How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Updated 2023-2024 costs for climbing mount Kilimanjari in Tanzania: A person can climb Mount Kilimanjaro for anywhere between $1,500 and $7,000, with the average cost being around $4,000. Several tour companies offer affordable Kilimanjaro climbs, but they often compromise safety for the sake of cost-cutting. Larger operators may also outsource the experience, which frequently carries a premium price.
It’s recommended to make a reservation with a respected, local tour operator such as Focus East Africa Tours if you’re seeking a cheap Kilimanjaro climb but also want to guarantee a basic level of quality gear and safety procedures. If the cost that has been quoted to you seems to be incredibly low, you might wish to probe further.
- Why is it so affordable?
- Does the business pay reasonable wages to its employees and porters?
- Is it taking the required safety measures?
If the price you’re provided by budget tour operators looks excessively low, it probably means there are hidden expenses involved.
CAN YOU CLIMB KILIMANJARO FOR FREE?
Almost no one can climb Kilimanjaro for nothing. This is so because you need porters to carry your equipment and a certified guide in order to climb Kilimanjaro, both of whom cost money. Moreover, climbers must pay at least $800 in Kilimanjaro National Park fees alone.
The only distant chance that you might be able to climb Kilimanjaro for free is if you can round up a lot of buddies who are all ready to pay for their own hikes to go with you. Because of the size of your climbing party, some Kilimanjaro tour companies may give you a discount or a free trip. In other words, the tour company allows you to climb without paying since they are so grateful for the business you brought them by organizing the group.
WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
Be cautious if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro on a budget. You could wish to climb during the shoulder season, when there are fewer climbers on the mountain, if you’re hoping to receive a bargain. The wettest months of the year on Kilimanjaro are from March through June, making this the low season and not the ideal time to climb. A final consequence of climbing Kilimanjaro is having to share the mountain with other hikers.
Use caution when using a cheap tour company for your journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. They are frequently new, inefficient businesses that rely only on offering low prices to draw customers. This has in the past led to hazardous conditions on the mountain. Some businesses are unable to satisfy climbers because they cut costs so drastically and neglect to make necessary investments.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PERMIT FOR CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO? HOW ABOUT THE GUIDES AND PORTERS?
All visitors are required to pay Entrance fees to the Kilimanjaro National Park, which are used to maintain the park. This covers the upkeep of the trail and the hiring of rangers. Every day you spend in the park, even partial days, is subject to the conservation charge. The conservation costs on an 8-day climb come to $560 ($70 x 8 days). VAT not included.
Also, there are hut costs of $50 to $60 per person per night for using the modest huts and campsites on the mountain. On the Marangu trail, huts are the only accommodations. Camping is permitted only at approved public locations for all other routes, including the Machame route. An 8-day Marangu climb costs $350 in hut fees ($50 multiplied by 7 nights). VAT not included.
Each climber must pay a rescue fee if the park administration needs to organize one. Even if you don’t need a rescue, you must pay this cost. Hence, by adding together all of the aforementioned expenses, the entire cost of merely purchasing entry into Kilimanjaro National Park may be calculated.
THE COST OF CLIMBING KILIMANJARO: THE BUDGETS
FOR THOSE WITH A BUDGET OF LESS THAN US$1000 FOR THEIR KILIMANJARO CLIMB
No way can you climb the Mount Kilimanjaro up to the summit for less than $1000. My advice is straightforward: stay at home if your budget for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is less than $1000 USD. If your budget is less than $1000, you can always come for a 1 day hike or 2 to 3 days hike on the mountain. Or you can try to climb Meru, Kili’s tiny neighbor.
