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Introduction to Machame

Known as the gateway to Kilimanjaro, Machame is on Kili’s south slope.

The village can be easily explored in just one day and is where Mount Kilimamanjaro’s Machame route begins.

Why visit Machame?

Here, you’ll see the Machame Village and its banana and green vegetation.

Machame is one of the starting points and among the well-established routes to Kilimanjaro climb—the Machame route.

Machame offers a scenic trail to hikers with incredible views of varying landscapes that will surely catch your eyes.

Machame Articles

Machame Travel Guide: The Complete Guide to Machame Route

5 Reasons Why You Should Climb via Machame Route

The Best Things to See in Machame Route

Where to Stay in Machame Route

Machame Tours and Activities: The Best Ways to See and Do Everything

Getting to Machame

By Road

Since Machame is located in Hai District, you can reach it around 50 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

By Air

If you are traveling outside Tanzania, make sure to land either at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport. Then, drive to Machame Town.

Best Time to visit Machame

Machame Town has a tropical savanna climate and is warm every month.

However, if you want a sunny sky with less possibility of rain, visiting from January through December is the best period to be here.

During this period, you’ll have warmer weather with less possibility of rain.

Let's plan your trip around Machame.

Enquire now, and our safari specialist will get back to you shortly.

Weather in Machame

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Things to do in Machame

Machame is a little town with lesser things to offer. This little town is mostly only visited during a Kili climb via the Machame route.

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Wildlife in Machame

Given that going to Machame is mostly about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, there are only fewer animals that you will likely encounter in Machame.

Colobus monkeys are some of the animals residing in Machame. Though sightings are not guaranteed, there's still a chance you can encounter them.

Colobus Monkey

Another unique and interesting animal in Machame is the Aardvark. Despite looking a bit like pigs, they are surprisingly related to elephants!

Aardvark

Another animal species living in Machame's forest areas are tree hyrax. They look like oversized guinea pigs with round ears and no tails.

Tree Hyrax

These animals are best seen on Kili's slopes. Lucky groups will have a chance to spot Abbott's Duiker—a small, endangered duiker species.

Duiker

With a body type resembling a weasel, the white-tailed mongoose are nocturnal mammals well-known for their ability to take down large, poisonous snakes like cobras.

White-Tailed Mongoose

When you reach swampy areas in Machame, you'll likely encounter Marsh Mongoose. They are smaller than the white-tailed mongoose and live in swampy areas.

Marsh Mongoose

Also known as Galagos, bush babies are perhaps the cutest nocturnal primates you'll have a chance to encounter in Kilimanjaro's forests.

Bush Baby

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Landscape in Machame

Although known as a small town, Machame boasts several pleasant landscapes that are worth checking out.

The Machame route is one of Kilimanjaro's starting points, making Kilimanjaro a notable landscape in town.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Other landscapes you'll come across in Machame are the moorlands. These are found in uplands and are identified by low-growing shrubs, bog mosses, and grasses.

Moorlands

Another distinct landscape in Machame is the montane forest. This is characterized by its moss-draped and epiphyte coverings like moss, ferns, and lichens.

Montane Forest

On your way up to Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, you'll encounter the alpine desert, a harsh, dry, and windy region.

Alpine Desert

Another landscape you'll encounter on the Machame route is the rainforest zone. Seas of ferns and moss-covered trees characterize this.

Rainforest

On your way to Kili's gate, you will drive through the cultivation zone, where you can see farms and villages.

Cultivation Area

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Where to stay in Machame

Staying at the campsite to Luxury Glamping with an amazing view of Ol Doinyo Lengai is available here.

Machame Tours: Our Top Tours in Machame

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Reviews of Machame

Top questions answered for Machame

Machame Town is unlike anywhere you’ve been before. So, you have questions. We’ve been visiting for decades. So, we have answers.

How hard is the Machame route?

The Machame route is deemed one of the less complicated routes on Kilimanjaro. On top of that, its longer itinerary allows you better acclimatization.

However, hikers will still need to ascend the difficult Barranco Wall and climb steeply on summit night. Though there’s no technical climbing required, a good fitness level is highly recommended.

Can I climb Kilimanjaro as a beginner?

You can climb Kilimanjaro even as a beginner. However, it’s important that you should be fully aware of the seasonal climates, conditions, and requirements to prepare yourself for this adventure.

By reaching out to Easy Travel, you will get the details you need for FREE, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Is Machame a great route?

Given that around 50% choose this route over others, Machame is a good route for the Kili climb. It also offers stunning views and diverse habitats, making the trek more enjoyable.

On top of that, there are around 98% summit success rates via Machame for seven days treks and 90% success rates for a 6-day climb.

View: Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route 7 Days itinerary

Which is more complex: Everest base camp or Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro’s horrendous summit night makes Kilimanjaro harder to climb than Everest Base Camp, despite several factors that state otherwise.

The summit night is deemed extremely difficult since this is the coldest, windiest part of your Kili adventure.

Why do people fail Kilimanjaro?

By far, people have had to abandon their Kili summit attempts due to altitude sickness.

This is because, at high elevations, almost everyone experiences the symptoms of altitude sickness, which usually include headache, lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, and lethargy.

Read More: What is altitude sickness and how to prevent it on Kilimanjaro?

What is the easiest Kilimanjaro route?

Also known as the Coca-Cola Route, the Marangu route is Kilimanjaro’s oldest and most established route. It also used to be the most popular.

It is also considered the easiest way up to Kilimanjaro in terms of terrain and gradient and is the only Kili route with hut-type accommodations to sleep in.

How difficult is the Machame Route?

This route is deemed relatively tough. Depending on your fitness level, you can trek for 6 to 7 hours almost daily at increasingly higher altitudes.

For the summit ascent, you must prepare for a whopping 12 to 15 hours on your feet!

How long is the Machame Route?

The trekking distance for Machame Route is around 62 kilometers for the entire climb. This is from the trailhead to the summit and down to Mweka gate.

It requires at least six days to complete the Machame Route in the shortest time, but if you include arrival and departure days, there will be eight days.

Read More: How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro

Can I climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?

Though climbing Kilimanjaro is more like a hike, one has to be reasonably fit to take on this challenge. Regardless of your fitness level, you cannot climb Kilimanjaro by yourself.

In 1991, the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities mandated that everyone who wishes to climb Kilimanjaro must go with a licensed guide for their safety.

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