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RONGAI
ROUTE |
The Rongai route begins on the northern side
of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and the ascent
is one of the least traveled routes. If you take this route
up the mountain you will descend on the same route as used on
the Marangu Route.
Rongai is slowly gaining in popularity. You get to view the
North side of Kilimanjaro, sleep in tents and have a more gradual
climb. Although it starts off with a long drive to the starting
point, you will be rewarded by fantastic views and also by the
likelihood that you will be the only climbers around on the
way up. All your equipment and supplies are carried for you
by a team of porters and a cook prepares all your meals.
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Marangu (1.550
m) / Simba Camp (2.750 m)
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After
completing the necessary registration formalities at
Marangu National Park gate, you will be transferred
by 4x4 Land Rover/Land Cruiser to the start of the Rongai
route. This is close to the border with Kenya and the
drive will take around 1 1⁄2 hours. We begin the
ascent by hiking along a small path winding through
fields of maize and potatoes in the cultivation zone
before entering pine forest. The track then starts to
climb consistently, but gently through forest that shelters
a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out
before you reach the first cave later in the afternoon,
where you will be camping overnight. Situated on the
edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.), you will be will
be rewarded with great views across the plains below,
reminding you that you are indeed in Africa.
By the time you arrive at camp your porters will already
have started preparing everything for your arrival,
your tents will be pitched and water will be on the
boil. You will be given a supply of water to wash with
and later on your cook will prepare dinner for you.
You can expect temperatures to drop to near freezing
point during the night.
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: 8 km's
Habitat: Rain Forest |
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Simba
camp (2.750 m) / Cave 3 (3.900 m)
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After breakfast we start the
morning with a steady walk as we ascend up to the
Second Cave (3450 m). On the way up you will take
in splendid views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields
on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main
trail and head out across the Kikelewa moorland towards
the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. We pass by one areas
where you will enjoy views that very few visitors
to Kilimanjaro will ever get to see, including great
views of the plains of Kenya below and the spectacular
Mawenzi Tarn above.
The campsite is by the Second Cave in a sheltered
valley, with giant Senecios growing nearby. Again,
the porters will have your tents pitched before you
arrive and will boil drinking and washing water, before
your cook prepares your dinner.
At 3900 metres, your night at this camp will see temperatures
dropping to freezing point.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: 10 km's
Habitat: Moorland
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Cave
3 (3.900 m) / Kibo Hut (4.720 m)
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Today we pass through the lunar
desert of the Saddle, this is the lava covered expanse
between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We pass
by to the bottom of Kibo Crater Wall to School campsite.
Today’s walk is not very far, but due to the
altitude, takes 5 hours. This is an important part
of the climb as you can now completely acclimatise
to the surroundings.
Best you get to bed early this evening (at the latest
19:00) as you will be rising at around 11:00 to begin
your summit attempt. Make sure all your kit is in
order so you do not have to scramble for everything
in the morning.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: 6 km's
Habitat: Moorland and Alpine Desert
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Kibo
Hut (4.720 m) / Uhuru Peak (5.895 m) /Horombo Hut (3.720
m)
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We have a very early start
for the final ascent, leaving the hut in the middle
of the night to arrive at Uhuru Peak just after dawn.
It is a 4 to 5 hour slow walk through loose volcanic
scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5690m)
followed by a further 1 to 2 hour walk around the
crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here you will have
the most incredible views of the surrounding gigantic
glaciers and ice cliffs, with the plains of Africa
spread out below you.
Don’t get too relaxed and spend too much time
on the summit, even if the weather is good. Cold and
fatigue will set in quickly and you may find it very
difficult to get started again. So spend a little
time to enjoy the fact that you have conquered Kilimanjaro,
get the camera out and take some pictures, then it
will be best that you get moving again – it’s
a long way down!
The first part of your descent to Kibo hut will take
almost another 3 hours. After a short rest you will
begin the next part of your descent – it will
take another 3 hours of hiking to get to Horombo hut
where you will spend the night. Later you can enjoy
your last dinner on the mountain. You will no doubt
have a good sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of
your achievement.
Hiking time: 15 - 16 hours
Distance: 30 km's
Habitat: Snow, Ice and Stony scree, Moorland
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Horombo Hut (3.720 m) / Marangu (1.550 m)
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Kilimanjaro Descending from
the roof of AfricaAfter an early and well-deserved
breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara
hut, down to the Marangu gate – this will take
the best part of 6 hours. At Marangu gate you sign
your name and details in a register. To make your
achievement official, you will receive a summit certificate.
If you reached Gillman's Point you will be presented
with a green certificate, and if you made it all the
way to Uhuru Peak you will have earned yourself a
gold certificate.
You will then take a road transfer back to Moshi where
you will be welcomed back to the hotel. Take some
time out for a long hot shower, and indulge in a drink
or three to celebrate before getting a decent night's
rest in a comfortable bed.
Final Descent
Hiking time: 1980m
Distance: About 27 kilometres
Habitat: Moorland and Rain forest
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TO PREPARE AND CONCEIVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFARI |
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