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8 Days Climb Kilimanjaro – Rongai Route from Nairobi
Climb Kilimanjaro from the north: cross into Tanzania at the Tarakea border, trek the Rongai Route with an extra day at Mawenzi Tarn, summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) and descend on the Marangu Route.
Tour Overview
The Rongai Route climbs Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border, which makes it a natural choice when you start in Nairobi. This eight-day trek crosses into Tanzania at the Tarakea border, climbs through the rainforest and moorland to Mawenzi Tarn, with an extra day there to acclimatise, then crosses the saddle to Kibo Hut for the summit climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. You descend on the Marangu Route via Horombo Huts.
Your private climb is led by an experienced guide with a cook and porters. All meals on the mountain, park entrance fees and transfers from and back to Nairobi are included.
Tour Highlights
- Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the roof of Africa
- Start from Nairobi via the Tarakea border
- Rainforest, moorland and alpine desert
- Extra acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn
- Up the Rongai Route, down the Marangu Route
- Private guide, cook and porters
Route Map
- NairobiEarly pick-up, about 4 hours to the Tarakea border
- Rongai GateRegistration · 1 night nearby
- Simba Camp · 2,600 m1 night · through the rainforest
- Kikelewa Camp · 3,600 m1 night · via the Second Cave
- Mawenzi Tarn Hut · 4,330 m2 nights · acclimatisation day
- Kibo Hut · 4,720 m1 night · across the saddle
- Uhuru Peak · 5,895 mSummit on day 7
- Horombo Huts · 3,720 m1 night · down the Marangu Route
- Marangu Gate → NairobiDrive back on day 8
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to the Rongai Gate via the Tarakea Border
Early pick-up in Nairobi and a drive of about 4 hours to the Tarakea border, where you complete the immigration formalities into Tanzania. From the border it’s around 20 minutes to the Rongai Gate, where registration for the climb is done. Rest for the evening ahead of the trek.
Drive: about 4½ hours
- Overnight: [Hotel near the Rongai Gate]
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Rongai Gate to Simba Camp (2,600 m)
After breakfast, head to the Rongai Gate to sign in and meet the porters who will carry your gear and food and set up camp each day. Start the climb through the rainforest with your guide, while the porters go ahead to prepare lunch and camp. Arrive at Simba Camp (about 2,600 m) for dinner and overnight.
Tip: bring warm layers – it gets colder as you climb.
- Overnight: Simba Camp
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 m)
After an early breakfast, continue the climb, adding layers as the air gets colder, with views back over the villages on the Kenyan side. Lunch is served at the Second Cave, where the trail turns south-west towards Kikelewa Camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance: 11.75 km
- Overnight: Kikelewa Camp
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,330 m)
A short but steep day that takes longer than the distance suggests, with spectacular views over the wilderness. Lunch is served on the way, then continue to Mawenzi Tarn Hut, below the jagged Mawenzi peak, for dinner and overnight.
Distance: 3.75 km
- Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Hut
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatisation Day at Mawenzi Tarn
An extra day at Mawenzi Tarn Hut to help your body adjust to the altitude. After breakfast, take an acclimatisation hike towards the Mawenzi peak, then return to camp for lunch and a restful afternoon.
- Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Hut
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut (4,720 m)
After breakfast, cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo through the alpine desert, with wide views back over the moorland, to Kibo Hut. Arrive early to rest and prepare for the summit climb tonight.
Distance: 8–9 km
- Overnight: Kibo Hut
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) & Down to Horombo Huts
Wake up very early for the final climb to the crater rim and on to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. Take your summit photos well wrapped up – temperatures at the top are extreme – then descend past Kibo Hut to Horombo Huts for dinner and overnight.
Distance: 6–7 km to the summit, then the long descent to Horombo
- Overnight: Horombo Huts
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate & Nairobi
After breakfast, descend through the moorland and forest to the Marangu Gate, stopping at Mandara Huts for lunch. Your vehicle is waiting at the gate for the drive back to Nairobi via the Tarakea border, for drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
- End of trek
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Mountain Camps
[Hotel near the Rongai Gate]
Overnight close to the Rongai Gate after crossing the Tarakea border, to rest before the climb.
Simba Camp
The first campsite on the Rongai Route, reached after the climb through the rainforest.
Kikelewa Camp
Campsite on the moorland, reached via the Second Cave, with views back over the Kenyan side.
Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Camp below the jagged Mawenzi peak, your base for the acclimatisation day.
Kibo Hut
High camp across the saddle from Mawenzi and the starting point for the summit climb.
Horombo Huts
Huts on the Marangu Route, your first night back down after the summit.
What's Included
Included
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Experienced guide, cook and porters
- 1 night near the Rongai Gate and 6 nights on the mountain
- All meals during the trek
- Drinking water
- Transfers from and back to Nairobi in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi
- Personalised service
Not included
- International flights and taxes
- Passport and visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcohol and drinks
Prices per Person
| Package | 1 guestper person | 2 guestsper person | 3 guestsper person | 4 guestsper person | 5+ guestsper person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rongai Route climb7 nights, full board, from Nairobi | [LOW] | [LOW] | [LOW] | [LOW] | [LOW] |
| Package | 1 guestper person | 2 guestsper person | 3 guestsper person | 4 guestsper person | 5+ guestsper person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rongai Route climb7 nights, full board, from Nairobi | [MID] | [MID] | [MID] | [MID] | [MID] |
| Package | 1 guestper person | 2 guestsper person | 3 guestsper person | 4 guestsper person | 5+ guestsper person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rongai Route climb7 nights, full board, from Nairobi | [HIGH] | [HIGH] | [HIGH] | [HIGH] | [HIGH] |
Prices are per person in US$ and depend on group size. Contact us for larger groups or extra nights in Nairobi.
- Private mountain guide
- Tailor-made to your dates
- KATO bonded member AS/771
- Rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor
Questions? Call or WhatsApp +254 715946852
See What Our Guests Are Saying on TripAdvisor
Kennedy really thought of everything and put together a great package with Daydream Safaris.
Our guide, Jackson, was friendly, funny, and had eagle eyes—no animal escaped his notice. We got to see all kinds of animals, from elephants and rhinos to predators. And all up close!
For another trip to Kenya or another safari, I highly recommend Kennedy and especially Jackson, because they gave my friends and me an unforgettable trip! Thank you so much!
The accommodations and food exceeded our expectations, and everything was well organized from start to finish. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Highly recommend Day Dream Safari to anyone planning a trip to the Masai Mara.
But what made this trip truly special was our guide- Mr Jackson, a truly living legend. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals, endless stories about the wildlife and the land, and a way of finding the perfect spot at the perfect moment. His patience, humour and passion turned good sightings into moments I'll be retelling for years. We never felt rushed, and we always felt very looked after.
Although the journey just flew by, and I came home with thousands of photos, dusty boots and a heart full of gratitude. Amazing doesn't cover it. If Kenya is on your list, don't wait. Go, and go with this team. I am already planning to rebook again soon.
From the group, thank you Daydream and the team for the memorable trip. See you again soon.
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