The Machame route is known as the “Whiskey” route and is now very popular as it offers excellent acclimatisation, with good opportunities to “walk high, sleep low”, and as a result has a high summit success rate.

It starts with an interesting and steep approach from the southwest, ascending up to Shira Plateau where it joins both the Lemosho and Shira routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It passes through five diverse climatic zones with some of the most beautiful views on Kilimanjaro, from the expansive Shira Plateau, to Lava Tower, the Great Barranco Wall and Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield.

Although overall Machame has a great success rate some people are concerned about a small section of scramble up the Barranco Wall- this is not tricky at all and you will be helped by your guide team every step of the way. On the most precarious part you have to take one stride around a rock outcrop but this is quite easy. The fact is thousands of people use this route safely every year.

There are high numbers of climbers on this route but this can be easily overcome by hitting the trail early. Machame’s stunning scenery certainly is worth it!

Sleeping in tents at designated campsites is the only accommodation option on Machame. The team’s cook will prepare all meals which are eaten in a large dining tent.

The minimum time taken to climb Kilimanjaro via this route is 6 days, and this is adequate time for the fit and well acclimatised climber. However, most climbers tend to add an extra day to improve acclimatisation and increase their chances of summitting Uhuru.