Overview

The Rongai Route offers a unique perspective of Kilimanjaro, with its diverse landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as monkeys, antelope, and birds along the way. It’s a great option for those seeking a quieter and less crowded route to the summit. Rongai route begins in the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain, 45km from Moshi town or 69km from Arusha. This is one of Kilimanjaro easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the northern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animal’s species. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. However, you can also add an acclimatization day and make it 7-day climb. The Rongai route is more scenic than the Marangu route and easier than other camping route in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai route is very high. Unlike the Marangu route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each day trek.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrival day

When you arrive you will meet our driver- with a sign bearing your name, then you will drive to Tulia Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening your mountain guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and Kilimanjaro equipment check

Dinner on your own, overnight at the Hotel

Day 1: Arusha to Rongai Gate (Nalemoru)(2364m) to Simba Camp(2671m)

Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nalemoru. 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.

Dinner and Overnight at Simba Camp.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 7km.
Habitat: Montane Forest.

Day 2: Simba Camp(2671m) to Second Cave (3450m)

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.

Dinner and overnight at Second Cave (3450m).
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 8km.
Habitat: Moorland.

Day 3: Second Cave (3450) to Kikelewa Camp (3600)

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.

Dinner and Overnight at: Kikelewa Camp.
Distance: 9km.
Walking Time: 6 hours.
Habitat: Semi-desert.

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3600) to Mawenzi Turn Hut (4315)

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 Turn, 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 acclimatization.

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 acclimatization hike.

Dinner and Overnight at :Mawenzi Turn Hut (4315).
Distance: 3km.
Walking Time: 2 hours.
Habitat: Semi-desert.

Day 5: Mawenzi Turn (4315) hut to Kibo Hut (4720)

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.

Dinner and Overnight at: Kibo hut
Distance: 9km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4720) to Summit and Horombo Hut (3720)

Very early in the morning (midnight about 1 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elevation 5700m). Continuing 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!

Dinner and Overnight at : Horombo Hut (3720m)
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down.
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720) to Marangu Gate (1879), to Arusha

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through 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). Our vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your Hotel in Arusha.

Dinner on your own, overnight at the Hotel.
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest

Day 8 – Departure Day

Our packages include departure day services. Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home.

Included/Exclude

  • National park permits
  • Camping / hut fees
  • Rescue service
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Guides and Porters wages
  • Round trip airport transfers between Arusha and JRO
  • Round trip transfers between Arusha and mountain gates
  • Hotel stays in Arusha for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast
  • Sleeping mats 2-inch form
  • Private portable toilet
  • Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
  • Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday
  • International or Local flights
  • Rental gears
  • Tips for guides, porters and other staff
  • Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
  • Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance
Walter + Jasmin
Walter + Jasmin
2022-12-14
Just the best 😊😊🏔️😊😊 Very excellent guides for the Kilimanjaro and the Safari. We recommend mosha tours. Brilliant, excellent, they make the best job... Just the best. Thanks a lot for working together
Paul-Sebastian
Paul-Sebastian
2019-06-30
Mosha Climbing Tours Kilimanjaro Feb 2019 We climbed the Kili in February on the Lemosho route. Seraphin and his team did a great job: tasty food, some detours where there were no other tourists, no headache, and amongst the first on the peak that day. Since the ascent took us one day less than planned, Seraphin arranged a short-trip to Ngorongoro national park for us, too. Very happy with Mosha Climbing Tours, highly recommendable, especially if you plan to summit in the least “touristic” way possible.
Navigate463332
Navigate463332
2018-10-12
Unvergessliches Erlebnis! Unserer Tourguides waren von Anfang bis Ende immer stets Bemüht! Wir wurden wie vereinbart vom Flughafen abgeholt. Unsere Begleiter waren sehr freundlich, pünktlich und zuvorkommend. Wir sind ein älteres Ehepaar (Anfang 60) und hätten diese Tour ohne Hilfe der tollen Guides nicht geschafft. Nach der ersten Nacht merkten wir das wir viel zu dünne Schlafsäcke mitgenommen haben, nach kurzer Rücksprache mit unseren Guides haben sie wie selbstverständlich Ihre sehr guten und warmen Schlafsäcke mit unseren getauscht!! Unsere Guides sind auch immer auf unsere Sorgen und Bedürfnisse so gut als möglich eingegangen und haben uns geholfen. Wir würden diese Tour jedem Weiterempfehlen und freuen uns schon auf unsere nächste Reise (Safari Tour) mit unseren Mosha Freunden! Liebe Grüße aus Wien Marianna & Tomasz
Armando F
Armando F
2018-02-22
An amazing safari trip We had a safari trip to tarangire and manyara national park. It was an amazing trip. Or tour guide abu was very professional kind and informational. Thank a lot for a beautiful experience
diggaditch
diggaditch
2017-12-27
The Best Guides on Kilimanjaro We climbed Kilimanjaro and hit the summit after 5 days, our guides were second to none they were brilliant they kept us alive on the mountain for sure. I can thoroughly recommend Moshi Climbing Tours, if you are serious and want to summit listen to these guys and do what they say and you will have the thrill of a lifetime..
Corrine M
Corrine M
2017-12-26
Mosha Climbing Tours Jan 2017 Mosha Climbing Tours is a very professional and informative touring company. I had an experience of a lifetime during safari as well as hiking Kilimanjaro and felt safe, informed and very much watched after during the trek. Plus my entire group of 10 friends reached the summit under Seraphin's guidance. I'd highly recommend all my friends/family to sign up with Mosha Climbing Tours.
Pablo P
Pablo P
2017-11-22
Excellent experience Excellent experience with this company. Mountain, Safari and beach in Tanzania. Really kind people who did all what they said before booking the tour.
Alexandru V
Alexandru V
2017-11-21
Climbing Kilimanjaro Climbing Kilimanjaro is a must for everyone who wants to test his abilities in mountaineering. There are so many things you need to know, plan and do in order to be successful and still nothing is guaranteed. Must say we were afraid of so many do's and don'ts and prepared accordingly. But then when it all started we had the most interesting experience. Mosha Climbing Tours guys were awesome, from the moment we landed till we left we were taken care of, advised in every matter, supported and trained. But most of all our communication was great so we haven't felt lost in any way. If we would knew all that it would've made everything much more simpler, starting with all the food we carried, equipment, etc. Our experience was absolutely amazing and that's why I can only recommend Mosha Climbing Tours for the professionalism and incredible experience they offered us. Thank you Seraphin and all the team. See you next time at Safari ;) Alex