Overview
Rongai starts near the Kenyan border on the drier northern side, which makes it a good choice in the rainy months. It is quieter than the southern routes and passes Mawenzi Tarn beneath the jagged peak of Mawenzi.
Who it suits
Rongai Route is best for
- Climbs in the rainy seasons
- Travellers who want a quieter route
- Beginners who prefer a gentle gradient
Altitude profile
How the climb builds, day by day
- Stage
- Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
- Camp
- Simba Camp
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,625 m
- Highest point
- 2,625 m
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
Altitudes are indicative and confirmed per route by your guide.
Itinerary
Day-by-day plan
Day 1Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
- Sleep 2,625 m
- High point 2,625 m
- 3–4 hours
- 7 km
Walk through pine forest and farmland edge.
Day 2Simba to Second Cave
- Sleep 3,450 m
- High point 3,450 m
- 3–4 hours
- 6 km
Steady climb into moorland.
Day 3Second Cave to Kikelewa
- Sleep 3,600 m
- High point 3,600 m
- 3–4 hours
- 6 km
Traverse towards Mawenzi.
Day 4Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn
- Sleep 4,330 m
- High point 4,330 m
- 3–4 hours
- 4 km
Short, steep climb to the tarn.
Day 5Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
- Sleep 4,700 m
- High point 4,700 m
- 4–5 hours
- 9 km
Cross the saddle to high camp.
Day 6Summit day
- Sleep 3,720 m
- High point 5,895 m
- 12–15 hours
- 21 km
Night ascent to Uhuru Peak, descend to Horombo.
Day 7Marangu Gate
- Sleep 1,860 m
- High point 3,720 m
- 5–6 hours
- 20 km
Descend through the rainforest.
Group departures
Join a group on this route
Rongai · 7 days
$2,450
Reserve · $200 deposit for Rongai · 7 daysRongai · 7 days
$2,450
Reserve · $200 deposit for Rongai · 7 daysThe price
What's included
Included
- Park, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed lead guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain and filtered drinking water
- Four-season tents, sleeping mats and a mess tent
- Oxygen, pulse oximeter checks twice a day and first-aid kit
- Two nights at a hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance with high-altitude cover
- Tips for the mountain crew (guideline provided)
- Personal gear and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Drinks and meals in town not listed
Questions
Frequently asked
How hard is the Rongai Route?
No technical climbing is needed. You walk 4–7 hours most days; summit night is the hardest at 12–16 hours. A steady pace and good acclimatisation matter more than raw fitness.
Is 7 days enough to acclimatise?
Longer itineraries give your body more time to adjust and have clearly higher summit rates. Your advisor can add an extra acclimatisation day if you want more margin.
What happens if someone feels unwell?
Guides check oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day. Every group carries bottled oxygen and a stretcher, and anyone showing serious altitude symptoms descends with a guide straight away.
Compare
