How to Get To Lemosho
Flights and Location of Lemosho
Planning a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route? Getting there is the first step! Here’s an easy guide on how to fly in and reach the starting point, with some extra tips to make it smooth.
Where is Lemosho Located?
First of all we should be asking ourselves, where is Mount Kilimanjaro, because Lemosho is located within Mount Kilimanjaro, on the western flank of the mountain to be exact. Now Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the Kilimanjaro region of Northern Tanzania. Even though is lies near the Kenyan border with Tanzania, is is actually within the Tanzanian boundary. Yes, it can be seen from kenya but it can only be climbed from Tanzania and Lemosho is one of the many routes that will make you climb Kilimanjaro.
Where to Fly To
The best place to land is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). It’s right between Moshi and Arusha, two towns close to Kilimanjaro. Moshi is the nearest to the mountain, so it’s where most Lemosho treks kick off. JRO is super convenient because it’s not far from either town, and we can pick you up right from there.
From the Airport to Your Hotel
Once you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport:
To Moshi: It’s about 40.7 kilometers (25 miles), a drive of roughly 48 minutes. Moshi sits at the base of Kilimanjaro, making it the perfect spot to rest before your trek.
To Arusha: It’s a bit farther—49.3 kilometers (31 miles)—and takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. Some climbers pick Arusha because it’s bigger and has more to see, but it’s not as close to the mountain.
We’ll drive you to your hotel in either town as part of your Lemosho trip. You’ll stay there the night before your climb starts.
Getting to the Lemosho Starting Point
The Lemosho Route begins at the Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After a night in your hotel, we’ll pick you up and take you there.
From Moshi: It’s around 31.7 kilometers (20 miles), about a 56-minute drive.
From Arusha: It’s farther—86.2 kilometers (54 miles)—and takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes.
The ride’s pretty scenic, and it’s all sorted out for you. We’ll get you to the gate ready to start hiking!
Other Airport Options
If you can’t fly straight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, don’t worry—there are other ways:
Nairobi, Kenya (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – JKIA): This is in Kenya, not Tanzania, but it’s closer to Kilimanjaro than Dar es Salaam. It’s 328.8 kilometers (204 miles) from Moshi, about a 6-hour drive. Lots of flights go here, and it’s often cheaper.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Julius Nyerere International Airport – JNIA): This is Tanzania’s biggest city, 541.2 kilometers (336 miles) from Moshi. Driving takes 8-9 hours. It’s farther, but a good option if you’re exploring more of Tanzania.
Flying from the UK or USA
From the UK: Airlines like KLM fly from big airports (like Heathrow) to Kilimanjaro International Airport. You’ll usually stop in Amsterdam early in the morning and land in Tanzania by evening. Kenya Airways and British Airways also go to Nairobi from London.
From the USA: KLM connects through Amsterdam from cities like New York or LA to Kilimanjaro. Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), or Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) are great too. For Nairobi, Kenya Airways flies from places like JFK. Check flight sites for times and deals!
Getting from Nairobi to Moshi
By Air: Hop on a short flight from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Local airlines like Precision Air, Air Kenya, or Ethiopian Airlines do this quick trip. Then we’ll drive you to Moshi.
By Road: You can take a shuttle bus from Nairobi to Moshi (about 6 hours). Buses leave from places like the Parkside Hotel. Or, we can arrange a private ride for you—comfy and direct!
Getting from Dar es Salaam to Moshi
By Air: Catch a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport with airlines like Air Tanzania, Precision Air, or Coastal Air. It’s fast—about an hour.
By Road: A bus or private transfer takes 8-9 hours. It’s a long haul, but doable if you’ve got time.
Adding Zanzibar
Want to chill on Zanzibar’s beaches after Lemosho? Fly from Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport with carriers like Coastal Air or Air Excel. It’s a short hop, and we can bundle it into your trip—climb then relax!
Airlines to Know
Direct to Kilimanjaro (JRO): KLM (Amsterdam), Condor (Frankfurt), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Qatar Airways (Doha), Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (Nairobi), Precision Air (Nairobi), RwandAir (Kigali).
To Nairobi (JKIA): Kenya Airways, British Airways—then connect to Moshi.
To Dar es Salaam (JNIA): Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates—then head to Moshi.
Within Tanzania: Precision Air, Auric Air, Coastal Air, Air Excel, Flight Link move you between cities.
Bus Options
If you’d rather not fly everywhere, shuttles run between Nairobi, Arusha, and Moshi. Example times:
Nairobi to Moshi: 8:00 AM, arrives 3:30 PM.
Moshi to Nairobi: 6:00 AM, arrives 2:00 PM.
Arusha to Nairobi: 8:00 AM, arrives 2:00 PM.
We can pick you up from your hotel for these too—just ask!
Why Moshi for Lemosho?
Moshi’s at 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, right under Kilimanjaro. It’s where we start all Lemosho treks because it’s close to the Londorossi Gate. Staying here the night before lets you rest, meet your guide, and check your gear. Hotels can fill up in busy months (like July or January), so book early!
Tips to Get There Smoothly
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport if you can—it’s the easiest.
If not, Nairobi’s a solid backup—cheaper flights and closer than Dar es Salaam.
Tell us your flight details so we can time your pickup perfectly.
Pack light for the drive; your big bag goes with the porters later.
With flights and transfers lined up, you’ll be at the Lemosho trailhead ready to climb—no hassle, just adventure!