Climb Kilimanjaro: the Rongai Route

Rongai begins near the northern boundary of the national park on the Kenyan side, but all official formalities are completed in Tanzania. The route runs through more open and relatively dry landscapes towards the Mawenzi massif.

The preliminary scheme includes a separate acclimatisation day in the Mawenzi Tarn area. The team then crosses the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, moves to the Kibo assault camp and goes to the summit from the eastern side.

After Uhuru Peak the group descends through Horombo and the Marangu gate. The ascent and the descent run on different sides of the mountain, so the route offers more variety than the classic Marangu.

The trip requires endurance and a readiness for nights in tents. Before the trip, study the guidance on preparing for mountain ascents and the symptoms of altitude sickness.

The northern slope lies in the rain shadow of the massif and has drier vegetation, but the decisive advantage of Rongai is not a promise of good weather; it is the character of the journey. There are fewer groups coming the other way, the sense of a separate expedition lasts longer, and Mawenzi, which the route approaches almost head-on, looks particularly striking.

The extra day at Mawenzi Tarn is not there for passive waiting. An out-and-back walk allows the team to climb above the camp, see the rock walls of Mawenzi from a new angle and return to the same altitude to sleep. Before the assault camp that matters more than trying to save a calendar day.

Rongai combines well with a safari in northern Tanzania and with a stay on Zanzibar. Any additional parts are fitted around the actual day of descent and the confirmed domestic flights.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania.

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After check-in the guide holds a briefing, checks clothing, footwear and equipment and helps prepare the duffel bag for the porters. In clear weather the snow-capped summit of Kibo may already appear on the drive. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Moshi to the Nalemuru gate to the Simba camp.

In the morning the team drives round the massif to the northern entrance of the national park. After registration a calm stage begins through forest and drier northern vegetation. By evening the trail reaches the open Simba camp, where the spaciousness of the northern slopes is felt for the first time. Night in tents.

Day 3. Simba camp to Second Cave.

The route gains altitude gradually across the heather moorland. Behind you lie the plains near the Kenyan border, and ahead the dome of Kibo rises ever more clearly. An even pace matters more than speed: the body is only beginning to adapt to altitude. Night in tents.

Day 4. Second Cave to the Kikelewa camp.

The trail turns east and leads towards the jagged Mawenzi massif. The landscape becomes drier and more austere, and there are usually few people on the route. After check-in the team rests, monitors how everyone feels and prepares for the steeper climb of the following day. Night in tents.

Day 5. Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn.

A short stage with a noticeable gain in altitude leads into the cirque below the rock towers of Mawenzi. The camp at Mawenzi Tarn is considered one of the most striking places on Rongai: in the evening the dark walls are reflected in the water and the clouds stay below the site. Night in tents.

Day 6. Acclimatisation at Mawenzi Tarn.

The team makes an out-and-back walk on a safe route above the camp and returns to the same altitude to sleep. The day helps the body adapt, gives time to recover and allows Mawenzi to be seen without haste. The direction and the height of the walk are decided by the guide. Night in tents.

Day 7. Mawenzi Tarn to the Kibo camp.

One of the most unusual days crosses the wide volcanic saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. Vegetation almost disappears, distances are deceptive, and the assault camp stays ahead of you for a long time. After check-in participants prepare warm clothing, head torches and water and go to rest early. Night at the Kibo camp.

Day 8. Ascent of Uhuru Peak, 5895 m, and descent to Horombo.

The departure begins deep in the night. The team climbs slowly up the scree slope to Gilman's Point, reaches the crater rim and, in safe conditions, continues past the glaciers to Uhuru Peak at 5895 m. Dawn colours Mawenzi and the clouds over East Africa. After the summit comes a long descent through Kibo to Horombo. The decision to continue at each stage is taken by the guide. Night in a hut or camp according to the confirmed accommodation arrangement.

Day 9. Horombo to the Marangu gate to Moshi.

The team descends from high-altitude desert through heather fields and damp forest to the Marangu gate. In a single day the smell of vegetation, warm air and the sounds of the lower mountain return. After the route formalities there is a transfer to Moshi and rest. Night at the hotel.

Day 10. End of the trip.

Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. If a safari or Zanzibar is planned after the climb, the onward logistics are carried out under a separately confirmed trip.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• The services of a local English-speaking mountain guide
• The services of a cook and porters
• Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport after the trip
• All the road transfers set out in the itinerary
• Two nights in a three-star hotel in Moshi, twin occupancy, with breakfast
• The Kilimanjaro National Park permit and compulsory fees
• Accommodation in twin tents during the mountain part of the trip
• Full board during the mountain part of the trip – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• International flights to Tanzania and back
• The transfer between Nairobi and Moshi, if a participant chooses to fly via Kenya
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation – compulsory for participation
• A Tanzanian visa, if the participant requires one for their nationality – $50 for most nationalities; requirements depend on nationality, and a different visa type applies to US citizens
• Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the climb
• Single occupancy – the cost is confirmed separately
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Tips for the local mountain team – the recommended amount is confirmed before the trip
• Any costs arising from a departure from the itinerary

The Kilimanjaro climb by the Rongai route can be run privately on your own dates. This format suits a single participant, a family, a group of friends or a corporate team. A Russian-speaking Mountain Guide leader can be added to a private trip for a group of any size, quoted individually. There is more detail on the private Kilimanjaro climbs page.

The length and the sequence of acclimatisation days are kept. Shortening the route is discussed only after your experience has been assessed, and must not worsen adaptation to altitude.

A private trip can add a safari after Kilimanjaro, or time on Zanzibar. The dates, hotels, internal flights within Tanzania and the final price of any additional sections are confirmed separately before the contract is signed.

To receive a quote, write to us through the Contacts page and tell us the make-up of your group, your preferred dates, your altitude experience and whether you need a Russian-speaking guide.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and on your flight routing. Before buying tickets, check the rules for Tanzania and for every transit country against official sources.

To take part you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months on the date of entry and with at least one free page
• A return ticket or confirmation of onward travel
• A Tanzanian visa, where one is required; you can apply through the official eVisa system
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation
• An international yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you are arriving from a country at risk or have spent at least 12 hours in transit through one
• Your booking confirmation for the trip and the host team's contact details

We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage. Check the current visa and health requirements again before you fly.

Kilimanjaro climbs run all year round. The driest and most popular periods usually fall between January and early March, and from June to October. This does not mean clear weather is guaranteed: cloud, rain, snow, strong wind and a sharp drop in temperature are possible in any month.

The main rainy season around Kilimanjaro usually falls between March and May, and above all in April and May. A shorter rainy spell runs from October to December and is often most noticeable in November. Climbing is possible in these months, but the lower trails can be wet and slippery, kit is harder to keep dry, and cloud can limit the views.

The lower northern slopes of Rongai are often drier than the southern routes, but the high-altitude section and the descent via Marangu remain exposed to wind, snow and rain.

It can be warm and humid at the start of the route, while night temperatures in the high camps fall below 0 °C. The coldest stage is the night start for the summit. You need warm layers, protection from wind and rain, and waterproof packing for your sleeping bag, clothing, documents and electronics.

A detailed month-by-month comparison is published in our article on the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Two nights in a 3-star hotel in Moshi, in twin rooms, are provided before the mountain section and after it finishes. Breakfasts are included. The specific hotel is confirmed before departure.

During the climb the group sleeps in two-person tents. The local team moves and pitches the camp. You provide your own sleeping bag and mat, following the equipment list.

Full board is provided during the climb. Agree the menu in advance, along with any vegetarian, allergy or other dietary requirements. Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the mountain are paid separately.

Rongai is a camping route. Toilet and washing facilities in the camps are basic and depend on the infrastructure of each site. There is no proper shower during the mountain section.

On the mountain section you cannot count on a shower, mains power, Wi-Fi or regular mobile signal. Signal depends on the camp, the weather and the network, so it should not form part of a work or family communication plan.

Charge your phone, camera gear and power bank before the route starts, and protect them from cold and damp. Earplugs are useful for sleeping. In the wet season, damp clothing cannot always be dried out completely before the next stage.

Check and test your equipment before the trip. Pay particular attention to broken-in footwear, a warm set for the summit night, and keeping your kit dry. The permitted weight of your duffel bag is confirmed before departure.

Personal equipment

• Day pack of 25-35 litres with a rain cover
• Duffel bag for the items your porter carries
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of -5 to -10 °C
• Foam sleeping mat
• Trekking poles
• Dry bags or strong waterproof sacks for your sleeping bag and clothing

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in trekking boots with good grip
• Light footwear for the hotel and for town
• Waterproof shell jacket
• Waterproof shell trousers
• Quick-drying trekking trousers
• A set of base layers
• Fleece jacket or another warm mid layer
• Down jacket with a hood
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Thin gloves
• Warm hat
• Buff or balaclava
• Sun hat
• Trekking socks, plus a separate warm pair for summit day
• Gaiters

Other items

• Head torch with spare batteries
• Power bank and charging cables
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles for wind and snow
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• Reusable water bottle
• Sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent for the lower part of the route
• Quick-drying towel
• Personal toiletries
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs; take medicines only as directed

Discuss malaria risk and prophylaxis with your doctor before the trip. There is background information in our article on avoiding malaria.