This 8 Days Kilimanjaro hiking safari will see you attempt to reach the highest point in Africa while following the Rongai route which is located on the Northern side of Kilimanjaro mountain, close to the Kenyan border. If you like to hike without being saddled with many hikers, then the Rongai trail is perfect for you as it has fewer hikers attempt to summit Kilimanjaro following it unlike several other hiking trails. Avoiding crowds isn’t the only reason why this route is good for you but in case you attempt to summit during the rainy season, the northern side of Kilimanjaro receives less rain hence it makes total sense to use this route in order to avoid severe weather conditions that are very apparent on the other side of Kilimanjaro. Secondly, this trail passes through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp before descending down the Marangu route hence giving you epic views of the Kilimanjaro wilderness. The final technical advantage you will have while using this trail over hikers using other routes is that Rongai is a moderately difficult, hence highly recommended, especially if you have less backpacking experience.
Hiking highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to a hotel in Moshi
Day 2: Begin your hike from Nalemoru Gate (1990m) and ascend to Simba Camp (2625m)
Day 3: Hike further from Simba camp (2626m) to Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
Day 4: Continue to Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
Day 5: Make your way to Kibo hut (4730m)
Day 6: Summit to the top as you reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) then descend to Horombo hut (3705m)
Day 7: Descend further to Marangu Gate (1860m) then transfer back to Moshi town
Day 8: Drive to Kilimanjaro airport for your onward flight.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport by one of our safari guides and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Upon arrival to the hotel, you will be given a short briefing of what to expect in the next 7 days by the guide and he will also do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. In case you don’t have all the needed mountaineering gear for this hike, the missing materials can be rented on this day.
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in a obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
Approx. time taken: 6-7 hours
Distance: Aprox. 11.8km
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
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.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meal Plan Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
After breakfast we head west and 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 hut.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 – Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
This is day you have been waiting for, the day that leads us to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You will wake up before midnight and have your breakfast. You will begin your hike with the help of night head lights, you will pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m/17226 as you continue with the climb slowly but surely going upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681 m/18747.3 ft) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m/19454 ft. At this point you will have reached Africa’s roof top as this is the highest point on this continent. After posing for those photos that will forever immmortalise this land mark you will begin your descend to Horombo hut and this descend will take you about 6-8 hours
Elevation gain: 1155 m from kibo Hut camp to Uhuru peak
Elevation lost: 2175 m (from Uhuru peak to Horombo hut camp)
Distance covered: 22 km
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
After breakfast, you will continue with your descent for about 6 hours and this will see you pass by the Mandara hut, until you arrive at the Marangu gate. While here, its strongly recommended that check and confirm that all your hiking gear is accounted for before you tip the porters that have helped carry it as you hiked. You will also still be required to sign your name and other details while still at the gate. Depending on the level you’ve reached while at the mountain, you will be awarded a certificate, if you have hiked all the way upto Uhuru summit 5895m above sea level, you will be given a Gold certificate and if you stopped at the Gillman’s point 5685m above sea level, a green certificate will be awarded to you. At the end of the award ceremony, you will be driven back to your hotel in Mosh for a well-deserved warm shower as well as sleep in a comfortable bed.
Time taken: Aprox. 6 hours
Distance: 29km
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport. However, if you are still interested in seeing more of Africa, an additional safari to the wildlife parks or gorilla and chimpanzee parks of East Africa can arranged.
Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast
Safari Inclusions;
Safari exclusions;
