$ 1890 / Person
The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The Rongai route’s premier advantage is that it is one of the quietest routes on the mountain. A disadvantage is the long travel time to the starting point of the route. The route also becomes busier when it connects with the Marangu route just before reaching Kibo hut. The Rongai route descends along the Marangu route as well, however you still sleep in tents, and do not use the A-frame huts of the Marangu route.
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance: 8 km Hiking
Time: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in a obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
Distance: 11.8 km Hiking
Time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Distance: 8 km Hiking
Time: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Distance: 8 km Hiking
Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hot, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Time:8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
Distance: 29 km Hiking
Time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included.
Animalia Treks and Safari is the best local agency in Tanzania that you can trust to go on safari with. - Me and my family just visited Tanzania for both 8days kilimanjaro Trekking and 7days wildbeest and Zebras migration safari in serengeti national park, chris and his own company Animali Treks... read more and Safari made our dreams come true, mountain Guides and all porters were very kind, and very supportive, all of us made it to the rooftop of mount kilimanjaro 5895MTS.
If you're planning a trip to Tanzania for kilimanjaro climbing and Safaris please look no further, just keep in touch with Animalia Treks and safari I highly recommend this company.
Trip of a lifetime! - Booking a safari is somewhat of a daunting task as you are putting a lot of faith and trust in the company or person you book with. There are... read more numerous details that require attention and you are trusting that they will be arranged to your satisfaction. Since this type of travel makes me a bit nervous, I am certainly happy we had Chris as our guide. There are other companies that will book your trip but then contract another company to guide the trip, leaving you to wonder who you will actually be with on your safari. This is not the case with Animalia, Chris owns and operates Animalia and he handles all the arrangements as well as being your guide for the entire trip. Chris did a fantastic job with all the details and I was grateful for his advice on locations to visit, it quickly became clear he is a very experienced guide. We booked a 6 day trip that included Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and cultural visits with the Masai, Hedzabe, and Datoga tribes. We flew into Kilimanjaro Airport and Chris promptly picked us up. He thoroughly explained all the details to us and briefed the next day’s events every evening. Highlights for us were the Serengeti and the Acacia Central Camp, really enjoyed the experience. Rest assured whatever locations you choose, you are in good hands with Chris and Animalia!
Incredible Experience!!! - My family booked a safari with Animala Treks and Safari company and it was fantastic! Our guide, Chris was very informative, patient and kind. We visited Tarangire and Serengeti national... read more parks, the Ngorongoro Crater, and also had a local cultural experience with some tribes. From the hotels, the food, and the itinerary, everything was absolutely perfect! My favorite was the lodging in the middle of the Serengeti National Park. While we were safely in our camp at night we could hear the wildebeests and lions. It was so cool! Chris goes the extra mile to ensure guests are happy and having the best experience. Don’t look anywhere else if you want to make sure you have the best safari in Tanzania!!
BEST SAFARI GUIDE IN TANZANIA!!! - BEST SAFARI GUIDE IN TANZANIA!!!! After months of research, my family decided to book a 6-day safari and cultural experience with Chris and it was the absolute best decision we... read more made! This was a once in a lifetime trip and Chris contributed to the unforgettable experience. Communication from the very beginning starting with the planning stage was always clear, honest, and upfront. Chris always responded in a timely manner. From the time he picked us up at the airport to the last day when he dropped us off, he took great care of us. I was so impressed how organized the trip was. Chris took extra time preparing before we arrived in Tanzania to make sure everything went smoothly during our Safari.
During the game drives, Chris made sure we had the opportunity to see so many animals. He got us up close and personal, (safely inside the vehicle) to so many! From a pride of lions to a leopard in the tree with its prey (plus many more types of animals), it was all amazing! Chris is extremely knowledgeable in the animal wildlife and geographical landscape of Tanzania. I don’t think there was a question he didn’t know the answer to. We also had the opportunity to visit 3 different tribes during our trip which I highly recommend. A couple in which many tour guides do not offer as an option to tourists, but Chris does! Don’t hesitate in booking a trek or safari with Animalia, I promise you will not regret it!!!
Worth every penny. Best safari, Trek and tour guide ever. - What can I say . The best tour guide one could ever ask and hope for! Chris knows so much about animals, plants, the region. He taught me, showed me... read more so many things with my family as we ventured out into the Safari. The company did an outstanding job catering to all our wants, needs, allergies, fears, safety . The tents, the Jeep, the hotels, food, shops, everything was amazing and above all our expectations. I know that I will be returning to see more one day again soon. This company and tour guide is worth every penny. Honest. Reliable Our Jeep never broke down or had any issues I loved the ac, the space, the safety, the USB cord chargers . While others, so many I saw broke down. Reliable.. Hard working. Just amazing. Breathtaking views Don't waste another minute looking for a better deal, safari or trek . Animalia Safaris and Trek with the tour guide Chris is the only one to go with. Don't go anywhere else.
HANDS DOWN BEST SAFARI & GUIDE CHRIS BY COMPANY ANIMALIA TREKS AND SAFARIS - First off, let me tell you- I had absolutely no desire to go on a Safari- I told my family, friends even strangers how I hated the idea of going!... read more Our tour guide Chris- he is honest, reliable, well educated, fun, listens- above all he made me feel safe and my kids learned something new everyday! He made me want to come back to learn and see more on the other side for an even longer amount of time! My kids learning, tasting, experiencing a new culture and loving it- is absolutely priceless! What more could a mother ask for?!?!?!? By far the BEST, BEST, BEST GUIDED SAFARI TOUR EVER with the MOST AMAZINGLY WELL EDUCATED great English speaking GUIDE CHRIS! We will be returning again! HANDS DOWN THE BEST TOUR EVER! Worth every penny and then some! Don’t go anywhere else!
p.s. our Safari Jeep had AC, power charging ports by all seats, and Never broke down! Best company and guide ever!!!