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Trip Itinerary
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Rongai Route is the only trail that approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro starting at the northern side, just at the Kenyan border. Due to its remote location, the Kilimanjaro Rongai Route has low traffic. Trekkers are offered with a relatively unspoiled wilderness experience. Large wildlife like antelopes, elephants, baboons, and buffaloes can be seen during the trek on this route. The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route itinerary includes walking on a moderately difficult route and preferred by those climbing during the rainy season. The route will take you past the second highest point in Tanzania – Mawenzi while offering bird’s eye views of the mountain’s rainforest. Although the scenery is not as diverse as the western routes, The Rongai route makes up for this by going through the coniferous forest amid true wilderness areas. The gentle rise and its steady acclimatization bring trekkers securely to the highest point in Africa – the Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro. Descent from the summit, however, is made via the Marangu route.
- Climb the highest peak in Africa traversing through the only northern route that approaches Kilimanjaro from near the Kenyan border
- The Rongai route has more gradual slopes than the mountain’s other routes
- This route is perfect for those seeking a more remote hike and for those who wish to attempt the summit during the rainy season
- Hike through a true wilderness area towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak and cross the barren desert saddle before climbing up Kibo’s eastern crater wall
- Begin ascending from the northern Nalemuru Gate and descend via the Marangu Gate
Overview
Arrival City
Moshi, Tanzania
Departure City
Moshi, Tanzania
Lodging Level
Hotel (Aishi Machame Hotel)
Meals
7 dinner, 7 breakfast, 6 lunch
Trip Grade
Demanding
Maximum Altitude
5,895m/19,341ft
Activity
Trekking and Hiking
Styles
Active Adventures
Outline Itinerary
| Itinerary | Maximum Altitude | Walking/Hiking |
|---|---|---|
| Day 01 Arrival in Kilimanjaro, drive to Moshi | 950m/3,117ft | - |
| Day 02 Trekking from Nalemuru Gate to Rongai First Cave | 2,652m/8,701ft | 3-4 hrs |
| Day 03 Trekking from Rongai First Cave to Kikilewa Camp | 3,630m/11,910ft | 6-7 hrs |
| Day 04 Trekking from Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp | 4,510m/14,797ft | 4-5 hrs |
| Day 05 Trekking from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to School Hut Camp | 4,750m/15,585ft | 5-6 hrs |
| Day 06 Trekking to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Camp | 5,895m/19,341ft | 12-14 hrs |
| Day 07 Descent from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate | 1,860m/6,103ft | 5-6 hrs |
| Day 08 Final Departure | - | - |
- Accommodation in Standard Hotels on Twin Sharing Basis
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the research published by the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, the average summit success rate across all the routes is 65%. The Machame route is considered to be the easiest one amongst all different routes to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While all different routes on Kilimanjaro climb have their own difficulties and own experiences, Mt. Kilimanjaro is seriously a high-altitude mountain. Even though the normal routes of Kilimanjaro climb are not technically difficult, the altitude has hit hard and taken its toll on climbers annually thereby bringing the success rate down to 65%. Different operators have different success rates based on numerous factors and Vi Glaciers has an impressive success rate of over 85% on its Kilimanjaro trips.
Climbing a mountain 5,895 m (19,341 ft.) high is definitely a dangerous thing to do. An estimated 50,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year from which around 1,000 people are evacuated from the mountain and approximately 10 fatalities are reported. It means that the chance of death on the mountain is only 0.0002% which is practically zero. In other words, there is just one death per 5,000 climbers and the main cause of death is altitude sickness.
Yes and no! You may want to climb Kilimanjaro alone without other hikers or crowd – it is possible. But even then, you will be assisted by guides and porters. Although you will be the only trekker, you will not be alone in the truest sense as the Tanzanian Tourism Board does not permit trekking without a guide, porter and other crew members. The ratio of trekkers to support crew is 1:4 meaning that if you are the only climber, you will be assisted by 4 other members of your trekking company.
When you look at the difference between Kilimanjaro Climb and Everest Base Camp Trek, you are going to higher altitude much quicker on Kilimanjaro than Everest base camp. From Moshi (2,932 ft.) to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft.) it takes 4 to 6 days depending on the route, which is more than 16,000 ft. gain in altitude. From Kathmandu (4,600 ft.) to the base camp of Everest (17,599 ft.) it takes 8 to 9 days, which is almost 13,000 ft. gain in altitude but trekkers need to walk longer daily distance on the Everest Base Camp trek. In the Everest region, trekkers will sleep at teahouses or luxury lodges throughout the entire trip whereas on Kilimanjaro, except for the Marangu route, trekkers will have to sleep inside tents. While there are lots of ups and downs on the Everest trekking route, the summit night on Kilimanjaro is harder than anything on the entire Everest trail. The overall summit success rate on Kilimanjaro, as per the statistics is 65% while the success rate of Everest Base Camp is over 90%. So, Kilimanjaro climb is harder than Everest Base Camp trek especially because of the quick ascent and rapid altitude gain on Kilimanjaro.
The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, also known as Uhuru Point, lies in the glacial zone with an average temperature hovering around -6°C (21°F) during day time. However, all summiting attempts begin around midnight in order to reach the Uhuru peak at dawn. So, you will be trekking during the night time when the temperatures range between -7 to -29°C (19 to -20°F).
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