Altitude: 3890 m.a.m.s.l.
An overnight camping area located along the Shira and Lemosho routes of
mount Kilimanjaro.
For both routes, it is the third campsite used while on the ascent to the summit and it is named for its location on the Shira plateau of the mountain.
The campsite does not have any cabins for accommodation; instead it, along with all the others on the two routes, operate on a bring your own tent policy.
There are two toilet types onsite, one is the old style 'long drop' pit latrines that are housed inside a small wooden shack, and the other is the recently built much cleaner toilets that are housed inside a building with solar powered lighting, tiled floors and a roof that lets sunlight through.
There also is a small green metal hut that serves as accommodation for the camp's ranger.
What to do thereCamping, hiking, glamping, picnics, bird watching — mostly raptors
Best time to visitThe warmer times of the year, usually the months of July to February
Location of Shira 2 campsiteShira 2 campsite is located on the Shira plateau, the lesser known of the three peaks of mount Kilimanjaro — others being Kibo and Mawenzi.
The campsite is also in the north western part of the mountain and in an area that has high winds, moderate rainfall and low temperatures.
The next campsite after this is the
Lava tower campsite, where as the previous campsite if on the Lemosho or Shira routes is the
Shira 1 campsite.
For those on the Machame route, the previous campsite is the
Machame hut.
The campsite also lies on sloping ground with vegetation around it consisting mainly of low lying bushes, a few rocks and other features that are characteristic of the moorland zone of the mountain
Abbreviations m.a.m.s.l. - metres above mean sea level