Step 1
Day one: forest to Simba Camp
After the drive to Nale Moru and registration you walk through farmland and pine forest to Simba Camp, at about 2,600 m, in three to four hours. The crew set up tents and cook dinner.
2 days · Moshi or Arusha
2-Day Rongai Route Hike from Moshi or Arusha
2 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro trek on the quiet northern side: pine forest and Simba Camp, with an expert guide.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Highest point
- 2600m
- Group size
- 1–12 people
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Where
- Moshi or Arusha
Who runs this trip
Operator
Visit Kili Adventures
Runs this trip. The park permit is in the operator’s name.
About this trip
The 2 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro trek is an overnight adventure on the quiet northern side of Africa's highest mountain. Rongai is the only major Kilimanjaro trail that approaches from the north, near the Kenyan border, and this short trek lets you experience its drier, more open landscape and a night at Simba Camp.
Most visitors only see Kilimanjaro's southern slopes, where dense rainforest covers the lower mountain. The north is different. The drive around the base of the mountain brings you to Nalemuru Gate, and the trail passes through pine plantations and farmland before entering the national park. The vegetation is lighter, the air is drier and the views are wide, with the plains running north towards Kenya.
The walk climbs steadily to Simba Camp at around 2,600 metres, where the landscape opens up and the sense of space grows. Spending the night here is the heart of this trip. With far fewer trekkers on this side of the mountain, the camp is calm and peaceful. As the light fades the temperature drops, and on clear nights the stars are bright above the mountain – a real taste of life on Kilimanjaro, well away from the busier southern trails.
This trek does not include a summit attempt and needs no technical experience. It suits travellers with limited time who want more than a day hike, families with older children, and anyone who prefers quiet trails. A reasonable level of fitness helps, and your guide will set a comfortable pace. The trek can start from either Moshi or Arusha, and it combines well with a safari or a longer stay in northern Tanzania.
Rongai is the quiet northern approach, and this two-day trek shows its character in a short form. You drive to Nale Moru, start through farmland and pine forest, and camp at Simba Camp, about 2,600 m. The next morning is a short walk and the return drive. The side of the mountain is drier than the south, and the colobus monkeys sometimes seen in the forest are a bonus.
It is a calmer option than Machame for people who want a night on the mountain without crowds. The pickup is from Moshi or Arusha; confirm which at booking, as the drive differs. Camping gear, meals, guide and park fees are included. Pack warm layers because the camp is cold at night even in the dry months.
Who it suits: Travelers seeking a quieter, north-side Kilimanjaro 2-day experience through pine forest …
Altitude affects everyone differently, so no itinerary can promise the summit. A longer schedule gives more time to adjust.
Day-by-day itinerary
Times and camps can change with weather and group pace.
Reach Simba Camp. Full dinner and overnight at Simba Camp.
- Meals
- breakfast, lunch, dinner
Early pickup from Moshi or Arusha and drive around Kilimanjaro's northern base to Nalemuru Gate. Approximately 2.5–3 hours from Moshi.
- Meals
- breakfast, lunch, dinner
Short morning walk before descending to Nalemuru Gate and transfer to Moshi or Arusha.
- Meals
- breakfast, lunch, dinner
Register at Nalemuru Gate and begin the climb through pine forest and farmland toward Simba Camp at approximately 2,600m.
- Meals
- breakfast, lunch, dinner
How the Rongai overnight trek runs
Pickup is from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, confirmed when you book. From Moshi the drive to Nale Moru and Rongai Gate takes a couple of hours; from Arusha allow roughly two to three hours more in total, so the day starts earlier and ends later.
Step 2
Night at Simba Camp
It is cold at night but the north side is drier than the south. Wear warm layers to bed.
Step 3
Day two: morning walk and return
A short morning walk, breakfast, and the descent to the gate followed by the drive back.
