8 Days Rongai Route

Day 1:

Mount Meru Game Lodge, Usa River

After clearing with customs and Immigration

After clearing with customs and Immigration formalities at the airport, you will be met by your driver guide for the short transfer to your Lodge, nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or visit the Game Sanctuary that has for many years provided a safe haven to African plains game. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Set 23 kilometres east of Arusha, Usa River is the capital of Tanzania’s Meru District and lies between the Ndurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park. Dotted with numerous eco-lodges and other accommodation options, the town provides an ideal base for exploring the magnificent surrounding natural landscapes. Visit the seven Momela Lakes to see vast swathes of pink flamingos, and look out for buffalos and waterbuck. The park offers an array of safari tours and the chance to see unique primates such as blue monkeys, albino baboons, and colobus monkeys (this is the only place in Tanzania’s northern safari circuit where they can be found). The spectacular Mount Meru is a fantastic achievement to climb and provides unparalleled vistas of Kilimanjaro. At Usa River’s Cultural Arts Centre, take part in drum-making and Tanzanian cooking classes or visit traditional Maasai and Meru bomas.

Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge

Set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, the Mount Meru Game Lodge is nestled between the Usa river and the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to water buffalo, birds and monkeys, including the elusive Colobus monkey. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), the lodge is an ideal starting point for your safari.

The lodge & sanctuary date back to 1959 when Dr. Von Nagy bought the property as a family home. The main building dates back to the 1930's and was originally the farm manager's house. In the first half of the 1900's most of the area on the southern slopes of Mount Meru were coffee plantations.

Dr. Von Nagy's was passionate about animals and he quickly turned his family home into an animal sanctuary and orphanage. He setup the Mount Meru Wildlife Reserve in order to protect the wildlife on Mount Meru, what is now part of Arusha National Park. He also helped the government to establish the Wildlife Collage and used his animal sanctuary and orphanage as a training facility for the students. His home and passion attracted visitors from far and wide, rooms were added to accommodate his visitors and the lodge was born.

Day 2:

Simba Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Gate. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep but is rather a gentle hike through a beautiful country side. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2 626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.

Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises up to an impressive 5896 metres above sea level. It is one of the world's highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breath-taking views or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including: elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.

Overnight: Simba Camp

Simba Camp is situated at an elevation of 3,600m in the Kilimanjaro region. The campsite offers tent camping and is close to First Caves campsite where guests can enjoy lunch while trekking.

Day 3:

Kikelewa Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

Overnight: Kikelewa Camp

The Kikelewa Camp is part of the Rongai Route which approaches Kilimanjaro from the North, near the Kenya-Tanzania border. At the camp, adventurers can enjoy the surrounding grassy slopes. The camp is near the Tsavo River which runs from Tsavo West National Park into Tanzania.

Day 4:

Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp

The Mawenzi Tarn Camp is located near the base of Mwenzi, which is one of the 3 peaks of Mount. Kilimanjaro and is mostly used by ascending climbers on the Rongai route. The accommodation comprises of tents as well as shared pit latrines and a nearby tarn provides undrinkable water to campers.

Day 5:

Kibo Hut, Mount Kilimanjaro

After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut

Overnight: Kibo Hut

Kibo is a little basecamp set in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Climbers set camp here before leaving for Uhuru Peak. Accommodation at Kibo is provided in dormitory rooms that caters to 60 people in a stone house.

Day 6:

Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

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 on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite

The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a rangers office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.

Day 7:

Mount Meru Game Lodge, Usa River

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. 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.

Your car and driver shall be ready to pick and transfer to Mount Meru Game Lodge where you spend your last night.

Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge

Set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, the Mount Meru Game Lodge is nestled between the Usa river and the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to water buffalo, birds and monkeys, including the elusive Colobus monkey. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), the lodge is an ideal starting point for your safari.

The lodge & sanctuary date back to 1959 when Dr. Von Nagy bought the property as a family home. The main building dates back to the 1930's and was originally the farm manager's house. In the first half of the 1900's most of the area on the southern slopes of Mount Meru were coffee plantations.

Dr. Von Nagy's was passionate about animals and he quickly turned his family home into an animal sanctuary and orphanage. He setup the Mount Meru Wildlife Reserve in order to protect the wildlife on Mount Meru, what is now part of Arusha National Park. He also helped the government to establish the Wildlife Collage and used his animal sanctuary and orphanage as a training facility for the students. His home and passion attracted visitors from far and wide, rooms were added to accommodate his visitors and the lodge was born.

Day 8:

End of Itinerary

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home. Ends of our Service.

End of Our Service.