Home › Tanzania Safaris › Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
Camping · group

Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route

🗓 9 Days 🏨 Camping 🚙 Private 4×4 Safari
Trip Overview

Your Tanzania safari at a glance

The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's newest and longest official route, tracking around the mountain's remote northern slopes — the side seen by almost no other route — before joining the standard summit push near School Hut. The extra days on the mountain give it the best acclimatisation profile and highest documented summit success rate of any Kilimanjaro route, at the cost of simply taking longer than the more direct lines.

Londorossi Gate → Moir Hut → Third Cave Camp → School Hut → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Gate

Destinations Visited

Londorossi Gate

2,250m — trailhead via Lemosho

Moir Hut

4,200m — Northern Circuit branch

Third Cave Camp

Northern traverse

School Hut

4,700m — rejoins standard route

Uhuru Peak

5,895m — summit

Safari Highlights

✦

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Enter via the Lemosho trailhead and trek through montane forest from Londorossi Gate (2,250m) to Mti Mkubwa (Forest…

✦

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Climb out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau, reaching Shira 1 Camp (3,505m) with open views of…

✦

Shira 1 to Moir Hut

Cross the plateau and branch north off the standard route toward Moir Hut (4,200m), the gateway to the…

✦

Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

Begin the Northern Circuit traverse itself, crossing quiet high moorland to Buffalo Camp with rarely-seen views toward Kenya.

✦

Buffalo Camp to Third Cave Camp

Continue the circuit around the mountain’s northern and eastern flanks to Third Cave Camp, gaining altitude gradually for…

✦

Third Cave Camp to School Hut

Climb to School Hut (4,700m), rejoining the standard route just below the summit, ready for the night ascent.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Enter via the Lemosho trailhead and trek through montane forest from Londorossi Gate (2,250m) to Mti Mkubwa (Forest Camp).

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp · Full Board

Climb out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau, reaching Shira 1 Camp (3,505m) with open views of the summit.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp · Full Board

Cross the plateau and branch north off the standard route toward Moir Hut (4,200m), the gateway to the Northern Circuit proper.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Moir Hut · Full Board

Begin the Northern Circuit traverse itself, crossing quiet high moorland to Buffalo Camp with rarely-seen views toward Kenya.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Buffalo Camp · Full Board

Continue the circuit around the mountain’s northern and eastern flanks to Third Cave Camp, gaining altitude gradually for acclimatisation.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Third Cave Camp · Full Board

Climb to School Hut (4,700m), rejoining the standard route just below the summit, ready for the night ascent.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: School Hut · Full Board

A midnight ascent via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), then descend all the way to Mweka Camp.

Private Safari Full Board
Accommodation: Mweka Camp · Full Board

Descend through the forest to Mweka Gate, receive your summit certificate, and transfer to your hotel.

Private Safari Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Moshi/Arusha hotel · Breakfast & Lunch

A built-in contingency day in case of weather delays higher on the mountain, or an early transfer for onward travel.

Private Safari Breakfast
Accommodation: Own arrangement · Breakfast

Where You’ll Stay

Camping properties are matched to your route and dates. The accommodation photo for each day is managed separately from its itinerary image.

Day 1
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Mti Mkubwa Camp

Meals Full Board
Day 2
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Shira 1 Camp

Meals Full Board
Day 3
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Moir Hut

Meals Full Board
Day 4
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Buffalo Camp

Meals Full Board
Day 5
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Third Cave Camp

Meals Full Board
Day 6
Camping Confirmed at Booking

School Hut

Meals Full Board
Day 7
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Mweka Camp

Meals Full Board
Day 8
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Moshi/Arusha hotel

Meals Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9
Camping Confirmed at Booking

Own arrangement

Meals Breakfast

Safari Pricing

Price per person $3,500

Your exact quote depends on travel dates, group size and accommodation level.

What’s Included

✓ Included
  • Park entry, camping and rescue fees
  • Professional mountain guide, porters and cook
  • All meals on the mountain
  • Camping equipment — tents, mattresses, mess tent
  • Transfers between Arusha/Moshi and the trailhead
  • Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
✕ Not Included
  • International flights and Tanzania visa fees
  • Tips for the mountain crew
  • Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag rental
  • Travel, medical and evacuation insurance
  • Accommodation before/after the climb (unless noted)
  • Optional oxygen or private toilet tent
Exact accommodation, meal plan and final pricing are confirmed with you at booking.

What to Pack for Safari & Tours

Clothing

  • Lightweight neutral layers
  • Warm jacket
  • Sun hat

Footwear

  • Walking shoes
  • Sandals
  • Spare socks

Gear & Essentials

  • Binoculars and camera
  • Water bottle
  • Power bank

Health & Personal

  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal medication

What Our Guests Say

★★★★★

“Benni praised the modern tents, welcoming staff and Hamidu’s dedication to finding strong wildlife-photography opportunities.”

Benni H · June 14, 2025 · TripAdvisorView source ↗
★★★★★

“Sonja enjoyed a flexible custom six-day tour and recommended Hamidu for his punctuality, calm manner and wildlife knowledge.”

Sonja · July 10, 2025 · TripAdvisorView source ↗
★★★★★

“Serafina highlighted Hamidu’s friendly expertise and an itinerary covering Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Eyasi, including a meaningful Hadzabe visit.”

Serafina F · July 20, 2025 · TripAdvisorView source ↗

Good to Know

The planned journey follows Londorossi Gate, Moir Hut, Third Cave Camp, School Hut, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Gate. The exact driving order may be adjusted when wildlife conditions or park logistics make another sequence more rewarding.

This package is designed around Camping accommodation. The named properties remain subject to availability, and comparable alternatives are confirmed with you before booking.

The starting price is per person based on the sharing arrangement shown on this page. Core inclusions currently include Park entry, camping and rescue fees, Professional mountain guide, porters and cook, All meals on the mountain, Camping equipment — tents, mattresses, mess tent. Final pricing depends on dates, group size and room configuration.

Items normally paid separately include International flights and Tanzania visa fees, Tips for the mountain crew, Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag rental, Travel, medical and evacuation insurance. Your final proposal clearly identifies every included and excluded service before payment.

Yes. We can adjust the pace, accommodation level, activities and route around your dates, interests, party size and budget while preserving realistic travel times.

A Tanzania safari specialist reviews your details, checks current availability and replies with a tailored itinerary and quotation. You can request revisions before confirming.

Ready to Plan This Safari Your Way?

Share your dates, group size and travel style. Our local team will reply with a tailored plan and clear quote.

WhatsApp Us
✕Free Safari Consultation

Plan Your Tanzania Safari

Tell us a little about your dream trip — a local Arusha specialist replies within 24 hours, free and with no obligation.

SerengetiNgorongoroKilimanjaroZanzibarNot sure yet
🔒 Your details are private and never shared.