What is included
Included
- All camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, dining tent)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Experienced lead guide + assistant guide
- Hotel transfers
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Pre-climb briefing & gear check
- Rescue fee / emergency evacuation insurance
- Transfers from Moshi ($580) or Arusha ($650)
Not included
- International flights
- Personal expenses and snacks
- Personal trekking gear
- Tanzania visa ($50 USD)
- Tips for guides and porters
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
Price
Starting price, per person
$580
- Covers everything on the included list.
- This example is for one traveller; for a group, multiply the price per person by the number of travellers. The card fee is added on the payment page, so the amount you pay there is higher than the deposit. Trips that start within 10 days are paid in full at booking, with no balance.
- Group size: 1–12 people. Final price depends on group size and dates.
- Budget separately for: International flights; Personal expenses and snacks; Personal trekking gear; Tanzania visa ($50 USD); Tips for guides and porters; Travel & medical insurance (required).
When to go
Jan to Febbest
Short dry season: clear skies, firm trails
Mar to Mayfair
Long rains: muddy trails, reduced visibility
Jun to Octbest
Long dry season: peak trekking season
Nov to Decgood
Short rains: quieter, occasional showers
Know before you go
What to read before you book.
Why Choose the Rongai Route?
The Rongai Route is Kilimanjaro's quietest and most distinctive trail, approaching from the north with a completely different landscape to the southern routes. Pine forest, open moorland and views toward Kenya make this a memorable alternative: particularly for return Kilimanjaro visitors or travelers who value quieter trails.
Quick Overview
Starts at Nalemuru Gate on Kilimanjaro's northern slopes. 2-day trek. Reaches Simba Camp (2,600m). From $580 (Moshi) / $650 (Arusha).
Before you go
Photos
About the Rongai route
Rongai is the only main route that climbs from the north. The side of the mountain is drier, the trail is gentler, and fewer people walk it. It is a good choice if you want a calmer first half and do not mind a less varied walk.
- Days
- 6 or 7 on the mountain
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Starts
- Rongai Gate, north
- Finishes
- Marangu Gate
- Highest sleep
- Kibo, about 4,700 m
- Crowds
- Quiet until the Marangu trail
Other Rongai route packages
Same trail, different length or starting point.
1 day · from Moshi or Arusha
1-Day Rongai Route Hike from Moshi or Arusha
1 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro hike on the quiet northern side: pine forest and Simba Camp, with an expert guide.
From $280 per person · VISIT KILI ADVENTURES
3 days · from Moshi or Arusha
3-Day Rongai Route Hike from Moshi or Arusha
3 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro trek on the quiet northern side: pine forest, moorland and Simba Camp.
From $820 per person · VISIT KILI ADVENTURES
Questions about this trip
- Rongai approaches from the north: a drier side of the mountain with less rainforest and more open terrain. It has far fewer trekkers than Machame or Marangu, pine forest in place of dense jungle, and views toward Kenya. It is the most distinctive Kilimanjaro trekking experience.
- Six days works best on Machame, Rongai or a six-day Marangu, if you are fit and have recent altitude experience. If you can find a seventh day, Machame or Lemosho gives your body a much easier ride. See six days or seven.
- At the high camps and on summit night it is usually below freezing, and wind makes it feel colder. Layers matter more than one thick coat: a base layer, fleece, insulated jacket, a waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves and a sleeping bag rated well below zero. See packing for Kilimanjaro.
- It helps. Around a full moon the trail is visible without a head torch for much of the climb, and it feels less lonely and less cold. It also means more people choose those dates, so book earlier. Check the moon calendar for your month; you can still summit on a dark night with a good head torch.
- Tips are a normal and important part of crew income. Guides, cooks and porters are tipped in a pooled way at the end of the climb, in local or US currency, with the group present. Ask your operator for their written tipping guideline before you go, so you can budget; see our tipping guide.
- Yes. Choose a policy that explicitly covers trekking to 6,000 m and emergency evacuation. Standard holiday cover often stops at a lower altitude. Read the exclusions before you buy and carry the policy number with you.
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