Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4,040 meters above sea level
Karanga Camp is named after the Karanga Valley, a deep cut that runs along the southern side of Kibo, one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s peaks. This campsite is a resting spot for climbers heading to the summit using routes like Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe, and Machame. Depending on your plan, you might stop here just for lunch or stay overnight. If it’s only a lunch break, you’ll sleep at Barranco Camp before and Barafu Camp after. No matter which route you take, you’ll pass through the Karanga Valley to get here.
There are no cabins or huts at Karanga Camp, so you’ll need to sleep in tents. Climbers have to bring their own, though porters often carry them. The only things built here are a few pit latrines—simple dry toilets—and a wooden Ranger’s hut on the western side, close to the valley’s edge.
Location & Weather
Karanga Camp sits near the Karanga Valley, south of the Kibo volcanic cone. It’s right on the border between the moorland zone, where some plants grow, and the alpine desert, where the land gets barren. The area gets a decent amount of rain and moisture, so you’ll see vegetation around the campsite. After Karanga, the next stop is Barafu Camp.
What it’s like on Lemosho
On an 8-day Lemosho trek, you reach Karanga Camp after leaving Barranco Camp. You start by climbing a steep ridge over the Barranco Wall, then drop into the Karanga Valley. This part is short, about 5 kilometers, and takes 4 to 5 hours. The height only shifts slightly, from 13,000 feet to 13,100 feet, in the alpine desert. It’s a light day meant to help your body get used to the altitude. From Karanga, you move on to Barafu Camp next. That stretch is 4 kilometers and takes another 4 to 5 hours, climbing to 15,300 feet. You’ll hit a junction with the Mweka Trail and finish the South Circuit, which gives you great views of the summit from different sides. At Barafu, you can see both the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks while you rest and get ready for the final summit push.
On a 7-day Lemosho trek, things are faster. You go from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp and then straight to Barafu Camp all in one go. After breakfast, you tackle the Barranco Wall, reach Karanga Valley, and keep going. It’s 9 kilometers total and takes 8 to 10 hours, with the height rising from 13,000 feet to 15,000 feet, all in the alpine desert. By the time you get to Barafu, you’ve completed the South Circuit, enjoying those same summit views. You settle in, eat dinner, and prepare for the climb to the top.
Karanga Camp is a quiet, green spot nestled in the valley, perfect for catching your breath before the tougher climbs ahead.