Rongai Route
The six-day Rongai Route is the only route up the north-eastern part of the mountain. Second to the Marangu Route in terms of difficulty, this path is also gaining popularity due to the stunning and unique wilderness conditions it features. You spend several days hiking through the true wilderness before joining up with the Marangu Route at Kibo Camp.
Caves along the way offer an opportunity to overnight in a completely unique fashion, and the route is a popular choice for those wanting to avoid the Marangu crowds.
The Rongai Route takes six days.
At a glance
• Approaches from the northeastern part of the mountain
• Descends via Marangu route
• Offers true wilderness experience during the first days of the climb as spotting large wildlife like antelopes and elephants is highly possible
• Trek starts on a flatter surface during the first few days
• Considered a good alternative (with lesser crowds) to the Marangu route
• Trek length: 6 or 7 days
Click below for full a day by day itinerary
Combine your climb with an incredible Big 5 Safari and/or beautiful beach getaway to Zanzibar Island for the Ultimate Tanzania experience.
Don't just take our word for it
- M7710AJjamies
Our women's group tour recently organized through Luna Safari, was simply outstanding. From start to finish, this trip was impeccably organized, leaving us with unforgettable memories of Tanzania... read more and Zanzibar. We wholeheartedly recommend Luna Safari to anyone seeking an amazing adventure. 
19th September 2023 - RamblinRachel After researching several safari companies over the course of a couple months, Luna Safari was the easy winner. A small "mom and pop" business made planning easy and comfortable. Michaela... read more (one of the owners) was very responsive to all of my questions (and I sent her many over the course of 1.5 years.) She even offered to call and speak with me in the very beginning of my planning, which I really appreciated (since I was in the US and she was in Tanzania). From the moment we showed up until the moment we departed, we had someone there to pick us up and take us wherever we needed to go. Our plane arrived at 1AM and her husband picked us up at the airport. No problem. I felt safe at all times. Our guide, Eric, was wonderful as well. He was very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and took good care of us. And he really tried his hardest to show us "The Big Five" (we didn't get to see a black rhino, but we saw some many other animals, that I was no disappointed in the least). Despite having just had her baby, Michaela came out to greet us at our hotel and see us off when we went on safari. They are a lovely little family and business, and I highly recommend Luna Safari (and our guide Eric) to anyone who is interested and perhaps even a little timid about going. They will make sure you are taken care of and have a wonderful experience.
12th September 2023 - Dan G Every day was excellent! The national parks were beautiful, all of our accommodations were phenomenal! I can’t get over that I sleep in the Serengeti! Our tent... read more had a bathroom, we had amazing food (and drinks), we got up in the morning and there were giraffes rambling across our front “yard”. We went on 5 days of game drives (Eric, the driver, drives to find game, we take pictures). We saw elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, baboons, leapards, hyenas, cheetahs - it was everything I imagined it would be and then some - and when it was all over and I was wanting more, 3 days of beach in Zanzibar- another top notch hotel (not all safari nights were ‘glamming’, 3 were in very nice scenic locations in very nice cabins. Luna safari handled all transactions, all the booking, all the meals. I can’t think of a time where I lacked for anything
10th September 2023 - 433gweng This was the trip of a lifetime! Much more than I expected. The 5 day safari got better every day. The accommodations were fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for a... read more better safari guide than Eric. He knew exactly where all the animals were and got us into great photographic positions. We ended our vacation on the beach in Zanzibar. It was beautiful!
THANK YOU LUNA SAFARI!!
10th September 2023 - LilyJH I cannot put into words how amazing this holiday has been, I just know it has far exceeded my expectations. Michaela was with us every step of the way... read more to answer any questions, from the very first emails we exchanged and throughout the holiday. Very reassuring in a very different country. Anderson, our amazing safari guide, was passionate about giving us the best experience he possibly could. He never tired of answering our incessant questions and taught us so much. His knowledge of all things safari was superb and we felt totally relaxed in his company. Our whole itinerary flowed perfectly with the balance of on the go safari and town tour in arusha, followed by relaxing on the beach at zanzibar. All the accommodation was gorgeous and the food great. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Luna to anyone. They are fabulous!
