KILIMANJARO GUIDE COST

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?

Kilimanjaro climbs typically can cost between $2,000 and $6,000, with prices ranging from low-cost budget operators to major Western tourist agencies overcharging for outsourced excursions. Any trip operator has a number of unavoidable fixed costs, so if a climb looks too affordable, you need to consider why.

Consider cheap prices, and ask yourself, where is the operator cutting costs, and how will that affect your safety on the mountain. The usual area to skimp on costs is the payment of staff, by not paying a proper wage and providing little to no equipment. This doesn’t help the climber in the long run and could even be a fatal mistake.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the experience of a lifetime that tops bucket lists of people from all over the world. So here you are: You are thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro and you wondering about the price tag of it all. Let’s break the ice and start off with the following: You can realize your dreams for about 5000 USD. Happy? Okay, let’s move on. 5000 USD equals 4400 EUR or about 4000 GBP. If you don’t think that is a lot of money, then you either make too much money or you know that climbing Kilimanjaro could be even a lot more expensive. Correct. If everyone would be paid a Western salary and there wouldn’t be as much competition, then Kilimanjaro is definitely the most affordable one. 

High park fees and logistical costs mean there is no such thing as a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. The best way to keep down costs is to form or join a group of four or more like-minded hikers, and to stick to the Marangu Route, which is more popular and busy than the other options, but also less logistically complicated.

How Much Does Kilimanjaro Guide Cost?

The total climbing Kilimanjaro guide cost is usually significantly more than the travel package numbers that you see on travel/adventure tour websites.

The first thing you will notice when researching operators is the huge variance in price.

Why is this? The tour operator has numerous expenses involved in taking a client up the mountain:

• Park fees per climber
• Equipment
• Safety equipment
• Guide’s salaries & equipment
• Porter’s salaries & equipment
• Food and drink
• Length of the climb

Cost of climbing Kilimanjaro

The effort of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is higher than for most other types of travel. The preparation takes time. The ascent is physically and psychologically challenging. And the cost of an ascent exceeds that of most other vacation. In particular, most people are unaware of the actual financial effort and the individual costs of such a trip. In fact, however, general statements can only be made about part of the costs. Another part depends heavily on individual needs and the traveler’s prior experience.

The Real Costs of Climbing Kilimanjaro in detail

Most tourists organize their ascent before departure. You can also spontaneously book on the spot, however, which is not recommended due to the oftentimes lacking preparation and availability. The hike must be accompanied by a TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) Guide. An ascent on your own is not possible. A typical ascent takes five to seven days and an all-inclusive package usually costs between 1,700 and 3,000 USD. The wide range results from the different durations and types of tours as well as the respective services provided by and characteristics of the organizer. In rare cases, you can find organizers who also offer an ascent for less money. Due to the oftentimes bad conditions and low payment of the accompanying team, however, this is not recommended.

In the following you will find an overview of the individual cost items and the 

approximate costs per person.

 

1) Tour operator: ca. 2,400 USD (range ca. 1,700 USD to 3,000 USD)

Prices also really depend on the number of days your climb takes or the route you choose. Later on, you will read that the conservation and the hut fees are calculated per day. Fast climbers can be done within 5 days, but it’s recommended to spend as much time on your climb as possible. This eliminates the chances of Altitude Sickness and makes success more likely. Prices for your Kilimanjaro ascent vary between 1500 USD / 1320 EUR / 1180 GBP and 2400 USD / 2100 EUR / 1900 GBP. This includes transfers from the airport to your accommodation, camping gear, park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, salary, meals and guides, and porters. 

2) Equipment: ca. 600 USD (range ca. 200 USD to 2,000 USD
 

Costs depending on your existing equipment as well as completeness and quality of the desired assortment.

