Overview
Climb the western slopes of Kilimanjaro on the renowned Lemosho Route. Reach a maximum altitude of approximately 2,700 meters above sea level. Enjoy the tranquil woodland ambience of Kilimanjaro’s montane rainforest.Climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible accomplishment, and the opportunity to reach the top of Africa’s highest mountain draws travelers from all over the world. But did you know that you can also enjoy a day trip on Kilimanjaro? In fact, spending a full day of hiking on the lower slopes of the mountain can even represent one of the best treks in Tanzania. At Chalema Tanzania Safaris, we’ve developed a trekking itinerary based on the mountain’s western Lemosho Route. This hike will take you through the verdant greenery of Kilimanjaro’s montane rainforest, reaching a maximum altitude of about 2,700 meters and spending between six and eight hours on the trail. Read on to learn more about this exciting Tanzanian adventure!
Day Trip:
Our day begins with an early-morning pickup from your accommodations in Arusha. Next, we’ll take a pleasant drive east for just over two hours on the way to Kilimanjaro National Park’s Londorossi Gate, where we’ll pick up the trailhead to the Lemosho Route. Most trekkers take about eight days to reach the summit from here; our destination for today will be the first campsite. The Lemosho Route is generally considered to be the least-crowded path on the mountain, and you’ll experience a bewitching sense of tranquility as we hike quietly beneath the overhanging boughs of Kilimanjaro’s lush montane forest. We’ll hike for approximately three or four hours, stopping to identify the many birds and monkeys which can be spotted in the treetops. Soon we’ll arrive at Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp or Mti Mkubwa. As we sit down to a well-deserved lunch here at Mti Mkubwa, you’ll get the chance to see overnight trekkers putting up their tents in the forest clearing. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to see plenty of blue monkeys watching from the trees! After lunch, we’ll pack our bags and begin our descent. We’ll trek at a leisurely pace, enjoying the sights and sounds of the mountain’s unique woodland ecosystem. When we arrive at the trailhead, we’ll bid a fond farewell to our trekking companions and hit the road for our return to Arusha. If this enticing day trip adventure has piqued your interest, reach out to us at Chalema Tanzania Safaris today! A day hike on Kilimanjaro is the perfect add-on to an East African safari—not to mention a grand hike in its own right.
