Rongai is the only route that climbs Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. It is quiet, drier than the southern routes and has gentle slopes. Climbers descend on the Marangu trail to the southeast. The route covers about 79 km over six to eight days.
Rongai at a glance
| Length | 6–8 days, about 79 km |
|---|---|
| Start | Nalemoru or Rongai Gate, about 1,950 m |
| Descent | Marangu Route |
| Sleeping | Tents, then huts on the descent |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Crowds | Quiet |
A typical seven-day itinerary
| Day | Stage | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp | About 2,625 m |
| 2 | Through heath to Second Cave | About 3,450 m |
| 3 | Towards Mawenzi, Kikelewa Camp | About 3,600 m |
| 4 | Up to Mawenzi Tarn | About 4,330 m |
| 5 | Across the Saddle to Kibo Hut | About 4,700 m |
| 6 | Summit via Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), down to Horombo | About 3,720 m |
| 7 | Down to Marangu Gate | Moshi |
An eight-day version adds an acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn, which we recommend.
Highlights
- Mawenzi Tarn, a small lake beneath the jagged towers of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second peak.
- Views north over the plains towards Kenya.
- The Saddle, a wide alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo.
- A different descent, so you see both sides of the mountain.
The rainy-season choice
The northern slopes lie in a rain shadow and get less rain, which makes Rongai the usual choice in April, May and November. Read climbing Kilimanjaro in the rainy season.
Who Rongai suits
Climbers who want a quiet trail, gentler gradients and fewer people. The forest section is shorter and drier, so you see less wildlife than in the west. See Kilimanjaro routes compared and our Rongai Route climb.
Frequently asked questions
On the northern side of Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan border, at Nalemoru or Rongai Gate.
Yes. The northern side gets less rain, so it is the usual choice in April, May and November.
The slopes are gentler and there is no Barranco Wall, but summit night from Kibo Hut is steep.
