Your journey at a glance
The 7-day Rongai Route is exceptional for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro because it is the only route that approaches the summit from the north near the Kenya border. From the north, the advantage of this route becomes apparent. The route sits in the mountain’s rain shadow, meaning it gets significantly less rain compared to the other routes. The Rongai Route is ideal for trekking in the wetter months. The trek also offers a drier, more stable environment for those who prefer less rain. The trek begins in a true wilderness area, traversing remote landscapes and quiet pine forests where walkers get unique views of Kilimanjaro.
Rongai Route is very appealing in its own way and does possess its own wild and rugged beauty. It gives breathtaking views over the Kenyan plains and has amazing views of Mawenzi Peak’s rocky towers from its stunning campsite. The 7-day itinerary has been well thought out for great acclimatization and has a full day for adjustment at Mawenzi Tarn. For the final ascent, the Rongai Route joins the Marangu Route, going up from Kibo Huts and coming back down the same way to Horombo Huts. This allows climbers to see two different sides of the mountain. For those wanting a less busy, more gradual hike, which has a very good chance of a successful summit, the 7-day Rongai Route is an incredible and sensible option.
The Rongai Route is considered to be one of the easier routes on Kilimanjaro. The gradient of the route is more gentle compared to the southern slopes, particularly the southern shield. However, the Rongai Route offers a more gentle gradient. That said, there is no way to avoid the summit night, which is the longest, the steepest, and the most physically and psychologically draining. You will need to be physically fit and psychologically resolute to achieve a successful summit.
The reason the Rongai Route boasts the best summit success of all the routes is because of its acclimatization profile. Similar to all the routes, the Rongai Route has a ‘climb high, sleep low’ profile, which systematically prepares the climber for the summit. The success rate for the 7-day Rongai Route is 80-85%, making it one of the more reliable options for achieving summit success on Mount Kilimanjaro.
