I recently completed the 7-day Machame Route hike to Mount Kilimanjaro with Kilisa Tours & Safaris, and it was truly the adventure of a lifetime.
From beginning to end, the trek was exceptionally well-organized. The guides demonstrated deep knowledge, patience, and unwavering support—particularly during the summit ascent, where their encouragement and steady pacing proved invaluable. They maintained a consistent "pole pole" (slowly, slowly) rhythm and continuously checked in to ensure we were acclimatizing properly and feeling well.
The Machame Route itself offers breathtaking diversity. Each day revealed new landscapes—from the lush rainforest on day one to the dramatic Shira Plateau, the exhilarating Barranco Wall, and the stark beauty of the alpine desert approaching Barafu Camp. The route’s acclimatization profile is excellent, and I am confident it contributed significantly to our group’s high summit success rate.
The support crew—porters, cooks, and camp staff—exceeded expectations. We were warmly welcomed at each camp with hot meals and comfortable resting areas. The quality of the food was remarkable for a mountain expedition—nutritious, hearty, and far above what I had anticipated.
Reaching Uhuru Peak was both emotional and exhilarating. Witnessing the sunrise from the Roof of Africa was a deeply rewarding moment and one of the proudest accomplishments of my life.
For anyone considering a Kilimanjaro climb, I highly recommend the 7-day Machame Route. It offers the perfect balance of challenge, scenic variety, and effective altitude adaptation. I strongly encourage choosing Kilisa Tours & Safaris as your operator—they deliver an outstanding and unforgettable experience.
The Rongai route is the only trail that starts from the northern, or Kenyan, side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of its remote location, this route offers trekkers a relatively unspoilt wilderness experience whereby climbers can see large wildlife like antelopes, elephants and buffalos. Additionally, since the northeastern side of the mountain receives significantly less moisture than the southern slopes, climbers are less likely to encounter rain and there is a high chance of enjoying clear, unclouded views of the mountain.
Join us on this seven-day, guided journey to the top of Africa through the route less taken. We will pick you up on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Your journey starts on the second day with a drive from Moshi to Marangu Park Gate.
The trek starts in earnest from the Rongai trailhead. Ascend to the top via Simba Camp, Kikelewa Cave, Mawenzi Tarn Camp and Kibo Hut. Although the Rongai route is flatter than other Mount Kilimanjaro routes, the push to the summit from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by those using the Marangu route. Once you have summited the mountain, the descent is made through the Marangu route.
Please note that the tour price also includes two night's accommodation in Moshi, one night each before and after the climb. For more details, please scroll down.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Tent, Hotel, Hut
Age Range
7-79 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, spanish
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilima
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Simba Camp, Second Cave, Kikelewa Cave, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Kibo Hut, Horombo Hut
Take the lesser-known route to the top of Africa's highest mountain during this seven-day, private, guided trip. Your journey to the top starts after we pick you up in Arusha on the first day of the trip and drive you to Londorossi Gate. From there, your journey continues through Big Tree Camp, Shira Camp 2, Barranco and Barafu camps to reach the top of the mountain.
The Lemosho route, which starts on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro, is the lesser-known of all the routes to the top of the mountain. However, it is increasingly being preferred by travelers for the beautiful scenery it offers along with a high summit success rate. Most of our travelers who have used this route love it.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east during a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route converges with the Machame route and takes you through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, all of which fall in the southern circuit.
We will make our descent via the Mweka route. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
12-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, Kilim
Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania, Lemosho Big Tree Camp, Shira Camp Two, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp, Arusha
Tanzania is blessed with some of the most spectacular peaks and hiking points around eastern Africa. The most intriguing of them all is the hike up Uhuru peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro attracts a lot of visitors annually who seeks the adventure of conquering the highest peak in Africa, and the highest free standing mountain in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro has different routes to the peak at 19340feet (5895meters) above sea level. One of these is the Machame Route which this tour will take.
Machame is a Zigzag route up and down trail. You will be hiking up and then hiking a bit down again to sleep low, which is very good for acclimatisation. Due to this reason, by taking this 7 days Machame Route your chance of reaching Mt. Kilimanjaro's summit will also be higher as you will be better acclimatized.
One of the most challenging points on the Machame route is the Baranco wall. We will pass it slowly and safely so there is not need to worry about this point. One of the highlights of this is of course reaching Uhuru Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro, but, in fact, the entire climb and tour is a highlight.
On the way down, we will descent via the Mweka route. The sleeping mode on the Machame Route is camping.
For a day-by-day itinerary, please see the itinerary tab.
Travel through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania, ending your journey in Zanzibar on this 29-day overland adventure. See black and white rhinos at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, take a traditional mokoro down the waterways of the Okavango Delta and hear the power of Victoria Falls. Explore the clear-water lakes and magestic wildlife parks in Zambia and Malawi, learn how local women transform poachers' snares into beautiful jewellery, and relax on the coastal shores of Zanzibar. With a local leader by your side and plenty of free time, you’re sure to return home with unforgettable memories (and an epic camera roll!).
