The Day I Stood on Top of Africa: My Kilimanjaro Journey via the Rongai Route- Part 1

It’s one thing to dream of standing on top of the world, and quite another to actually get there. The moment I stood at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, on December 19th 2024, I felt like I had crossed an invisible line between who I was before and who I’d become after that climb. Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, is often called the “Roof of Africa,” and in that moment, it felt like I had reached the peak of not just the mountain, but also my own personal journey. This is the story of how I got there – the moments of doubt, the unrelenting physical and mental challenges, and the support team who helped me push through to the summit.

The Rongai Route: A Quiet Approach to the Roof of Africa - When I first signed up for the climb, I didn’t know much about the Rongai Route. I knew it was less crowded than the more popular routes like Machame or Marangu, but I didn’t realize how much that would matter to me. The Rongai Route begins on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan border a quieter, more remote route – and I soon came to realize we had made a good choice.

Traveling with me on this incredible journey were Rayyaan and Vigeash, these two made the experience not only doable but unforgettable. From the moment we met our guides and began the trek, I could tell this wasn’t just going to be a physical test – it was a shared adventure, a mental test! With Rayyaan's enthusiasm and Vigeash's calm determination, I knew I wasn’t alone on this climb- we each had our own goals, but we also relied on each other for motivation during the tough times.

We started at the Rongai Gate, where the cool, peaceful forest immediately set the tone for the trek ahead. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the mountain, but this quiet, beautiful route offered a serene and reflective journey. The first days were relatively easy, with lush rainforests and sweeping views that allowed us to ease into the experience. But I knew that with every passing hour, we were getting closer to the difficult, high-altitude portions of the climb.

The Challenge: More Than Just a Physical Test As the days went on, the climb became more demanding. The thin air and steep slopes began to challenge me, both physically and mentally. The higher we climbed, the more my body fought back. But every time I felt like I couldn’t take another step, I looked to Rayyaan and Vigeash, who were moving steadily and reminded me that this was a shared experience. Their calm encouragement helped push me forward.

As we moved up the mountain the altitude sickness began to kick in a little more. Sleepless nights and a lack of appetite- just when we needed more strength. Once at base camp we were anxious, nervous and excited all in one. So far, the climb had been manageable it was just the cold that was making it quite difficult for me- temperatures had been dropping from day one and the worst was yet to come.

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