In late September a Kilimanjaro fire on the western side of the mountain closed the Lemosho route, our flagship climb, with Legend groups on the mountain and another arriving that same day. Every one of them was kept clear of the fire, and every one kept the best possible chance of reaching the summit.

Lemosho, Londorosi and Rongai all reopened on 8 October, and our January Lemosho departures run as planned. Here is what happened, how we handled it, and what it tells you about choosing who you climb with.

What happened: the Kilimanjaro fire and the route closures

On Monday 28 September, a fire broke out in the Sangarini area of Kamwanga on the western slopes and began moving towards the Shira Plateau. That same day the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) suspended the Lemosho and Londorosi routes as a precaution and directed climbers onto Machame, Marangu or Rongai instead.

Rongai, on the northern side, was closed in early October as the fire continued. Machame and Marangu stayed open throughout. It was the second fire on the mountain this season, after a blaze near the Kenyan border in early September burned more than 18 square kilometres before it was brought under control.

How we handled the fire on the mountain

We knew early. Anything happening on Kilimanjaro reaches us through three channels: the park rangers we work alongside every week, our own network of guides and crews, and TANAPA’s official announcements.

Groups already on the mountain near the affected area came down straight away. That decision is never a difficult one. A summit attempt can be rebuilt. Nobody’s safety is up for negotiation.

We also had clients arriving for the Lemosho route on the day the fire started. Rather than drive them to a trailhead we couldn’t vouch for, we took them back to the Maridadi Hotel for the night and rebuilt their climb around the Machame route, well away from the fire. Machame joins the Lemosho trail around Lava Tower and Barranco, so the acclimatisation day, the upper mountain and summit night stayed exactly the same.

Across the season we had a number of groups on Kilimanjaro while fires were burning. We diverted every one of them, kept them safe, and kept their chances of standing on Uhuru Peak as high as we could.

Why we can change plans so quickly

Speed comes from being there. Our HQ team is based in Moshi, at the foot of the mountain, not in an office on another continent. Our guides carry satellite phones and talk directly to HQ, so a decision made on the trail is backed at the same moment by people who can rebook permits, move crews and arrange transport.

We also have doctors on call around the clock through our partnership with Enduro Medical. When a plan changes at short notice, that medical cover moves with it. None of this is visible when a climb goes to plan. It is what matters on the days it doesn’t.

The Lemosho route is open again

On 8 October, TANAPA issued Public Notice No. 17/2026 reopening Lemosho, Londorosi and Rongai, and confirmed the routes are safe for use. The cause of the fire and the full damage assessment have not been published yet. We will update this page when they are.

If you are booked on one of our January Lemosho climbs, your itinerary does not change. You may pass burnt ground on the western approach in the first days. You won’t be walking into anything the park authority hasn’t cleared, and we will brief you on current conditions at the Maridadi Hotel before you set off.

How often do fires happen on Kilimanjaro?

Major fires are uncommon, but they are seasonal. The significant ones in recent years, in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and twice this year, all came in September or October at the end of the long dry season. Heather and Erica scrub around 3,000 metres dries out and strong winds spread the flames quickly. My Kilimanjaro weather guide covers how the seasons shape your climb.

It is rare for a fire to affect a climb. If you are travelling in those months, the question to ask any operator is not whether a fire could happen. It is what they would do if it did.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Lemosho route open after the Kilimanjaro fire?

Yes. TANAPA reopened Lemosho, Londorosi and Rongai on 8 October under Public Notice No. 17/2026, which states the routes are safe for use. Machame and Marangu stayed open throughout. Our Lemosho climbs are running as normal.

Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro after the fire?

Yes. The fire was brought under control and TANAPA would not have reopened the routes if it judged them unsafe. You may see burnt ground on the western approach for some time. Our guides brief every group on conditions before the climb starts.

What happens if a route closes during my climb?

If it closes before you start, we rebuild your climb on an open route with a comparable acclimatisation profile, usually Machame. If you are already on the mountain near the affected area, your guides bring you down and our HQ team in Moshi builds a new plan with you, exactly as we did this season. Your safety comes first, and your summit chances a close second.

When do fires happen on Kilimanjaro?

Almost always in September or October, at the end of the long dry season. Most climbing seasons pass without one affecting the routes. When one does, TANAPA closes the routes nearest the fire and redirects climbers to the rest.

If you are booked with us and want to talk any of this through, email me at jack@legendexpeditions.com, book a call or message me on WhatsApp. And if you are planning a climb for next year, you can see our upcoming departures here.