Rongai Route — 6 Days

Overview

Rongai is the least-trafficked of Kilimanjaro's main routes and the only one that starts from the north, near the Kenyan border. The northern slopes are drier and get less snow, making it a great choice in the shoulder seasons. Wildlife sightings — including elephant and buffalo tracks in the lower forest — are more common here than on other routes.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1

   Moshi → Nalemoru Gate → Simba Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

   Total Distance: 8 km

   Starting Altitude: 2,020 m (6,627 ft)

   Final Altitude: 2,625 m (8,612 ft)

   Elevation Change: +605 m

   Habitat: Farmland → pine forest

   Morning briefing and gear check in Moshi, then a 3–4 hour drive around the northern side of the mountain, close to the Kenyan border, to Nalemoru Gate (2,020 m) for park registration. The trail begins gently through maize fields and villages before entering pine and juniper forest — the quietest start on the mountain, with a good chance of spotting colobus monkeys. Camp at Simba with wide views north over the plains.

   Meals: Lunch, DinnerSimba Camp · 2,625 m
2. 2
   Day 2

   Simba → Kikelewa Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

   Total Distance: 14 km

   Starting Altitude: 2,625 m (8,612 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,679 m (12,070 ft)

   Elevation Change: +1,054 m

   Habitat: Heather & moorland

   A long, steady climb out of the forest into open heather and moorland, passing the Second Cave area with sweeping views back across the Kenyan plains and up to Kibo. The northern side is drier and sunnier than the southern routes, so plenty of water and sun protection matter today. Twice-daily pulse and oxygen checks continue at camp.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerKikelewa Camp · 3,679 m
3. 3
   Day 3

   Kikelewa → Mawenzi Tarn

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

   Total Distance: 6 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,679 m (12,070 ft)

   Final Altitude: 4,330 m (14,206 ft)

   Elevation Change: +651 m

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   Short but steep, climbing grassy slopes into the alpine zone with the terrain turning rocky and bare. Camp sits in a dramatic cirque beside a small tarn directly beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi (5,149 m) — arguably the most spectacular campsite on Kilimanjaro. Afternoon acclimatisation walk up the moraine for 'climb high, sleep low' benefit.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMawenzi Tarn · 4,330 m
4. 4
   Day 4

   Mawenzi Tarn → Kibo Hut

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

   Total Distance: 9 km

   Starting Altitude: 4,330 m (14,206 ft)

   Final Altitude: 4,700 m (15,420 ft)

   Elevation Change: +370 m

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   Cross 'The Saddle' — a stark, wind-scoured alpine desert stretching between Mawenzi and Kibo with no vegetation at all — to the summit base camp at Kibo Hut, a stone bunkhouse at 4,700 m. Arrive by early afternoon to eat, lay out summit layers, headtorch and water, then early dinner and rest before the midnight wake-up.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerKibo Hut · 4,700 m
5. 5
   Day 5

   Summit Day · Kibo → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 12–14 hours

   Total Distance: 22 km

   Starting Altitude: 4,700 m (15,420 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft) via Uhuru Peak 5,895 m

   Elevation Change: +1,195 m / −2,175 m

   Habitat: Arctic → moorland

   Wake at 23:00 for tea and biscuits and set off by headtorch at midnight. Steep scree switchbacks pass Hans Meyer Cave (5,150 m) and reach Gilman's Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim around sunrise. A further 1.5–2 hours along the rim past the glaciers brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the Roof of Africa. Descend to Kibo for brunch, then continue down the Marangu trail to Horombo Hut.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerHorombo Hut · 3,720 m
6. 6
   Day 6

   Horombo → Marangu Gate → Moshi

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

   Total Distance: 20 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft)

   Final Altitude: 1,860 m (6,100 ft)

   Elevation Change: −1,860 m

   Habitat: Moorland → rainforest

   A final descent through moorland and back into the rainforest, with a rest stop at Mandara Hut, down to Marangu Gate. Sign out of the park and receive your summit certificate — gold for Uhuru Peak, green for Gilman's Point — then the crew's farewell song and tipping ceremony over a celebratory lunch. Transfer to your Moshi hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Trail map

A stylised overview of the Rongai Route — camps, elevations and summit approach.