Overview
The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route.
African Scenery offers the Northern Circuit as a nine day group climb or private climb. A 10 day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.
Altitude profile
From Londorossi Gate to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) and back down.
9-day itinerary
Hiking times are a guide; your guide sets the pace for safe acclimatisation.
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Day 1Londorossi Gate Mti Mkubwa
- Elevation
- 7,742 ft → 9,498 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
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Day 2Mti Mkubwa Shira 1 Camp
- Elevation
- 9,498 ft → 11,500 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-6 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
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Day 3Shira 1 Camp Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation
- 11,500 ft → 12,500 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.
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Day 4Shira 2 Camp Lava Tower Moir Hut
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
- Elevation
- 12,500 ft → 15,190 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Lava Tower to Moir Hut
- Elevation
- 15,190 ft → 13,580 ft
- Hiking time
- 2-3 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
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Day 5Moir Hut Buffalo Camp
- Elevation
- 13,580 ft → 13,200 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 12 km | 7 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.
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Day 6Buffalo Camp Third Cave
- Elevation
- 13,200 ft → 12,700 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.
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Day 7Third Cave School Hut
- Elevation
- 12,700 ft → 15,600 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 5 km | 3 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.
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Day 8School Hut Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp
School Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Elevation
- 15,600 ft → 19,341 ft
- Hiking time
- 6-8 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 6 miles
- Habitat
- Arctic
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation
- 19,341 ft → 10,065 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-6 hours
- Distance
- 12 km | 7 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
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Day 9Mweka Camp Mweka Gate
- Elevation
- 10,065 ft → 5,380 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 10 km | 6 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
What's included
Flights, tips and personal gear are not included.
- Certified mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Kilimanjaro National Park, camping or hut and rescue fees
- Quality tents, sleeping mats, mess tent and private toilet tent
- Three hot meals a day and treated drinking water on the mountain
- Transfers between your hotel and the park gate
- Daily health checks with pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen
