Rongai Route

12 Days Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Safari Combo

12 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania

10 Days Wildlife Kenya and Tanzania Safari

10 Days Safari in Uganda and Tanzania

10 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Northern Circuit Route

On Tanzania safaris, the Rongai Route is typically completed in six or seven days. The longer itinerary offers better acclimatization and a higher success rate. The path is a circuit, ascending on the northern slopes and descending on the eastern side via the Marangu Route, giving you a diverse view of the mountain's ecosystems without retracing your steps .

Day 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp (2,600m)

The climb begins at the Rongai Gate, located near the Kenyan border, about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Moshi. The drive itself is an adventure, passing through the remote, rural villages of the Maasai steppe. The trail starts in a pine forest, not the dense, muddy rainforest of the southern routes. The path is gentle and dry. After three to four hours of easy walking, you reach the Simba Camp. The camp is situated in a forest clearing with views of the Kenyan plains.

Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m)

The trail continues through the moorland zone. The vegetation changes from forest to heather and open grasslands. You will see the first signs of the unique Kilimanjaro flora: giant groundsels and lobelias begin to appear. The path climbs steadily for six to seven hours. The views of the peak of Kibo open up behind you. You arrive at Kikelewa Camp, a beautiful, sheltered campsite in a small valley with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310m)

This is a short but steep day. The trail climbs out of the valley and onto the open moorland. You are now on the side of Mawenzi, the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, with its dramatic, jagged spires. The landscape is barren and lunar. After three to four hours, you reach the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, a stunning campsite located in a crater-like hollow directly beneath the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. The views are spectacular.

Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310m)

This is the day that separates the successful climbers from those who turn back. You follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low." In the morning, you will hike up towards Mawenzi Peak, gaining elevation to about 4,600 meters. The trail passes through the eerie landscape of the Saddle, the vast, lunar plain between Mawenzi and Kibo. The views of the main summit are incredible. After a few hours, you descend back to Mawenzi Tarn Camp. The extra day at altitude helps your body produce red blood cells to cope with the thin air.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut (4,703m)

The trail crosses the Saddle, a five to six hour walk across a barren, dusty, lunar landscape. The wind can be fierce. The vegetation disappears entirely. You are walking on volcanic scree. The peak of Kibo looms directly ahead. You arrive at Kibo Hut, a stark, stone building at the base of the crater wall. It is exposed and cold. There are no flush toilets and no running water. This is the last stop before the summit. You eat a simple dinner, fill your water bottles, and try to sleep by 6 PM. The summit push begins in a few hours.

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

Your guide wakes you at midnight. The night is freezing. You put on every layer of clothing you have. You start the climb by headlamp, the line of tiny lights snaking up the steep scree slope. The path is loose and steep. The air is thin. You stop every few steps to catch your breath. After five to seven hours of slow, grinding effort, you reach Gilman's Point at 5,681 meters, on the rim of the crater. The sun begins to rise. The sky turns orange and gold. From Gilman's Point, it is another one to two hours of hiking along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The feeling is overwhelming. After a few minutes for photographs, you begin the long, painful descent back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue down to the Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest.

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,640m)

The final day is a long, knee-jarring descent of 20 kilometers through the moorland and into the rainforest. You walk for five to seven hours. At the Marangu Gate, your driver is waiting. You receive your summit certificate. Those who reached Uhuru Peak get a gold certificate; those who reached Gilman's Point get a green certificate. The adventure is over. You are driven back to the hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.

The Rongai Route is unique because it lies in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro. The northern slopes are much drier than the south. The lower forest is not a dripping, muddy jungle. It is a dry, open pine forest. On Tanzania safaris, you may see different wildlife here than on the southern routes. You might spot herds of zebra and eland on the lower slopes, as the route borders the Amboseli ecosystem. You will definitely see the black-and-white colobus monkeys. The moorland zone is home to the unique, prehistoric-looking giant groundsels and lobelias. The views of the jagged peak of Mawenzi are spectacular.

The Rongai Route offers different birding opportunities than the southern routes. The dry, open forests are home to the white-necked raven and the African fish eagle, which can be seen soaring over the plains. The moorland zone is a good place to spot the scarlet-tufted sunbird, which feeds on the giant lobelia flowers. The alpine zone is home to the alpine chat. The Rongai Route is also a migration corridor for birds of prey. On a clear day, you can see them riding the thermals over the Saddle.

The best time for a Tanzania safari to include a climb of the Rongai Route is during the dry seasons from June to October and December to February. However, the Rongai Route has a distinct advantage. It lies in the rain shadow. Even when it is raining on the southern slopes, the northern slopes may be dry. This makes the Rongai Route the best choice for climbing during the "short rains" in November . The weather is more stable here. For most climbers, the sweet spot is July through September, but the Rongai Route offers a longer climbing window than the southern routes.

On Tanzania safaris, the starting point for the Rongai Route is the Rongai Gate, located near the Kenyan border. The gate is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Moshi. The road is paved for most of the way but passes through remote Maasai villages. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From the airport, you are transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Your tour operator will arrange all transport to the gate.

Packing correctly is the difference between success and failure on Kilimanjaro. You need a warm, 4-season sleeping bag rated for -10°C or lower. The nights on the mountain are cold. You need a good quality tent. Your tour operator will provide a tent, but you can bring your own. You need sturdy, broken-in hiking boots. Do not bring new boots. You need layers. The temperature at the summit can drop to -20°C. Bring thermal underwear, fleece layers, a down jacket, a warm hat, thick gloves, and a balaclava. You need a headlamp with extra batteries for the summit night. A good pair of sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen are essential. The sun at altitude is brutal. Pack a reusable water bottle and a hydration bladder. You will drink three to five liters per day. A lightweight daypack for your water, camera, and layers is essential. Do not forget your camera.

The Rongai Route uses tented camps. There are no huts. Your tour operator will provide a large, dome-style tent for sleeping. You will also have a separate mess tent for eating and socializing. The camps are basic. There are no showers and no flush toilets. Your guide will dig a "long drop" toilet. You will be expected to use wet wipes to clean yourself. The camps are located in exposed, windy locations. The tents are your only shelter from the cold.

Booking your Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris ensures that your climb of the remote Rongai Route is safe, well-organized, and led by experienced, certified guides. Our guides have climbed Kilimanjaro hundreds of times. They know the unique challenges of the northern slopes, including the dry conditions and the longer drive to the gate. On a Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris, we handle everything, including your airport transfers, hotel bookings in Moshi, park fees, camping permits, guides, porters, cooks, and all meals on the mountain. You just show up with your gear and your determination. Their itineraries are flexible. Want to take the recommended seven-day route for better acclimatization? We can do that. Want to combine your climb with a safari in the Serengeti or a beach holiday in Zanzibar? We can arrange it. You focus on the quiet solitude, the dramatic views of Mawenzi, and the feeling of standing on the roof of Africa from the quiet side of the mountain. We handle everything else on your Tanzania safari.