So at this cost, forget about summiting Kilimanjaro to Uhuru peak. Finding a trek for less than US$1000 is quite tough, and even if you do, it’s probably very risky. Moreover, the provider will have scant or no customer service and inadequate safety regulations. They’ll undoubtedly pay their employees horribly as well
THE CHEAPEST KILIMANJARO CLIMBS (US$1000–1500)
Arriving at the airport, taking a taxi to Moshi or Arusha, and starting negotiations with the firms there is the cheapest option to arrange a climb. To avoid sounding like a salesperson, it’s a good idea to carry a copy of our book, but you also need to have confidence in your ability to negotiate. As a result, you will be aware of how to negotiate, what to watch out for, and what should be in any contract you sign.
You should still be able to get your park fees covered even at this rock-bottom price. All of your meals while on the mountain should be included in the cost. You will also receive a guide to lead you and a porter to carry your luggage. While beginning or ending the hike, transports to or from Kili should also be included. But, at this price point, it’s possible that the lift back to town at the end of the hike won’t happen. So, you might need to navigate your own route home.
Booking in Moshi will only increase your chances of getting a trek for between US$1000 and US$1200. Nevertheless, this walk will only last five days, which we cannot suggest, nor can we endorse the company leading it. In conclusion, it will be impossible to ensure the dependability or integrity of any business charging so little. At this price, the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro won’t just be yours to bear.
Yet, despite what the corporation may state, I can assure you that the porters will receive poor care from the company, and their employees will receive pitiful salaries. You could always make your decision to climb with one of these businesses guilt-free by leaving larger tips. Naturally, though, choosing the less expensive company in the first place will have negated whatever savings you could have gained.
There is a modest improvement between US$1200 and US$1500. But just a little. However, good compensation and decent treatment of the porters, guides, and cooks employed by the organization are still impossible to come by.
(The least expensive business we discovered that is a partner of KPAP and, as such, is guaranteed to treat its personnel decently and give them a fair wage, charges about US$1750 for their low-cost six-day excursion.) So, it is likely that you will book a five-day journey with them for around $1500 USD. But, as we make clear throughout our website and the guidebook as well, we don’t actually advise a five-day trek. Simply put, it’s too risky because you don’t have enough time to safely acclimate.
Our recommendation is to postpone your journey, save up more money, and try another year if you only have US$1500 or less for your adventure. Instead, you can visit but leave your morals at home because, for this price, you won’t find a business that treats its porters and crew well. The sole exception to this guideline is if you choose a five-day walk with the cheapest KPAP firm after, ideally, gaining enough altitude on another mountain.
BUDGET KILIMANJARO CLIMBS (US$150-2000)
You will have a lot more options and come across various businesses that are partners with KPAP if you spend between US$1500 and US$2000. To put it another way, you’ll feel more confident that they’ll treat their employees well. Also, the trips’ quality starts to rise dramatically at this pricing range. Businesses might start offering amenities like mess tents and private restrooms. Both the meals and the guides’ quality have improved with time. Also, they should all have oxygen on them (the one and only bit of emergency equipment that we think is absolutely essential).
Hence, if money is tight, this price range is what you should aim for. In spite of this, you will probably have to hike for six days rather than the planned seven or eight (remember, the longer the trek, the greater your chance of acclimatizing safely and thus reaching the summit). It’s also possible that the quality of the food, amenities, and services is subpar. Nonetheless, everything ought to be “good enough” overall. Whatever food requirements you may have should be accounted for; your trek should go rather easily, and whether it is successful or not, you should return from your climb satisfied with the experience. Which is a lot better than the pricing ranges above, where we’re not even sure you’ll make it back from your climb.
MID-RANGE KILIMANJARO TREKS (WHERE THE COST OF CLIMBING KILI IS US$2000–3000)
You are right in the middle of companies if your budget is between US$2000 and US$3000, and there are a number of options here that are excellent values. This region is home to the majority of Tanzania’s biggest businesses, many of which now have their own hotels. One or two of them even own a lodge in a national park. This implies that they may look after you from the time you arrive at the airport until you leave at its conclusion.
