Quick Comparison
| Factor | Machame Route | Lemosho Route |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6–7 days | 7–8 days |
| Summit success rate | 85–90% | 88–93% |
| Crowd level | Moderate (popular route) | Low-moderate (quieter start) |
| Scenery | Outstanding — varied, dramatic | Outstanding — more remote western approach |
| Acclimatization | Excellent (Lava Tower day) | Excellent + extra day |
| Difficulty | Challenging | Challenging to strenuous |
| Price difference | Baseline | 10–15% more than Machame |
| Accommodation | Camping throughout | Camping throughout |
| Best for | Most travelers. Best overall balance. | Those who want maximum success rate and quieter mountain. |
Route Profiles
Machame Route (6–7 days)
The Machame — sometimes called the "Whiskey Route" — enters from the south and climbs through rainforest, moorland, and the dramatic Southern Circuit before joining the standard crater rim approach. The defining feature is Day 3: the hike to Lava Tower (4,642m) and descent to Barranco Camp (3,976m) — the classic climb-high-sleep-low day that is largely responsible for the route's high success rate. The Barranco Wall on Day 4 is the most technically interesting section on either route — steep hands-and-feet scrambling for 200m before the path levels off. No equipment or experience required, but it surprises many first-timers.
| Day | Route | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machame Gate → Machame Camp | 1,830m → 3,020m |
| 2 | Machame Camp → Shira Camp | 3,020m → 3,840m |
| 3 | Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp | 3,840m → 4,642m → 3,976m (climb high, sleep low) |
| 4 | Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp (via Barranco Wall) | 3,976m → 4,030m |
| 5 | Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp | 4,030m → 4,640m |
| 6 | Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp | 4,640m → 5,895m → 3,100m |
| 7 | Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate | 3,100m → 1,630m |
Lemosho Route (7–8 days)
Lemosho starts from the remote Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain, adding one extra day of approach through pristine rainforest before joining the Machame route at Shira Camp. This additional day provides more time below 3,000m for early acclimatization, fewer climbers on the lower slopes, and arguably the best wildlife sightings of any Kilimanjaro route (buffalo and other large mammals in the western forest). From Shira Camp onward, the routes are identical.
The extra day and the more remote starting gate make Lemosho 10–15% more expensive than Machame and add one night of accommodation. The primary benefit is time: more days on the mountain means more acclimatization, which translates directly to a marginally higher summit rate and a physically less demanding final push.
Our Recommendation
Choose Machame if: You have 7 days available. You want the best combination of scenery, success rate, and value. You are a fit, well-prepared traveler who has done your 3+ months of training. The vast majority of our clients who ask this question end up on Machame and do not regret it.
Choose Lemosho if: You have 8 days available. You specifically want the quietest, most remote start. You want to maximise every element of acclimatization. You are willing to pay 10–15% more for the extra day. Or you have a particular interest in wildlife in the western forest.
Both routes are part of our combined Tanzania Adventure packages. The Machame version creates a 15-day trip; Lemosho creates a 16-day trip.
FAQ
We operate both Machame and Lemosho as part of the 13-Day and 15-Day Tanzania Adventure packages. Contact us with your dates and we'll recommend the right route for your group.
