7 Days Rongai Route Climb
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Safari & Tours Overview
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. 
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes.
The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.
The drive to the trailhead takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
Kilimanjaro + Safari Combo Discount:
Save $50/person when you book a Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari (5 days or more).
All our Kilimanjaro treks are offered as private trips, starting on any day. We offer group departures on the Machame Route only.
Detailed Itinerary
A driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro Airport after you go through immigration and customs. It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to one hour drive to get to Moshi or Arusha city with no traffic.
There will be a trek orientation with your Kilimanjaro guide today and an opportunity to get any rental items that you may need and also pack for the trek. You can leave extra luggage that is not needed on the trek at the hotel.
If you have time, we recommend an extra rest day before your trek.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel or Lodge
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
-- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi
-- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-- Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Simba Camp
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
-- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi
-- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
-- Habitat: Moorland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Second Cave Camp
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
-- Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
-- Distance: 9km/5mi
-- Walking Time: 2-3 hours
-- Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kikelewa Camp
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatisation hike.
-- Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi
-- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
-- Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
-- Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
-- Distance: 9km/5mi
-- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
-- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
-- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
-- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through the moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 1 hour). Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
-- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
-- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
-- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-- Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: hotel or Lodge
Drive to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure, or continue on for your safari.
Meals included: Breakfast
Included / Exclude
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- 2 nights hotel in Arusha or Moshi
- National Park gate fees
- Camping fees
- Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides
- Salaries for all crew members
- Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
- Camping equipment, cooking, and eating utensils
- Oximeters
- Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
- Sleeping bags and personal gear
- $50 for a single tent
- Low season discount in April/May
Our expedition experts are ready to start creating your dream African adventure.
Christian Anderson
Each of our safaris and tours is individually planned based on our experience and your wishes. Authentic and sustainable travel is especially important to us.
We therefore do not sell anything that we have not experienced ourselves and found to be good. We convince ourselves firsthand in order to make an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Africa possible for you.
We are committed to more responsibility and sustainability in tourism.
