We recently completed a 10-day adventure in Tanzania and I can confidently say it was one of the most incredible and well-organized travel experiences of my life. The tour was a perfect combination of challenge, natural beauty, and wildlife—featuring a 7-day Machame Route hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, followed by a 3-day classic safari through Tanzania’s top parks.
We made a tracking to the Kilimanjaro summit in January 2024. It was the best experience ever! Super professional company, best guides, porters, etc.
Great, very warm service and food. Lead guide Stanford, second guide Osward, and all the team, you are the best. Thank you!
Climbing Kilimanjaro is challenging, but with this tour operator it felt safe, well cared for, and truly enjoyable. I couldn't t recommend them enough to anyone planning this adventure!
4 DAYS MOUNT MERU TREKKING, the trekking through dense forests, scaling steep hillsides, and finally reaching the top of Mount Meru the fifth highest mountain in Africa. As a passionate adventurer and nature lover, you might crave the adrenaline rush that comes with conquering a challenging trail like Mount Meru. But you also know it's not easy the mountain demands the best of you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
If you are someone who craves adventure and wants to challenge themselves, then conquering Mount Meru might just be perfect for you. Located in Tanzania, this dormant volcano stands at an impressive 4,562 meters high and is often overshadowed by its bigger and more famous neighbor, Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Momella Route takes you through the Montane Forest to Miriakamba Hut, across the Ngare Nanyuki River and Inner Wall, and towards the summit of Mount Meru. Accompanied by an armed park ranger, starting early in the morning to reach the peak will ensure a spectacular view of the sunrise from the fifth-highest mountain in Africa.
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro.
Compared with the Marangu route, the walking days on the Machame route are longer and the walks are steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and landscape interesting. The Machame route is considered a more challenging route, and is better suited for those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. Because it is a popular route there are increased numbers of trekkers. It approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors (when it is warm outside and the sun is up) or inside a large dining tent, depending on weather conditions. Our staff will prepare all meals and set up and take down the tents.
The Machame route is a highly successful route to the summit as you climb high and sleep lower because of position of the campsites. The climb high sleep low approach aids acclimatization and increases your chance of getting to the summit.
After arrival at your accommodation in Moshi, you will have the opportunity to rest. Later there will be a meeting with the tour guides for a briefing about the trek and Mt Kilimanjaro. Importantly we also run an equipment check to ensure that every participant is as well prepared as possible. If you have any important gear missing, you can rent it from us.
Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the walking days on the Machame route are longer and the walks are steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and landscape interesting. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent, depending on weather conditions. Bless Africa Tours staff will prepare all meals and set up and take down the tents.
The Machame route is a highly successful route to the summit as you climb high and sleep lower because of position of the campsites, which aids acclimatization. It also offers the opportunity to take an alternative route to the summit, either via Barafu camp or the less frequented and more difficult Western breach route. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended to make the walk more enjoyable and improve acclimatization.
After arrival in Moshi and the hotel, there will be the opportunity to rest. Later there will be a meeting with the tour guide for a briefing about the trek and Mt Kilimanjaro and, very importantly, an equipment check.
The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route but more so perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way due to a shorter acclimatization period. That is one thing to take into account before decided to do the Marangu route.
Nobody, even how fit they are, know how their body will respond in high altitude. If you want to increase your chances for making a successful summit, we recommend the Machame route.
The shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route is one of the main differences compared to the other routes, where you have to camp. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route.
All your equipment and supplies are portered and our cook will prepares all your meals.
Great experience with this tour operator. Organization was all perfect. Our head guide Filbert and his entire team were fantastic, they clearly knew what they were doing and that experience shone through the entire trek. Very professional, helpful, knowledgeable and competent.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the top things to do while visiting Africa. It offers mesmerizing experiences, and is a must-do for all adventure travelers. That said, choosing from the number of routes available can be a huge task. Luckily for you, we've done all the hard work, so that you can focus your energies on preparing for the most exciting adventure of your life.
The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Including Arusha National Park but is Option,
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike.
This route is easy, gradual ascent and the most popular route for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. You will be sleeping in shared wooden huts where toilets, dining and washing rooms (cold shower) are available. This route is recommended proper acclimatization. The Marangu Route is also known as the "Tourist Route" or "Coca Cola Route".
And just about every tour operator will tell you:
The Marangu route is the easiest, cheapest and by far the most popular. Unfortunately, only one of these statements is true: climbing Kilimanjaro on the Marangu route is the cheapest option. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles.
At Horombo we will take an extra day for acclimatization. During this day you will be able to take various walks so it is not at all a waste of a day. Rather, it is a great day and also one that will give you a much higher chance of reaching Kilimanjaro's top, as you will be properly acclimatized.
For a detailed itinerary, we kindly ask you to see the itinerary tab.
The Lemosho Route is perhaps the most scenic Kilimanjaro route, from the first day to the last. The trail begins north of Shira, also on the western side of the mountain. But unlike the Shira Route, where for the first day you walk on a wide 4 WD road, Lemosho is a narrow wilderness trail right from the beginning, passing through pristine and remote rainforest with good chances of seeing wildlife. It then crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route near the Lava Tower.
Luckily, despite its growing popularity, especially for second time Kilimanjaro climbers, Lemosho sees a very low number of people and truly offers and incredible adventure on the highest peak in Africa, and the highest free standing mountain in the world.
Maasai Wanderings is looking very much forward to providing you with a climb of a lifetime. No previous mountaineering experience is required for this trip.
Among all the routes used to climb the mighty Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route is a relatively new one. This route has less traffic compared with other routes and a high summit success rate at the same time. Join us on this seven-day, private, guided expedition and conquer Africa's highest mountain.
We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Moshi and drive you to Londorossi Gate on the first day of the tour (one night's pre-tour accommodation included in the tour price). Hit the trail after all the formalities are done.
Spend the first two days travelling through a rainforest to reach Shira Ridge after which comes the Shira Plateau. Unlike the popular Machame Route, which only passes through a section of the plateau, the Lemosho Route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east. The routs climbs upward from the plateau via Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu (known as the southern circuit) to reach Kilimanjaro summit.
In addition to having less traffic, this route is considered by many to be the most scenic route to the top of the mountain. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the mountain from different angles during the trip. We will drop you off at your accommodation in Moshi after the tour is over.
