Kilimanjaro fires close Rongai climbing route

Wildfire has again burned on Africa’s highest mountain — and this time a third tourist climbing route was shut. On 5 October Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) temporarily closed the Rongai route on Kilimanjaro. With Lemosho and Londorosi already closed, only Machame, Marangu and Umbwe remained open among the six main paths to Uhuru Peak.

The fire started on 28 September in the Sangarini–Kamwanga area (Siha District) and spread toward the Shira Plateau inside Kilimanjaro National Park. That same day TANAPA suspended Lemosho and Londorosi and at first redirected climbers to Machame, Marangu and Rongai. When the blaze continued, Rongai — the northern approach from the Kenyan side, often chosen for drier weather and fewer crowds — had to come off the schedule too. Assistant Conservation Commissioner for Communications Catherine Mbena said firefighting was ongoing and that the park was taking precautions for tourists, staff and partners.

It was not the season’s first major blaze: about a month earlier more than 18 km² of vegetation on Kilimanjaro’s slopes had already burned before crews brought that fire under control. Operators and groups had to switch routes, move dates and check whether a start day still fell inside a closure zone.

On 8 October TANAPA said the fire was under control and that Lemosho, Londorosi and Rongai were open and safe again. Anyone planning a climb in the coming weeks should still confirm the current status with their operator and TANAPA — conditions on the mountain shifted week by week.