6 Days | Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Rongai Route

Marimbo Expeditions offers a unique service throughout the climb:

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Marangu route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to Prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Climb Kilimanjaro via Rongai Route | 6 Days:

Introduction to the Rongai Route

The trail began right against the Kenyan border. Rongai is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro with good view and some respects easier than Marangu and has excellent success rates.  Rongai is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. You have to descend on the Marangu route on the southern side, so climbers see the mountain from many view points,  For the final push to the summit, trekkers on this trail take the Kibo Hut Route, though trekkers usually take a detour to the campsite beneath Mawenzi peak, adding an extra day.

Day 1: Nalemoru Gate to Simba Campsite.

Elevation: 2000m (6,560 ft) to 2650m (8,700 ft)

Distance: 6km/4miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring  to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone. Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite.

Day 2 : Simba Camp  to Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp.

Elevation: 3450m (11,300ft) to 3600m (11,800ft)

Distance: 10km/6miles

Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Moorlands

Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m/11,800ft). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m/11,300ft) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. .After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios trees. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef.

Day 3:Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

Elevation: 3600m (11,800ft) to 4330m (14,200ft)

Distance: 6km/4mi

Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.

7 Day Rongai Route

If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut

Elevation: 4330m (14,200ft) to 4750m (15,600ft)

Distance: 9km/5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast we will continue with our climb towards Kibo, We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparation for the final ascent a very early night. At Kibo hut you will join with other climbers from Marangu route.

Day 5: Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut

Elevation: 4700m (15,500ft) to 5895m (19,340ft)

Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will rise around 23:00 and after tea, soup or porridge we begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi then continue slowly to make 1.5 hour from here to Uhuru peak 5,895m/19341ft, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo hut for a well deserved overnight.

Day 6: Horombo hut  – Marangu Gate

Elevation: 3700m (12,200ft) to 1800m (5,800ft)

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel.