Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route, 7 Days

Rongai climbs from the north, close to the Kenyan border, and comes up the rain shadow side of the mountain. It is the best choice in the shoulder seasons when the southern routes are wet, and it sees a fraction of Machame's traffic.

Highlights

• The driest side of the mountain
• Wilderness and very few other groups
• Mawenzi Tarn beneath the jagged eastern peak
• Descend by Marangu, so you see two sides

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

   2,626 m · 3–4 hours

   A long drive round to the northern side, then an easy afternoon through farmland and forest.

2. 02

   Simba to Second Cave

   3,450 m · 3–4 hours

   Steady moorland walking with Kibo ahead the whole way.

3. 03

   Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp

   3,600 m · 3–4 hours

   Off the main trail across open moorland towards Mawenzi.

4. 04

   Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn

   4,330 m · 3–4 hours

   A steep morning to a small lake directly beneath the spires of Mawenzi. Afternoon acclimatisation walk.

5. 05

   Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

   4,700 m · 4–5 hours

   Across the saddle to base camp. Rest and an early dinner.

6. 06

   Summit day — Uhuru Peak, down to Horombo

   5,895 m · 12–14 hours

   Midnight start to Gilman's Point, the rim to Uhuru at sunrise, then down the Marangu side.

7. 07

   Horombo to Marangu Gate

   1,860 m · 5–6 hours

   The long forest descent to the gate.