Is staying at Kilimanjaro Crater Camp a good idea?

If you haven't heard this before, the Kilimanjaro Crater Camp is a truly unique place, and spending a night there is an experience that only a few climbers get to enjoy. Situated on the floor of Mt Kilimanjaro’s crater, Crater Camp sits in a spectacular volcanic landscape just below the summit at 5,750 m (18,865 ft) above sea level.

After summiting Uhuru Peak highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m (19,340 ft), some trekkers descend a short way into Kibo Crater to stay overnight at Crater Camp. It’s only about a kilometre from the summit, but the feeling is entirely different: quiet, surreal, and strikingly beautiful.

Learn more: The ultimate Kilimanjaro packing list (+ free PDF)

For those fit enough and well-acclimatised, a night at Crater Camp Kilimanjaro offers a rare opportunity to soak up the mountain’s glacial and volcanic drama. You’ll camp inside the summit crater of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest volcanic cone, surrounded by ancient ice fields, ash-covered rock, and the open sky above.

From here, you can explore fascinating geological features such as:

This high-altitude camp isn’t included in most Kilimanjaro itineraries because of the extreme elevation. However, for experienced trekkers with proper acclimatisation, Crater Camp is a stunning and adventurous add-on. Spending a night in Crater Camp is a special experience shared by very few Kilimanjaro climbers. After summiting Uhuru Peak, you set up camp on the crater floor. You can then spend the rest of the day exploring this marvellous lunar landscape and its various features, which include an ice field, a beautiful glacier and more.

Trekkers walk along the rim of the Inner Crater with Northern Ice Field behind - Image by M. Horrell

Learn more: How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro? (2025 pricing)

Crater Camp is tucked inside Kibo Crater, the large summit crater of Mt Kilimanjaro. Kibo is one of the three volcanic cones that make up the mountain, the other two being Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is the tallest, and its rim is where you find Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kilimanjaro. Crater Camp is just below the summit, on the flat expanse of the crater floor, surrounded by steep crater walls and permanent glaciers. It’s the closest you can get to sleeping at the “roof of Africa” without being on the summit itself. Crater Camp isn't far from Uhuru Peak – just one kilometre.

The three volcanic cones of Mount Kilimanjaro: Kibo (centre), Mawenzi (right), and Shira (left), seen rising above the East African plains.

Kibo Crater is far from a perfect volcanic cone. Long ago, a strong eruption blew off its summit, leaving behind a complex summit structure made up of three concentric craters. At the very centre lies Reusch Crater, which contains the fascinating Ash Pit, a deep volcanic vent.

Surrounding the Reusch Crater is the Inner Cone, forming the next ring of this volcanic formation. The largest and outermost of these is the expansive Kibo Crater, spanning approximately 2.5 kilometres across. It’s along the rim of this wide Kilimanjaro crater that you’ll find Uhuru Peak.

This NASA image beautifully reveals the three concentric craters of Kibo

The western rim of Kibo Crater collapsed thousands of years ago, dramatically altering the mountain’s summit structure. This collapse created the Western Breach, a steep and rugged gap that now serves as one of the challenging routes to Kilimanjaro’s summit.

Kibo cone as seen from the northwest, with Mawenzi cone in the distance

Learn more: What is the best way to acclimatise when climbing Kilimanjaro?

Crater Camp, located just 1 km (0.6 miles) northeast of Uhuru Peak, lies within the wide Kilimanjaro crater. It typically takes up to an hour to hike from the summit down to this extraordinary campsite.

At Follow Alice, we recommend the Lemosho or Northern Circuit routes for climbers aiming to experience the Kilimanjaro Crater Camp. These longer, scenic routes not only showcase some of Kilimanjaro’s most stunning landscapes but also provide ample time for acclimatisation, a must for safely spending a night at Crater Camp’s extreme altitude. If you are still unsure, schedule a call with us - we are happy to answer any questions you might have.

Both routes wind through lush rainforests, alpine moorlands, and expansive highlands before reaching the summit area. This gradual ascent allows your body to adjust to the thinning air, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and increasing your chances of a successful and enjoyable summit.

Choosing either the Lemosho or Northern Circuit means you’ll trek alongside fewer crowds, enjoy varied terrain, and have the best preparation for the challenge of sleeping within the Kilimanjaro crater itself — a truly unforgettable experience reserved for well-acclimatised climbers.

Crater Camp (in deep shadow) and Furtwangler Glacier

Learn more: Which is the best Kilimanjaro route?

What truly sets Kilimanjaro Crater Camp apart is the rare opportunity to explore the incredible Kibo Crater at your own pace during the day. Unlike other parts of the mountain, daytime temperatures here can be surprisingly mild, allowing you to wander this beautiful volcanic landscape almost entirely alone.

Staying at Crater Camp means getting up close to features that most climbers never see from the Furtwängler Glacier, reaching skyward to the steep and dramatic walls of the intimidating Ash Pit.

Then, at dawn, a short walk takes you to the crater rim, where you’ll witness a truly unforgettable sunrise over the beautiful African plains below, a moment that perfectly captures the magic of Kilimanjaro’s summit experience.

Furtwängler Glacier in the foreground with the Northern Icefield beyond, captured by Roger M - Follow Alice climber

Learn more: 10 important things to know before climbing Kilimanjaro

The landscape of Kibo Crater is often compared to the surface of the moon — stark, surreal, and hauntingly beautiful. When snow-free, you trek across a vast expanse of grey-brown volcanic ash, loose scree, and jagged rock. It’s a place stripped of vegetation and life, where silence reigns supreme.

