Machame vs Northern Circuit
The Machame and Northern Circuit are both excellent Kilimanjaro routes. But they're very different. We discuss the details of each, as well as their pros and cons, to help you decide which is the better option for you. We also offer our own recommendation.
Quick facts about each route
Machame route
Total distance: 62 km / 39 miles Starting point: Machame Gate (1,640 m) End point: Mweka Gate Duration: 6 or 7 days Summit success rate: Medium Busyness: High
Northern Circuit (or Grand Traverse)
Total distance: 98 km / 61 miles Starting point: Lemosho Gate (2,100 m) End point: Mweka Gate Duration: 9 days Summit success rate: Very high Busyness: Low
Maps of the Machame
Map of the Northern Circuit
Machame route overview
Route description
Northern Circuit overview
The Northern Circuit is a fantastic route as it's very pretty and it has the highest summit success rate of all the Kilimanjaro routes!
Route description
Trailhead altitudes
You don't want to start your climb at a very high altitude as you're then more likely to develop altitude sickness.
Distance and duration
Steepness and trail difficulty
Barranco Wall
Crowds
Campsites
Scenery and animals
Acclimatisation and success rate
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Climb high and sleep low
Both routes allow for good acclimatisation by having you climb high and then drop back down for a night or two.