Optional trip packages before/after this safari:
- Seeing the Mountain Gorillas
- Staying for 2-3 days at The School of St Jude
- Enjoying a beach getaway to Zanzibar
- Go on a Gorillas, Water safari and Chimps tour in Uganda
- Tour Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Rongai Route is Kilimanjaro’s only route beginning from the north side and is used by a few trekkers. It joins the Marangu Route on the final ascent to the summit, but otherwise, not a lot of people are seen along the way. This route gives you the opportunity to witness up close the Mawenzi volcano, the second-highest peak of Kilimanjaro, and the magnificent saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peak (which is the summit). Each day you will see many changes in vegetation and scenery. Accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in a mess tent.
Depending on your personal travel itinerary before the climb, a “Pre-climb Briefing” and “Packing list/Equipment Check” will be done a day before the climb starts (or a few days before if possible), just in case anything has to be hired or bought at the last minute for your climb.
Because the starting point to this route is a long way from Arusha on the northern side of Mt Kilimanjaro, this trek starts from a hotel at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro near the Marangu Route Gate. You will transfer to your hotel during the afternoon of the day before the climb starts.
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1,800m/5,900ft) to First Cave Camp (2,600m/8,400ft)
Elevation Gain: 760 meters, 2,000 feet
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
At 7am you will be picked up and driven to the Rongai Gate near the Kenya border. After registering at the gate, begin your climb to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. First hike through forests where you may see and hear wildlife. Eat lunch on the trail before continuing to the first campsite. Rongai ascends via the less forested northern side of the mountain. The Rongai Route is one of the least crowded routes on Kilimanjaro because of the long drive to the gate. The Rongai trail is thought to have the best chance of viewing wildlife.
Day 2: First Cave Camp (2,600m/8,400ft) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m/11,810ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 meters, 3,280 feet
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
Hike through Kilimanjaro’s moorland. The Rongai route is relatively short and steep, making for shorter hiking times. During the hike, view Mawenzi Peak ahead.
Day 3: Kikelewa Camp (3,600m/11,810ft) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m/14,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 730 meters, 2,390 feet
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
This more leisurely acclimatization day starts with a morning hike followed by a rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike is relatively short but steep. The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo.
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m/14,200ft) to Kibo Camp (4,750m/15,580ft)
Elevation Gain: 420 meters/1380 feet
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
Cross the lunar landscape of the saddle before arriving at the final campsite. Kibo Camp is situated directly below the Kibo cone and offers uninterrupted views of your final destination.
Day 5: Kibo Camp (4,750m/15,580ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet
Hiking time: 6 hours to the rim, 1.5 hours to Uhuru, 4 hours to Kibo, 4 hours to Horombo
Breakfast lunch and dinner provided
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Hike by the light of your flashlight for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point. The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes about two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut. Day
Day 6: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet
Hiking time: 6 – 8 hours
Breakfast and lunch provided
After breakfast, complete your trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent as the trail can be slippery. On the way down you will have your lunch and then continue onto the park gate.
Afterwards you will be driven back to your hotel in Arusha for enjoying long over shower and relaxing the rest of your day. You have earned it!
Breakfast and dinner provided at the lodge
This safari package includes:
- All park entrance, camping (or hut) and rescue fees,
- All meals and filtered drinking water while on the mountain,
- Guide (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porter salaries and fees (porters are paid
- according to national park recommendations),
- Camping equipment including mountaineering sleeping and mess tents (North Face, Marmot and
- Mountain Hardware), foam mattresses, toilet tent, chairs and tables,
- Emergency oxygen bottles,
- Transfer to/from Kilimanjaro National Park,
- Flying Doctors evacuation insurance
- Toilet tent
This safari package does not include:
- The climb does not include gratuities, soda/alcohol, energy snacks and drinks such as Power Bars,
- Personal camping equipment such as sleeping bags, visa fees, hotel in Arusha, airport transfers,
- travel/health insurance, airfare, or items of a personal nature.