Difference between the Rongai and Lemosho routes to Mt Kilimanjaro

There are several routes that you can take to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro each offering different views, experiences and challenges to overcome. Charity Challenge has selected two of these Kilimanjaro routes:- Lemosho from the West side and Rongai from the East.

These are two of the less frequently used routes. They each offer some stunning views of the mountain and surrounding countryside. This article will help you to decide which one is correct for you when signing up to your Kilimanjaro summit climb.

Rongai Route

Our trek up this route gives 7 days and 6 nights on the mountain. You will take 5 ½ days to go up and only 1 ½ to come down! The route comes in from the East and follows the Rongai route via the Mawenzi Tarn, which is located in the foothills of the majestic Mawenzi – a secondary peak on Kilimanjaro. Here you spend a day acclimatising before continuing on to the summit. The extra day at Mawenzi includes trekking around an area of awe-inspiring scenery; and this day really helps to increase success rates on the route. On summit night you join the famous Kilimanjaro crater rim at a point known as Gilmans Point (5685m) before setting off

for the 2 ½ to 3 hour return trip to the summit, Uhuru Peak.

On the descent from the mountain you will pick up the busy Marangu route back down the mountain and experience the different terrain that this trek offers.

Rongai is a trekking route and there will be no areas where you will be required to use your hands to ascend.

Lemosho Route

This trek comes in from the West and you spend 8 days and 7 nights on the mountain. This will involve 6 ½ days of ascent and 1 ½ of descent. This route is more undulating that Rongai and more time is spent acclimatising as you cross the impressive Shira Plateau. The extra day means that Lemosho8 has a slightly higher summit success rate than Rongai7. This is the route that was chosen by the celebrity Comic Relief trek that we ran for Chris Moyles, Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow. It passes through a real mix of terrain from rainforest to desert to glacier. There is one section of the route which may require you to use your hands to ascend – the Barranco Wall. This is not a technical climb but is the only slightly steeper ground on the trek. Those with a real fear of heights may prefer Rongai. However it is only short, not severe, and the guide will be there to assist you all the way. We have never had a trekker fail on the Barranco Wall.