Route Overview
Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. It is a moderately difficult trail, but easier as compared to the routes. It is preferred by those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu & Machame routes, with a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).
Route Itinerary
To get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, every hiker must arrange their own flights (JRO). We will set up a private transfer for you from JRO to your hotel. You will meet your local Tito Tanzania representative that evening or early the next morning and receive a thorough pre-climb briefing.
- Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 40 km)
- Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation from your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration, followed by a second transfer (an additional two and a half hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Before we begin our ascent via the village of Nale Moru, our porters gather and load our provisions and bags. Before gently ascending through a pine forest and arriving at First Cave Camp at 2,600m elevation, the narrow, meandering path first crosses corn fields.
- Transport: Private transfer (2.5 hours, 90 km)
- Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
- Ascent: 650 m
- altitude: 2600 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After leaving Second Cave (3450m) on the way to Kibo, the track continues upward until it reaches Kikelewa Caves (3600m). From here, the scenery begins to widen, allowing you to appreciate just how enormous Kilimanjaro truly is. We spend the night camped here.
- Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Ascent: 1000 m
- altitude: 3600 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
A short, steep ascent over grassy slopes is rewarded with breathtaking views in all directions and a real sense of nature. Shortly before we arrive at the following camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m), which is magnificently located in a cirque directly below the tall spires of Mawenzi, we leave the vegetation behind. The afternoon will be free for you to relax or tour the neighborhood to help you acclimate.
- Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
- Ascent: 730 m
- altitude: 4330 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
As part of the acclimatization process, we’ll spend a whole day at and around Mawenzi Tarn. With numerous pathways running up the ridges and towers of Mawenzi, there will be much to do, and our staff will assist in setting up quick trips to explore the area.
- altitude: 4330 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
The Kibo Campsite (4750m), located near the base of the Kibo crater rim, is reached by traveling across the lunar desert known as the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Resting up for tomorrow’s final ascent takes up the remainder of the day
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
- Ascent: 420 m
- altitude: 4750 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
By 23:30, you’ll be awakened, and we’ll start our ascent after some tea and biscuits. The going truly gets rough at this point. The trail’s initial segment is a rocky slope that leads to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). Afterwards, atop the crater rim, we ascend zigzag style to Gilman’s Point (5681m). The hardest part of the trek is this portion, which is extremely steep and covered in stone scree. We may run into snow from Gilman’s Point all the way to Africa’s highest point, Uhuru Peak (5895m). How long we can spend taking pictures on the summit will depend on the weather, after which we will head back to Kibo Camping and spend the night there. We have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-earned rest.
- Hiking time: 12 – 13 hours
- Ascent: 1145 m
- Descent: 2175 m
- altitude: 5895 m
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Following breakfast, we keep moving down to the Marangu Gate while passing Mandara Hut. After a well-earned shower, head to your hotel to celebrate.
- Transport: Private transfer (1 hour, 40 km)
- Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Descent: 1740 m
- altitude: 3720 m
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
We’ll say farewell after a much-needed night of rest. If you have scheduled an airport transport with us, a safari, or a vacation to Zanzibar, we will pick you up in the morning for your next destination.
- Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 40 km)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Items included
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Items excluded
- International Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks not included
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
FAQs for Rongai Route
The Rongai Route on Kilimanjaro is considered a moderately easy. It has a gentle gradient, and the 7 day itinerary provides ample time to acclimatize. However, it does not have a great “climb high, sleep low” profile which makes Machame and Lemosho such good routes.
The Rongai Route on Kilimanjaro is approximately 79 kilometers (49 miles) long and typically takes 7 – 9 days to complete. The average daily altitude gain is about 660 m. On the summit night you will climb 1100m from Kibo hut to Uhuru peak.
The summit success rates for the Rongai Route are greatly increased with the longer trek option. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 80% for the 7 day trek and a 65% success rate for the 6 day trek. However, we have a 95% summit success rate for both Rongai route treks.
The Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. The Rongai route has low crowds and passes through remote wilderness areas.
It is probably the only route where seeing wildlife in the first days is possible. After passing through rainforest you ascend through moorlands and then up into the high alpine zones before reaching the glacial zone.
