Rongai Route Itinerary

Rongai Start Point to Simba Camp

Pick up from the hotel or our family home (depending on where you will be staying before and after the climb) and drive for two hours and a half to Marangu park gate for formalities registration after that transfer to the Rongai trailhead in about 3hours. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from Nalemuru village.

 

The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering a pine forest and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep but is rather a gentle hike through the beautiful country. The first night’s camp is at Simba camp, at about 2,600 meters. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below Simba Camp.

• Elevation: 1,996m to 2626m

Simba Camp to Second Caves.

Late Breakfast, enjoy the morning at Simba camp proceed with the hiking very slowly and acclimatize your body until you reach Second Caves (3450M ) for hot lunch. Afternoon relaxes at second caves with dinner and overnight.

• Elevation: 2626m to 3450m

Second Caves to Kikelewa Cave

After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Caves camp (Kikelewa Caves).

• Elevation: 3450m to 3600m

Kikelewa Caves to Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

• Elevation: 3600m to 4330m

Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut

Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp.

• Elevation: 4330m to 4700m

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

You will wake up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough.

 

The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route.

 

From Gillman’s Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut for a short rest ten after your descent to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight.

 

The descent to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around almost 14 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and well-earned sleep.

• Elevation: 4700m to 5895m to 3720m

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

After breakfast the crew arranges popular mount Kilimanjaro songs to sing on a small ceremony before you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu Gate, you sign out your name and details in a register.

 

This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.  You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, nice dinner, nice bed, overnight, and celebration.

• Elevation: 3720m to 1980m