19th August 2023 - Lily-Rose I Our tour guide (Anderson) made the trip not only educational but funny as well so everyone could have a laugh and relax while we saw lions walk by in pack.
4th August 2023 - Inspire402301 I am so pleassed we chose Luna. We saw so many accidents even a jeep off the road in a ditch but we had such a good and safe driver.
If picking a safari make sure you get a safe guide there are so many idiots out there.
We stayed in great hotels, and the tented one was 5 star so much room and listening to lion and hieana all night not so far away.
We were 4 people 2 children aged 11 and 14. Luna have given us a trip of a lifetime. Make sure you watch for hhe zebra and the Anderson crossings. So much fun.
4th August 2023 - William I Through out this trip it was nonstop amazement, our tour guide was informative, funny and great company. We saw everything that was in the park. The hotels were beautiful. It... read more is a trip I would highly recommend
4th August 2023 - MariaC14388 My husband and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the most memorable and enchanting holiday of our lives - a perfect blend of a thrilling safari in Tanzania and... read more a beach holiday in Zanzibar. From the moment we started communciating with Luna Safari we knew that we were in for a treat. Talking to Michaela felt like we were talking to a friend, and it made it very easy to plan our trip.
Safari in Tanzania:
From the moment we set foot in the vast plains of the Serengeti, we knew that this was going to be unforgettable. The breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife left us speechless. Our safari guide, Anderson, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and dedicated to ensuring we had an unforgettable experience. He is surely one of a kind. We spotted the famous Big Five, along with countless other animals, as we explored other national parks, such as Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Arusha and Lake Manyara.
We also got to witness the Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrating across the savannah was an incredible scene.
The accommodations at the safari lodges were just beautiful, with excellent service, comfortable amenities, and delicious meals that perfectly complemented the adventure. Not only when we ate in the lodges, but also the picnic lunches were perfect. We were among the only few (compared to other companies) who had a hot meal served. Others only had a packed lunch with sandwiches and fruit.
Beach Holiday in Zanzibar:
After the safari, it was time to unwind on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar. From the moment we saw those turquoise waters, we knew we were in paradise. The serene atmosphere and warm hospitality of the locals instantly put us at ease.
We spent 2 nights in stone town and 4 nights in an oceanfront resort in Nungwi, and it was a dream come true. Waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and watching the golden sunset over the Indian Ocean was a dream.
Overall Experience:
Combining the exhilarating safari adventure with the relaxing beach getaway was a brilliant decision. Tanzania and Zanzibar offered a perfect balance of excitement and serenity, making it an ideal vacation destination for all types of travelers. Whether you seek adrenaline-pumping wildlife encounters or tranquil beachfront retreats, this African experience has it all.
One cannot fully express the gratitude we have for the wonderful team that organized this trip. Luna Safari indeed did an amazing job. From the seamless logistics to the attentive guides, they truly went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Whenever we needed their help, both during the planning stages and also during our stay they made sure that they satisfy our needs.
In conclusion, our safari holiday in Tanzania and beach holiday in Zanzibar surpassed all expectations. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure that combines the best of nature, wildlife, and relaxation, I highly recommend venturing to this corner of Africa. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
3rd August 2023 - nattypet We went on our honeymoon with Luna Safari and it was a fantastic experience. Michaela was always available to answer our questions and planned the best itinerary for us! We... read more had an amazing safari guide, Anderson, who picked us up from the airport and took us around several national parks in Tanzania. We saw tons of animals, danced with the Maasai in their village, took a hot air balloon safari, and got many "happy honeymoon" welcome gifts throughout our entire trip.
We also spent 5 days in Zanzibar after the safari so we could have some beach time, and the island was a similarly fantastic experience. The water is the most beautiful shade of turquoise, the island's history is rich and super interesting, and the beaches are superb.
Luna Safari's customer service is personalized and attentive. Michaela and Alfani are very well organized and consulted with us to plan a perfect trip. We would recommend Luna Safari to all of our friends without hesitation.
29th July 2023