Join the certified guides at Orongai Africa Safaris on an exciting guided Kilimanjaro ascent via the Machame route and discover the highest mountain in all of Africa!
Group
+1 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
Would you like to climb the stunning Kilimanjaro in Tanzania? Then join us on this unique ascent via the Machame Route.
The Machame Route, also known informally as the whisky-route, is one of the most popular to summit Kilimanjaro, which at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) is Africa’s highest mountain, and therefore, one of the world’s seven summits. This route is slightly rougher than the Marangu route, another popular alternative, however, it boasts the highest summit success rate of all the Kili routes.
On this 6-day adventure, we will pick you up from your hotel or the airport, and set off on an unforgettable journey that will take us through one of Tanzania’s most famous landmarks. On the way, we will enjoy the amazing flora and fauna of Kilimanjaro, as well as the unique experience of climbing this amazing peak. You will need a good fitness level and prior mountaineering experience to join.
So, are you ready for an amazing Kilimanjaro climb? Then book your place now and join us on this 6-day adventure to the Kili summit via the Machame Route!
Or, check out other some of the other alternatives we offer for climbing Kilimanjaro!
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals & Drinks
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
You need to be fit and above 18 years old.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
You should train for at least 6 months.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
You can bring your equipment or rent it on arrival for approximately $150.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Yes, the porters carry all the items.
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
There are cooks and porters who help with that.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
The guides are prepared for every occasion.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
The yellow fever and covid-19 vaccines are required.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
10/10.
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
All through the year expect for April and May.
Can I join a group?
Yes.
Tour Operator
Welcome to Orongai African Safaris, our company, located right in the heart of Arusha, has a team of experienced, professional and dedicated guides. The whole team and entire staff at Orongai African Safaris is made up of natives who know Africa, Tanzania in particular by their fingertips. They have taken naturalist courses and are excellent game spotters. In addition they speak excellent English and some of them speak a couple of foreign languages.
All our 4×4 safari vehicles are custom-made for the rugged terrain of African roads in order to withstand the harsh terrain while offering game-viewing comfort. In addition they are fitted with HF radio communications and all passengers are guaranteed comfortable window seats.
Languages
German | French | English | Chinese
Man
5
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
5
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
Valeriya
5
You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.
Joshua
5
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
Cami
5
Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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