill required. The main challenge is the altitude, which this itinerary is built to manage.
Can I add a safari or Zanzibar afterwards?
Yes. Many climbers pair this climb with a Serengeti safari or a Zanzibar beach stay, arranged by our team as one seamless trip.
Enquire & book
Reserve your Lemosho Full Moon Summit Climb
Send us your preferred month and group size. We’ll confirm the nearest full-moon departure window along with an honest, all-inclusive quote.
We reply within one working day