Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Mawenzi Tarn Camp is a dramatic high camp at about 4,330 metres, set directly beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi Peak. It is the only campsite on Kilimanjaro pitched beside a natural alpine lake, or tarn, which gives it a stark, striking setting. The camp is used mainly for acclimatisation, giving climbers a rugged base to prepare before the crossing of the alpine desert toward Kibo.

This is a basic public campsite with no rooms or permanent buildings for guests. Climbers sleep in tents pitched by the crew, and facilities are limited to shared pit latrines; there is no restaurant, tap water, electricity, Wi-Fi or private bathroom. At this altitude the wind is strong and cold, so the camp relies on natural wind breaks and the shelter of your expedition gear.

Your trekking crew provides and carries all meals, tents and camp equipment, and draws water from the glacier-fed tarn to treat for the team. A high-altitude ranger outpost is nearby. Because acclimatisation time is often spent here, expect cold nights and thin air, and follow your guide’s advice on pacing and hydration.