Road tripWildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Resort, Sleeper Bus, Bungalow
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Stone Town, Victor
Johannesburg, Stone Town, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Harare, Lusaka, Petauke, South Luangwa National Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Malawi, Chitimba, Iringa, Mikumi National Park, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar Northern Beaches, Maun, Okavango Delta, Nata, Chobe National Park, Zanzibar
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Zanzibar, Dar Es Sala
Cape Town, Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, Kendwa Beach, Stone Town, Chipata, Lusaka, Livingstone, Kasane, Elephant Sands, Maun, Okavango Delta, Ghanzi, Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossus, Sesriem, Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Cederberg, Mikumi National Park, Iringa, Chitimba Beach, Kande Beach
The view from top was stunning and the game drive within the crater area was breathtaking. One of the highlights is for sure the black rhinos, and we saw in total eight, although from certain distance. Amazing experience!
Arusha National Park is a great safari attraction for a full day's game drive. Although the park lacks predators, it is unquestionably beautiful. It is very quiet and has a wide variety of animals and superb birdlife. You can also spend an afternoon canoeing on the lake - a great thing to do if you have a late flight home!
Your day trip to Arusha National Park will include a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. After plenty of time allocated for you to observe the wildlife, we will take you back to Moshi.
If you have 1 day for safari, this is the tour for you - we will make sure that you get the most out of it!
SMALL GROUP LODGE SAFARI : Explore six of East Africa's finest national parks on a wildlife extravaganza. From Nairobi visit the flamingos at Lake Nakuru and go wild in Kenya's Masai Mara before winging your way to Tanzania to go in search of the Big Five across the vast open plains of the Serengeti and down into Ngorongoro Crater. Topped off with game drives in Tarangire and Lake Manyara Natioal Park, famous for its tree climbing lions.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nairobi, Se
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nairobi, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Elementaita, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Tarangire National Park
After breakfast you will be met by our professional tour guide/driver, who will deliver a short safari briefing, after which we travel west to the Great Rift Valley and the Lake Manyara National Park.
We will travel through the agricultural and fresh produce market town of Mto Wa Mbu, which is situated next to the entrance of the Lake Manyara National Park. The town is a souvenir hunters paradise, harbouring thousands of souvenir salesmen – ready to sell at your slightest invitation.
The Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located African wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park) at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment.
Lake Manyara's varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa’s most densely populated herds of African elephants. Other wildlife attractions are Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos, attracted by the algae in the lake.
On this full day tour we will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and do two exciting morning and afternoon game drives, in search of the tree-climbing lions. In the later afternoon we depart for Arusha from Lake Manyara where we will end our safari adventure.
It is recommended that the group should tip the tour guide around $20 for the day. You will be taken to your hotel, which also marks the end of our our services. We promise you a great safari day in Lake Manyara.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lake Manyara National Park, Moshi
Lake Manyara National Park, Moshi
5% OFF TODAYThis deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Uncover the very best of East Africa on this 10-day journey from Nairobi, Kenya. Travel to some of the country’s most famous areas including the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where you'll take multiple game drives in search of the Big Five animals and more. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, impalas, wildebeest, leopards, giraffes, antelope and varied birdlife. Take in the enormity of Africa's largest lake and spend time with the local Maasai warriors and Hadzabe people to learn about their ancient traditions and modern way of life from an elder in the communities. With overnight stays in the middle of the national parks, stargazing opportunities, and local connections – this is the trip of a lifetime.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Arusha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lak
Arusha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Victoria, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Eyasi, Karatu
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Zanzibar, Cederberg
Cape Town, Zanzibar, Cederberg, Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Maun, Okavango Delta, Nata, Kasane, Livingstone, Gariep River, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Kande Beach, Chitimba Beach, Iringa, Mikumi National Park, Dar Es Salaam, Fish River Canyon, Sesriem, Sossus, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe
Experience East Africa with your family as you discover the wildlife, history, people, culture and beauty that spans across this incredible landscape. Roam the famous Serengeti National Park, nearly 15,000 sq km of rolling savanna that shelters an astounding array of animals, from miniature dik-dik antelopes to the noble African elephant. Spot wildlife while taking in mind-blowing views from the edge of Ngorongoro Crater and listen to the sounds of the African night in a thrilling camping experience. This is also a human journey that puts you in the heart of the valleys once inhabited by some of humankind's earliest ancestors – where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the Maasai community – hear about the customs and traditions of village life and even prepare a local Swahili dish. If you’re looking for a family adventure full of friendly folk and some of the best game-viewing in Africa, then this will truly be a trip to remember!
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Hut, Sleeper Bus, Lodge
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Arusha, Karatu, Serenge
Nairobi, Arusha, Karatu, Serengeti National Park, Mto Wa Mbu
Daring experienced climbers seeking adventure and challenge will find just what they want on Umbwe. A short steep climb traversing all the climate zones - from tropical rainforest to eternal ice - will put your strength and endurance to the test. Like no other route on Kilimanjaro Umbwe gives a sense of achievement to those who reach the summit. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. At the end of the tour, you will receive an International certificate for a successful ascent!