Lemosho vs Machame: Which Kilimanjaro Route Is Right for You?

The Most Common Question We Get Asked

Of all the questions Amazing Africa Safari receives every week, this is the one that comes up most often: "Should I climb Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route or the Machame Route?" Both are excellent. Both reach the summit. Both have devoted fans. But the right answer depends on you — your fitness, your budget, your appetite for company on the trail, and your tolerance for altitude.

This is our honest, decade-of-experience take.

The Quick Answer

If you can afford the extra day and the small price difference, choose the 8-day Lemosho. It is the route we recommend most often, and the one with the highest summit success rate for first-time climbers. If your budget or time is tight, the 7-day Machame is a wonderful second choice.

The Routes Compared

Lemosho (7 or 8 days) approaches Kilimanjaro from the quiet western side, through the rainforest and onto the spectacular Shira Plateau. It joins the Machame trail at Lava Tower on day three (Machame) or day four (Lemosho), and shares the same summit night route. Lemosho's first two days are quieter and offer better wildlife sightings — blue monkeys, colobus, the occasional elephant track.

Machame (6 or 7 days) approaches from the south, slightly closer to Moshi. It is steeper in the early days but follows the same Lava Tower → Barranco → Karanga → Barafu line as Lemosho. The trail is more popular, which means more company on the trail and more activity in the camps.

Summit Success Rate

With our guides:

• 8-day Lemosho: ~90% summit success
• 7-day Lemosho: ~80% summit success
• 7-day Machame: ~80% summit success
• 6-day Machame: ~65% summit success (we rarely recommend it)

Scenery

Both routes are stunning, but Lemosho's first two days on the Shira Plateau are widely considered the most beautiful approach to Kilimanjaro. If photography is a priority for you, Lemosho wins.

Cost

Lemosho is typically $200 to $400 more expensive than Machame because of the extra day and the longer drive to the Londorossi Gate. For most climbers, this is money well spent.

Our Recommendation

Most of our climbers go up Lemosho. We sleep better at night knowing they have the best possible chance of standing on Uhuru Peak. But the truth is — both routes work, both are beautiful, and both will give you the experience of a lifetime.

Want help deciding? Send us a note with your fitness level, age, altitude experience, and dates. We'll write you back within 24 hours with a specific recommendation.