Kilimanjaro Group Tours Vs. Private Tours : Which One Is Best For You? One of Tanzania’s top tourist destinations, Kilimanjaro draws visitors from all over the world each year, especially those who want to go hiking. Depending on your interests and budget, you can climb the mountain either as a private climbing tour or as a small joining group tour.
Both have benefits and drawbacks, and the kind of tour you opt for will largely depend on your preferences, budget, and group size. We will examine the advantages and disadvantages of both choices in this blog. In order to help you choose the tour that is right for you, we will also look at some of the additional factors you should keep in mind when choosing one.
WHAT IS A KILIMANJARO GROUP TOUR?
Any person is welcome to join a Kilimanjaro open-group tour. This indicates that you will travel with other climbers who have made the same reservation as you and that there is no requirement that everyone in the group be acquainted.
When compared to private tours, group tours are frequently less expensive and have a set schedule. Before a booking can be confirmed, some operators require a minimum of two participants to join the tour. There is a maximum number of participants for each climb, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance.
Advantages of a Kilimanjaro group tour
Because tour operators can divide some fixed costs per climber among the number of participants, Kilimanjaro group tours can significantly lower the cost per climber. It is also simpler to meet people and develop strong bonds and friendships with other climbers when you sign up for a group tour. In fact, some climbers cite their relationships with other members of the tour as one of the most satisfying parts of their Kilimanjaro journey. Other members of the group might also provide crucial inspiration and support for one another during the final summit push.
Disadvantages of a Kilimanjaro group tour
Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to taking an open-group tour. Joining a Kilimanjaro group tour has some drawbacks, one of which is that you might have to adjust your walking pace to match that of the group. You might need to slow down if you’re a faster climber and walk at the pace of the slowest person. On the other hand, the person who is walking slowly might feel pressured to do so. Different approaches will be taken by tour operators. Some guides keep the group together at all times, while others let faster climbers and slower hikers alternately go ahead and follow another guide.
Another drawback of pre-planned group tours is that they follow a set schedule, which might not always be convenient for you.
Is It Possible To Customize A Kilimanjaro Group Tour?
Sometimes people inquire as to whether a Kilimanjaro open group tour can be altered to make it more convenient. Unfortunately, it is not possible to downgrade the package to customize your Kilimanjaro group climb and make it less expensive when you sign up for an open group trek to climb the mountain. For instance, you might not need the dining tent or emergency oxygen that are part of the climb package. However, the price paid by other climbers already includes the cost of these items.
If they were expected to pay more, it wouldn’t be fair to them, and it might cause conflict in your climbing group. Naturally, your guide would use the emergency oxygen purchased by other climbers for your safety in an emergency. You might irritate other climbers by taking a free ride at their expense. However, it is always possible to downgrade and completely customize a private group climb, to the extent permitted by Kilimanjaro National Park regulations.
If you are a group of at least five climbers making a joint reservation, this could help you save a lot of money. Please be aware that joining a higher-quality group climb is almost always less expensive than planning your own lower-quality budget climb if you are traveling alone or with a partner.
What else do you need to know when considering a Kilimanjaro group tour?
The size of your group should also be taken into account when booking a Kilimanjaro open-group tour. A group tour to Mount Kilimanjaro can accommodate a maximum of eight to twelve people. This does not imply that tours will always be fully booked. While some tours may have fewer participants but still provide excellent service, those that are well-publicized and in high demand frequently fill up.
There are also open group tours that only have three participants and larger tour groups that have more than 15 participants, though these are less typical.
Is a Kilimanjaro group tour right for you?
Tours with a group have both benefits and drawbacks. We definitely suggest this choice if you can find a Kilimanjaro group tour that departs on a day that works for you. This is due to the fact that signing up for a group tour to climb Kilimanjaro lowers costs. You can also meet others who share your interests through it. It is important to emphasize this aspect of a group tour. Climbing has fostered many enduring friendships. The experience of climbing Kilimanjaro is one that is both unique and difficult. The relationships you form with people who climb with you can be profound and transformative.
WHAT ARE KILIMANJARO PRIVATE TOURS?
An alternative to Kilimanjaro group tours are private tours. A climber’s trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro privately is planned just for them and any companions. Only those who know one another or who want to hike together are allowed on these tours. Nobody else can join you on a private tour unless both of you have made reservations. Depending on the size of your private group, these tours may be more expensive than group tours, especially for single travelers.
Advantages of a Kilimanjaro private tour
Taking a private tour to climb Kilimanjaro has many benefits. The main benefit is that you can create your own schedule, which gives you complete freedom to go wherever you want. When you go on a private tour to climb Kilimanjaro, you have more freedom to change the itinerary if there is anything you don’t like about it or if you need to for any other reason. Each component of the tour will be customized to meet your specific needs. You can also climb Kilimanjaro at your own pace and take the tour whenever it’s convenient for you.
Disadvantages of a private tour
The main drawback of a private tour is that it ends up being more expensive for solo climbers or couples to climb Kilimanjaro. It is a particularly expensive choice for single people because they will have to pay a single-person supplement.
You won’t likely experience the same level of group comradery on a private tour as you would on a group tour. If you’re by yourself, it might feel quite lonely. There is still a chance to socialize with other hikers since you will encounter them at campsites and along the route.
How many people are on a private tour?
On a private Kilimanjaro tour, the number of climbers really depends on your needs and preferences. As a result, if you are traveling alone, your private tour will only include one person; however, you should be aware that there is a single-person surcharge. The number of people on a private tour will depend on how many people are in your group if you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro in a group.
Is a private Kilimanjaro tour right for you?
The decision to plan a private Kilimanjaro tour depends on your priorities, financial situation, and needs. A private tour might be your best choice if having complete control over your schedule is important to you.
A private tour may also be advantageous if you prefer to move at your own pace and are worried about having to slow down to keep up with other people. Instead, you might prefer to sign up for a group tour if being able to save money or interact with other climbers is important to you. Booking a private tour will ultimately depend on your preferences.
CONCLUSION
If you already have a group of friends or family who will go, you can choose between a private tour and a Kilimanjaro group tour. Those who have trouble persuading others to go tend to join group tours, whereas hike-in groups of friends or family tend to plan their own private tour.
It is always a good idea to climb with like-minded people who have similar plans and preferences to you once you have found people you want to climb with. This is because you will be spending at least six days on the mountain together, depending on the route you take.
Private tours may also leave you without the opportunity to develop close relationships with climbers outside of your private tour group. Of course, you’ll encounter other climbers along the way, but some people discover that an open group tour makes it simpler to make friends.
Private tours can be a little more expensive, but the cost will also depend on the size of your group and the customizations you want. A private tour will be less expensive the more people you bring along, and you’ll gain the advantage of having total control over your itinerary.
Others favor the camaraderie and atmosphere that open group tours provide. People frequently talk about the sense of camaraderie that is fostered by the distinctive experiences that you share with other climbers at the Kilimanjaro campsites. It is important to keep in mind that group tours are less flexible than private tours, even though this might end up being a blessing in disguise if you are otherwise overwhelmed by what seem to be infinite options.
The most crucial decision, regardless of the kind of tour you select, is picking the right tour operator.
