Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
The Rongai route on Mount Kilimanjaro is a seven day camping route; it has the attraction of being a lower traffic and easier route compared to the southern slopes for climbing Kilimanjaro. It attracts about 10% of visitors to the mountain. The route is really a complete traverse, the only one to experience the arid northern side and the lush southern side. It’s also known as the Loitokok Route.
Overview
The Rongai route on Mount Kilimanjaro is a seven day camping route; it has the attraction of being a lower traffic and easier route compared to the southern slopes for climbing Kilimanjaro. It attracts about 10% of visitors to the mountain. The route is really a complete traverse, the only one to experience the arid northern side and the lush southern side. It’s also known as the Loitokok Route.
Starting from the Kenyan side of the mountain in the north its advantages are a more gradual and easier route in terms of terrain, plus there are excellent clear views of the mountain all through the approach. There is also more opportunity to see wildlife such as buffalo, elephant and antelope.
The seven days includes a day of acclimatisation at Mawenzi Tarn and this is an important addition because the flatter terrain means you can’t ‘climb high, sleep low’ which is a good approach to acclimatisation. This extra day helps a lot and means the summit success rate on this route is quite high at over 80%. A six day itinerary without the acclimatisation day lowers the summit success rate to about 65% and it’s much more likely to get altitude sickness.
The route is quieter and flatter, and arguably has less scenic quality than other routes on the south side. However walking across the open plain with the summit massif in view all the time gives a real sense of vastness to the mountain. It is drier because of the fact that the mountain itself stops the rain clouds coming up from the south, so it’s really a very different experience in terms of scenery and terrain. For many, the solitude and sense of space is a big draw, although you don’t get to experience all the different habitats which are evident on the south side routes like Machame and Lemosho.
It takes five days to ascend from the NNE through the forest and onto the heathland and to the last camp at Kibo where it joins the Marangu route. Summit day is on day six up to Gilmans Point on the crater rim and then up to Uhuru Peak and all the way down to Horombo Hut, and the seventh day is a descent to Mweka Gate which is just half an hour drive from Moshi.
We use top quality mountain tents, comfortable mattresses, and qualified guides who work with us full time, porters who carry the bags and equipment, and cooks who provide fresh food every day. The ratio of guide:climber is 1:2. You can read about Kilimanjaro preparation and Kilimanjaro safety on our More Info pages and there is also a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list.
What Our Adventurers Think:
If you are looking for an adventure holiday, with a company committed to sustainable tourism, then I would highly recommend the 7 day trek on the (Kilimanjaro) Machame route with Adventure Alternative Limited.
You just need to be a reasonably fit adult, prepared to put in the time and effort a few months in advance, walking, cycling, swimming etc to improve fitness as the trek is moderately tough. It needs some strength, stamina and determination to reach the summit, but to put it in perspective, I am a 49 year old desk-bound accountant, and my husband is 57, neither of us are experienced hill walkers, but we made it and are thilled with our certificates, photographs and shared memories. Kilimanjaro is a beautiful mountain with unique flora and fauna, fantastic views and stunning scenery, and the excellent guides and hardworking and friendly team of staff are with you every step of the way – Joy Shaw
Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Itinerary
This is our advertised date for the start of the trip and is the day which you should arrive into Tanzania. Most people fly into Kilimanjaro airport either directly or via Kenya. Others travel overland from Kenya. The advertised date is the date you should arrive and we can collect you from Kilimanjaro airport or assist you to travel from Kenya. Overnight in Keys Annexe Hotel in Moshi Town.
Briefing day in Moshi Town, meet the AA Tanzania staff and have time for hiring equipment or relaxing in the hotel.
We depart early in the morning and drive around Kilimanjaro to the North side where the Rongai Gate is. It takes about 3hrs but offers some great views. After registering at the gate for permits and sorting gear for the porters we then walk through the forest for 4hrs to reach Camp 1 at 2800m. We firstly head to Nale Moru village to start the trek on path through farmland and pine forest initially to reach the edge of the moorland where Simba Camp is with beautiful views over the Kenyan plains. This is a great day for seeing wildlife.
Today we move out on to the moorland of Kilimanjaro and have a longish day at 6hrs up to Camp 2 which is near Kikelewa Cave at 3600m. Steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo summit and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Continue across moorland towards Mawenzi Peak. The camp is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
Today we are on open ground which at times can be steep as we make our way up to camp at the Mawenzi Tarn (4330m).
Today is a rest and acclimatisation day at the tarn. You can relax at camp or go on some walks in area. including a hike up and around Mawenzi. This part of the mountain is beautiful and the views are stunning.
