Overview of the Rongai Route
The Rongai route features a steady, gentle ascent, making it one of the easier trails on Kilimanjaro—though no route is truly easy. It is the only trail that begins on the mountain’s northern side and is among the quietest options, rivaling the Northern Circuit for being the least crowded ascent route.
Pros and Cons of the Rongai Route
The Rongai route is an excellent choice if you want to avoid the steep Barranco Wall. While the Northern Circuit is generally recommended for those seeking a less challenging ascent, the Rongai is a great alternative for climbers with less time or a smaller budget.
This route offers stunning northern views during the ascent, and you may even catch glimpses of large wildlife in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, which lies to the north of Kilimanjaro. The rainforest and moorland sections are particularly scenic, and one of the camping spots sits directly below the striking Mawenzi Peak.
Crossing the Saddle provides incredible views of both the mountain's northern and southern slopes.
However, the Rongai route does not offer a "climb high, sleep low" acclimatisation opportunity, which limits its summit success rate. To address this, we only recommend the seven-day Rongai itinerary, as the extra day is essential for better acclimatisation.
Additionally, the Rongai route is a good choice for trekking during the rainy seasons since the mountain's northern side typically receives less rainfall than the southern slopes.
