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The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes (an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route). The Rongai route use the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route. The main itinerary difference between the Rongai 6 day and 7 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Mwenzi Tarn.
Included and Excluded
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water on all days
- Camping Equipment
- Porterage
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Rescue Fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
Highlights of the Tour
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Rongai Route.
- Trek through lush forests, moorlands, and alpine desert.
- Summit Uhuru Peak for panoramic views of Africa.
- Moderate trekking route with lower crowd levels.
- Experienced guides and full support throughout the climb.
Itinerary
You will be picked up by the staff of Gosheni Safaris from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your accommodation in Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Hiking time: 4 hours Distance: Approximately 6.7km Habitat: Forest (Montane) We depart from Moshi town and drive 45mins. to Marangu park gate for registration. From there, we travel to Naro Moru, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai starting point (1996m). We begin our hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then we climb gently through a forest. The trail is not steep, but is rather a gentle hike through a beautiful countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours Distance: Approximately 11.8 km Habitat: Moorlands We hike from Simba camp to Kibo (3482m). We arrive for lunch at First Caves. The distance is 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until we reach Kikelewa Camp at about 3679m. Here you will have an amazing view including a stream of water below the cave.
Hiking time: 3 hours •Distance: Approximately 3.7km •Habitat: Moorlands A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offer superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Here we spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Hiking time: 5 hours Distance: Approximately 9 km Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo. We then cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m) Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuit, we begin our ascent. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa! Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend taking photographs and enjoying the amazing scenery. Afterwards, we begin our 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hut, we gather all our remaining gears and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on the mountain and have a well-earned sleep.
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: Approximately 19.7 km Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest After breakfast, we continue our descent for around 6 hours passing the Mandara hut down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Afterwards, we drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebration.
Location Map
Frequently Asked & Question
The Rongai Route is generally considered one of the easier and more gradual ascent routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, making it suitable for beginners. However, because this route offers less natural acclimatization, altitude sickness can be more common. This is why the 7-day itinerary, which includes an extra acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn, is highly recommended for first-time climbers to increase comfort and summit success.
During the climb, accommodation is provided entirely in mountain tents that your support crew sets up and takes down each day. These tents are durable and designed for high-altitude conditions, offering adequate comfort and protection from the elements. On the descent via the Marangu Route, you will spend your final night in mountain huts at Horombo, which provide basic bunk-style lodging.
The Rongai Route is very safe when climbed with experienced, certified guides. Its steady gradient reduces the risk of overexertion, and the route is less crowded, providing a calm environment. The additional acclimatization day included in the 7-day itinerary further enhances safety by helping your body adjust to the increasing altitude, reducing the chances of altitude-related illness.
Climbers need to bring essential personal gear such as warm layered clothing, thermal base layers, waterproof jackets and pants, a quality sleeping bag, sturdy trekking boots, gloves, hats, headlamps, and personal medications. Packup & Go Safari provides the camping equipment, including tents, tables, chairs, and cooking facilities, so you only need your personal mountain gear.
The summit attempt from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is the most challenging part of the entire climb due to steep scree slopes, cold temperatures, and reduced oxygen levels. The ascent begins around midnight to ensure you reach Gilman’s Point by sunrise and continue to Uhuru Peak in the morning light. While demanding, your guides will maintain a slow, steady pace and offer continuous support, making the climb achievable for well-prepared hikers.
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