Shira Route

The Shira Route — Is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro.

Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking.

The Shira Route is practically identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original route before Lemosho was created to improve the route start point.

Whereas Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gates, the Shira Route bypasses this and begins further north and higher up at the Shira Gate. On the first day hikers trek from Shira Gate to Simba Camp which is at a very similar altitude, allowing trekkers to acclimatize before joining the Lemosho Route on day two at Shira Camp 2.

The high starting point is however a major negative for this route and some trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one as their bodies haven’t had enough time to acclimatise.

After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit (see map below). Like the Machame, Umbwe and Lemosho Route, ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo.

Descent is via the Mweka Route.

Shira Route Map

The Shira Route is used by very few mountain visitors who climb Kilimanjaro. It has been largely replaced by the Lemosho Route, which is almost identical, but starts lower down. It is mainly used for quick access for rescue work and for hardy climbers who especially request this route for its isolation, having previously acclimatized to 4565 meters on Mount Meru with Uhuru Trails by KilimanjaroTravels.com. A long approach drive to the west with stunning views of the epic highlands brings you to Shira Gate at 2250 meters. This is where you start your trek till you reach 3050 meters in remote heath-land, but the trail can become impassable in wet weather. You need some previous acclimatization to begin at this height. It is a tough seven-day climb, with a high possibility of early altitude sickness since you start high and camp at Forest Camp at the same height on the first night. Shira has a low summit success rate as being one of the shortest routes up and down the summit (56 kilometers) though we always offer it with an extra acclimatization day to increase your probability.

The trail crosses many different speckled zones: over the Shira Plateau through heath with giant heathers, to alpine sections with bizarre plant life which gradually shrinks from five-meter columns of daisy-flowered giant groundsel and three meter high fasciated lobelias, to flowering bulbs, gladiolus, red-hot pokers, tussocky white everlasting flowers, and deep blue gentians. The plants have adapted to extreme climactic conditions, with searing sunlight by day and freezing temperatures by night. Your enjoyment of this unique Tanzanian mountain holiday depends on your adaptation to camping in such variable weather. Meals are served in a mess tent or on a blanket outdoors if you prefer the African sky view. Joining other trails at Barranco gives you the chance of extra acclimatization exploring the fantastic scenery, lava towers, and steep ridges leading to the daunting Barranco Wall. There are views of the dangerous but fascinating Western Breach with its glaciated rock ramparts and breathtaking sunsets. Onward to Karanga Camp for an intentional acclimatization day, Barafu and finally your summit assault, the most difficult part of which is a grueling scree switchback between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers to Stella Point at 5685 meters where you may rest to watch a spectacular sunrise far above the rest of Africa. A gentle but slow summit trek and exhilarating scree slide descent through Mweka completes your day of outstanding achievement.

The Shira Route can be completed in six, seven and eight days.

This page does not provide a detailed day-by-day route itinerary as this can be read on the Lemosho Route page, which is identical apart from a different start point and first day trekking.

Shira Route – Altitude & Distance Profile