TOUR

Rongai Route

Duration

7 DAYS

The Rongai Route is considered by some to be the easiest route on Mt Kilimanjaro. It is a gentle route and those choosing this route do not have to scale the Barranco Wall that some trekkers fear. This route starts on the north side of the mountain, very close to the Kenyan Border. It is fairly scenic and is not busy. The descent follows the same path as the Marangu Route. Note that although the Marangu Route uses huts for overnight accommodations, those descending using the Rongai Route use tents for overnights. The north side of Kilimanjaro receives less precipitation, so during the wetter months of March, April, May, November, December this route is a good consideration. Rongai Route can be chosen as either a 6 days or 7 days itinerary.

01 Day by Day

Arrival Day – Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

Distance

50 km (driving)

Elevation

1,000m - 1,200m

Trekking Time

1 hour (driving)

Zone Type

Town

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins the moment you land. A Best Tanzania Safari driver will be waiting just outside the arrivals area, holding a sign with your name — no stress, no searching. Even if your flight is delayed or immigration takes longer than expected, they’ll be there. Once settled into your hotel in Moshi, you’ll meet your guide for an equipment check and a pre-climb briefing. This is your chance to ask every question on your mind, go over the route, and make sure everything is dialled in before the mountain begins. Gear rentals are available locally and are of excellent quality if you need anything. Tonight, rest well. Tomorrow, the adventure starts.

Day 1 – Moshi to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

Distance

9 km

Elevation

1,387m - 2,750m

Trekking Time

4 hours

Zone Type

Montane Forest

An early breakfast, then a scenic two to three hour drive north through villages, coffee plantations, and banana groves to Rongai Gate on the Kenyan border side of the mountain. After signing in and briefing the porters, the trail begins through fields of maize and potato, then enters a beautiful montane forest filled with wildlife. As the forest gradually thins, you emerge at Simba Camp (2,600m) with sweeping views out over the Kenyan plains stretching endlessly below you. A truly distinctive start — this is a side of Kilimanjaro most climbers never see. Dinner and overnight at Simba Camp at 2,750m.

Day 2 – Simba Camp to Kikelelwa Camp

Distance

17 km

Elevation

2,750m - 3,600m

Trekking Time

7 hours

Zone Type

Moorland

A long but rewarding day. After an early breakfast, a steady ascent takes you past the Second Cave, where you stop for lunch, before leaving the main trail to head east toward the more remote Kikelelwa Camp. The landscape transitions from forest into open moorland, with increasingly dramatic views back toward Kenya. Kikelelwa is a quiet, secluded camp — well off the beaten track and all the better for it. Dinner and overnight at Kikelelwa Camp at 3,600m.

Day 3 – Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp

Distance

8 km

Elevation

3,600m - 4,330m

Trekking Time

4-5 hours

Zone Type

Moorland

A shorter day, climbing steadily through dramatic moorland terrain toward the base of Mawenzi Peak — Kilimanjaro’s jagged, rocky second summit. Mawenzi Tarn sits in a stunning glacially-carved hollow beneath Mawenzi’s sheer eastern face, at 4,330m. The camp has a raw, wild atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the mountain. Towering rock spires rise above you on one side; the vast Kilimanjaro saddle stretches out ahead. It’s a place that rewards quiet attention. Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp.

Day 4 – Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn

Distance

Short hike

Elevation

4,330m

Trekking Time

3-4 hours

Zone Type

Moorland

A full rest and acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn — one of the Rongai Route’s key advantages. You’ll hike up toward Mawenzi itself for a proper altitude push, before returning to camp for lunch, dinner, and a second night at this altitude. Your body is quietly making the adaptations it needs. Use this day well: eat, hydrate, rest, and take in the dramatic surroundings. The summit window opens in just two days.

Day 5 – Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Huts Camp

Distance

8 km

Elevation

4,330m - 4,695m

Trekking Time

5 hours

Zone Type

Alpine Desert

After an early breakfast, today’s trail crosses the famous Kilimanjaro Saddle — a high, lunar desert that bridges the gap between Mawenzi and Kibo. It’s an eerie, otherworldly stretch of terrain: flat, barren, and utterly unlike anything below. At the end of the saddle, Kibo Huts Camp sits directly at the base of Kibo’s crater wall at 4,695m. There’s nothing above you now except the summit. Rest, eat an early dinner, and prepare your gear for midnight.

