Kilimanjaro — Machame Route conditions today
Kilimanjaro · Uhuru Peak · Kilimanjaro Region
- Route reported closed: Kilimanjaro wildfire shuts third tourist route
- Improving: best day Sun 18 Oct (85)
Best day to go
Best: Sun 18 Oct (85) — 47 cm of fresh snow in 72 h at Barafu Camp — snow and ice on the summit route — microspikes, gaiters, slower going
What's limiting the score
Hazards & advisories
Camps & altitudes
The 'Whiskey' route: rainforest from Machame Gate, the Shira plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall, then Barafu Camp and a midnight start for Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), descending by Mweka. Weather risk is summit-night wind and cold on the crater rim, snow and ice above 5,000 m, and rain and mud in the forest zone during the rains.
low 12°
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Permits, access & safety
Kilimanjaro — Machame Route questions
- Is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route open right now?
- A closure was reported on 6 Oct (The EastAfrican): "Kilimanjaro wildfire shuts third tourist route". Check the live page for reopening reports.
- When is the best time to climb the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?
- The driest months are Jan – early Mar and Jun – Oct. The long rains (mid-March to May) bring mud in the forest and heavy snow on the summit; the short rains (November–December) bring afternoon showers. June–August has the coldest summit nights.
- How high is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?
- The highest point is 5,895 m. Above 3,000 m, medical guidance is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night with a rest day every 3–4 days; most itineraries go faster, so choose longer routes when you can and descend at the first serious symptoms.
- What permits do I need for the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees (conservation, camping/hut, rescue); Licensed guide. Fees and rules change — confirm with TANAPA and your operator.
- How is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route score calculated?
- Hourly forecasts for every camp, corrected to real altitude, feed six factors: summit-night wind, cold and cloud; snow and ice on the summit route; rain on the forest and ravine sections against a global landslide rainfall threshold; trail weather; dawn views; and the road to the gate. Official TMA alerts, reported closures and fires cap the score.
Weather forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0); rain and summit wind via Open-Meteo (UK Met Office, ECMWF). Not an official forecast. Model-derived rain and slope indications; always follow TMA, KINAPA/TANAPA rangers and your guide.
Other routes: Kilimanjaro — Lemosho Route · Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route · Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route · Mount Meru · All Tanzania routes