Kilimanjaro Rongai Route - Overview
Starting near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the only approach that starts from the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is considered one of the easier routes with a gradual climb to the summit. This route takes a minimum of six days. However, a seven day itinerary is recommended as at least one day should be spent for acclimatization. The scenic diversity is not as great as the western routes, but Rongai is the only route in which you get to experience African wildlife in the the early stages of the climb.
Weaving along the the mountain, Rongai route starts quite a bit far away from Moshi, which is why it is considered an expensive route, as the transportation costs to and from Moshi must also be included. Taking you along pristine rainforests and African wilderness, the route is scenically varied and quite beautiful. However, the scenery is not as exquisite as the western routes.
The nights are spent in camps and the night before the summit can be very tough. Although the route is gaining popularity, climbers who seek a remote hike can expect low traffic; however, during the descent the trail will join the Marangu route at camp Kibo. Because the north side of the mountain receives less precipitation, climbers prefer this route during the rainy season. So, if you want an easy climb with relatively less traffic and a nice, quiet hike up the mountain, this is the route for you.
| Rongai Route - Trek Facts | |
|---|---|
| Trek Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
| Trek Duration: | 6-7 Days |
| Max Altitude: | 5,895 Meters |
| Accommodation: | Camping |
| Best Season: | All Year |
| Transport To/From Trek: | Flight |
Kilimanjaro Rongai Route - Itinerary
The below is a sample itinerary. It may vary slightly depending on the final trekking agency you choose to go with:
- Day 1: Starting the trip and trek all the way to Simba Camp 4 – 6 hours
- Day 2: From Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp 7 – 9 hours
- Day 3: From Kikelewa camp to Mawenzi Tarn 4 – 6 hours
- Day 4: From Mawenzi to Kibo Camp 5 – 7 hours
- Day 5: From Kibo Camp to the Summit and then down to Horombo Hut 11 – 13 hours
- Day 6: Horombo hut to Moshi 2 – 4 hour
Trekking facts for the Rongai route in a nutshell
- The second most popular route -- 35% of climbers
- Comparatively easy route on Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Relatively cheaper due to a short trekking duration
- Crowded (comparatively)
- Scenery is good, but could be better (comparatively)
- Success Rate: 80%