Day 6 – Kibo Huts to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts

Distance

4 km up / 14 km down

Elevation

4,695m - 5,895m - 3,690m

Trekking Time

10-15 hours

Zone Type

Alpine Desert

The summit push. You wake at midnight, kit up in every warm layer you have, eat a light breakfast, and begin the final ascent in darkness. The Rongai Route approaches the summit via Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, climbing through steep scree and possibly snow. The cold is intense and the altitude will make itself felt — but you’ve prepared well for this. Reach Gilman’s Point between 4 and 6am, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m as the sun rises over Africa. After your summit celebration and photos, you descend all the way back across the saddle to Horombo Huts Camp — a long, tiring, and deeply satisfying day. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Huts Camp at 3,690m.

Day 7 – Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate to Moshi

Distance

18 km

Elevation

3,690m - 1,830m

Trekking Time

5-7 hours

Zone Type

Montane Forest

A final morning descent through the moorland and back into the forest, following the Marangu Route down to the gate. After signing out at Marangu Gate, your vehicle transfers you back to your hotel in Moshi. Your summit certificate will be waiting. So will a hot shower and a cold drink. Well done — you did it.

Departure Day – Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport

Distance

50 km (driving)

Elevation

1,200m - 1,000m

Trekking Time

1 hour (driving)

Zone Type

Town

Your Best Tanzania Safari driver will be ready at your hotel to transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in plenty of time for your flight home — or your next adventure. Zanzibar? A safari in the Serengeti? The rest of Tanzania is waiting.

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02 Know Before You Go

Several routes are available on Kilimanjaro, each offering a different experience. We generally recommend choosing the longest itinerary your time and budget allow, as slower ascents improve acclimatization and summit success rates. The Marangu Route is unique for its dormitory-style huts with solar lighting, while all other routes are camping routes. Climbs are possible year-round, though March to May and November to early December are typically the wettest months. During these periods, the drier northern routes such as Rongai and the Northern Circuit are often good options.

What to Pack

Packing efficiently and bringing proper gear is vital as you will pass through several climate zones..

All items can be rented locally of good quality. There will be an equipment check before your trek starts to insure you are properly prepared.

Bags/Packs

80-90L Waterproof duffle bag
20-30L Day Pack
Day Pack Rain-cover

Clothing

4-5 Pairs of underwear
Top and bottom base layer
3-4 Short sleeve and 1-2 long sleeve trekking shirts
1-2 Pairs of hiking trousers
1 Fleece jacket
1 Insulated winter jacket
1 Insulated trekking trousers
1 Hard-shell jacket
Lightweight rain-gear

Headgear

Sun hat, ideally with a neck cover
Warm knit/fleece cap
Bandanna or neck gaiter
Headlamp (with extra batteries)
Sunglasses – Polarized (Glacier Glasses are ideal)

Hands and Walking

Lightweight inner gloves
Warm outer gloves/mitts
Adjustable trekking poles

Footwear

Mid-weight hiking boots
Sandals/Trainers (for use at the camps)
4-5 Pairs of trekking socks
1 Pair of warm/thick trekking socks
Gaiters

Sleeping Accessories

4-Season Sleeping Bag (temperature rating of 0°C or lower)
Sleeping Bag Liner

General Accessories

Water Bottles (enough to carry 3L) – note if bringing a camelbak instead, it is a good idea to have at least 1 water bottle since at times the camelbak tubes can freeze shut.
Water Purification Tablets- optional since we will treat all water for you
Baby Wipes
Sweat-Resistant Sunblock
Blister Plasters (Band-aids)
Insect Repellent
General medications (Paracetamol, Imodium)
Diamox (optional – see Mountain Safety Article for advice)
Pee bottle (optional)

Electronics

Camera (optional) – Note: Drones are not allowed
Solar Backpack Charger (optional)
Power Bank (optional)
Spare Memory Card (optional)

Misc.