In this price range, there is fierce rivalry. Thus, some businesses make an effort to stand out. They might accomplish this by, for instance, proposing a strange route. Or possibly by providing bundles that include an earlier safari or sightseeing visit. They may also be kind to their personnel.
This group of businesses includes certain KPAP partners. In other words, you may be reasonably certain that they pay a fair rate and treat their porters properly. Some operators will also use guides who have earned their WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification, ensuring that their first-aid abilities are up to par.
Many businesses that are partially owned by Europeans. The presence of someone “like them” in the organization will provide some people comfort. Other trekkers, on the other hand, will insist on a company that is entirely owned by Tanzania, secure in the knowledge that every dollar, cent, euro, or shilling they spend on their journey will stay in Tanzania rather than some of it being diverted to the director’s offshore bank in America or Europe.
The safety precautions are generally more advanced in this price range compared to treks offered for less than US$2000. Trekkers are frequently observed using a pulse oximeter. This gauges how well someone is adjusting to altitude by measuring the oxygen saturation in their blood. Before you even reserve your excursion, they should be ready to provide you with a thorough explanation of their well-practiced evacuation methods.
Despite their best efforts to separate themselves from the competition, it may often be difficult to tell the companies in this category apart. In fact, it happens frequently that customers decide to work with a business merely because it responded to their emails more quickly. Or perhaps they simply developed a stronger bond with them. Or they choose a firm because it offers a public trek on the dates and along the route they want.
It’s reasonable to claim that for this price range, the majority of the items in your trek package should satisfy you. You should express concern if your airport transfer is running late. Again, you should protest if the meal is subpar, the gear is defective, or the guides are unfriendly. Of course, the same should hold true for treks on a tighter budget around US$2000 as well; but, in this case, it’s usually advisable for your mental health to realize that, despite the company’s best efforts, not everything will be ideal.
LUXURY KILIMANJARO TREK OPERATORS (WHERE THE COST TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO IS US$3000 AND ABOVE)
Things start to get really interesting once you reach this price. Due to their expertise in Kilimanjaro, the majority of operators in this price range will be able to get away with charging this amount. For instance, some people may have spent decades working on the mountain. Others will boast, and rightfully so, of carving out brand-new trails up the mountain. Others will brag about having knowledgeable, experienced, and WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certified leaders who have led countless hikes.
Most businesses will also be KPAP partners, demonstrating that they are respectful of their porters. (In fact, they should explain why they aren’t KPAP partners if they charge this much but aren’t.) Additionally, one or two businesses might provide extras like baths, inflatable furniture for the mess tents, real beds at each campsite, Wi-Fi hotspots, and phone chargers. These might seem gimmicky, and they definitely are. Yet, businesses in this price range ought to excel at the crucial tasks as well. Something might include preparing really wholesome and delicious food on the mountain, for instance. Or utilizing top-notch safety measures and tools. Or even employing very skilled, English-speaking guides. Of course, all of this gear is expensive, which is why their services are so expensive.
OTHER MOUNT KILIMANJARO EXPENSES: COSTS AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAIN
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
A significant portion of the travel budget is used for flights to and from Tanzania. Verify the airlines that fly out of the destination nation. The majority of flights have one or two stops. Here’s a not-so-secret tip: consider making reservations early and benefiting from continuing specials.
VISA
You need a visa to enter Tanzania, just like any other nation. Certain residents of nations without visa requirements could be able to get their visas right away. The majority of nations charge $50 for single-entry visas, whereas US passport holders pay $100. Arrival multiple-entry visas cost $100, while transit visas, good for 14 days, cost $30.
EQUIPMENT
A trip up a mountain like Kilimanjaro requires the right equipment. Good hiking boots, an extreme weather sleeping bag, a duffel bag, walking poles, layers of clothes, a headlamp, a daypack, and insulated water bottles are among the essential items you should pack. If you already own some or all of this gear, you just made a significant financial savings. If not, be sure to purchase dependable machinery. Brand, quality, and other elements like sales and promotions will all affect prices.
