Rongai Route
9 Days (Arrival + 7 Days Trek + Departure) - Group Joining
Destinations: Rongai Gate,Simba Camp,Second Cave Camp,Kikelewa Camp,Mawenzi Tarn Camp,Kibo Hut,Uhuru Peak and Marangu Gate
Style: Group Joining - Kilimanjaro Mountain
Approach
Western Kilimanjaro
Difficulty:
to
Success Rate:
Very High (excellent acclimatization)
Scenery:
Exceptional – rainforest, Shira Plateau, alpine desert, glaciers
Overview
The Rongai Route is the only trail that approaches Kilimanjaro from the northern side, close to the Kenya–Tanzania border. It is known for its quiet trails, excellent wildlife sightings, and a gentle, gradual ascent profile, making it ideal for climbers seeking a less crowded route with a high summit success rate.
The landscape is dry and open, offering uninterrupted views of Kibo and the rugged spires of Mawenzi Peak. The route merges with the Marangu Route during descent.
You will be supported by a professional team of WFR-certified guides, mountain chefs, and porters, ensuring your safety, comfort, and a successful summit.
Day by day
Detailed Rongai Route Itinerary (9 Days)
Day 1:
Arrival in Tanzania
Accommodation: Iliboru Safari Lodge (Dinner Included)
Duration: 1 hr drive from JRO → Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your guide and transferred to your lodge in Arusha.
During the evening:
- Climb briefing and safety orientation
- Gear check and rental options
- Discussion on altitude sickness and hydration
- Dinner and overnight rest.
Meals:
Dinner
Accommodation:
Iliboru Safari Lodge
Day 2:
Arusha → Rongai Gate → Simba Camp
After breakfast, drive to the Rongai Gate, located near the Kenya border on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. After registration and a short briefing, the trail begins with a gentle ascent through a beautiful pine forest.
Wildlife such as colobus monkeys and forest birds may be seen along the way.
Arrive at Simba Camp, located on the edge of the moorland zone.
- Elevation: 1,950m → 2,600m
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Distance: 6–7 km
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Simba Camp
Day 3:
Simba Camp → Second Cave Camp
A steady ascent through open moorland with wide views of Kibo’s snowy summit. The trail is gradual and offers excellent acclimatization.
Arrive at Second Cave Camp, named after a lava cave nearby.
Enjoy panoramic views and a peaceful atmosphere at camp.
- Elevation: 2,600m → 3,450m
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Distance: 9 km
- Habitat: Moorland
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
Accommodation:
Second Cave Camp
Day 4:
Second Cave → Kikelewa Camp
Today’s route crosses an open, grassy moorland as you head towards the imposing ridges of Mawenzi Peak. Expect steeper sections as you approach Kikelewa Camp, set in a sheltered valley with stunning surroundings.
- Elevation: 3,450m → 3,600m
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Distance: 6 km
- Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation:
Kikelewa Camp
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Kikelewa → Mawenzi Tarn Camp
A short but steep climb through alpine vegetation leads you to Mawenzi Tarn, one of the most beautiful camps on Kilimanjaro. It is located directly beneath the dramatic rock spires of Mawenzi Peak.
This is an excellent day for acclimatization, and optional hikes can be done in the afternoon.
- Elevation: 3,600m → 4,330m
- Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Distance: 4 km
- Habitat: Alpine Zone
Accommodation:
Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6:
Mawenzi Tarn → Kibo Hut
Today you will cross the vast Saddle, a high-altitude desert stretching between Mawenzi and Kibo. You’re now trekking in a lunar-like landscape with expansive views.
Arrive at Kibo Hut, the base camp for your summit attempt.
After an early dinner, rest and prepare for the midnight ascent.
- Elevation: 4,330m → 4,700m
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Distance: 9 km
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation:
Kibo Hut
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Summit Day — Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut
The summit attempt begins around midnight.
Follow your guides through a steep zigzag ascent, reaching Gilman’s Point (5,685m) at sunrise. After a short rest, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the Roof of Africa.
After taking photos and celebrating your achievement, descend back to Kibo Hut for a short break, then continue down to Horombo Hut, where you will rest after the long day.
- Elevation: 4,700m → 5,895m → 3,720m
- Total Hiking Time: 12–16 hours
Accommodation:
Horombo Hut
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate → Arusha / Safari
Descend through moorland into lush rainforest to reach Marangu Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates.
After signing out, drive back to Arusha for relaxation OR head straight into your safari extension (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Serengeti).
Overnight in Arusha or begin safari.
- Elevation: 3,720m → 1,840m
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland → Rainforest
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9:
Departure / Safari Extension
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home OR continue your safari adventure.
Price per Person
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What to know before climbing Kilimanjaro.
Excellent rating
Based on 122 reviews
- Tripadvisor
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful.
omar75
Solo
The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john!
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful. My friend and I ended up deciding on a private adventure each with a private tent. The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john! Cooked amazing meals and I absolutely can’t say enough about the porters. If you ever decide to go to Kilimanjaro you will see that the porters are a special kind of people.
We had an airport to airport trip. We were picked up by our main guide from the airport and taken to a nice 4 star hotel in Arusha. Godluck checked us in and came next day to take us in a tour in the city. We realized we have a day that we can go for a safari in. Maggie made that happen with one day notice. We spent a day in Terngeri saying all kinds of animals. It is not the Serengeti but we had a one day so we can’t complain.
We did an 8 day Lemosho climb. On the mountain we had 3 meals and a snack. The meals were excellent, the nightly briefing for next day was accurate and what we needed. We summitted successfully on day 7 and were out of the gate back to the hotel day 8. It was the most out of ordinary thing I’ve done in my life and African Zoom made it happen. I won’t hesitate to recommend them to any of my friends.
It is difficult to find reviewes for Kilimanjaro Climb operators on trip advisor, google reviews and others, I am not sure why.
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