Energy Bars
Energy Drink Supplement
Zip-lock Bags (note: single use plastic bags are not allowed in the country)
Trekking towel
Toiletries, including one roll of toilet paper
Small lock for your duffle bag (optional)

Mountain Sample Diet

It takes a lot of energy to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Your success may depend on the meals that are prepared for you.

This is one area where budget companies cut corners, but Best Tanzania Safari knows that this is unwise to make reaching the summit even harder just to save a few dollars. Unfortunately, one of the effects of high altitude is loss of appetite and nausea. That means the your meals need to be easy to digest and appealing. Best Tanzania Safari can accommodate nearly any special diet if we are informed in advance of the trek.

What is typically served is:

Breakfasts

pancakes/chapati,
porridge,
fruits,
eggs,
sausages,
bread with jam/honey,
coffee/tea/hot chocolate.

Lunches

sandwiches,
soup,
chicken,
fried bananas,
peanuts,
fruit,
boiled eggs,
chocolate bar,
coffee/tea/hot chocolate.

Dinners

Peanuts/popcorn,
stew/soup,
pasta/potatoes/rice,
vegetables,
beef/chicken,
coffee/tea/hot chocolate.

Tipping Etiquette

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is very much a team effort, and many clients come away with great respect for the mountain crew after seeing the hard work involved in helping trekkers safely reach the summit — and, when needed, assisting climbers back down the mountain safely.

Tipping is always optional and entirely at your discretion. Best Tanzania Safari pays its staff wages at the higher end of local industry standards, but tips still provide meaningful support for guides, cooks, and porters and their families. The suggested amounts below are based on the cost of living in Tanzania and feedback from past climbers.

We also maintain a strict no-pressure tipping policy. Our staff are not permitted to ask for tips directly or share personal hardship stories in hopes of receiving larger tips. If you experience this, or if any aspect of the service does not meet expectations, please let us know.

Tips can be given in any currency accepted by local banks. Please note that we cannot accept tips by credit or debit card, as card payments would be subject to company taxation. Useful trekking equipment that you no longer need is also appreciated.

The final number of porters depends on the total expedition weight, including client gear, camping equipment, food, staff supplies, and optional items such as portable toilets.

Suggested Tip Amounts (Per Group / Per Day)

Head Guide: $25 USD/day

Assistant Guides: $20 USD/day

Cook: $15 USD/day

Porters: $10 USD/day

These amounts are per group, not per person. For example, on an 8-day trek, the suggested tip for the head guide would total $200 USD. In a group of 4 trekkers, each person would contribute $50 USD toward that amount.

03 Other Routes

Machame

The Whiskey Route

Duration

6-7

Difficulty

Moderate

The most popular route and for good reasons. Five vegetation zones in five days, the dramatic Barranco Wall, and a steady acclimatisation profile. Crowded in high season but the scenery earns its reputation.

Lemosho

The Scenic Route

Duration

7-8

Difficulty

Moderate

Our pick if budget allows the extra night. Western-side approach through the rainforest of Londorossi, longer climb-high-sleep-low profile, and you join the Machame route only on day three.

Northern Circuit

The Long Way Round

Duration

8-9

Difficulty

Moderate

The newest and longest route. Loops around the mountain’s quieter northern slopes before the summit push. The single best acclimatisation profile on Kilimanjaro — and the highest summit success rate.

Rongai

The Northern Approach

Duration

6-7

Difficulty

Moderate

The only route from the north, near the Kenyan border. Drier than the southern routes, often a chance of wildlife in the lower forest, and quieter trails through to Kibo Hut.

Marangu

The Coca-Cola Route

Duration

6-7

Difficulty

Easy-Moderate

The shortest and only route with hut accommodation rather than tents. Same path up and down, often cited as the hardest on the body because of the limited acclimatisation time.

Umbwe

The Steep One

Duration

Difficulty

Hard

The most direct, steepest line up the mountain. We only run this route for fit, experienced trekkers who have spent time at altitude before. Quietest trails on Kilimanjaro.