Barafu Camp

Altitude / Barafu Camp Elevation: 4645 m.a.m.s.l.

Barafu Camp also known as Barafu Hut Camp is the closest campsite and accommodation point near the Uhuru Peak summit. Barafu is a Swahili word meaning Ice. Barafu hut campsite is one of the last camps you come across right before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, the other camps located near Kibo summit include Kibo huts, arrow glacier camp, and school huts. This campsite is an overnight resting point situated on the south-eastern side, at the base of Kibo.

Just like the other campsites near the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, this one also lacks any basic structures save for a ranger’s hut and a few dry toilets in the form of pit latrines some placed right at the edge of the ridge.

It is a requirement for all those using this camp for accommodation to carry their own tents. When there is high traffic of people on this campsite, it would be highly difficult to find a great spot for pitching your tent as this campsite has a huge number of large rocks and toilets at the site.

What is the temperature of Barafu Camp and what is the ideal sleeping bag?

Depending on the time of the year and month, the temperatures at Barafu Camp can range from 4 degrees Celcius to -20 degrees Celcius near the summit. You are better off sleeping warmer than colder that is why we recommend sleeping bags that have a minimum rating of -10 degrees Celsius (14 Fahrenheit). In terms of the material, it will not matter much as you can use either a down sleeping bag which we recommend more than a synthetic one, but it is not a top priority especially if you are just going to use it once.

More about the recommended sleeping bags for Mount Kilimanjaro and Barafu Camp

Location of Barafu Campsite

Barafu hut is strategically situated on top of a ridge whereby it is fairly easy to spot oncoming hikers. Barafu Huts campsite is also located at the southeastern base of the Kibo volcanic cone. There is a huge scarcity of water available at the campsite, despite the place having immense amounts of ice near Barafu Hut Campsite.

The only water available is used for cooking or drinking and the porters often carry it. Due to the high elevation, which is unable to efficiently support plants and animals, this area has none of flora nor fauna present because it falls in the alpine desert region of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Its position on top of a ridge exposes it to high winds and very cold temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro falling below freezing point with very low humidity.

Barafu hut campsite ground is rocky and full of volcanic soils and scree.

How high is the Barafu Hut Camp?

The Barafu Hut Camp simply known as Barafu Camp is located 4,673m or 15,330 ft on Mount Kilimanjaro. The camp is dusty, full of gravel, and is freezing cold up there. It is from Barafu camp that most routes use as the last campsite before making the final push to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, mostly done at midnight or shortly after midnight, to get to the summit by sunrise.

Distance from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

It takes about 6-7 hours to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895m) with an altitude difference of about 150m. if you leave Barafu camp at midnight or shortly after midnight, you will be at the summit of Kilimanjaro by early morning, just in time for an early morning sunrise.

Additional information