4hrs open ground walking today with amazing views via the Saddle to reach camp near Kibo Hut at 4730m. Crossing the high desert terrain of the saddle between Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak, the final camp is at Kibo campsite beneath the massif itself. Rest in preparation for summit day.
Night-time ascent on rock and scree, with occasional snow, to the crater rim at Gilmans Point (5680m) which takes 5 hours, and then onwards to the summit of Uhuru (5985m) itself, which takes an additional 2 hours. Cold temperatures with windchill. Descend to Horombo Hut at 3800m, which is on the Marangu Route (total 12 hrs).
We then descend to Marangu Gate, along an easy path back into and through the forest for 4 hours. We then transfer by road from Mweka back to the the hotel in Moshi (where a hot shower awaits!), which only takes half an hour.
Either start your safari or depart for home.
Ready for an Adventure of a Lifetime?
Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £100.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.
Fixed Itineraries
| Start Date | End Date | Days | Price (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/11/2025 | 24/11/2025 | 10 | £2,105.00 | Book Now |
| 05/04/2025 | 14/04/2025 | 10 | £2,105.00 | Book Now |
| 08/03/2025 | 17/03/2025 | 10 | £2,105.00 | Book Now |
Private Itineraries
Our Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Experts
Castro has been the Director of AA Tanzania for over ten years now and is well known and respected in Moshi. From Zulu descent, his infectious laugh and calm manner has been a big help to many hundreds of our clients over the years. He also understands the company ethos of looking after the staff well and is a popular employer in the town. With our support he is able to pay excellent salaries, provide training in first aid and altitude, and ensure that everyone is happy in their...
Camps Used On Rongai Route
Full and New Moon Dates
| Month | 2020 New Moon | 2020 Full Moon | 2019 New Moon | 2019 Full Moon |
| Jan | 25 | 10 | 6 | 21 Super FM |
| Feb | 23 | 9 | 5 | 19 Super FM |
| March | 24 | 9 | 6 | 21 |
| April | 23 | 8 | 5 | 19 |
| May | 22 | 7 | 5 | 19 |
| June | 21 | 5 | 3 | 17 |
| July | 20 | 5 | 12 | 17 Lunar Eclipse |
| Aug | 19 | 3 | 1 & 30 | 15 |
| Sept | 17 | 2 | 28 | 14 |
| Oct | 16 | 2 & 31 | 28 | 14 |
| Nov | 15 | 30 | 26 | 12 |
| Dec | 14 | 30 | 26 | 12 |
Recommended Blogs
Do also have a look at our blog section for more details, such as:
How Hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?
How Long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
Fact’s about Kilimanjaro
What to wear on Kilimanjaro?
Toilets on Kilimanjaro
Training for Kilimanjaro
Do I use diamox on Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Cost £2105.00
INCLUDES
- Accommodation in Moshi for 3 nights in the Keys Annexe Hotel (twin, B&B)
- Jeep or coach transport to the mountain gate from and to Moshi
- Park fees, camping fees and park rescue fees
- Park certified guides (ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 depending of team size)
- Porters and cooks, plus equipment and tents for them
- All camping equipment including sleeping tents with mattresses
- Expedition administrator, translator and Manager
- Meals on the mountain
EXCLUDES
- International airfare to Tanzania
- Airport transfers
- Tanzanian Visa – $50 for most passports & $100 for USA citizens, purchased on arrival
- Vaccinations and malaria tablets
- Personal expenses including lunches and dinners in Moshi
- Travel insurance
- Tips ~ $150 for a 7 day climb, $180 for an 8 day climb, or $200 for a 9 day climb per visiting climber, paid in local currency for distribution at exit gate / hotel post climb
Notes on the pricing of this trip
- We do not operate kitties so the trip cost includes all main costs except personal expenses.
- We use a very good hotel in town with which we have built up a strong relationship for the past twenty years.
- Your money is protected by our financial bonding and we are a secure and well established company.
- We run scheduled dates and groups which normally number between two and ten. Private dates are at no extra cost but there is a supplement for single travellers.
- We advise you to take out your insurance as soon as possible to cover potential events that might cause you to cancel your trip. You need to ensure that you have a policy which covers trekking to 5895m, helicopter rescue and cancellation, but it does not need to cover technical climbing.
- The local Provider for this trip is Adventure Alternative Tanzania which is licensed under the Adventure Alternative trademark and provides excellent rates of pay, high quality equipment and training for the staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Information & Guides
General Tanzania Information
Health and Safety Guides
Preparation & Kit Guides
Planning Your Trip
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