Kilimanjaro - The Rongai Route

The easiest route up Africa's highest peak. A gradual ascent along a relatively remote route.

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and on a clear day it can be seen from the Tsavo plains more than 100 miles away. It is an extinct volcano and its summit is distinguished by a prominent crater. Although it is located just three degrees south of the Equator, its summit is permanently covered with snow and ice. Of the various routes which ascend the mountain's flanks, the Rongai route offers the best combination of gradual ascent, beautiful scenery and quiet paths.

The Rongai route approaches from the northern side of the mountain and is much drier than the southern routes. It begins with a trek through attractive farmland and pleasant forest, and there is the chance of seeing some wildlife. Colubus monkeys can often be spotted on the ascent. Although it is considered to be one of the easiest routes of ascent, the Rongai is also the least climbed. Partly this is due to its remoteness, requiring a long jeep drive along a rough dirt road to get to the starting point. We trek for three days through sub-tropical forests and open savannah to our camp at Mawenzi Tarn. Here we can acclimatise and hike up to the fascinating rock towers of Mawenzi Peak. We then ascend to our highest camp at Kibo Hut from where we make our summit climb. The ascent to the crater rim in the early hours of the morning is hard work, but as we reach Gilman’s Point we will be rewarded with a spectacular African sunrise. Another hour along the easy summit ridge brings us to Uhuru Point, the highest peak in Africa. The vista across the summit icefields and down to the Tanzanian plains is one which we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Factfile

Price Guideline
£1210 pp

The price does not include flights to Kilimanjaro Airport

Please note, however, our price guideline includes all National Park Fees.

Grade
Strenuous

Duration
10 days

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 Depart London
We depart from London Heathrow Airport for the evening flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

DAY 2 Arrive Kilimanjaro - transfer to Marangu Village
We arrive in the morning / afternoon and are met by our local guides. We then transfer by road to our hotel in the village of Marangu.After dinner there will be a trek briefing.

DAY 3 Trek to First Camp
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer by Landrover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus Monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]

DAY 4 Trek to Kikelewa Caves
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m.) [6-7 hours walking]

DAY 5 Trek to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb allround views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. [3-4 hours walking]

DAY 6 Trek to Kibo Camp
We cross the vast lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut campsite (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [5-6 hours walking]

DAY 7 Summit - descend to Horombo Camp
We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]

DAY 8 Return to Marangu
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely sub tropical forest to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). We return to our hotel and can enjoy a celebratory dinner. [5-6 hours walking]

DAY 9 Marange - evening deparure
The day will be free. In the evening we transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for our flight back to London Heathrow.

DAY 10 Arrive UK
We arrive into London Heathrow Airport in the morning.

Great Walks of the World, Salcombe House, Long Street, Sherborne Dorset, DT9 3BU. Tel 01935 810820