# Kilimanjaro: 7-Day Rongai Route The quiet northern approach, through farmland and pine forest to the tarn below the spires of Mawenzi, with an extra day to acclimatise. A seven-day Kilimanjaro climb from the north on the Rongai route, with an acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn. - **Length:** 7 days, 6 nights - **Route:** Mount Kilimanjaro - **Style:** Private - **Comfort:** Comfort - **Pace:** Full days ## About this journey Rongai climbs Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. You start at Nale Moru village and walk out through maize fields into pine forest, on a path that rises gently all the first afternoon. ### Two nights at Mawenzi Tarn By the third day the vegetation gives out and camp sits beside Mawenzi Tarn, at 4,303 metres, under the jagged spires of Mawenzi. You stay two nights. The day in between is for your body, not for distance: short walks to higher ground, then back down to sleep at the same camp before the summit. ### Up one side, down the other Summit night starts a little before midnight. The steep scree below Gillman's Point, on the crater rim, is the hardest part; from there the last stretch to Uhuru Peak is usually on snow. You then come down a different way, past Horombo and Mandara huts to Marangu Gate, so you see two sides of the mountain on one climb. ## Day by day ### Day 1: Rongai start point (1,996 m) to Simba Camp (2,626 m) Drive 45 minutes from Moshi to Marangu Gate to register, then about two and a half hours (68 km, rough roads) round to Nale Moru village in the north-east. Meet your crew and walk out through maize fields into pine forest. The path climbs gently all the way to Simba Camp. ### Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,679 m) Up towards Kibo to First Caves (3,482 m) for lunch, then on to Kikelewa. The views open out and the size of the mountain becomes clear. Water is in a stream below the caves. ### Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (4,303 m) A short, steep climb up grassy slopes with wide views. Vegetation ends just before camp, set beside the tarn beneath the spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon resting and exploring. ### Day 4: Acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn A day to let your body adjust, with walks to higher ground along Mawenzi and back to camp for the night. ### Day 5: Summit day: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Horombo Up at about 23:20, then a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150 m) and steep scree to Gillman's Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim, the hardest section. From there the path to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) is usually snow. Three hours back to Kibo Hut, then three more down to Horombo. Around 14 hours of walking in all; a last dinner on the mountain tonight. ### Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate Down past Mandara Hut to the gate. Please wait to give tips to the crew until you and all your gear are safely at the gate. Collect your certificate (green for Gillman's Point, gold for Uhuru Peak) and drive back to Moshi. --- Source: http://carnivoressafaris.com/safaris/7-day-rongai-route-kilimanjaro Last updated: 2026-10-16 Plan a journey: http://carnivoressafaris.com/plan-your-safari