Tanzania's most epic and famous peak is Kilimanjaro. While all routes up the mountain provide travelers with different vistas, the Rongai Route, with its distinct views and challenges, is in a class all of its own.
With a height of more than 19,000 feet, Kilimanjaro is no easy task no matter how avid a climber or hiker may be. Steep slopes coupled with staggeringly high temperatures, the mountain is an obstacle that requires careful outlining.
The Rongai Route is the only track up Kilimanjaro that takes advantage of the mountains' northeastern vistas, and allows visitors to see most of the mountain's distinctive ecological zones. The route starts near the Kenyan border town of Nale Moru, and continues on through fields of local crops before moving into a lush, mossy section of montane forest. When traveling through the moorland zone, hikers are likely to come across several elephants leisurely eating during the day.
With most hikers taking five days to reach the summit, camps have been set up at natural resting points along the journey. Often taking six hours to reach the next campsite, travelers should plan their hikes accordingly.
The challenging vistas of Kilimanjaro on Rongai
Posted on Friday, April 6th, 2012
