8 Days Rongai Route

On Request

The Rongai route ascends 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.

  • Price Included

    • Transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.
    • Accommodation, meals as per the programme.
    • Hut Fees, Entry Fees, Park fees.
    • 2 porters for each climber (15Kgs each porter), Guide, Assistant Guide.
    • Rescue fees.
  • Price Not Included

    • Other meals not mentioned as included, items of a personal nature,
    • Gratuities to Porters and Guide/s - the driver guides.
    • Mountain Equipments.
    • All type of drinks.
    • Visa and visa fees for Tanzania.
    • Visa fees (currently US$ 50.00 per passport holder – US CITIZEN US$ 100.00). Visas are available on arrival at all Entry point/s
    • Flying doctors coverage: Optional @ US$ 50.00 per person.
    • Covers you within East Africa for a period of 14 days. In the eventuality of a medical emergency, you will be airlifted to Nairobi where you will be taken to a good hospital. Hospital bills are born by the patient
    • We highly recommended you to have your personal insurance.
1

Day 1: Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport / Moshi

You are met at the Airport or in Arusha City, drive to Moshi.

Overnight: Sprinland Hotel - HB

2

Day 2: Rongai Gate - 1st Caves camp

Hiking time: 5h

Distance: Approximately 8 kms

Habitat: Forest (Montane)

Register at the Marangu park gate, after which you 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

Overnight: First Cave

3

Day 3 : 1st Cave - Kikelewa Cave

Hiking time: 6 - 7h

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).

4

Day 4: Kikelewa Cave - Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Hiking time: 3 - 4h

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

Overnight: Mawenzi Camp

5

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp - Kibo hut

Hiking time: 4 - 5h

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

6

Day 6: (Summit Attempt) Kibo hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo hut

Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to Horombo

Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit

Distance: Approximately 6 kms ascent, 21 kms descent

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. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), 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.

Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Overnight: Horombo Camp.

7

Day 7: Horombo hut to Marangu Gate

Hiking time: 6h

Distance: Approximately 27 kms

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. View more Mt Kilimanjaro tips. 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 Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

Overnight: Hotel in Moshi.

8

Day 8: Moshi /Arusha City or Kilimanjaro Airport

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Airport for your return flight or to Arusha to start your safari.

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Testimonials

Customer Reviews

testimonial-quote

We had a wonderful time in Tanzania with our amazing guide Estomih! He was so nice to us and did everything he could so we can have an excellent trip! He has so many knowledges about animals and the entire area. He tought us so many interesant things.

SophieR

United Kingdom

Booked a 6 night Tanzanian northern parks tour directly with Simba safaris dealing with Mohammed. He was very helpful in advising best area to visit during the month of February for game viewing..

PennyMat

London, United Kingdom

There are not enough words in any language to describe our experience with Simba Safaris, specifically with our safari driver/guide, Geoffroy Bosco!.

Gina Schofield

Ottawa, Canada

We had the most amazing experience … our driver Urassa was outstanding he was so attentive and his love of the animals was so evident … the lodges along our route were exceptional.

Sam

Summerhill, Ireland

We spent 4 days with our guide Estommy on safari. He made these 4 days unforgettable for us. With his knowledge he could answer us every question on the animals and gave us a very good insight in african culture, as we could ask him everything.

Jil S

Ottawa, Canada

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