In colder months, a dusting of snow can soften the harsh contours, casting a quiet stillness over the crater. But beneath that delicate white veil lies the same raw, unreal terrain — a reminder that you're standing inside the summit crater of one of the world’s tallest freestanding volcanoes.

The floor of Kibo Crater is dry, dusty, and desolate when not blanketed in snow.

Learn more: Safety on Kilimanjaro – essential wilderness first responder crew training

The summit of Kilimanjaro is home to ice fields and scattered glaciers. These are pieces of ice and glaciers that have been on the mountain for thousands of years, left over from a time when the climate was much colder than it is today. While snowfall on the mountain comes and goes with the seasons, these shimmering ice formations are more permanent.

Sadly, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers have shrunk drastically, losing around 80% of their mass since 1912. Rising temperatures and changing weather conditions, including lower humidity and warmer air, are accelerating the loss of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields. This rapid melting is part of a global pattern, as glaciers worldwide are disappearing due to climate change.

All trekkers can catch views of the Southern Ice Field from the main summit route. But those who stay overnight at Crater Camp are treated to a rare close-up of the Northern Ice Field and the Furtwängler Glacier.

The ice fields and some snowfall on the Kibo cone

Learn more: Asthma at high altitude: what every traveller should know

Furtwangler Glacier is one of the most well-known glaciers on Kilimanjaro, largely because of its close location to Uhuru Peak. The glacier is named after Walter Furtwängler, a German climber who was part of the second successful expedition to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit in 1912. Like other glaciers on the mountain, it formed thousands of years ago during a cooler and wetter period. At one point, glaciers covered much of Kilimanjaro’s summit, including the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

Starting in the early 1900s, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers started to shrink, and now, Furtwängler Glacier is one of the last remaining ice fields on the mountain.

Despite this, most trekkers never get the chance to approach it closely. Those who spend a night at Crater Camp, however, have the unique opportunity to walk right up to the glacier’s base.

Standing near Furtwangler Glacier allows you to see its impressive size, something that’s hard to appreciate when viewing it only from a distance or from above. Up close, you can admire the striking blue-and-white hues of the ice, as well as the intricate patterns carved by years of relentless cold temperatures and strong mountain winds. This closer perspective offers a quiet reminder of the glacier’s fragile presence on Kilimanjaro’s summit.

Furtwangler Glacier on Kilimanjaro

Learn more: Why Uhuru Peak Should Be on Your Bucket List

The Ash Pit is the volcanic vent inside Reusch Crater and a real reminder of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic past. Its steep sides drop sharply, making for a striking sight. If you’re staying at Crater Camp and feeling strong, you can take a two- to three-hour hike to visit both Reusch Crater and the Ash Pit, a unique experience with some amazing photo opportunities.

Reusch Crater is the innermost of Kibo’s three concentric craters and is home to the Ash Pit.

Spending a night at Crater Camp means facing two tough challenges: the biting cold and the high altitude. Temperatures in Kibo Crater can plunge below -10°C (14°F) after dark, sometimes dropping as low as -20°C (-4°F). Snowfall is also possible, especially in the coldest months of December and January, which can blur the stunning landscape around you. If you’re planning your climb, be sure to check our guide on the best time to climb Kilimanjaro to pick the right season and prepare accordingly.

A trekker creates a puff of dust in the dry conditions of Kibo Crater - Image by D. Hardy

Learn more: Meet Follow Alice's awesome Kilimanjaro mountain crew

The high altitude at Kilimanjaro Crater Camp inevitably affects everyone who stays there. Common symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, and restless sleep. Headaches, in particular, are frequent at this elevation and can be quite intense.

Chris Sichalwe, the Follow Alice lead guide who has spent more than a dozen nights at Crater Camp, admits that even he feels a bit off at this altitude and struggles to get a good night’s rest. The thin air at nearly 5,750 metres (18,865 ft) makes acclimatisation challenging, so it’s important to be prepared for these effects when staying at the crater floor.

Everyone who summits Kilimanjaro gets to see and enjoy the Southern Ice Field | Image by M. Horrell

Learn more: When is there snow on the summit of Kilimanjaro?

Spending a night at Crater Camp isn’t for everyone. It’s best suited to trekkers who have previous experience sleeping and hiking at high altitude, as they’re usually more aware of how their bodies respond to thinner air and the challenges that come with it. People who live at high elevations often find it easier to adapt, too.

That said, we won’t take just anyone to Crater Camp. There will be a detailed conversation with your trip manager about your high-altitude trekking experience, your tolerance for physical discomfort, and your comfort with risk-taking. Your trip manager will also discuss which ascent route suits you best since staying at Crater Camp requires a route that allows for proper acclimatisation.

At Follow Alice, we don’t want to either push or dissuade you from including a Crater Camp stay; it’s a very personal decision. For some, the chance to explore the unique landscape and witness unforgettable views from inside Kibo Crater makes the discomfort worthwhile. For others, the near-certain headaches, nausea, and sleepless nights can be overwhelming, making it a less suitable choice.

So yes, we’ll organise a Crater Camp itinerary for those who want it and who we feel can cope with its challenges.