Londorossi Gate

The far side of the mountain

Londorossi Gate stands on the western side of Kilimanjaro, a long way round from Moshi and the southern gates. TANAPA spells it Londorosi in its own brochure and Londorossi on its website; both refer to the same gate.

It is the registration point for the western routes. TANAPA’s website names Lemosho via Londorossi among the four access gates used for climbs, alongside Marangu, Machame and Rongai, and its brochure lists Londorosi among the wilderness routes with professionally designated camping sites and toilet facilities.

What it serves

The Lemosho route, the Shira route and the northern circuit all begin here, and all three cross the Shira Plateau before joining the rest of the mountain.

The difference between Lemosho and Shira is where the walking starts. Lemosho begins lower and walks up through the forest; Shira is driven higher onto the plateau before setting off. TANAPA describes the plateau as inhabited by migratory large mammals including buffalo, elephant and eland, which is the reason the forest section of the western approach is escorted and the reason the drive-in option exists at all.

Shira Camp on the plateau sits at 3,505 metres, from Coffman and colleagues in 2019 — one of very few camp altitudes on Kilimanjaro with a citable source. The long traverse of the plateau from there is the acclimatisation advantage the western routes are sold on.

The practical consequences of being on the west

Three of them, and all three cost time or money.

The drive is long. Londorossi is the most remote of the mountain’s gates from the towns where climbs are organised, and the transfer eats most of a morning. Some itineraries build it into day one; others add a night.

You do not come back this way. TANAPA states that Mweka Gate is used for descent, and western-route parties come off the mountain on the southern side, a long way from where they started. Transport arrangements have to account for that.

The plateau is reachable without a climb. TANAPA lists a Shira Plateau day visit among the park’s tourism activities and permits mountain cycling on the plateau for non-summit visitors, which makes this side of the mountain the one place a traveller can get to nearly four thousand metres on Kilimanjaro without a trekking permit. See mountain biking.

The rules

All climbs must be guided by a licensed operator and solo trekking is not permitted. Climbers may enter and leave only at the gates named on their permit and may camp only at designated sites. Porters may carry a maximum of 25 kilograms including their own belongings. Children under ten are not allowed above 3,700 metres. Rescue services, first aid and radio communication are available at all mountain stations.

Common questions