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Rongai is the only route starting on the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. Though this part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers, it is not less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences.
Getting to the trailhead – Nalemuru Gate – usually takes 3-4 hours from Altezza Lodge or Aishi Machame Hotel.
Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain.
This is one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animals species. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. However, you can also add an acclimatization day and make it a 7-day climb.
The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than another 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’s trek. This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descend follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will be able to see Kilimanjaro from many viewpoints.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
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 is going to take you through farmland and pine forest, although you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or 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 hike will be a steady ascent to the Second cave camp which is located in the moorland zone. From here, you will have spectacular view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields dwelling at the crater rim. You will have lunch at the cave camp and then proceed with the hike through the moorland. You’ll be able to see the breathtaking eastern ice fields on the rim of Kibo (the highest of three volcanoes which form the mountain). You’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 rewarding view of the Kenyan plains to the North. By leaving the vegetation behind you will arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Hut, the camp nested directly below the high cliffs of Mawenzi. Here you will then have a chance to explore the surrounding areas in the afternoon, which would be very useful for your acclimatization.
You will leave the campsite to walk across the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ that parts Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple of hours hiking, you will reach the area where the summit of Kilimanjaro will be majestically stand in the background, and your trail to the high camp will unfold in plain sight. Once you reach the camp, you will spend the rest of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent, 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 you are at Gilman’s point, will be served a hot cup of tea or coffee to warm you up as you enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunrise. The hike to Uhuru peak will take about 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 you begin the steep walk back to Kibo hut for lunch and some rest. After this, you will descend to Horombo Hut for dinner and a good night’s rest.
After breakfast and the last celebration with porters, you will begin your hike down to Marangu gate where you will have some hot lunch. A car will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Arusha.
Kilimanjaro Is Climbable All Year Round. The Best Months To Climb Are December-March, And September-October, Which Are The Warmest And Driest Months. The Next Best Are June To August, But They Are Colder. July, August, And September Are The Busiest Months. Summiting On Or Soon After A Full Moon Is Very Beautiful And Helps Illuminate The Landscape Without Using Headlamps. However, It Is Also Very Bright For Sleeping And Stars Are Not As Visible.
Malaria Is A Serious Problem In East Africa So You Must Consult Your Doctor About Getting Effective Malaria Prophylaxis For Your Visit. Many People Are Avoiding Lariam Nowadays And Using Malarone. You Cannot Catch Malaria Above 3000 Metres On Kilimanjaro, But You Must Be Careful Below That Altitude, Particularly If You Visit The Coast Where The Strains Of Malaria Tend To Be Especially Virulent.
Temperatures Range From 25 To 30 Degrees Celsius At The Foot Of The Mountain And -15 To -20 Degrees Celsius On Top Plus Wind Chill. Lower Down, It Can Be Wet And Humid, But Higher Up, There Can Be Snow. Rain And Snow May Be Encountered Any Time Of The Year!
Your Decision Will Depend On Where You Want To Sleep And The Hiking Distance Each Day And Number Of Days Of Each Route. On The Marangu Route, You Sleep In Huts With Simple Beds, While On All The Other Routes, You Sleep In Tents. There Are Two Main Routes On The Mountain: The Marangu And Machame. You May Also Want To Consider The Rongai Route As It Is Far Less Traveled. The Lemosho Route Is A Good Choice If You Want A Longer Route (8+ Days). Kindly Visit Our Kili Routes Page.
Physically, The Marangu And Machame Routes Are Rather Different. The Main Force Of Kibo's Volcanic Activity Occurred Out Towards The West (The Machame Side) And So Machame Is Steeper - Especially In The First Day And A Half - And More Rugged Than Marangu. It Is Often Considered More Scenic Because The Views Of Kibo Are More Impressive Than From The South-East (The Marangu Approach), But Many Consider The Vegetation On Day 2 Of The Marangu Route To Be More Attractive Than Anything Seen On The Western Side. As Always With Mountains, Every Route Has Its Advantages And Drawbacks. The Difficulty Grading Has Marangu As A 1, And Machame A 1+, So There's Not A Great Deal In It.
Always Remember To Maintain A Slow, Steady Pace From Beginning To End. Going Slowly Allows The Body To Acclimatize While Hiking. Those Who Start Out Too Quickly Will Have Troubles Higher Up The Mountain As The Body Will Be Overexerted. This Still Holds True If You Are Spending An Extra Day On The Mountain.
It Will Depend On The Route You Pick And Your Pace. It Can Take From 4-8 Hours To Reach The Summit From The High Camp.
A Weatherproof Jacket, Such As Gore-Tex.
A Woollen Sock That Fits Over The Head With Slits For Only The Eyes And Mouth.
Most Groups Will Start For The Summit On Ascent Day At 11 PM To 12:30AM, Depending On The Perceived Fitness Of The Group, The Weather And The Route. The Pre-Dawn Hours, While Cold, Are Also The Calmest And Clearest. The Best Views From The Summit Are At Dawn. Often Clouds And High Winds Develop Not Long After Sunrise Making The Summit Much Less Attractive And The Descent More Difficult. Guides Who Have Been To The Summit Scores Of Times Report That It Is Very Rare To Find It Cloudy At The Summit At Dawn In Any Season. The Ascent Day Is A Very Long Day Of Hiking. Some People May Require 15 Hours To Reach The Summit And Descend To The Campsite For That Day.
No, But We Can Schedule Transfer From Nairobi By Riverside Shuttles For An Additional Charge.
If A Client Cannot Walk Because They Are Injured Or Sick, At Least Two Support Staff Will Assist This Climber Down. There Is No Extra Charge For Coming Down And Taken Back To The Hotel, But You Will Get No Money Back For That Mountain Days You Missed, And You Will Be Responsible For Medical Assistance And Extra Hotel Nights. We Highly Recommend Travel Insurance To Cover Any Medical Expenses And Further Evacuation
The Typical Tip Is: Porters $10 Per Day Per Porter Cooks $12 To $15 Per Cook Assistant Guides $15 To $20 Per Guide Kilimanjaro Guides $20 Per Day And Up Per Guide *Tip Amounts Listed For Kilimanjaro Are Per Group, Not Per Individual Traveler. For Instance, If Four People Are On Kili, They Should Each Contribute $5/Day If They Want To Tip The Lead Guide $20.
A 30% Deposit Is Required At Time Of Booking To Hold Your Climb/Safari.
