9-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Your Arrival

Welcome to Tanzania, home of the tallest point on the African continent! You won’t be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro itself when you arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, but you’ll get your first glimpse of the mountain when your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to Moshi. This small town serves as the gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, and you’ll be able to feast your eyes on the world-famous mountain from your poolside seat at the Parkview Inn.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Mount Meru Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Rongai Gate -Simba Camp

We’ll depart from Moshi this morning and drive to the Rongai Gate to register with the local authorities before beginning the Kilimanjaro trek. Our hiking team will set out from here, leaving fields of coffee and corn at our backs and venturing into the forest lying close against the mountain’s lower slopes. While the forest is drier here on the mountain’s northern face, keep your eyes peeled, there are plenty of animals moving about in the treetops, including the especially gorgeous black-and-white colobus monkey. After about four or five hours of hiking, we’ll arrive at our first campsite of the Rongai Route. Simba Camp is situated near what locals call Rongai First Cave, a distinctive overhang of rock that marks the end of our first day on the mountain.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Simba Camp - Second Cave Camp

On the second day of the Rongai Route trek, we’ll depart from Simba Camp and traverse a pleasant landscape of wild heather and colorful flowers. Getting an early start on today’s hike will allow us to avoid the worst of the heat from the rising sun as we trek across this exposed section of the trail. Magnificent views of Kilimanjaro are the order of the day, including Kibo: the highest of the mountain’s three volcanic cones. But our path will actually turn towards the second-highest summit, Mawenzi. We’ll trek across expansive moors in this direction before arriving at Second Cave Camp.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

From Second Cave Camp - Kikilewa Camp

Today’s trail leads through vast alpine deserts of surpassing beauty, but we’ll only be on our feet for about two or three hours in total. As we ascend to greater and greater heights, it’s important to allow our bodies the time they need to gradually adjust to the increased altitude. Today therefore serves as an acclimatization day, affording us the opportunity to enjoy some gentle exercise while we grow more familiar with the challenges of trekking at high elevation. Before long, we’ll find ourselves arriving at Kikelewa Camp, where we’ll pitch our tents and settle in for the remainder of the days. We’ll treat ourselves to a delicious meal and enjoy the uniquely windy ambience of Kilimanjaro’s sweeping moorlands before turning in for the night.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Kikilewa Camp - Mawenzi Tarn

No one ever said that climbing Kilimanjaro would be easy, but today you’ll begin to know just how high we’ll be climbing. Our day begins with a steep ascent; the going is tough but short, and the dramatic angle of the climb means that you’ll get to enjoy fabulous views each step of the way. We’ll set up our tents at Mawenzi Tarn, an especially beautiful campsite near a small lake. Today’s section of the Rongai Route should only take us about four hours to complete, so we’ll have the entire afternoon at our disposal. Whether you choose to spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the alpine surroundings, you’re sure to enjoy camping in this scenic spot.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mawenzi tarn – Kibo Hut

After breakfast this morning, it’s time to bid farewell to the tranquil surroundings of Mawenzi Tarn and head off in the direction of Kilimanjaro’s summit. Our path leads directly across the wide alpine desert known locally as the Saddle, which lies between Mawenzi and Kibo. We’ll trek across this dry, rocky landscape for approximately five or six hours before arriving at the base of Kibo itself. We’ll set up camp here and enjoy an early dinner before returning to our tents for the evening. It’ll be important to get plenty of rest tonight for tomorrow is the day we climb to the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Kibo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Kibo Huts – Uhuru Peak – Horombo huts

Are you ready for the big day? We’ll wake up at midnight and enjoy a hot tea in the nighttime solitude of the mountain before setting off to climb Kilimanjaro at last. We’ll take our time as we ascend in the dark, arriving at the lookout of Gilman’s Point to watch the sun dawn across the highlands of Tanzania. This vantage point offers tremendous views, but we’ve still got an hour to go before we reach the summit of the mountain and the culmination of the Rongai Route trek. When we arrive at Uhuru Peak, you’ll be standing at 5,895 meters above sea level: the highest point on the African continent. When we’re ready to move on, we’ll connect with the Marangu Route and begin our descent to the Horombo Huts where we’ll spend our last night on Kilimanjaro.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Horombo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Horombo huts – Marangu gate – Moshi

We’ve nearly reached the end of our nine-days Rongai Route itinerary, but there’s still one more day to enjoy trekking across the wild expanses of Kilimanjaro. As we descend from the heights of the mountain, we’ll return to the montane rainforest which characterizes Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, endemic butterflies, and lots of colorful birds flitting through the forest canopy. Our trek comes to an end when we reach the Marangu Gate to Kilimanjaro National Park. It’s finally time to kick the dust and mud from our boots and make the short drive back to the hotel in Moshi, dinner and overnight at Parkview Inn- HB.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

Marangu Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Marangu (Town)

+35 Photos

+34 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Departure

You’ll wake up this morning feeling rested and relaxed, knowing that you’ve successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route. You’ve experienced a crowd-free trail teeming with wildlife, ascended to spectacular heights, and captured memories that will last a lifetime. If you’d like to make additional travel arrangements like an authentic East African safari or Tanzanian cultural experience, we’ll be happy to get you started. Thank you for choosing Superior African Safari.

Main Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.