Rock to bush leads treks up the unique Rongai Route known to be more scenic than the Marangu Route, easier than the Machame Route, and the success rate on the Rongai is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. The Rongai starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The Rongai joins the Marangu for the summit climb, then you descend the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you see Kilimanjaro from many viewpoints. There are two versions of this trek – a direct 6-day itinerary, and a 7-day itinerary that takes a longer route. The more expedient 6-day itinerary is described below and the longer variation is described in the extra days section.
Tour Features
| Budget Tour: | This tour includes budget camping and lodges. |
| Can be Customized: | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
| Shared Tour: | On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 7 people per vehicle. |
| Solo traveller: | Solo traveller can book this tour. |
| Can start any day: | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| Minimum age of 3 years: | The minimum age for this tour is 3 years. |
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2Rongai Gate
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Rongai gate passing the wooden village on a path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before reaching the entrance gate, The Rongai Gate. The climb begins from Rongai gate (2,150 m) 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. [1h30-2h30 hours walking]
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3Kikelewa Cave
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields 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 views near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m.). Alternatively to the third camp based on your program. [6-7 hours walking]
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4Mawenzi Camp
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around 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 acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
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5Kibo Crater Wall
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6Uhuru Peak
We will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. 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.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour 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. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]
| Includes |
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| Excludes |
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Important to Know
- This tour is not available to solo travelers or groups larger than 14 people.
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flightfrom/to your home country.
- This tour accepts children who are 3 years and older.
| Start Dates |
Solo 1 room |
2 people 1 room |
3 people 2 room |
4 people 2 room |
4+ people 3 room |
| May 24 2023 to May 24 2026 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
Yes, a transfer from and back to the airport is included
ROCK TO BUSH ADVENTURES
-
Offices In :
TANZANIA -
Size :
10 -
Member Of :
Tato -
Tour Types :
Wildlife Safari, Trekking Safari, Zanzibar Beach Holiday, Cultural Tour and Tanzania Bird Watching Tour -
Destinations :
Tanzania - Rock to Bush Adventures is a local travel and tourism tour operator in Tanzania. Our mission is to assist our customers in achieving their dream African Safari holiday. To make this possible we work in close association with hotels, authorities, and other tour companies in Tanzania and East Africa. We are your one-stop African safari tour operator in Tanzania. Reach out today and be amazed at our offers
| Budget Tour: | This tour includes budget camping and lodges. |
| Can be Customized: | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
| Shared Tour: | On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 7 people per vehicle. |
| Solo traveller: | Solo traveller can book this tour. |
| Can start any day: | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| Minimum age of 3 years: | The minimum age for this tour is 3 years. |
-
2Rongai Gate
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Rongai gate passing the wooden village on a path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before reaching the entrance gate, The Rongai Gate. The climb begins from Rongai gate (2,150 m) 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. [1h30-2h30 hours walking]
-
3Kikelewa Cave
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields 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 views near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m.). Alternatively to the third camp based on your program. [6-7 hours walking]
-
4Mawenzi Camp
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around 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 acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
-
5Kibo Crater Wall
-
6Uhuru Peak
We will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. 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.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour 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. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]
Includes & Excludes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- A professional driver/guide
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of 56 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
| Start Dates |
Solo 1 room |
2 people 1 room |
3 people 2 room |
4 people 2 room |
4+ people 3 room |
| May 24 2023 to May 24 2026 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
Yes, a transfer from and back to the airport is included
ROCK TO BUSH ADVENTURES
-
Offices In :
TANZANIA -
Size :
10 -
Member Of :
Tato -
Tour Types :
Wildlife Safari, Trekking Safari, Zanzibar Beach Holiday, Cultural Tour and Tanzania Bird Watching Tour -
Destinations :
Tanzania - Rock to Bush Adventures is a local travel and tourism tour operator in Tanzania. Our mission is to assist our customers in achieving their dream African Safari holiday. To make this possible we work in close association with hotels, authorities, and other tour companies in Tanzania and East Africa. We are your one-stop African safari tour operator in Tanzania. Reach out today and be amazed at our offers
