Rongai Route: Kilimanjaro's Wildest Route

From gate to gate the Rongai Route is 70 kilometres / 43.5 miles long. In comparison, the Rongai Route counts a bit more distance than for some other routes. It makes up for that with a rather gentle ascent. The success rates for the Rongai Routes are high, more about that in the next paragraph.

Days: 6 or 7 days

Total Distance: 70 kilometres (43.5 miles)

Ascent: 3,980 metres (13,058 feet)

Descent: 4,140 metres (13,582 feet)

Day-to-day distance on a 7-day climb:

Day 1: 6.9 kilometres (4.3 miles)

Day 2: 5.7 kilometres (3.5 miles)

Day 3: 5.7 kilometres (3.5 miles)

Day 4: 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles)

Day 5: 8 kilometres (5 miles)

Day 6: 27 kilometers (16.8 miles)

Day 7: 21.4 kilometers (13.3 miles)

All routes on Kilimanjaro start the ascent from the Southern side of the mountain. All but one and that is the Rongai Route. In the tiny settlement of Nalemoru, literally a stone's throw away from the Kenyan border, this route snakes its way up to Uhuru Peak. This is very much the Northern side of the mountain and that brings us straight to one of the drawcards for choosing this climbing route: It sees less rain. The wet months for Kilimanjaro and for the area as a whole are March, April, May, and, to a lesser extent, November. During the wet seasons, the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro can turn into a mud fest. This applies to the routes on the other side of the mountain because that is where most of the rain falls. Less rain on the Rongai route means also fewer clouds. The views are generally pretty good on the Rongai side of Kili life.

The Rongai Route is also flatter than other Kilimanjaro Routes. Less vertical gain, which is a good thing, but also comes with a price tag. It doesn't really allow for 'climb high sleep low' and that offers some acclimatisation challenges. Fortunately, with a 6 and a 7-day option the time for the ascent makes up for this and allows for a success rate of more than 80%. All good but what really makes the Rongai Route special is the remote setting. Because it is further away from Moshi, fewer people choose the route and this makes it a quiet route. It's also pretty wild: The Rongai Route allows you to spot antelope, elephants and even buffalo. Wild indeed.

The difficulty of Kilimanjaro climbing routes is hard to gauge and even harder to explain. There are different ways to get up Kilimanjaro and one route is more technical than the other. The Rongai Route is not the most technical route and is known for its more gradual ascents and descents, making it a good option for those who are less experienced with high-altitude trekking.

In terms of acclimatization, the Rongai Route doesn't allow much for 'climb high sleep low' but it makes up for that in time. This allows for a decent success rate of higher than 80%. All in all, the Rongai Route is considered one of the easiest options for climbing Kilimanjaro. Not very technical, a gradual ascent, and, good success rates.

There are no seasonal restrictions on Kilimanjaro. The mountain is open to trekking and climbing expeditions all year round. Having said that, there are certain months which a more suitable than others. The rainy season lasts from April to May and November to December. But this too is not a problem for the Rongai Route. This is the only route that you can literally climb all year round. 

The dry season includes January to March and June to October. So if you are set on the Rongai Route and you are not stuck to seasons, the Rongai Route is best enjoyed during the dry season. This is also a quieter time because, although the Rongai Route is remote and quiet, it actually sees the most traffic in the wet season. 

We’ve said this before and we will say it again. Kilimanjaro is a trekking mountain, not a climbing mountain. Trekking = Hiking, so the best training for Kilimanjaro is to go hiking. Some websites will tell you that you need to cross-train, biking, swimming, weight training, or even go on a diet. No. Again, pole pole. Just become the best version of yourself and start with that process about two months in advance. You can follow a strict training plan or just keep the following things in mind.

We recommend a minimum of three hiking/walking sessions per week, each lasting at least one hour. The specifics of your sessions, such as distance, duration, and elevation gain, will largely depend on the available trails in your area. Ideally, you should look for trails that are a few miles long and include a challenging uphill section that can be completed in approximately one hour. Finding a convenient location for your training will enable you to schedule regular sessions and easily track your progress.

Additionally, try to make time for longer day hikes, as they are excellent training opportunities. A solid day hike typically lasts four to six hours and involves moderate elevation changes of around 1,000 feet (305 meters), all while carrying a 20 lb. (9 kg) pack. If you feel up to the challenge, don't hesitate to tackle harder trails; they will provide even more beneficial training for your Kilimanjaro climb. If you don't have access to outdoor trails, don't worry. Training on stairs can be an excellent alternative to simulate the climbing experience on Kilimanjaro. You can also make use of a stair master machine for productive training sessions.

To mimic the challenge of climbing the mountain, wear your backpack and maintain a slow and steady pace. We suggest dedicating 1-2 hours to climbing stairs or using the StairMaster. What goes up, must come down. Descending Kilimanjaro is harder than climbing Kilimanjaro. Train your downhill walking!

Now, are you feeling confident and do you think you have most of the hiking under the belt? Then you can change it up. Go for a run, do stretching exercises, yoga, maybe even weight. Essentially, anything that can help to improve your overall fitness is a plus. Just make sure your main focus is hiking.