Mt Kilimanjaro - The Unique Rongai Route

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Kenya Wildlife Safaris

Kenya's Coastal Safaris

Women's Safaris

Day 1

Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to a Nairobi Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2

Depart with lunch boxes from the hotel Transfer to Namanga boarder for visa processing and formalities. Proceed to Moshi 4 hrs drive via Arusha. Transfer to Hotel for dinner and overnight. Evening briefing and packing of mountain gear.

Day 3

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, transfer to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest.
The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]

Day 4

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m.) [6-7 hours walking].

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Day 5

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb allround views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. [3-4 hours walking]

Day 6

We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [5-6 hours walking] Taking abreak Mt. Kili from a bird's eye view.

Day 7

We will start the final, at 10.30pm. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) [5hours walking] We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the [2-3 hour walking] round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Then descent to Kibo for full breakfast (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment rest for 2 hours. We continue the descent to reach Mandara Hut (2,700m.) for dinner and overnight

Day 8

We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). [2 hours walking] Transfer to Moshi for lunch afternoon shuttle to Nairobi transfer your hotel for overnight. (Dinner own arrangements)

Day 9

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departure.

End of service.

Tailor made safari options after your climb can be organized for interested parties.

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‘’Our overall holiday in Kenya rating was excellent .It was a fantastic weeks in Kenya, safari was best and also nice stay in Malindi. I also suggest that the government repair the road to Masai Mara and that Kenya railways hopefully....Read More...