REKT002: 6 Days Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route
The Rongai route has only recently been re-opened with access from the Kenyan side. Since initially being furnished with campsites and huts by a local chief back in the sixties, this route has a history of local community involvement. Our access from the Kenyan side begins in the natural forest at Oloitokitok where we have a base for our guides and porters. Climbing for between 4 and 6 hours each day we ascend through virgin rain forest to the African Alpine zone with its surreal flora and fauna. An extra day at School Hut Camp (4,750m) ensures good acclimatization before summitting via Gillman’s Point.
Descent via Mweka and overnight in Arusha.
Day 1: NAIROBI – LOITOKTOK CAMP
Drive from Nairobi to Loitokitok Tented Camp at the foot of the mountain. The 230 km drive from Nairobi takes 4-5 hours - half on tarmac half on dirt roads. We cross the savanna, invariably spotting giraffe, gazelle and herds of zebra on the way.
Day 2: LOITOKTOK – 1ST CAVES (2,800M)
After morning clearance with the Kenyan customs we transfer to Rongai (2,100m) in Tanzania, 6 km from Loitokitok, where our mountain crew will be waiting. The climb starts up through a virgin natural rain forest with colobus monkeys crashing through the trees, and out into the giant groundsel and lobelia zone. Iridescent sunbirds feed on the red-hot pokers and the strange rock hyrax scamper through the boulders. Camp overnight at the "1st Caves" (2,800m).
Day 3: 1ST CAVES – 3RD CAVES (3,900M)
We walk up through high altitude moorland heading for "3rd Caves" at 3,900m. Eagles and buzzards soar on the winds, the views start to open out and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! The climb takes 5-6 hours.
Day 4: 3RD CAVES – SCHOOL HUT (4,750M)
Another 5-6 hour trek up to School Hut Camp at 4,750m. Here vegetation thins out in the high altitude desert zone and we walk through moonscape scenery of scree and boulder desert.
Day 5: SCHOOL HUT – UHURU PEAK (5,896M) – MWEKE CAMP (3,100M)
After a short night and as many warm drinks as you can manage, we start the final ascent at 1.00 am. The track leads up through gradually steepening scree to Gillman’s point at 5,685m on the Crater Rim. Here we watch the sunrise over magnificent blue translucent ice fields. Another hour, gently rising along the crater rim to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak at 5,896m. There is no escaping this last slog but the rewards are ecstatic as you stand on the highest point in Africa and look down on this vast and ancient continent. Descend to Mweka camp at 3,100m for overnight.
Day 6: MWEKE CAMP – NAIROBI
After breakfast, it’s a leisurely 4-5 hours down to the Park Gate. Scarlet winged turacos flit though the forest canopy and cautious viewing of colobus and blue monkeys is required (they enjoy splashing observers who get too close with whatever liquid is available!). Transfer to Nairobi.