VACCINATION AND MEDICATIONS
If you are traveling to Tanzania from one of the nations where there is a danger of contracting the yellow fever virus, you are encouraged to obtain a yellow fever vaccination card, which normally costs around $100 (£72) for a shot. Apart from that, the CDC does not advise receiving a vaccine unless you will be staying for a long period of time or will be exposed to a lot of mosquitoes. Routine immunizations, including the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, the DPT (Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus) booster, and the hepatitis A vaccine, are also advised. Remember that Tanzania is a recognized malarial region as well. Even if climbing the mountain reduces your danger, it’s better to be careful than sorry. You can take measures by carrying malaria pills, applying insect repellents, dressing in clothing that covers your extremities, and being indoors after dusk.
SNACKS AND ACCOMMODATION
The tour company may or may not provide food and lodging outside the mountain (before and after the climb), especially if you intend to stay longer in Tanzania. The cost will vary depending on the kind of lodging you choose, where you stay (Moshi and Arusha provide quite affordable prices), how many days you spend, and the time of year you travel.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
You must set aside money for such activities as a wildlife safari game drives in Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti national Park and other experiences such as Maasai cultural tour if you choose to participate in them after or before your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing. Prices might range from $270 to over $1000 per person per day, depending on what you want to do or where you plan to go.
MISCELLANEOUS
Any journey will inevitably result in unplanned costs, especially additional ones. Public transportation is included under miscellaneous and runs about $1.60 per hour for local buses and minibuses (Daladala), with higher fees for luxury buses.
COSTS FOR CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN A NUTSHELL
A climb to Kilimanjaro normally costs between $1500 and above $3000 (£1077 and £2500) or more per person, depending on the route you take, level of comfort you want to have during the trek and the number of days you spend on the hike. This depends on the route you take to the summit as well as the number of individuals in a group.
In general, climbing is more expensive and becomes less expensive the more climbers there are. This estimate is based on the national average cost of all-inclusive travel packages provided by reputable Kilimanjaro tour operators such as Focus East Africa Tours. Each package often includes transportation to and from the airport, full board while on the journey, porter costs, professional guides, tents or huts, and a night’s lodging before or after the climb. The package also includes park admission fees, which, to put it mildly, are quite expensive at $800.
Breakdown of Kilimanjaro climbing expenses on average (per person per day):
- Park entrance fees, camping fees, and taxes equal $185 per day per person.
- Staff, transportation, etc. = $80 to $150
- Food = $15 to $20
- Other administrative costs and additional expenses, including special beverages or orders not included in the package
- Tips = your discrete
CAN A BEGINNER CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
Certainly, Kilimanjaro can be climbed by someone with a basic level of fitness. An experienced hiker will, however, probably have a greater success rate at the summit. Altitude sickness, often known as acute mountain sickness, is a medical condition that can affect anyone, including seasoned hikers. Any high-altitude hike is usually worth discussing with a medical expert before you go.
What kind of gear do I need to buy for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro?
You may need to spend between $600 and $800 on the following necessary items for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Please take note that this list is not comprehensive and simply includes the essentials needed to enable a successful summit. The majority of local businesses will probably provide things like camping gear. Here are some of the Mount Kilimanjaro packing list:
- Pack cover
- Sleeping bag comfortable to 15°F
- Waterproof hiking boots
- LED headlamp with extra batteries
- Trekking poles
- Heavy-duty duffel bag
CONCLUSION
In addition to the fee for your preferred tour operator, the above-mentioned park admission fee, and equipment, you will also need to pay for airfare, a visa, a doctor’s visit, any necessary shots, travel insurance, and tips for your crew. Meals are another expense; they may or may not be included in the package price depending on the tour operator you choose. The cost to climb Kilimanjaro varies according to the route you decide to take and how long you travel.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro for nothing, there are a number of excellent East African businesses, like Focus East Africa Tours, that are prepared to give you a secure ascent.
