What are the camps on Machame Route?

The Machame Route Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular paths for adventurers to reach the summit. The journey begins at Machame Camp Kilimanjaro, followed by stays at camps like Shira 2, Barranco Camp, and more, until the big summit push from Barafu Camp. Once the climb is over, trekkers leave, resting at Mweka Camp before exiting.

Apart from the mountain’s challenge, the fun of Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing also lies in these camps, each offering its unique experience. And don’t worry; before the climb, a cosy hotel room is ready for you to relax.

Features of Machame Route

The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is famed for its stunning views and varied climatic zones. Hikers begin in a rich rainforest, spotting monkeys, diverse birds, and other wildlife.

As they climb higher, the landscape changes to heath and moorland with impressive lobelias and senecios. The Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing journey then leads to a desert-like alpine area with glimpses of glaciers. Along the way, there are several resting points:

• Machame Camp Kilimanjaro sits at 3,010 meters (9875 feet).
• Shira Camp is at 3,845 meters (12,615 feet).
• Barranco Camp perches at 3,950 meters (12,960 feet).
• Karanga Camp is at 4,035 meters (13,200 feet).
• Barafu Camp is the base camp before the summit at 4,673 meters (15,331 feet).

A full description of each of the camps on the Machame Route Kilimanjaro is described in the following sections.

Machame Camp

Settled within the tree line, this Machame Camp Kilimanjaro offers several spots amidst the woods and is perfect for setting up around a hundred tents.

• There’s a central ranger station. You will see several brick toilets and long drop latrines.
• The atmosphere is humid but comfortable. You’ll enjoy the serenity as the dense trees offer some seclusion.

Shira Camp

Located on the expansive Shira plateau due to a volcanic eruption about 100,000 years ago, Shira Camp is an open area often dust-covered.

• The region is dotted with delicate plants among its rocky terrain. This camp on Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route has brick toilets, latrines, and ranger shelters.
• With its vast size, there’s plenty of room for many tents and personal space. The weather is typically more relaxed and might be windy.
• The views of the mountain peak are breathtaking, especially during sunrise, sunset, and full moon nights.

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp is positioned at the top of a deep valley leading to the Umbwe Route that stretches to Moshi.

• Right under the mountain peak, climbers can witness impressive cliffs, leftover hanging glaciers, and, occasionally, a snow-covered Kibo.
• At night, Moshi’s lights are visible from the valley. The camp offers brick toilets, long-drop latrines, and a ranger’s shelter. It’s lush with various plants, including tall giant groundsels.
• While it can hold over a hundred Kilimanjaro Base Camp Tents, the area is limited, so finding your tent might require a short walk.

Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp is an open area located on a hillside. It’s essential to pick a level spot for your tent.

• From here, you get clear views of the mountain peak and the path leading up to it. When you look below, you can see the distant lights of Moshi.
•  The camp has brick toilets, pit latrines, and a ranger’s station, with enough room for about a hundred tents.
• The weather here can be chilly and breezy, and clouds often pass quickly.
• One challenge is the water supply; Kilimanjaro Porters must trek about forty minutes downhill to fetch water from the closest stream.

Barafu Camp

Barafu, which translates to ‘ice’ in Swahili, stands as the last campsite at an elevation of 4600m. While no longer blanketed with year-round snow, the environment is chilly, rocky, and bare. Climbers often sense the high altitude, and it’s common to encounter snow and wind here.

• The camping spots are nestled within rock formations along the ridge. Some are positioned quite a distance from the ranger’s station and the beginning of the peak ascent, adding extra time to the Kilimanjaro Climb.
• The camp provides brick toilets and latrines. However, water scarcity requires porters to head downhill for the nearest water source.
• For emergencies, the rangers have specialized stretchers with a single wheel for swift evacuations and a helipad on-site.

Worthy to Know: Many climbers skip Karanga and head straight to Barafu, aiming for a Machame Route 6-Days climb. However, staying at Karanga aids in better acclimatization and is a part of Kilimanjaro Machame Route 7 Days. You can explore our Mount Kilimanjaro Packages offering climbs on Machame Route.

Climb Kilimanjaro’s Heights and Discover Magic at Every Camp

The Machame Route Kilimanjaro offers climbers a diverse and exhilarating experience, with each camp unveiling a unique facet of this majestic mountain. For adventurers yearning for a memorable journey, Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via this route is nothing short of epic. Ready for the challenge?

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