Choosing between the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes to climb Kilimanjaro is a tradeoff between best scenery versus serene wilderness. Which is more important to you?
If you don’t want to miss out on the fairytale-like Forest or the infamous Barranco Wall on Mount Kilimanjaro, you have no choice but to take the Lemosho Route, or another route that follows the southern circuit.
On the flip side, the southern circuit is very busy which means that you’ll share your path and campsites with an entire village of hikers, guides and porters. If you’re looking for a more quiet and meditative experience, it would be recommendable to escape to the far less visited northern slopes. If you suffer from vertigo, you might also prefer to take the Northern Circuit in order to avoid the scramble atop the steep Barranco Wall.
Another consideration is the time you’re planning to spend for your Kilimanjaro climb. If you’re in a rush, then you might prefer the Lemosho Route which can be completed in 7 days, while the Northern Circuit takes a minimum of 8 days.
Finally, if you’re looking to join an open group climb, you’ll be spoilt for choice for both the busier 7-day Lemosho and 8-day Lemosho routes, while there’s fewer options for the 8-day Northern Circuit and hardly any open group climbs for the 9-day Northern Circuit. Read more about the differences between the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes here.
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