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Route 4 - Rongai
The Rongai route is remote, drier and certainly one of the least crowded except for the final push. It is a good option if you climb during the rain months (Apr, May, November) since you avoid the rain forest and the rains at the start! The Northern side of Kilimanjaro is less dramatic, but the scenery and remoteness of this route makes it a much better option than Marangu. The starting point is a long way from the main towns of Arusha and Moshi so be prepared for many hours in the car on day 1!
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- Day 1: Trailhead to 1st Cave Camp
Beginning Elevation: 2011 meters/6600 feet
Ending Elevation: 2642 meters/8670 feet
Elevation Gain: 631 meters/2070 feet
Hiking time: 4 hours
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the wooden settlement of Loitokitok about 5 hours from Arusha. We register with the park officials at Naremoru and start trekking through a dusty area of maize and potato fields. Children will run up to join us for short sections. After about an hour, we turn right into a green forest where we hope to spot the striking black and white colobus monkeys! We have lunch at a picnic site in the forest.
The forest canopy doesn't last long and we are soon soon hiking through smaller bush of the heath zone characterized by its heather and heath-like shrubs. The many grasses that grow here are as attractive as they are useful in protecting the soil and conserving moisture. We may see elephant and buffalo tracks!
The trail slowly gets steeper but after about 3.5 hours of trekking we cross a stream before entering our camp! Don't bother looking for caves! Despite it's name (1st Cave Camp), we are not aware of any significant caves nearby! If the skies are clear we have excellent views of the Kenyan plains.
- Day 2: 1st Cave Camp to 3rd Cave Camp
Beginning Elevation: 2642 meters/8670 feet
Ending Elevation: 3947 meters/12950 feet
Elevation Gain: 1305 meters/4280 feet
Hiking time: 6 hours
After breakfast, we start at 8:30am on a long and dusty trek to our next overnight! There is no shade so wear your sunscreen today as it will be hot. The heather plants are getting smaller as we make our way towards a dry river bed which we reach after about an hour. We follow the dry river for about 1.5 hours then it gets steeper and more rocky.
We have to hike up and over at least two small hills and step around a few cliffs and rocky outcrops before the trail flattens out a bit near a small cave. We continue for another 30 minutes to our lunch spot amidst the rocks.
After lunch, we say goodbye to trekkers from other outfitters who are heading east towards Mawenzi. We will continue south towards our home for the next two nights! The terrain is rather barren now, but it is interesting to try and identify the different kinds of Helichrysum flowers (yellow-brown, yellow, white)! Senecios also make their appearance especially to the left!
After about two hours we enter some kind of valley with large rock formations. Ahead, a hut can be seen - we have arrived at the 3rd Cave Camp!
- Day 3: 3rd Cave Camp to School Hut Camp
Beginning Elevation: 3947 meters/12950 feet
Ending Elevation: 4733 meters/15530 feet
Elevation Gain: 786 meters/2580 feet
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast we follow the trail through lava scree and flat depressions. Vegetation becomes sparse but yellow flowers dot the gray landscape in places. It is certainly steeper than before as we gain serious altitude in only 3 hours or so!
The views towards Mawenzi and at the Kibo Saddle are breathtaking. Above us, the rim of Kilimanjaro looms large.
The last section of the hike is steep and quite exhausting due to the altitude. We are happy to reach camp where lunch awaits!
After lunch some of us do a 30-minute excursion to Kibo Hut on the Marangu route - mainly to see what the huts look like and to use the toilets! We may even buy a Coke or two!
- Day 4: School Hut Camp
Rest day. We will hike towards Gillman's Point to gain some altitude. It
is fun to see other hikers as they return from the summit area!
Tomorrow it is our turn!
- Day 5: School Hut Camp - Summit - Horombo Hut
Beginning Elevation: 4733 meters/15530
feet
Summit: 5896 meters/19340 feet
Ending Elevation: 3700 meters/12150 feet
Hiking Time: 12 to 15 hours
At 12:30am, we begin our ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. For the
next six hours, we hike in the dim lights of our headlamps. This is by far
the most challenging part of the climb. The track leads up through
gradually steepening scree to Gillman's point on the Crater Rim which is a
convenient point to rest and watch the sunrise over Mawenzi.
It is a further 3-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak. The 90-minute trek to the summit is slow and tough, but with the sun slowly rising behind us we must push on - there is no reason to turn back now!
At the summit, we celebrate for about 20 minutes before gathering our composures for the long road back!
We retrace our steps back to Kibo Hut for lunch and a short rest before setting off on the long descent across the saddle to the huts at Horombo. Since we are using the Rongai route we are allowed to use our comfortable tents and not the crowded huts!
What a day!
- Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate
Beginning Elevation: 3700 meters/12150
feet
Ending Elevation: 1830 meters/6000 feet
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
After breakfast we depart at 7:30am to finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. It is a beautiful trek, passing through the thick forest as we near the Mandara Hut.
At the gate, we sign the register, tip the team, get our certificates and head home! Our Kilimanjaro experience is over!