3) Tips: ca. 200 USD (range ca. 100 USD to 300 USD)

An integral part of any Kilimanjaro climb is the tipping ceremony. Porters get a salary, but because it is very common to tip staff after a climb. This will make a positive lasting difference in the households on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Some estimates: 6-day climb: Expect to tip anything between EUR 125 – 170 or USD 140 – 190 7-day climb: Expect to tip anything between EUR 170 – 200 or USD 190 – 225 8-day climb: Expect to tip anything between EUR 190 – 230 or USD 220 – 265 9-day climb: Expect to tip anything between EUR 215 – 260 or USD 245-295 

4) Preparation/Precaution: ca. 150 USD (range ca. 50 USD to 200 USD)

Tanzanian visa

Most trekkers need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can either organise a visa with your local Tanzanian embassy or purchase a visa on arrival in Kilimanjaro. We suggest getting a visa before you depart as it means you can avoid the queues at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Budget $50 (£30). For some reason, US citizens have to pay $100.
 

Vaccinations and medications

Tanzania is a malaria area as well. The risk of contracting malaria is relatively low on the mountain as mosquitoes are not found at high altitude (over 1,800 meters). You will be spending most of your trip above this altitude but will be at risk before and after your hike.

Taking malaria tablets is really up to you. There is a cost associated with the medication that can be quite high. Either way, we recommend taking all common-sense precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes - i.e. wear Deet repellent, wear light clothes that cover your arms and legs, stay indoors before dawn and after dusk.

If you plan to go on safari after your trek then we recommend taking malaria tablets.

Some trekkers may also need a Yellow Fever vaccination card when entering Tanzania (you only need this if you're travelling from a county that has high yellow fever transmission citizens of UK, US, Europe, Canada, Australia and many others don't need a YF vaccination). Costs for Yellow Fever vaccinations vary but can be as much as $100.

In addition to Yellow Fever, you may want to get a HEP-A vaccination and a Polio Tetanus-Diphtheria booster.
 

5) Flight/Transport: ca. 900 USD (range ca. 600 USD to 1,300 USD)

Travel to/from the airport and return flight to Tanzania (Economy-Class)

The cost of getting to Kilimanjaro

Depending on where you are flying from you might have a journey that involves two connections. Most climbers from America, Canada, UK and Europe fly to Amsterdam first and then catch a connecting flight on KLM direct to Kilimanjaro.

For those flying from within Africa or from Australia, it is easier to fly to Nairobi or Addis Ababa and then catch a connecting flight (typically Precision Air - not sure how Precise they are, Ha!) to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Those coming from Asia or the Middle East may want to look at Turkish Airlines that fly direct to Kilimanjaro with KLM from Istanbul.

The Short Answer on Costs

The total Kilimanjaro Guide cost of the trip is thus approximately 4,350 USD on average per person (range ca. 2,800 USD to 6,900 USD).

Note:  Kilimanjaro National Park Fees alone account for 50-70% of the trek cost.

The cost of a tour varies depending on what type of operator you choose, whether you join an open group or go privately, which route you take and the number of days on the mountain..

Accommodation in Moshi or Arusha

For a hotel in Moshi or Arusha, you can expect to pay between 40 USD and 60 USD for a double room. For a little bit less than that you can enjoy a single room. This is based on a standard 3-star hotel that covers all the basics and comes with lockers, aircon, mosquito nets and security. Because the entire area sees a lot of tourists, you can expect a decent level of comfort. Of course, there are more affordable and more expensive options available. Both Moshi and Arusha have a few backpackers options as well as high-end luxury hotels. 
 

The costs shown are based on the actual costs of hiking Kilimanjaro, all-inclusive. The costs for safaris, beach vacation, travel insurance and other costs as well as personal expenses for souvenirs need to be added depending on the individual travel program.

Too many stories abound of operators who take money, then suddenly at the last minute, there are a lot of “extras” to pay.

Disreputable operators have been known to charge clients for an 8-day trip only for them to find out it’s 7 days, and the extra money somehow disappears.

Choosing an operator is not as simple as who is the “best”. It is who is the best for you.

Everyone has different standards and expectations. However, keep in mind that getting to the summit is the goal, but getting down alive is non-negotiable.

Look for an agent whose ethos matches your own. Whom you feel comfortable with.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not cheap. Expecting luxury on a budget-price is not going to happen. Do your research and ask lots of questions!

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