Is This Trip for Me?

Mount Kilimanjaro – This iconic snow-capped dormant volcano is Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Trekking on Kilimanjaro takes you through five different climatic zones, from tropical rainforest at the base to arctic conditions with permanent glaciers near the summit. We suggest this option of 7 days via the Machame Route with an established local operator, specializing in mountain trekking. This is a private option based on 2 people and including all park fees. It is possible to experience the trip with your family as a private group, or to join an existing group with set dates. Contact us for options.

Your 7-Day Itinerary

Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and road transfer to the Outpost Lodge.

Meet with the outfitter's team for a comprehensive climb briefing. Overnight accommodation and breakfast included. Dinner available at a supplement.

The Machame (Whiskey) Route is the most popular camping route on Kilimanjaro. It’s a rugged combination of routes which begins through the rainforest at Machame Village on the southwest side of the mountain, and over six days, rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, down into the beautiful Great Barranco Valley, then circumvents the Kibo massif counter-clockwise through alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp.

From here, the trek to the summit is done overnight to the crater rim on the steep scree slopes of the east-south-east facing Mweka Route. The trek winds through beautiful scenery, which changes quite dramatically every day.

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast included

MACHAME GATE (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.) ~ MACHAME CAMP (9,850 ft./ 3,000 m)

Departure from Arusha at around 8am for the Machame Gate, about 1.5 hours’ drive. Upon completion of entry formalities, begin walking through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an hour into the forest. The track ends, and the trail continues up through the verdant forest. You will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above and may even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as you hike along the forest floor.

The trek is quite long (12 miles / 20 km), though not very steep, and it takes from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp. Machame Camp is just above the forest zone, and when it is clear, there are views of jagged Shira ridge and the summit itself.

Machame Camp

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

MACHAME CAMP ~ SHIRA CAMP (12,600 ft./ 3,840 m).

Wake early to a steaming cup of tea or coffee served in your tent. After breakfast, begin up the steep track up through a savannah of tall grasses, trees of giant Heather and Erica. The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach and the glaciers atop which mark the summit of Uhuru Peak.

Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by the bizarre lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases.

You’ll reach camp after descending a small valley and crossing a brook, then ascending onto the Shira Ridge, after a total of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.

Shira Camp

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

SHIRA CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft./ 3,950 m)

Proceed steadily upward over long ridgelines of high desert for about 4 hours, and break for lunch at 14,500 feet (4,420 mt.). After lunch, continue to Lava Tower, a 300-foot-tall volcanic plug, which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet (4,600 m).

In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a flat area enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours.

Barranco Camp

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

BARRANCO CAMP ~ BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft./ 4,630 m)

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, trekking 3 to 4 hours before stopping in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch.

In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature grows colder and the landscape sparser as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight.

Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

Barafu Camp

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft./5,895 mt.) ~ MWEKA CAMP (10,200 ft./3,110 m)

The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking between 12:30 and 1am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit.

The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn, and behind you the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 mt.), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak.

After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest and then summon your strength for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

Includes & excludes

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft. /1,830 m) ~ ARUSHA

Descend straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. A private transfer back to Arusha, will drop you off at the airport.

We strongly recommend to extend your trip with 1 night in Arusha and then off to a few days on safari. Contact us for options.

Every itinerary can be crafted to your needs, from adjusting the length of your stay to including different accommodation and refining the route. Your safari is yours, shaped around your idea of a dream experience.

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Our trip was arranged by Carel Verhoef at discoverafrica.com and was perfectly organised.

We flew into the Masai Mara from Nairobi and all flight connections and transfers were arranged for us and went like clockwork. Carel was also very generous with his advice having lived in East Africa for some years – he is a mine of useful information.

My wife and I have had this trip to see the wildebeest migration on our bucket list for some time and we decided to go this year to coincide with our wedding anniversary. For that reason we were looking for something special yet reasonably priced and Carel helped us find Mara Ngenche. What a spectacularly good choice that was.

We stayed for 5 nights the camp and were extremely well looked after. The staff are fantastic. Our waiter, Steve, learnt what food we liked and didn’t like and was always on hand with a glass of wine and also taught us some Swahili! The Masai guards who escorted us to & from our tent especially Musanga, Karbolo & Lindeni were always on hand, very polite and interesting. Almost everyone speaks excellent English.

The game drive vehicle that we used was completely open at the top and sides and was very comfortable. We had some fabulous sightings with Joseph, our very experienced driver/guide. He was excellent at anticipating the animal’s movements to ensure good photos. In one afternoon we saw the Big 5 and on another occasion 4½, as we could only see the leopard’s tail that time.

The position of the camp on the confluence of two rivers was so relaxing and we often sat on the deck watching the 30 or so hippos all day, even though they didn’t move very much. Breakfasts and lunches were served under the trees beside the river. Dinner, served in the restaurant, was four courses and was beautifully prepared and presented.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip and the staff at Mara Ngenche made it more than special. When it came time to leave, my wife cried because she didn’t want to go. Of all the holidays we’ve had over the years, this has been our most memorable.

"My trip to Africa to see wildlife and the river crossing met my expectations thanks to the wonderful team behind Discover Africa. The details of my itinerary were arranged by Susan and eventually handed over to Chrizaan, both were very..."

Kate Butcon, United States · 20 Sep 2026 ·

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"We travel a lot. I don’t normally write reviews and I typically plan and book everything myself because I am very exacting when it comes to the itinerary, logistics, accommodations, activities, etc. – everything must be perfect. When planning this..."

Debby Goosey, United States · 18 Sep 2025 ·

"Charmey our guide was amazing. He was knowledgeable about the area and he showed us everything we asked for. It will definitely go back and use this company and ask for Charmey. One of the best trips I have ever..."

Shelley, United States · 18 Sep 2024 ·

"Joining a safari for one proved to be challenging in 2020. Once I was contacted by Adelle at Discover Africa, she found me safaris I didn’t even know existed from internet searching. I couldn’t have done it without her! It’s..."

Elizabeth Horn, United States · 22 Dec 2020 ·

"Our trip was arranged by Carel Verhoef at discoverafrica.com and was perfectly organised. We flew into the Masai Mara from Nairobi and all flight connections and transfers were arranged for us and went like clockwork. Carel was also very generous..."

Geoffrey Burton, South Africa · 18 Jun 2015 ·

"We had a wonderful experience with the Discover Africa team on our trip to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Due to unforeseen circumstances we needed to head down early and their team were most helpful in arranging exciting new options for us..."

Mark Tomlinson, South Africa · 10 Jun 2015 ·