Climbing Kilimanjaro, Africa’s pole star standing majestically as the continent’s highest peak, is a pursuit many adventure-seekers dream about. There are multiple routes ascending this iconic mountain, each offering a unique experience, with the Machame route standing out as the most appealing choice for many, owing to its greatest chance of summiting.
Popularly known as the ‘Whiskey Route,’ the Machame route challenges thrillseekers with its demanding terrains, steep ascents and incredible views over Tanzania. Despite the challenges, it rewards climbers with mesmerising vistas and a distinct sense of achievement.
With that in mind, if you’re considering undertaking your Kilimanjaro adventure via the Machame route, here are 12 key tips to a safe and satisfying climb.
Why Take The Machame Route?
The Machame route is celebrated for its diversified landscapes, challenging route and strategic design allowing for gradual acclimatisation to high altitudes. From shifting ecosystems of lush rainforests to alpine deserts, this route presents climbers with scenic diversity and captivating panorama. The route has the added advantage of being – relatively speaking – less crowded compared to the Marangu Route and less lengthy than the Lemosho route, enhancing your intimate interaction with nature.
Embarking on the Machame route will generally take between 6 to 7 days, allowing ample time for acclimatisation to high altitudes leading to a greater summit success rate.
Before we delve into essential tips for a successful Machame Route Trek, let’s explore some noteworthy sites awaiting you on the Machame timeline.
Some Of The Machame Route’s Incredible Highlights
Your awe-inspiring journey starts in the lush rainforest at the Machame Gate. Here, you’ll be enveloped by vibrant vegetation and the symphony of exotic birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful colobus monkeys schlepping through the overhead canopies on your trek to the Machame Camp.
Soon your ascent to the Shira Camp sees you breaking free from the forest cover, unveiling the vast expanse of the Shira Plateau. Shira is renowned for its otherworldliness, like stepping onto a different planet, laying bare landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
As the third day dawns, your adventure introduces you to the imposing Lava Tower. It stands as one of the highest points on the Machame route at a staggering 15,190 feet. It’s an exhilarating climb but a formidable acclimatisation stop.
Next up is the Barranco Wall; an iconic thrill, its scaling is punctuated by a bit of scrambling but the reward is the breathtaking panoramic vistas it offers. As evening descends, you’ll find yourself at the Karanga Camp, famously admired for its mesmerising sunset views offered from its ridge positioning, having an uninterrupted view of the mountain’s summit.
Finally, we establish base at the Barafu Camp, elevation being an impressive 15,331 feet, where we prepare for a challenging but highly anticipated summit push to the Uhuru Peak. Culminating at this peak of Africa, at an height of 19,341 feet, earning that sunrise over the vast African continent is a momentous achievement.
Embarking on the Mweka Route for descent presents its own particular charm; you traverse from an alpine desert through to the rainforest, marking a significant climate and vegetation contrast.
12 Key Tips To Help Ensure A Safe & Successful Climb
Anyway, for some top tips for a safe and successful climb, just stay with us…
Familiarise Yourself With The Machame Route
The maxim ‘Knowledge is Power’ holds true even when climbing Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. Understand its eight stages, where the route starts from the Machame Gate with a gentle ascent into a rainforest and eventually transforms into steep rocky paths amidst heather and moorland.
Set A Relaxed Pace
Given the challenging nature of the Machame route, it’s advisable to set a relaxed pace from the beginning. As the route intertwines between different strata of climatic zones, taking the time to enjoy the varying landscapes and acclimatise will stand you in good stead as you progress further.
Read: 5 of the best national parks and reserves in Kenya to see wildlife
Prioritise Acclimatisation
High altitude sickness is a common challenge on this route. The Machame route is designed for better acclimatisation due to its climb high, sleep low design. Leverage this advantage, take a break whenever you feel the effects of altitude and rest well.
Regard The Shira Plateau
On the second day, as you move out of the rainforest section, make time to marvel at the expanse of the Shira Plateau. The plateau augments an elevation gain for this stage, promising splendid views.
Prepare For Lava Tower Climb
The third trekking day includes the ascent to Lava Tower. Since it stands at a substantial elevation, gradually pacing yourself will ensure a successful day of beneficial acclimatisation.
Steady Scramble Up The Barranco Wall
Not for the faint-hearted, the great Barranco Wall forces you to scramble up its steep surfaces. Maintain steady feet and rely on the competence of your guide to navigate through this part of the trail, and you will be rewarded with breath-taking views at the top.
Conquer The Karanga Valley
Navigating through Karanga Valley also requires ample energy but remember to draw pleasures from its scenic beauty. The Karanga Valley campsite is known for its mesmerising sunsets and serves a respite before the ultimate climb up to Barafu Camp.
Element-Proof Your Gear
Prepare for rapid weather turnabouts on the Machame route. Proper rain gear, sun protection, cold gear appropriate for freezing temperatures, and sturdy, waterproof trekking boots are essential.
Embrace Both Challenges & Rewards
The Machame route indeed offers a challenging trek. Yet every new difficulty, be it the high altitude, tough terrain, or polarising weather conditions, enriches your satchel with experiences of an array of ecosystems in a single trek.
Take A Rest Before Tackling The Summit
Barafu Camp is your last rest stop before the final blockbuster march to Uhuru Peak. Prepare your gear carefully for the summit, get a wholesome meal, hydrate, and crucially, ensure you take an extravagant rest before the pre-midnight commencement.
Respect the Environment
Kilimanjaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, possessing an abundant range of flora and fauna. Ensure that your conquest leaves no damaging trails in the mountain ecology.
The Descent Requires Just As Much Attention
The journey back down to Mweka connects the desolate alpine desert through to the rich rainforest again. It is demanding and deserves every bit of care and preparation as your climb to the summit.
The Bottom Line
The Machame route on Kilimanjaro awards its climbers with a profound sense of satisfaction embedded in breath-taking landscapes and challenging terrains. It’s not a leisurely jaunt; instead, think of it as an immensely gratifying pilgrimage to life’s charming reward. Let fortitude, apt knowledge, and preparation be your best companions on this unmatched odyssey. Safe travels, and happy summiting!
It’s only natural that you’ve worked up a pretty ravenous appetite doing all that reading/climbing. Back at base, why not explore some of the incredible local dishes to try on holiday to Tanzania? We’re getting hungry just thinking about them!