Arrow Glacier Campsite The Arrow Glacier campsite primarily serves as an overnight stop for climbers ascending Mount Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach Route. This route is notable for its steep, vertical wall on the mountain’s western side.

The campsite gets its name from the now-extinct Arrow Glacier, which once existed on Mount Kilimanjaro but has since completely disappeared.

Routes Passing Through Arrow Glacier Camp

Several routes, including the Shira, Lemosho, and Northern Circuit routes, pass near Arrow Glacier Camp. However, they typically do not use it for overnight stays—except for climbers taking the Western Breach Route.

Like many campsites on the mountain, Arrow Glacier lacks permanent structures, with the only facilities being basic wooden pit latrines.

This campsite sees limited use because it serves mainly as an overnight base for climbers ascending via the Western Breach—a rarely used route that requires special permission. Descents are typically made via different routes.

Location and Environment of Arrow Glacier Campsite

Arrow Glacier Camp is located on the western slope of Kibo, the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. It lies just below the Western Breach wall, which was created by a massive landslide from Kibo’s side. The debris formed a steep scree slope, resulting in an almost vertical wall about 100 meters tall.

The campsite sits in Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone, known for strong winds, low humidity, and minimal rainfall. It is one of the few campsites on the mountain that occasionally experiences snowfall. Due to the harsh conditions, this area supports virtually no plant or animal life, except for a few resilient insects such as spiders.