The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the North side receives less precipitation).
The Rongai route is one of the easiest route up to Kilimanjaro summit and it joins the Marangu route at Kibo hut. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, and seven days are recommended. We have designed the trip for 7 days as that will allow for proper acclimatization on the mountain.
Wildlife can be seen on the lower slopes such as buffalo's, Elephants, Baboons and monkeys together with different species of birds.
Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, the Rongai route makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. On the way down this route goes together with the Marangu route.
The Rongai route as such is a moderately difficult route and relatively easier than other routes up Kilimanjaro. It is therefore highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience, as the probability of reaching the summit will be higher.
"From the moment I contacted the agency, the tour agency's staff demonstrated a high level of professionalism and attentiveness. They promptly responded to my inquiries, providing detailed information and addressing any concerns I had. Throughout the Kilimanjaro trek, their support staff, including porters and cooks, was incredibly hardworking, ensuring that our needs were met and that we had comfortable accommodations and nourishing meals. The level of teamwork and dedication displayed by the entire staff was truly remarkable.
The agency's commitment to providing top-notch equipment and logistics was evident throughout the trek. From quality camping gear to delicious meals prepared at high altitudes, they left no stone unturned in ensuring our comfort and well-being. The campsite setups were well-organized, and the availability of essential amenities, such as clean water and sanitary facilities, added to the overall positive experience.
"
The 6-day Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching the famous mountain from the north. Rongai is ideal for those who are not confident to hike steeper paths, those who want to avoid traffic, and those who want to enjoy a quieter hike.
The Rongai route’s premier advantage is that it is one of the quietest routes on the mountain, although it becomes busier when it connects with the Marangu route just before reaching Kibo hut. The route also descends along the Marangu route, however, on this trip, the intrepid climber will retain a sense of wilderness and adventure by sleeping in tents and not using the A-frame huts of the Marangu route.
Scenically, Rongai is extraordinarily beautiful as it travels through an unspoiled rain forest and remote wilderness area, although it is not as scenically varied as Machame, Lemosho and Shira. It is also preferred when climbing during the rainy season because the north side of the mountain receives less precipitation.
This three-day, guided climb takes you to the top of Mount Meru in Tanzania. Mount Meru is the third highest peak in Africa and Tanzania's second highest mountain, with the elevation of 4,568m. Located in Arusha National Park, the mountain is less popular than its taller sibling, Mount Kilimanjaro. Nevertheless, it offers a great climbing experience and is significantly less crowded than Kilimanjaro.
The ascent is quite steep and the route to the summit passes over streams, through parklands, forests and a moorland. You will reach the summit via a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views. The technical requirements for climbing Mount Meru are greater than on Kilimanjaro routes.
In addition to climbing the mountain, this trip also offers trekkers the chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife as the mountain falls within Arusha National Park.
We will drive you back to your accommodation in Moshi after the climb is over. Please scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
Thank you for making our Kilimanjaro climb a success. We were well taken care of, and everything was well thought out and planned. Our guides, Richard, Nelson, and Eric, were wonderful. Would not be possible without such extraordinary guides who even provided motivation and encouragement when needed. Could not be more grateful for a wonderful team! Highly recommended.
Fast and concise answers anytime we needed some infos. Gody was super great. We recommand local tour operator for your trip to kilimandjaro. They take care of everything(airport pickup, accommodation 1st and Last day in a Great hotel in moshi, kilimanjaro climbing, Hospital checkup in case of and a gift at the end of journey). Thanks you so much.
I have climbed so many mountains but Kilimanjaro trip was the best.
We were a private group consisting of my wife, kids and i, and we felt incredibly safe and supported throughout the trek, especially on summit night. The twice-daily medical check-ins were reassuring, especially for my kids, who had never been on a high-altitude hike. Our lead guide, with extensive mountain medical training, kept everyone calm and comfortable.
The way the guides made our kids feel special, accomplished, acknowledged them as young adults and bonded with them meant so much & definitely make this a wonderful experience they will remember forever.
I highly recommend this travel operator. They know the mountain inside out, they will take care about you giving you the support where you need and will organize the journey with extreme attention to details.
I read the google reviews and booked a Kilimanjaro climb. The operator and their team are rock solid. They took care of every person, including their own team. Highly recommend!
Looking for a long, safe route to the top of Africa's highest peak with necessary acclimatization time built-in? The Northern Circuit route is not just one of the best routes but also the newest official route to ascend Mt. Kilimanjaro. This special route is also the least used and the longest route, perfect for those seeking a remote, peaceful trek. Trekking this trail guarantees excellent acclimatization changeover and exceptional views from the northern slope of the mountain.
