5 Day Mt Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route

First Cave Campsite (Simba Camp) – Gentle First Night on the Rongai Route (≈2,620 m)

First Cave Campsite, often referred to as Rongai First Cave or simply Simba Camp, is the first overnight stop on the Rongai Route up Mount Kilimanjaro. Sitting at around 2,600–2,620 metres above sea level, this campsite lies on the northern flank of the mountain, reached after a steady half-day hike from the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate through maize fields, pine forest and into the lush edge of the montane zone.

The camp takes its name from a shallow lava cave nearby and offers:

• Tent-only camping on gently sloping, grassy / heath ground

• Basic pit latrine toilets and a ranger area

• Wide views up towards Kibo and out over the plains towards Kenya

Because day one on Rongai is relatively gentle, First Cave / Simba Camp is all about easing into the trek: settling into camp routine, enjoying your first dinner on the mountain and beginning the acclimatisation process at a moderate altitude before heading higher to Second Cave and Kikelewa. On clear evenings, you’ll often get beautiful views of Kibo’s snow-capped dome glowing above camp.

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Second Cave Camp – Classic Acclimatisation Stop on the Rongai Route (3,450 m)

The Second Cave Camp sits at an altitude of around 3,450 metres on the Rongai Route of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Reached after a steady climb from First Cave / Simba Camp, it marks your entry into the higher moorland zone, with low shrubs, rocky outcrops and increasingly open views towards Kibo’s snow-capped dome.

Named after the small lava cave nearby, this overnight rest camp offers designated tent sites where climbers pitch their own tents, along with basic pit latrine toilets and a ranger area. It’s a key acclimatisation stop on the way to Kikelelwa Camp and Mawenzi Tarn, giving your body time to adjust to the thinner air while you enjoy panoramic views and the quieter, less-crowded feel of the northern slopes.

For trekkers on the Rongai Route, Second Cave Camp is a memorable milestone: a comfortable altitude step, a chance to rest and refuel, and a great vantage point for sunrise and sunset over the plains below and the summit above.

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Rongai Second Cave Campsite SafariHQ Rongai Second Cave Campsite SafariHQ

Rongai Second Cave Campsite Rongai Second Cave Campsite

School Hut Camp – Final High Camp Before Uhuru Peak (≈4,710 m)

School Hut Camp (often called School Huts) is a high, rugged campsite on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, used mainly on the Northern Circuit and Rongai Routes as the final overnight stop before the summit push. Sitting in the alpine desert zone at an elevation of about 4,710 metres above sea level, it lies just below the Kibo massif and offers stark, wide-open views over the rocky slopes and distant plains.

Accommodation here is simple and functional, centred around tent camping with a small cluster of huts used by rangers and support crews. Facilities are basic, with pit latrine toilets and compact camping space on rocky ground – very much a true high-altitude base camp. Because School Hut is used by fewer routes than the popular southern camps, it often feels quieter and more tranquil, adding to the sense of anticipation before summit night.

Trekkers typically arrive in the afternoon to rest, hydrate and prepare gear for the pre-dawn ascent to Uhuru Peak. Short acclimatisation walks in the surrounding alpine desert, gear checks and early dinners all form part of the routine, before a few hours of sleep and the start of the summit attempt. With its thin, crisp air, star-filled skies and the looming bulk of Kibo above, School Hut Camp is a memorable final stepping stone on the journey to the roof of Africa.

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School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro

School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro

School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro School Hut Camp Mt Kilimanjaro

Horombo Huts – Classic Marangu Route Acclimatisation Camp on Kilimanjaro (≈3,720 m)

Horombo Huts is a well-established and bustling campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro’s Marangu Route in Tanzania, sitting at an elevation of around 3,720 metres above sea level. Serving both ascending and descending trekkers, it’s a key acclimatisation point for those aiming to reach the summit via the “Coca-Cola Route”. Many climbers spend an extra night here to let their bodies adjust to the altitude before heading higher to Kibo Huts.

The camp is instantly recognisable by its rows of A-frame wooden huts, each typically accommodating up to eight people in dormitory-style bunks. These solid structures offer welcome shelter from Kilimanjaro’s rapidly changing weather – from mist and rain to strong wind and cold nights.

Horombo Huts provides a range of basic but practical amenities, including:

• Shared dining huts where meals are served and trekkers can socialise

• Toilets (a mix of pit latrines and sometimes flush facilities, depending on current infrastructure)

• Access to fresh water, usually sourced from nearby springs and treated by your trekking crew

Set in the heath and moorland zone, with views up towards Kibo and down across the lower slopes, Horombo Huts offers a lively, communal atmosphere and a crucial chance to rest, rehydrate and acclimatise before the tougher days ahead on your Kilimanjaro climb.

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Horombo Hut Mt Kilimanjaro Horombu Hut Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Horombo Hut Mt Kilimanjaro Horombo Hut Mt Kilimanjaro

Horombo Hut Mt Kilimanjaro Horombo Hut Mt Kilimanjaro