What You Need to Know: Kilimanjaro has public campsites on every route except Marangu, where you sleep in three park huts: Mandara (8,924 ft / 2,720 m), Horombo (12,205 ft / 3,720 m) and Kibo (15,430 ft / 4,703 m). The summit base camps are Barafu (15,354 ft / 4,680 m) on the southern routes, Kibo Hut on Marangu and Rongai, and School Hut (about 15,600 ft / 4,750 m) on the Northern Circuit. On our camping climbs the crew carries and pitches the tents, a mess tent and a private toilet tent.
Huts on the Marangu Route
Marangu has three huts: Mandara, Horombo and Kibo. They are shared bunk rooms with mattresses, unheated, so you need a warm sleeping bag. On the 6-day Marangu you spend two nights at Horombo.
| Hut | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mandara | About 8,900 ft (2,720 m) | In the forest |
| Horombo | About 12,200 ft (3,720 m) | Moorland; also used on the Rongai descent |
| Kibo | About 15,400 ft (4,703 m) | Summit base; also the last camp on Rongai |
The huts are a real comfort in wet or cold weather, which is why Marangu is a good choice for climbers who would rather not camp. See the 5-day and 6-day Marangu climbs.
Camps on Machame, Lemosho and Umbwe
Machame, Lemosho and Umbwe meet on the southern circuit and share its camps: Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka. Barafu is the summit base camp, where most climbers sleep only a few hours before the midnight start; Mweka is the first night down after the summit.
| Camp | Altitude | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Mti Mkubwa | About 8,700 ft (2,650 m) | Lemosho, Northern Circuit |
| Umbwe Cave | About 9,400 ft (2,850 m) | Umbwe |
| Machame Camp | About 10,000 ft (3,050 m) | Machame |
| Shira 1 | About 11,500 ft (3,500 m) | 8-day Lemosho, Northern Circuit |
| Shira / Shira 2 | About 12,600 ft (3,850 m) | Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit |
| Moir Hut camp | About 13,800 ft (4,200 m) | 8-day Lemosho, Northern Circuit |
| Barranco | About 13,000 ft (3,960 m) | Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe |
| Karanga | About 13,200 ft (4,035 m) | 7-day Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe |
| Barafu | About 15,400 ft (4,680 m) | Summit base on the southern routes |
| Mweka | About 10,100 ft (3,090 m) | Descent |
The extra night at Karanga is the difference between the 6-day and 7-day Machame, and the night near Moir Hut is what the 8-day Lemosho adds to the 7-day version.
Camps on Rongai and the Northern Circuit
Rongai uses Simba, Second Cave, Kikelewa Caves and Mawenzi Tarn before Kibo Hut, then descends via Horombo. The Northern Circuit crosses the north side via Buffalo Camp and Third Cave to School Hut. These are the quietest camps on the mountain, because fewer climbers use these routes.
| Camp | Altitude | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Simba | About 8,500 ft (2,600 m) | Rongai |
| Second Cave | About 11,300 ft (3,450 m) | 7-day Rongai |
| Kikelewa Caves | About 11,800 ft (3,600 m) | Rongai |
| Mawenzi Tarn | About 14,200 ft (4,330 m) | Rongai |
| Buffalo Camp | About 13,600 ft (4,150 m) | Northern Circuit |
| Third Cave | About 12,800 ft (3,900 m) | Northern Circuit |
| School Hut | About 15,600 ft (4,750 m) | Northern Circuit summit base |
See the Rongai Route and the Northern Circuit.
Kilimanjaro's Summit Base Camps Compared
| Base camp | Altitude | Routes | Reach the crater rim at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barafu | About 15,400 ft (4,680 m) | Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe | Stella Point (about 18,900 ft / 5,756 m) |
| Kibo Hut | About 15,400 ft (4,703 m) | Marangu, Rongai | Gilman's Point (18,652 ft / 5,685 m) |
| School Hut | About 15,600 ft (4,750 m) | Northern Circuit | Gilman's Point (18,652 ft / 5,685 m) |
All three are cold, windy and short on sleep; you arrive in the afternoon, eat early and start for the summit around midnight.
What Is Camp Life Like on Kilimanjaro?
The crew carries and pitches the tents, cooks every meal and brings water and hot drinks. You arrive, rest and eat. On every camping climb you have:
- Tents and sleeping mats, from major international outdoor brands such as Patagonia and The North Face
- A mess tent with table and chairs for meals
- A private portable toilet tent for your group; the public camps have basic long-drop toilets
- Three cooked meals a day, with soup before lunch and dinner
- A health check with a pulse oximeter at every camp
- A bowl of warm water for washing
Nights are cold at every camp above the forest, so a warm sleeping bag is essential; you can rent one in Moshi for US$25. See the climbing FAQ for toilets, water and charging.
Tips for Sleeping Well in Kilimanjaro's Camps
- Keep a headlamp in your tent pocket
- Sleep with tomorrow's water bottle inside your sleeping bag on cold nights
- Use wet wipes and hand sanitizer
- Pack a power bank: there is no electricity
Choose a route with an acclimatization camp, sleep well, and keep your tent tidy so you can find things at night.
Huts or Tents: Which Suits You on Kilimanjaro?
If you prefer a bed and a roof, choose the Marangu route with its huts; if you want quieter camps and better acclimatization, choose a camping route such as Machame or Lemosho, with your own tent and private toilet tent.
Common Questions About Kilimanjaro's Camps and Huts
Do you sleep in tents on Kilimanjaro?
Yes, on every route except Marangu, where you sleep in huts.
Which camp is the coldest?
The high camps: Barafu, Kibo Hut and School Hut, all above 15,100 ft (4,600 m).
Are the camps crowded?
Barranco and Barafu are the busiest. Rongai, Umbwe and the Northern Circuit camps are much quieter.
Are there toilets at the camps?
The public camps have basic long-drop toilets, and on our camping climbs we carry a private portable toilet tent for your group.
Is there electricity at the camps?
No. Bring a power bank and keep it warm in your sleeping bag at night.
The Bottom Line
The camps tell you how a route climbs. Look for a night at Karanga or near Moir Hut on the southern routes, and the quieter northern camps if you want space. Whichever route you choose, our crew has camp ready when you arrive.
Send us your dates, the number of climbers and your hotel level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.