Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Hut Camp

3.7 miles

10,600 feet

After meeting our lead guide, Simon (Commander Zero), our assistant guide, Jackson (Mountain Cheetah), our chef, Michael, and our 6 porters, at the park gate, we were greeted at the official starting point by two monkeys.  

From here, we began our journey up the diverse slopes of Kilimanjaro, one of the world’s seven summits and the highest peak in Africa at 19,320 feet.

We trudged upwards through the sloppy  floor of Kili’s cloud forest base which is coated in a layer of mud that quickly worked its way over our boots and up our hiking pants.  Pea green moss covered pervasive vines, forever fighting for domination, that squeezed tree trunks and snaked along the forest floor.  

From the tree branches, a mint green flossy material hung in clumps.  It was so dry to the touch that I could imagine it spontaneously combusting, an oddity in this wet environment. 

As we climbed higher, the mist became so palpable you could breaststroke through it.

Our lead guide, Simon, carried a box of eggs which was the first indication just how luxury of an experience this would be (if you qualify a utilizing communal hole for a restroom and tenting in sub-zero temperatures as a luxury experience). 

Jackson & Simon

We stopped for a hot lunch (hot soup and fresh fruit), complete with table, chairs and pretty table cloth just for the two of us.  

We both felt entirely uncomfortable with the situation.  

The porters, snacking on a log just a few meters away, carried this set-up for us, just one element of the obscene weight they haul up the mountain. 



Machame Hut Camp

A candlelit dinner demonstrated that along with their gear and ours, the porters brought gastronomical delights far beyond practicality.  

We’re talking beef, a whole chicken, the aforementioned eggs, potatoes, rice, pasta, fresh papaya, mango, orange, tomato, banana, ginger root, avocado, and at least seven varieties of hot after dinner drink (chocolate, tea, coffee etc.).

We were made to eat the entirety of every meal, a precursor to the 5 kilos we were promised to gain after this hike.

But boy, was it delicious.

Lexi & Dougie Love from Kilimanjaro.