This camp is located on the upper section of the Kilimanjaro. To be specific it’s located in the Alpine venation zone of the Kilimanjaro. This zone is an arid region.
One would think that since the mountain has snow on the top and a forest below then there is no way there would be a desert associated with it.
This area has barely any vegetation in this area. Make sure you have the entire measures to protect you from the sun rays as they are very strong here and you have nothing to protect you at all.
The temperature is really high here and it can reach up to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Here if you haven’t acclimatized well, you will definitely have the altitude sickness and they use the rule of “climb high, sleep low” to control the effect of the illness.
There are a few plants that survive here like the tussock grass, some moss varieties and everlastings. The conditions are really too hard for any animal life to survive.
This camp is very common to hikers on the Machame route of the Kilimanjaro. This camp is an alternative accommodation to Barranco Camp on this trail.
Staying at this camp helps a lot with reducing the altitude sickness. This is because it’s on the lower altitude to the Barranco Camp.
You will sleep at this camp on the third night on this route. While at this camp, you can explore the Lava tower of the Kilimanjaro.
The Lava Tower
This lava tower has existed for over 150,000 year ago. This tower was formed as a result of volcanicity, the same process that the Kilimanjaro was formed.
The Lava was released through a vent and it hardened and blocked the vent thus standing like a tower.
On active volcanoes, such towers act like plugs to regulate the power of the volcanic activity when the eruption comes.
This volcano is dormant and the lava tower has been idle for very many years. The tower is about 90 meters tall.
In the past, hikers would be allowed to climb the tower as one of the activities of the Kilimanjaro but the activity was stopped due to safety concerns.
Those that would hike the tower would be rewarded with a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire area.
Which Route takes you to the lava Tower?
You will take either the Shira, Lemosho, Northern Circuit and Machame routes. All these routes head to the Uhuru peak of the Kilimanjaro.
The best route however is the western route but if you have made your research you know how hazardous this trail is.
The tower has an accommodation camp and you can overnight here.
Location of The Lava Tower Camp
The Lava tower is located at about 4572 meters above sea level. It’s on the slopes of the Kibo cone of the Kilimanjaro.
Lava Tower vegetation and climatic zone
The tower is located in the Alpine region of the Kilimanjaro. This area has a lot temperature variations during the days and night.
This level of the mountain will barely have any plant life. The landscape is a bit desolate with some yellow daisies.
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