The Northern Circuit follows the Lemosho route for the first few days, then ascending the Shira Ridge to cross the high Shira Plateau. Trekkers will leave the Lemosho route to turn northwards and follow the main circuit when approaching near the Lava Tower. Circling clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp, trekkers will pass through School Hut before finally summitting from the east. The descent is made via the Mweka route, where it is likely for trekkers to encounter other trekkers from the Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe, Machame or the Marangu routes.
I NEVER in a million years thought I would be able to make it to the Peak. This was our FIRST hiking trip of any kind and we thought we'd "give it a try".... the tour company team were FANTASTIC ! Rama and his team checked in with us the day before to run us past a day by day itinerary, ensure we had all the necessary equipment (we didn't), and obtained what was missing. Throughout our hike and especially making up the Peak, he kept checking our physical conditions and mental motivation. On the ascent day, he made sure we kept busy and distracted to forget how incredibly hard it was climbing that last leg of the route... and it worked! We reached UHURU Peak and the feeling is incredible !! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
We recently completed a 10-day adventure in Tanzania and I can confidently say it was one of the most incredible and well-organized travel experiences of my life. The tour was a perfect combination of challenge, natural beauty, and wildlife—featuring a 7-day Machame Route hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, followed by a 3-day classic safari through Tanzania’s top parks.
I had the privilege of being part of an amazing group on our Mount Kilimanjaro expedition. This team truly embodied the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and determination needed to help us conquer Africa’s highest peak.
From the very beginning, the group’s enthusiasm was contagious. Everyone brought unique strengths to the table, whether it was carrying our packs, cooking delicious meals, or making sure we were all comfortable. The teamwork was evident in every step we took, especially during the more challenging days when altitude and fatigue tested our resolve.
Every morning we were greeted with coffee in our tents, a bowl of hot water to wash up, and a hot breakfast. We also had the luxury of a personal toilet. The porters packed everything up and carried our bags and had everything set up by the time we got to camp. They’re constantly refilling our water bottles and supplying hot water for tea and coffee. Every morning and evening we did a wellness check to make sure no one was experiencing altitude sickness. We had two guides who spoke perfect English to ensure we made it to the summit.
To my incredible climbing team: thank you for the laughs, the encouragement, and the shared sense of achievement. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share this adventure with!
We had an unforgettable experience last week on this tour. We were a group of 4 women with limited to some hiking experience. Anna and Stasia from the tour company were very responsive leading up to our booking. They were very easy and transparent regarding all the booking details. During the trip, our guides Baraka and Gerald were highly professional throughout our trek. They made sure that we were as comfortable as possible. This included all the small things, such as making sure we got enough lights for dinner and bringing more if we needed, as well as the big things, such as making sure that we summited! Baraka and Gerald were highly experienced as guides, and made sure to adjust their walking speeds to the individual needs of our group. They were also very personable, friendly and extremely approachable if we ever had questions (and we had many!). In addition, the rest of the crew (there were 20 people in total), that helped us were all highly attentive and very competent- we could not have done this without them. The food from our chef Justin was delicious - weve never had soup as creamy and eggs cooked the way he makes them- it stood out as unparalleled hiking food! Our server Benson told us really funny stories about his many trips in the mountains while he prepared dinner. The rest of the crew who worked behind the scenes tirelessly made everything seamless! We couldnt have asked for more. Some tips in addition to the other ones you may find online:1. Bring Vaseline - it gets really dry in the mountains so that would really help.2. It also gets very dusty in the mountain, so if you have dust allergies, you might need some medication. Even if you are not allergic to dust, it may be good to bring a bandana or something equivalent to keep off the dust.3. Rent the portable toilet!!! It is much better than the public restrooms, and relatively clean. Much more convenient if you need to go at night.4. Bring an extra roll of toilet paper- you wont need it for the toile if you rent the portable toilet, but it is useful if your nose runs because it gets cold.5. Bring extra hand warmers if you can. In addition to using them on Summit Day, some mornings are also cold. The crew does give you heated rubber bottles for warmth as well- so this is just for extra comfort.6. Bring mouthwash! Some nights are somewhat cold, so you may choose to mouthwash rather than do the full floss/brush. Makes you feel cleaner for sure. Same goes for disposable baby wipes in addition to a camping towel (quick dry so you dont have to use a wet one the next day!)7. Bring extra snacks if you can- the crew never will ask you for food, but we think they really appreciate it when you share. Same goes for anything else you think you can spare. Sharing is caring!8. Ask questions! We learned quite a bit about the mountains and the lives of our entire crew when we did- it was very rewarding learning more about the local culture and language.
This tour company gave us the best experience as we trekked up Kilimanjaro to the summit, followed by four days of exploration to Lake Manyra, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Our guides were all amazing and all very experienced on Kilimanjaro and safari as well. They gave us the exceptionally great service and made us feel comfortable and safe at all times.
The company had made excellent arrangements so that the trip was flawless and stress free.
