Tanzania Closes Two Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes as Wildfire Spreads
Tanzania · EXPAT
Key Facts
- —The country Tanzania, in East Africa, has about 70.5 million people and an economy of roughly US$90 billion, about one-fortieth the size of Britain’s.
- —Why it matters Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 metres, is one of Tanzania’s best-known attractions. Tourism is among the country’s largest sources of foreign currency.
- —Why now A new wildfire is spreading inside Kilimanjaro National Park, weeks after an earlier blaze on the mountain’s northern side near Kenya.
- —What happened On Monday, 28 September, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) suspended the Lemosho and Londorosi climbing routes as the fire moved toward Shira.
- —Who is involved TANAPA, the state parks agency, is fighting the fire with the national fire service, forest service, a local wildlife area, reservists and residents.
- —What it means for you Climbers booked on the two western routes are being redirected to the Machame, Marangu or Rongai routes. Check with your operator before travelling.
- —Still open TANAPA has not said when the two routes will reopen, how large an area has burned, or what caused the fire.
Tanzania has closed two of the six climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro as a wildfire spreads inside the national park. Climbers are being sent to other routes while firefighters try to contain the blaze.
The Kilimanjaro fire has forced Tanzania to suspend two popular climbing routes on the mountain. Tanzania is an East African country of about 70.5 million people, and Kilimanjaro is its most famous landmark.
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), the state agency that runs the country’s national parks, announced the suspension on Monday, 28 September. It closed the Lemosho and Londorosi routes, which approach the mountain from the west.
What TANAPA announced
According to TANAPA, the blaze broke out in the Sangarini-Kamwanga area and was spreading toward Shira. Shira is a high plateau on the mountain’s western flank, crossed by climbers on the western routes.
TANAPA said it had “temporarily suspended the use of the Lemosho and Londrosi routes” because of the ongoing fire. The statement was issued by Catherine Mbena, TANAPA’s assistant conservation commissioner for communications.
The authority described the closure as a precaution while the fire burns. Tourists who had planned to use the two routes have been advised to switch to the Machame, Marangu or Rongai routes.
“The safety of workers, tourists and conservation and tourism stakeholders remains our first priority,” the statement said. TANAPA added that all available resources were being deployed to bring the fire under control.
Who is fighting the fire
TANAPA said it is working with the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force, the national fire service. It is also working with the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, which manages state forests.
The Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, a community-run conservation zone west of the mountain, is also involved. So are the Reserve Force, local residents and tourism businesses.
The authority has not published an estimate of the area burned. It has also not said what started the fire.
The second Kilimanjaro fire this month
This is the second Kilimanjaro fire in September. An earlier blaze broke out on Thursday, 3 September, in the Kikererwa area of the park, near the border with Kenya.
That fire was more than 90 percent contained by Saturday, 5 September, according to TANAPA and local reporting. Most of it was under control within three days.
Fires on the mountain’s lower slopes are not new. They tend to occur in the dry months, when grass and heath on the slopes burn easily.
Why the mountain matters to Tanzania
At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and draws climbers from around the world. It sits in northern Tanzania, close to the towns of Moshi and Arusha.
Tourism is one of Tanzania’s largest earners of foreign currency. The climbing trade supports guides, porters, cooks, tour operators and hotels in the north of the country.
A short closure of two routes does not shut the mountain. Most climbers can still reach the summit by other paths, although plans and timings may change.
What climbers and residents should do now
Anyone booked on the Lemosho or Londorosi routes should contact their tour operator before travelling. Operators arrange park permits, so they will handle any switch to another route.
The alternative routes differ in length, scenery and difficulty. Marangu approaches from the south-east, Machame from the south-west and Rongai from the north.
Climbers should ask whether a new route changes the number of days on the mountain. Fewer days can mean less time to adjust to altitude, which raises the risk of altitude sickness.
It is also worth checking what a travel insurance policy covers if a trip is rerouted or delayed. Residents of Moshi and Arusha should follow official TANAPA notices for updates.
What to watch next
The key question is how quickly firefighters can contain the blaze near Shira. TANAPA has given no reopening date for the two routes.
If the closure lasts, demand on the remaining routes could rise. Watch for TANAPA statements on containment, the area burned and any reopening.
For wider context on how natural assets shape African economies, see Africa: The New Scramble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kilimanjaro routes are closed because of the fire?
TANAPA suspended the Lemosho and Londorosi routes on Monday, 28 September 2026. Both approach the mountain from the west, and the fire was spreading toward the Shira plateau.
Can I still climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes, TANAPA has told tourists to use the Machame, Marangu or Rongai routes instead. Contact your tour operator to confirm your new route and schedule.
Was there another fire on Kilimanjaro recently?
Yes, an earlier Kilimanjaro fire broke out on 3 September in the Kikererwa area near the Kenyan border. It was more than 90 percent contained by 5 September.
When will the closed routes reopen?
TANAPA has not given a date. The suspension stays in place while firefighters work to contain the blaze.
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