8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro
Lemosho Route Trek
Take on Africa’s highest peak via the scenic eight-day Lemosho Route, a thoughtfully paced climb offering valuable time for acclimatisation. Trek through rainforest, cross the vast Shira Plateau and follow the dramatic Southern Circuit before your final ascent to Uhuru Peak, supported throughout by experienced mountain guides and a dedicated crew.
From $3,250 per person sharing
PRIVATE & SMALL-GROUP TOURS
CAREFULLY SELECTED LODGES & CAMPS
FLYING DOCTORS EMERGENCY COVER INCLUDED
TATO CERTIFIED
PERSONAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY
TANZANIA KENYA UGANDA RWANDA ZANZIBAR KILIMANJARO
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Route to Uhuru Peak
The 8-Day Lemosho Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from its quieter western side, crossing rainforest, the Shira Plateau and the dramatic Southern Circuit. Its carefully paced itinerary provides valuable time for acclimatisation before the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Supported by experienced mountain guides and a dedicated crew, it is an excellent choice for fit and prepared climbers seeking spectacular scenery and a more gradual journey to Africa’s highest summit.
“Lemosho is a route to appreciate slowly—the changing landscapes, steady pace and additional acclimatisation time are all part of the experience.”
Every departure follows the same itinerary and includes the same carefully selected accommodation.
Travel with like-minded explorers while enjoying a more personal and thoughtfully paced safari experience.
Every detail is designed to make your time in Tanzania comfortable, engaging and memorable
Enjoy attentive service and a safari experience where your comfort and interests remain a priority.
Every guest enjoys a window seat for the best views and photography opportunities.
Knowledgeable, passionate guides bring the bush to life with their experience and storytelling.
Meet fellow travellers, exchange stories and share unforgettable moments in some of Tanzania’s most remarkable landscapes.
Follow our carefully planned Northern Circuit route from Arusha to Ngorongoro, across the Serengeti and onward to Tarangire before returning to Arusha.
A day-by-day guide to your 8-day Northern Tanzania adventure.
After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, you’ll be transferred to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours through the rolling hills of the Tanzanian countryside. Once you arrive at the gate, you’ll complete registration and permits, meet your mountain crew, and have a final gear check before beginning your trek.
From Londorossi Gate, you’ll take a short drive further up to the Lemosho starting point where your trek officially begins. Today’s hike is a gentle introduction to the mountain, taking you through the rich and diverse rainforest ecosystem. The trail is peaceful and less traveled, giving you a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature—including monkeys swinging through the trees and exotic birds overhead.
The path gradually ascends as you wind your way through moss-covered trees, tangled vines, and vibrant undergrowth. The air is fresh and humid, and the forest canopy offers a welcome shade. You’ll arrive at Lemosho Forest Camp (also known as Big Tree Camp), nestled in the forest at 2,650 meters, where your crew will prepare a hot dinner and set up your tents for the night.
- Elevation Gain: 2,100 meters (Londorossi Gate) to 2,650 meters (Forest Camp)
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Distance: ~6 kilometers
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Highlights of the Day:
- Lush Rainforest Trek: A beautiful walk through the montane forest filled with rich flora and fauna
- Wildlife Spotting: Look out for Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and tropical bird species
- Gentle Acclimatization: An easy start to your climb, perfect for easing into the altitude
- Lemosho Forest Camp: Peaceful and scenic first night under the stars, deep in Kilimanjaro’s forest zone
You’ll fall asleep tonight to the soothing sounds of the forest, with excitement building for the days ahead on your journey to Uhuru Peak.
After breakfast, depart Arusha and travel through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, perched dramatically on the crater rim, with spectacular views across the ancient caldera.
Activities
- Scenic drive to Ngorongoro
- Highland landscapes
- Cultural or local encounters
- Lodge check-in
- Crater-rim views
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. The crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and, with luck, the endangered black rhino. Return to the crater rim for another night at your remarkable lodge.
Activities
- Crater descent
- Full-day game drive
- Wildlife viewing
- Picnic lunch
- Crater-floor exploration
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
After breakfast, journey toward the legendary Serengeti. Enter the national park and begin your first game drive across its vast plains, watching for the wildlife that makes this one of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness areas.
Activities
- Scenic journey through the highlands
- Enter Serengeti National Park
- Afternoon game drive
- Wildlife spotting
- Sunset in the Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti with your expert guide. Follow wildlife movements across the plains and search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. The day’s route can be adapted according to seasonal wildlife activity.
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Full-day wildlife exploration
- Predator spotting
- Picnic lunch
- Sundowner experience
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Enjoy another full day of game viewing in the Serengeti. Depending on the season and location of the herds, you may witness dramatic predator encounters or the spectacle of the Great Migration. Take time to appreciate the landscapes as well as the wildlife.
Activities
- Sunrise game drive
- Wildlife photography
- Migration viewing, season permitting
- Scenic exploration
- Evening game drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Leave the Serengeti behind and travel toward Tarangire National Park. Arrive for an afternoon game drive through a landscape defined by ancient baobabs and abundant elephant herds. Settle into Tarangire Balloon Camp for your final night in the wilderness.
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Scenic transfer to Tarangire
- Afternoon game drive
- Elephant spotting
- Baobab landscape exploration
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire, with opportunities to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and a variety of birdlife. After lunch, depart the park and continue to Arusha, where your 8-day Northern Tanzania safari comes to an end.
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Scenic transfer to Tarangire
- Afternoon game drive
- Elephant spotting
- Baobab landscape exploration
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Kilimanjaro accommodation is part of the adventure, with mountain huts and tented camps providing a comfortable base between each day’s climb.
Mountain Huts - Marangu Route
Stay in the Mandara, Horombo and Kibo mountain huts along the Marangu Route.
Tented Camps - Most Other Routes
Sleep in designated mountain camps as your crew establishes camp along the trekking route.
Moshi & Arusha - Before & After Your Climb
Enjoy a comfortable hotel or lodge before and after your trek, with options to complement your mountain adventure.
A clear overview of what is covered in your safari, so you can plan your journey with confidence.
Hand-picked mid-range to luxury Camps and Huts throughout your journey.
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat.
Tips for guides, drivers and lodge staff are not included.
If you have any special requests or require more information, our team is here to help craft the perfect safari experience for you.
Yes. The itinerary combines Tanzania's three major safari highlights—Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire—making it an excellent introduction to northern Tanzania.
You can expect to see elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and numerous bird species. Cheetahs, leopards and black rhinos are also possible, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
Northern Tanzania can be visited throughout the year. The best period depends on what you want to experience, particularly if witnessing the Great Migration is a priority.
The safari typically includes shared 4×4 safari transport, an experienced safari guide, park and conservation fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the itinerary. Exact inclusions should be confirmed in your booking proposal.
Yes. SafariHQ specializes in tailor-made journeys. You can extend your stay in the Serengeti, add additional destinations, upgrade accommodation, or combine the safari with Zanzibar or another East African destination.
Still have questions? Our Safari Specialists are here to help.
Every safari begins with a conversation. We listen first, then design your journey around your interests, travel style, accommodation preferences and pace. No fixed templates — only yours.
From Tanzania and Kenya to Uganda and Rwanda, our specialists draw on first-hand local knowledge to recommend the right destinations, experiences and seasons for a safari designed around how you want to travel.
Every lodge and tented camp we recommend is chosen for its location, hospitality and guest experience — ensuring each stay complements your safari rather than simply accommodating it.
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