The Lemosho 8 route offers stunning scenery and similarly to Northern Circuit 8, a favorable acclimatization profile. In contrast, the Northern Circuit provides views of Kilimanjaro from all four sides but is generally considered less scenic. This is mainly because the northern slopes receive less rainfall and therefore have less abundant and diverse vegetation. Another factor to consider is that the Northern Circuit is significantly less crowded, whereas Lemosho currently ranks among the top three busiest routes on Kilimanjaro.
Given its length, the Northern Circuit is better suited for hikers with greater endurance who don't mind longer daily treks. Additionally, if you really prefer to bypass the Barranco Wall, the Northern Circuit offers that. Both routes are accessible without requiring technical skills or extensive training and offer excellent acclimatization. The summit success rate is higher on Lemosho mainly due to the fact that a small percentage of hikers get tired during the longer trail of the Northern Circuit.