Kilimanjaro Crater Camp

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, beautiful glacier and more.

The simplest answer is that Crater Camp sits within the depression that exists at the top of Kilimanjaro's highest volcanic cone. The campsite is a little lower than Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro.

But to be more precise and explain things better ...

As discussed in 10 interesting facts about Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic cones, and the tallest cone is Kibo.

Kibo is not a neat cone, as a volcanic eruption long ago blasted off its top. What now exists at the top of Kibo are three concentric craters:

You can see the three craters of Kibo nicely in this NASA image, though you might want to zoom in:

2016 NASA image of Kibo cone

Here's another picture showing the summit as seen from a plane:

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

Long ago the western rim of Kibo Crater collapsed, creating what's now known as the Western Breach. You can see this breach in the photo above.

Crater Camp lies within the main Kibo Crater, and sits opposite Furtwangler Glacier. We tell you more about this glacier in just a moment.

Trekkers walk along the rim of the Inner Crater, with the Northern Ice Field and clouds in the distance | Image by M. Horrell

Crater Camp is 5,750 m (18,865 ft) above sea level. For comparison, Uhuru Peak – the mountain's summit – is 5,895 m (19,340 ft). So you really don't descend much before setting up camp.

Another height comparison is Everest Base Camp, which sits noticeably lower at 5,364 m (17,598 ft).

Crater Camp is only 1 km (0.6 mi) northeast of Uhuru Peak. It takes up to an hour to hike there.

We offer to take clients climbing the Lemosho or Northern Circuit to Crater Camp. These routes offer good acclimatisation, which is needed for a stay at Crater Camp.

Crater Camp (in deep shadow) and Furtwangler Glacier

The main appeal of Crater Camp is the chance to explore the crater during the day. Temperatures can be quite pleasant in the daytime, and you get to explore the crater at your leisure, with almost nobody else around.

Those visiting Kibo Crater get to enjoy being close up and personal with features that many will never see, like Furtwangler Glacier reaching towards the sky, and the steep sides of the menacing Ash Pit. In addition, the next morning when you awake you have an easy walk to the crater rim for a sublime and unparalleled sunrise!

Furtwangler Glacier is in the foreground, with snow behind it and the Northern Ice Field in the far distance | Image by Yosemite

The lunar-like landscape of Kibo Crater is mesmerising. When not covered in snow, you walk across grey-brown ash, scree and rocks. In winter, a thin blanket of snow can soften the scene and belie its otherworldly nature.

When not covered in snow, the crater floor is a dusty, dry and desolate place

The snow on the top of Kilimanjaro comes and goes with the seasons, but the ice fields and isolated glaciers are constant. That said, they're sadly shrinking: between 1912 and now they've lost about 80% of their mass.

A 2004 NASA image showing the ice fields and some snowfall on Kibo cone

While all Kilimanjaro trekkers get to enjoy amazing views of the Southern Ice Field, those who stay at Crater Camp get a closer look at the Northern Ice Field and especially Furtwangler Glacier.

Furtwangler Glacier is one of the most famous Kilimanjaro glaciers. One reason for this is its proximity to Uhuru Peak. Most trekkers, however, don't get close to it. Those who descend to Crater Camp, on the other hand, have the treat of walking right up to it.

Furtwangler Glacier is shrinking, so for those who want to see it – now is the time

Standing at the base of Furtwangler gives you a sense of its immense scale, which is denied to those who just see it from far away and above. You also get to truly appreciate its icy blue-and-white beauty, and see up close the repeating patterns wrought upon it by endless exposure to fierce cold and winds.

The Ash Pit refers to the mountain's vent in Reusch Crater and is something to behold. The steep drop is a heady sight, and the pit is a potent reminder of Kilimanjaro's volcanic history.

Reusch Crater is the innermost of three concentric craters on Kibo and contains the Ash Pit

Those staying at Crater Camp who are feeling strong can take on the two- to three-hour roundtrip hike from Crater Camp that lets them visit Reusch Crater and the Ash Pit. It has to be one of the most epic photo ops on offer!

Those staying at Crater Camp should expect a difficult night. The two main challenges are the cold and the extreme altitude.

At night the temperature in Kibo Crater can easily drop below -10°C (14°F), sometimes even reaching around -20°C (-4°F). Snow is also a possibility. December and January are the coldest months, with the greatest likelihood of snowfall. Snowfall can obscure your view of the landscape, so this is something to bear in mind. When choosing a month to climb, we definitely recommend reading Best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

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

And then there's the effects of the altitude. Everyone staying at Crater Camp experiences some symptoms of altitude sickness, like dizziness, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath and poor sleep. Headaches are particularly common at Crater Camp, and can be pretty bad.

Follow Alice lead guide Chris Sichalwe – who has spent the night at Crater Camp more than a dozen times – says even he feels wonky staying at Crater Camp and doesn't sleep much.

The better candidates for a Crater Camp stay are those who have trekked and slept at high altitude before. These folks have better insight into what their bodies can and cannot handle. People who already live at high altitude also have an advantage.

We don't feel it's for us to either encourage or discourage you from including a Crater Camp sleepover. Everyone is different, and for some the views and experience of staying a night in Crater Camp will outweigh the discomforts associated with it. For others, the almost guaranteed headaches, nausea and sleeplessness will be too much and they'd do better to leave this option alone. Only you know you best.

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

That said, we won't take just anyone to Crater Camp. There will need to be a discussion with your trip manager as to your high-altitude trekking experience, your au fait-ness with physical discomfort (!), and your comfort with risk-taking. Your trip manager will also discuss which ascent route you'd take, as you'd need to climb a route that allows for good acclimatisation.

So yes, we'll organise a Crater Camp itinerary for those who want it and we feel can cope with its rigours. Please give us a shout if you'd like to chat more about Crater Camp – we're more than happy to answer your questions, no strings attached! 🙂