Kilimanjaro National Park Map

Kilimanjaro National Park is far more than a climbing destination — it is a vast protected ecosystem spanning rainforest, moorland, volcanic plateaus, and the snow-capped summit of Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. A good map turns that overwhelming landscape into something you can actually plan around: routes, camps, gates, glaciers, and the ecological zones you pass through on the way up.

The interactive map below plots every mapped camp, hut, glacier, and summit feature in the park, along with the main gates and the four most popular climbing routes. Click any marker to open that camp or feature guide.

Understanding the Layout of Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park covers roughly 1,688 square kilometres, protecting the mountain and its surrounding ecosystems. On the map you can pick out:

• The three volcanic cones — Kibo (home to the summit), the jagged Mawenzi, and the ancient Shira plateau.
• All official climbing routes and their overnight camps and huts.
• The remaining summit glaciers and ice fields around the crater rim.
• Lower montane forest and moorland belts that ring the mountain.
• The high-altitude alpine desert and glacial summit zone.

The mountain rises through a dramatic series of climate zones in a single climb, which is exactly why the map is such a useful planning tool — it shows how gates, camps, and altitude fit together.

Climbing Routes on the Map

Seven established routes lead up Kilimanjaro, each starting at a different gate and following its own chain of camps to the summit. The map highlights the four most popular ascent routes in colour. Explore each route in detail:

• Machame Route (indigo line) — the popular "Whiskey Route," scenic and well-acclimatised, starting at Machame Gate.
• Marangu Route (green line) — the "Coca-Cola Route," the only one with sleeping huts, from Marangu Gate.
• Lemosho Route (purple line) — remote and beautiful with high success rates, from Londorossi Gate.
• Rongai Route (orange line) — the only northern approach, from the Nalemuru (Rongai) Gate.
• Northern Circuit — the longest route, circling the quiet northern slopes for the best acclimatisation.
• Shira Route — an older variant that drives high onto the Shira Plateau.
• Umbwe Route — the steepest and most direct ascent, for strong, experienced trekkers.

Two further routes appear on the mountain: the Western Breach, a challenging technical variant to the crater, and the Mweka Route, used almost exclusively for descent. Not sure which to pick? Compare them all in our guide to the best Kilimanjaro routes.

Camps and Huts on the Map

Each route is a chain of overnight camps that carry you steadily higher. Click any camp marker on the map to open its guide, or browse them by route below.

Marangu Route Huts

• Mandara Huts — first night in the forest (~2,720 m).
• Horombo Huts — moorland hub and acclimatisation stop (~3,720 m).
• Kibo Huts — the base for the Marangu summit push (~4,720 m).

Machame & Lemosho Camps

• Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp — first Lemosho forest camp.
• Shira Camp 1 and Shira 2 Campsite — on the Shira Plateau.
• Moir Hut Camp — a quiet acclimatisation option.
• Barranco Camp — beneath the famous Barranco Wall.
• Karanga Camp — in the Karanga Valley before the final push.
• Kosovo Camp — a high summit-eve camp.

Rongai & Northern Camps

• Simba Camp and Second Cave Camp — early Rongai stops.
• Third Cave Camp and Kikelewa Camp — on the northern approach.
• Mawenzi Tarn Camp — beneath the spires of Mawenzi.
• School Hut Camp — a northern summit-eve base.
• Buffalo (Pofu) Camp — on the remote Northern Circuit.

Umbwe Route Camp

• Umbwe Cave Camp — first camp on the steep Umbwe ascent.

Summit Features on the Map

Around the crater rim the map marks the great summit landmarks: Uhuru Peak itself, plus Stella Point and Gilman's Point, the two rim points most climbers cross first. The steep Western Breach and the broad saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, The Saddle, are also shown, along with the mountain's shrinking glaciers such as the Furtwängler Glacier.

Park Gates on the Map

Your climb begins and ends at one of the park gates, marked in amber on the map. The main entry gates are Machame, Marangu, Londorossi (for Lemosho and Shira), Umbwe, and the Nalemuru (Rongai) Gate in the north, while the Mweka Gate on the southern slopes is used for descent. For opening hours, fees, and gate details, see our guides to the Kilimanjaro park gates and park fees.

How to Use This Map

• Start with your chosen route, then follow its coloured line from gate to summit to see the camps you will sleep at.
• Check each camp's altitude to understand where the big acclimatisation days fall.
• Use the summit-area markers to picture the final rim crossing to Uhuru Peak.
• Remember that longer routes with more camps generally mean better acclimatisation and higher success — see how hard it is to climb Kilimanjaro.

Pair this map with our guides on how to get to Kilimanjaro National Park and the best routes so the access, route, and camp layers all line up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Kilimanjaro National Park?

Kilimanjaro National Park covers approximately 1,688 square kilometres, protecting Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding forest, moorland, and alpine ecosystems in northeastern Tanzania.

What do the markers on the Kilimanjaro map show?

The markers show the park's camps and huts, glaciers and summit features such as Uhuru Peak, and the main entry gates. Click any marker to open that camp or feature's detailed guide. Positions are approximate and intended for orientation and planning.

How many climbing routes are there on Kilimanjaro?

There are seven established routes: Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Shira, and Umbwe. The Western Breach is a challenging technical variant, and the Mweka route is used mainly for descent.

Which gate does each Kilimanjaro route start from?

Machame starts at Machame Gate, Marangu at Marangu Gate, Lemosho and Shira at Londorossi Gate, Umbwe at Umbwe Gate, and Rongai at the Nalemuru (Rongai) Gate in the north. Most routes descend via the Mweka Gate.

Where is Uhuru Peak on the map?

Uhuru Peak, the summit and highest point in Africa at 5,895 m (19,341 ft), sits on the Kibo cone at the centre of the mountain, marked in red on the map. It is where every route ultimately converges.

What are the three cones of Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones: Kibo (which holds the summit, Uhuru Peak), Mawenzi (a jagged secondary peak), and Shira (an ancient, eroded plateau on the western side).

Which route has the most camps?

The Northern Circuit is the longest route with the most overnight camps, circling the quiet northern slopes over eight or nine days, which gives it excellent acclimatisation and high success rates.

Can I use this map to plan my climb?

Yes. Use it to follow your chosen route from gate to summit, see the camps you will sleep at, and understand the altitude gain between them. Pair it with our route and access guides for full planning.

Are the map positions exact?

No. Marker and route positions are approximate and intended for orientation and route planning rather than precise navigation. Always trek with a licensed guide who knows the exact trails.

Final Thoughts

A good Kilimanjaro map is a planning tool, not just a picture. Use the interactive map above to trace your route from its gate, through each camp, up to the glaciers and Uhuru Peak — and click through to the detailed guides for every camp and feature. When the route, camp, and altitude layers line up, an overwhelming mountain becomes a clear, step-by-step journey to the Roof of Africa.