Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route conditions today
Kilimanjaro · Mawenzi Tarn · Uhuru Peak · Kilimanjaro Region
- Route reported closed: Kilimanjaro wildfire shuts third tourist route
- Improving: best day Sun 18 Oct (87)
Best day to go
Best: Sun 18 Oct (87) — 49 cm of fresh snow in 72 h at Kibo Hut — snow and ice on the summit route — microspikes, gaiters, slower going
What's limiting the score
Hazards & advisories
Camps & altitudes
The only northern approach, starting near the Kenyan border: drier forest and moorland to Kikelewa and Mawenzi Tarn beneath Mawenzi's spires, then Kibo Hut and the summit night via Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), descending the Marangu route. The north side is usually the driest during the rains.
low 13°
low 11°
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low 13°
Permits, access & safety
Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route questions
- Is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route open right now?
- A closure was reported on 6 Oct (The EastAfrican): "Kilimanjaro wildfire shuts third tourist route". Check the live page for reopening reports.
- When is the best time to climb the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?
- The driest months are Jan – early Mar and Jun – Oct. The long rains (mid-March to May) bring mud in the forest and heavy snow on the summit; the short rains (November–December) bring afternoon showers. June–August has the coldest summit nights.
- How high is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?
- The highest point is 5,895 m. Above 3,000 m, medical guidance is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night with a rest day every 3–4 days; most itineraries go faster, so choose longer routes when you can and descend at the first serious symptoms.
- What permits do I need for the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees (conservation, camping/hut, rescue); Licensed guide. Fees and rules change — confirm with TANAPA and your operator.
- How is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route score calculated?
- Hourly forecasts for every camp, corrected to real altitude, feed six factors: summit-night wind, cold and cloud; snow and ice on the summit route; rain on the forest and ravine sections against a global landslide rainfall threshold; trail weather; dawn views; and the road to the gate. Official TMA alerts, reported closures and fires cap the score.
Weather forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0); rain and summit wind via Open-Meteo (UK Met Office, ECMWF). Not an official forecast. Model-derived rain and slope indications; always follow TMA, KINAPA/TANAPA rangers and your guide.
Other routes: Kilimanjaro — Lemosho Route · Kilimanjaro — Machame Route · Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route · Mount Meru · All Tanzania routes