The Rongai route approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the North, and it is close to the Kenyan border. It is one of the easiest routes to Kilimanjaro’s summit, and it joins Marangu route at Kibo Hut. The minimum number of days required to get to the top using this route is six days, but seven days are recommended. The sceneries on this route are not as diverse as on the Western routes, but gives to the hikers feel of the sheer wilderness for days, before merging with Marangu route. Rongai descends to Marangu Gate, and it is mildly challenging route, but it is highly recommended for people who are new to the hiking experience.
Transport will be provided from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodation in Moshi. You’ll have some rest before meeting your guides, who will brief you about the climb and Mt. Kilimanjaro, followed by equipment check to ensure that all you have all the essentials. If some of your equipment is missing or is in a bad shape, you can rent from us. You’ll have dinner and spend the night here in preparation for the adventure awaiting you.
In the morning, we’ll drive you to Nale Moru, the village which is the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stretch of the hike will take you through farmland and pine forest, where you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys, or even elephants and buffalos if you are lucky. Your first camp will be the Simba, located on the very edge of the moorland zone, at 2625m.
The morning trek will be a steady ascend up to the Second Cave Camp, which is located in the moorland zone. From here, you will be able to view the magnificent Kibo peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Once out of the pine forest, our path goes up through the moorland. From here, you will have spectacular view of the eastern ice fields at the rim of Kibo crater. We’ll then leave the main trail and branch into the moorland on a lesser trail leading to spiked peaks of Mawenzi, the second highest volcanic comb of Kilimanjaro. We’ll set up camp here in the secluded valley near Kikelewa caves at 3630m.
You will wake up to a short but steep hike up the grassy slopes which lead to a spectacular view of the Kenyan plains to the North. As we leave the vegetation behind, our hike ends at Mawenzi Tarn Hut, the campsite nested directly below the high cliffs of Mawenzi. Here you will have a chance to explore the surrounding areas in the afternoon, which would be very useful for your acclimatization, or you can just rest and prepare for the next day.
As we leave the campsite, our walk takes us across the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’, which divides Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple of hours hiking, you will reach the area where the summit of Kilimanjaro majestically stands in the background, and our path to the high camp will unfold in front of us. Once we reach the camp, you should spend the rest of the day resting in preparation for the final ascend, after a very early night.
You will wake up at around 11:30 P.M. for a hot cup of tea or coffee, and then get ready for your hike to the summit which will begin at around 12:30 P.M. The temperature at around this time is below freezing. The trail you will take twists upwards through heavy scree towards the Gilman’s point. Once we reach Gilman’s point, hot cup of tea or coffee will be served to warm you up, accompanied by breathtaking view of the sunrise over Mawenzi. The hike to Uhuru peak continues for another 1.5 hours, over a gentle slope around the edge of the crater rim. Uhuru peak is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. Once at the top, you will spend a short time enjoying the view and photograph your success, before we begin the steep hike back to Kibo hut for lunch and some rest. Our descend continues to Horombo Hut for dinner and a good night’s rest.
After breakfast we will descend to Marangu gate, where you will be served delicious hot lunch. Vehicle will be waiting at the gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi.
| Number of People | Price |
| 1 | $1,980 |
| 2-4 | $1,920 |
| 5-9 | $1,890 |
| 10+ | $1,840 |
