The Rongai Route is widely regarded as one of the easiest and most approachable paths up Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a gentle incline and consistently high summit success rates. It’s an excellent choice for beginners, families, and trekkers seeking a quieter, less demanding ascent. With Kili Vista Expeditions, climbers benefit from expert mountain guides who ensure a safe, well-paced journey with proper acclimatization support.
Beginning on the remote northern side of Kilimanjaro—near the Tanzanian–Kenyan border—Rongai offers a peaceful and uncrowded trekking experience. Because it is one of the least-traveled routes, trekkers enjoy untouched wilderness, sweeping views, and a unique approach rarely seen on other trails. The descent follows the Marangu Route on the southern side, allowing climbers to experience both sides of the mountain and enjoy diverse scenery.
Reaching the trailhead requires a scenic three-hour drive from Moshi with Kili Vista Expeditions, passing through rural villages, farmlands, and coffee plantations, with a stop at the Marangu Gate for registration. The route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya—approximately a two-hour journey including border formalities—where passport copies must be provided in advance for smooth processing.
Quiet, steady, and visually rewarding, the Rongai Route—guided by Kili Vista Expeditions—offers a memorable, well-supported, and crowd-free climb to Africa’s highest peak.
If you have chosen optional airport transfers, Kili Vista Expeditions will warmly welcome you upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
We recommend arriving at least one day before the trek begins. In the evening, your Kili Vista Expeditions mountain expert will conduct a detailed pre-trek briefing—covering safety, altitude awareness, route expectations, and summit strategy. Your gear will be checked, and any missing equipment can be rented to ensure full preparedness for the climb.
After breakfast, depart Moshi and drive toward the charming village of Nale Moru—about two hours, including permit registration at Marangu Gate. Once porters are organized and backpacks are ready, begin trekking through farmland, maize fields, and patches of pine forest. The trail gradually ascends through lush vegetation, offering chances to spot wildlife. The forest thins as you enter the moorland zone, arriving at Simba Camp with sweeping views of the Kenyan plains.
Elevation: 2000m/6560ft → 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km / 4mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Today features a steady but manageable ascent toward Second Cave. The landscape opens into moorland, providing stunning views of Kibo’s snowy summit and the Eastern Ice Fields. This stage supports gradual acclimatization while enjoying wide mountain scenery.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft → 3450m/11,300ft
Distance: 6km / 4mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continue across the open moorland, trekking toward the rugged and dramatic slopes of Mawenzi Peak. The trail becomes quieter and more remote before descending into a sheltered valley dotted with giant groundsels—your campsite for the night.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft → 3600m/11,800ft
Distance: 9km / 5mi
Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A short yet challenging climb over grassy hills leads to Mawenzi Tarn—one of Kilimanjaro’s most breathtaking campsites. Rest beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi, or enjoy an optional acclimatization hike to enhance summit readiness.
Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft → 4330m/14,200ft
Distance: 6km / 4mi
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cross the high-altitude desert known as The Saddle, stretching between Mawenzi and Kibo. This surreal, moon-like landscape leads you to Kibo Hut—your base before the summit attempt. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for hydration, hot meals, and sleep.
Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft → 4750m/15,600ft
Distance: 9km / 5mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Summit push begins between midnight and 2:00 am. Trek slowly up steep scree to reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim (5700m/18,700ft), then continue along the rim toward Uhuru Peak—Africa’s highest point (5895m/19,340ft).
Celebrate, take photos, and soak in the unforgettable views before descending back to Kibo Hut for rest and lunch, and then onward to Horombo Hut.
This is the most physically and mentally demanding section—warm layers, headlamps, and a steady “pole pole” pace are essential.
Elevation: 4750m/15,600ft → 5895m/19,340ft → 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km / 4mi up | 15km / 9mi down
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up | 6–8 hours down
Habitat: Arctic Zone → Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your final descent—first through moorland, then into the lush rainforest. Conditions may be muddy, so trekking poles and gaiters are helpful. Upon reaching Marangu Gate, receive your well-earned summit certificates.
A Kili Vista Expeditions vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your Moshi hotel for a hot shower, relaxation, and celebration.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft → 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km / 12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
