Africa Safaris

Mount Kilimajaro - Machame Route
(harder more scenic route)

This route is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, while rewarding them with scenic splendour such as not seen on the Marangu route.

You begin with a transfer from Arusha to your base hotel in Moshi where you will overnight.

The Springland Hotel is located just outside Moshi in a forest near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a small, modern family-run hotel, which is ideal as a home base for exploring this beautiful part of Tanzania. / Here you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a local beer while watching the fabulous sunset reflected on the snows of Kilimanjaro.
   

The mountain can be climbed at any time of the year but the best months for climbing Kilimanjaro are January, February and September with July, October, November and December also being good. You must be reasonably fit to attempt the climb and acclimatization is recommended by spending an extra night at Horombo Hut at an altitude of 3,795 m (12,450 ft).

The Machame Route (8 days/7 nights - 5 days on trek without the recommended extra day at the Shira Hut). Many regard this as the most scenic of the trails up Kilimanjaro but no less challenging. The ascent through forest is gradual until you merge onto the moorland of Shira Plateau, from which there are superb views of the Kibo peak and the Great Wetern Breach. The Machame Route begins further northwest of Moshi in the village of Machame.
   

DAY 1

Transfer from Arusha to the Springland Hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2

Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park at Machame Gate. From here the trk will begin through lush forest to Machame Hut (10,000 ft/3000 m) - overnight at camp.

DAY 3

Leaving the forest, the path follows a steep ridge, passing through heather and open moorlands, then crosses a large gorge to reach Shira Hut (12,500 ft/380m) and overnight at camp.
    

DAY 4

Turning eastwards the ascent continues through the dry landscapes before dropping again to reach Barranco Hut (13000 ft/3900 m) - overnight at camp.

DAY 5

The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley, then turns north to Barafu Hut (15,500 ft/4600 m) - overnight at camp.

DAY 6

A long day and an early start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Then onto Uhuru Peak (19430 ft/5896 m), the highest point in Africa - Fantastic! But the day is not over yet - descend to Gillman's Point and on down to Camp Mweka where you will overnight.

DAY 7

Descend, passing Madara Hut, to the park gate, from where you are transferred back to Springland Hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 8 - Depart
    

   
8 days/ 7 nights (5 on trek) Machame Route on Kilimanjaro on a full board basis. 1st night Springland Hotel; 2nd night - Camp Machame; 3rd night - Camp Shira; 4th night - Camp Barranco; 5th night - Camp Barafu; 6th night - Camp Mweka; 7th night - 1 night post climb is spent at Springland Hotel. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents.