Rongai Route

The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.

Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai route remains much quieter than the popular Machame route or Marangu trails. It also has several other advantages that should make it one of your first choices:

Rongai route is the easiest route up Mount Kilimanjaro, in some respects easier than Marangu route . Rongai route has excellent success rates.

Rongai route is the only route that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north. You have to descend on the Marangu route on the southern side, so you get to see both sides of the mountain.

The northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro is drier. You are unlikely to have to slosh through mud and drizzle on the first two days which is not unusual on any of the other Mount Kilimanjaro routes.

Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m)

Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 8 km's | Habitat: Montane forest

Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night's camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.

Day 2: 1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

Hiking time: 6-7 hours  | Habitat: Moorlands
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you're on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)

Hiking time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Moorlands
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m)

Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing 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 Camp.

Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru, 6 hours to descend to Horombo | Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. Continue to Gillman's point (5 681m), located on the crater rim. very steep with a lot of stone scree. From Gillman's 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 can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for an overnight.

Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)

Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where 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. You now drive back to Arusha for dinner and overninght.