2-Day Machame Route Overnight Hike from Moshi or Arusha

The 2 day Machame Route Moshi overnight trek turns a visit to Mount Kilimanjaro into a real night on the mountain. From Moshi, you climb the Machame Route through protected montane rainforest to Machame Camp at around 3,010 metres, sleep under the stars, and descend the following day.

Machame Gate, the start of the route, sits at 1,800 metres on Kilimanjaro's south-western slopes, a short drive from Moshi. The trail climbs 11 kilometres through Kilimanjaro's celebrated rainforest – thick canopy, hanging moss, giant ferns and the cool mist that often hangs over the lower mountain. It is a steady climb rather than a technical one, and the forest is full of birdsong and, often, colobus monkeys.

What makes this trip special is staying the night. Once the day hikers have gone back down, the mountain grows quiet around Machame Camp. The night sky, far from any city lights, is remarkable on clear evenings, and on good nights you can see the silhouette of Kibo's summit cone above the treeline. You wake up in brisk mountain air, inside one of Africa's great wilderness landscapes, with the option of a short walk above camp towards the heath zone to see how the vegetation changes before you head down.

This trek does not include a summit attempt and needs no technical experience. It is, however, a long climb of more than 1,200 metres, so reasonable fitness helps, and some people notice the altitude at camp. A slow pace and plenty of water make it more comfortable.

The 2-day Machame suits travellers in Moshi with a couple of days to spare who want more than a day hike, and anyone who would like to try a night on Kilimanjaro before deciding on a full climb.

This is the smallest way to sleep on Kilimanjaro. From Moshi you drive to Machame Gate, register with the rangers, and walk through the montane rainforest to Machame Camp, at about 3,010 m, where the crew pitch your tent and cook dinner. You sleep on the mountain and walk down the next morning. It is a good fit for visitors who want to feel the mountain at night without committing to a summit attempt, and for families and mixed-ability groups who want a shorter adventure.

The altitude is modest compared with the summit, but 3,000 m is high enough that you may feel a mild headache; drink water and walk slowly. Evenings and mornings are cold, so layers and a warm hat matter more than people expect. The crew carry the camping equipment, so you carry only a day pack. The Moshi start means less driving than the Arusha version, and the gate is under an hour from town. Meals, camping gear, guide and park fees are in the package.