Machame Route Camping Accommodations on Mount Kilimanjaro

The Mount Kilimanjaro’s Machame route has 6 designated camping accommodations for tented camping for the duration of 6 to 8 days. These routes are Machame camp, Shira camp, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, and Mweka. During your ascent, you'll find yourself settled in tents at designated camping sites on Kilimanjaro’s Machame route. The duration of your climb, which typically spans from 6 to 8 days, will determine the camping sites you'll call home along the way to the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Machame Route Camping Accommodations on Mount Kilimanjaro
Camping on Machame Route

The Machame Route Camping Accommodations Overview

The Mount Kilimanjaro's Machame Route to Mount Kilimanjaro, also referred to as the "Whiskey Route" due to its challenging nature, is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its incredible scenery and varied landscapes, this route offers mountain adventurers an outstanding journey through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and glaciers. Though, conquering Kilimanjaro is not only about the destination; it's also about the entire experience, including the camping accommodations you choose. The following are the designated camping accommodations sites found on the Machame route:

  • Machame Gate Camp (Altitude: 1,640m/5,380ft)
  • Machame Camp (Altitude: 2,850m/9,350ft, Hours: 5-7hrs, Distance: 11km)
  • Shira Camp (Altitude: 3,810m/12,500ft, Hours: 4-6hrs, Distance: 5km/3ml)
  • Barranco Camp (Altitude: 3,976m/13,044ft, Hours: 2-3hrs, Distance: 3km/2ml)
  • Karanga Camp (Altitude: 3,995m/13,106ft, Hours: 4-5hrs, Distance: 5km/3ml)
  • Barafu Camp (Altitude: 4,673m/15,331ft, Hours: 4-5hrs, Distance: 4km/2ml)
  • Mweka Camp (Altitude: 3,068m/10,065ft, Hours: 4-6hrs, Distance: 12km/7ml)

The Kilimanjaro's Machame Route Camps

Here are the best the Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route climbing tour designated camping accommodations site:

Machame Gate Camp

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins at the Machame Gate, the starting point for the Machame Route. Here, you'll encounter the first campsite, known as the Machame Gate Camp. This initial camp serves as a registration point and a place to gather before you set out on your expedition.

At this camp, you can expect basic amenities such as restroom facilities, a small shelter, and information about the route ahead. While it's not a place for an overnight stay, it's essential to arrive here well-prepared with all the necessary gear and documents to ensure a smooth start to your climb.

Machame Camp

As you progress along the Machame Route, your next stop is the Machame Camp. This is your first real camping experience on the mountain. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), this campsite offers stunning views of the surrounding rainforest.

Machame Camp provides tented accommodations, and it's where you'll spend your first night on Mount Kilimanjaro. The camp provides comfortable sleeping arrangements, and the experienced guides and porters will take care of setting up your campsite, preparing meals, and ensuring your well-being.

Shira Camp

Shira camp is situated on the vast Shira plateau which is a volcanic spill-off from the last explosion some 100,000 years ago. Open and exposed and often dusty with smaller, you will find more fragile plants among the rocks. Brick toilets and latrines and Ranger huts are around and the area is so huge it is easy to spread out and have some privacy. Shira could accommodate hundreds of tents fairly easily. Expect it to be colder here, more windy potentially. The views of the summit massif are amazing, especially at dawn and dusk, and it's worth getting up in the night if there is a full moon to see it rise behind the summit.

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp, located at 3,976 meters (13,044 feet), is a pivotal point on the Machame Route among all camping accommodations Sites. This campsite is strategically positioned just before the challenging Barranco Wall, which you'll need to climb on your way to the summit.

Camping at Barranco allows you to rest and acclimatize before the final push to the top. The camp is known for its stunning views of the Barranco Valley and the distant glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro. Rest assured, the camping facilities here are well-equipped to ensure your comfort.

Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp, situated at around 3,995 meters (13,106 feet), serves as a crucial stopover before you tackle the summit. This high camp provides necessary rest and acclimatization, preparing you for the challenging climb ahead.

Accommodations at Karanga Camp are basic but comfortable, with experienced staff to assist you. As you gain altitude, temperatures drop, so make sure to bundle up and conserve your energy for the final ascent.

Barafu Camp

Meaning ‘ice’ in Swahili, is the final camp at 4600m. It is no longer covered in permanent snow but it is cold and rocky and exposed. People feel the altitude here and you can expect snow and often wind. The campsites are dotted among nooks and crannies in the rocks, running the length of the ridge. Some camps are far below the Ranger's hut and the start of the summit climb, so it can add more than half an hour to the ascent. With brick toilets and latrines, the facilities are now good but water is in short supply so the porters are forced to travel back downhill to the nearest stream. The Rangers here have large heavy-duty stretchers at hand which have a single wheel underneath, so it's possible to get people down quickly. There is also a helipad at the camp.

Mweka Camp

Situated at around 3,068 meters (10,065 feet), Mweka Camp is your first stop after descending from Barafu Camp. This camp provides a well-deserved rest and a lower altitude for improved acclimatization. Accommodations are comfortable, and it's a great place to celebrate your successful summit.

Remember that while accommodations on the mountain may not be luxurious, they are designed to provide you with comfort and safety throughout your climb. So, embrace the adventure, savor the breathtaking views, and create memories that will last a lifetime as you stand on the roof of Africa.