What does the Kilimanjaro climbing price include?
When you book your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, for whichever route you choose, the cost will include the following
- Professional and experienced guides
- fresh, healthy, and balanced nutritious food
- high guide to client ratio of 1:2
- clean, purified drinking water (bottled)
- hard-working, team-oriented support porters
- fair wages to our employees
- quality, waterproof, four-season mountain hardware tents, and equipment
- All Park fees
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Comprehensive Safety and crisis management procedures
- Emergency oxygen and medical kits ( upon request)
What does the Kilimanjaro Climbing price exclude?
The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro does not necessarily include your accommodation before and after the climb. Accommodation before you climb or after your climb is usually the hotel you sleep in a day before you climb or after you come from the mountain. Normally your accommodation will either be in Moshi or Arusha.
The Kilimanjaro prices will not cater for the equipment you need to buy or rent, the vaccinations, the international flights, and other things like: –
The true cost of a Kilimanjaro climb
Ok now let us dive in and see what your money will cater for when you book a Kilimanjaro climb. Where does your hard-earned cash go and why?
A huge chunk of the money goes to the government-charged fees to pay for Kilimanjaro national park fees. The price for the fees to enter Kilimanjaro park are constant and compulsory, about $800 for camping on the mountain for about 5 nights.
For each climb, part of the cost goes to paying the Kilimanjaro climbing team like the hard-working porters, the mountain guides, and the person responsible for preparing your meals, the chef/cook.
Food and supplies like fresh fruits and vegetables also account for your Kilimanjaro budget, the costs cover all the meals from breakfast, lunch, and dinner or supper. Our cooks are well trained in preparing that balanced diet and sumptuous meals. The meals will be fresh and taste great. Sometimes you will have no appetite due to altitude sickness but your body needs a great supply of energy-providing foods.
If you begin feeling symptoms of nausea or loss of appetite, our experienced guides will assist you in the best ways to acclimatize and take your medication.
Other drinks like coffee, tea, and safe, clean drinking water are also part of the Kilimanjaro climbing cost.
Quality equipment that is responsible for your survival on the mountain by keeping you warm in the harsh mountain weather also gets a fair share of your climbing costs. Apart from the tents, tables chairs, sleeping mats, there is the kitchen tent and the mess tent in consideration. The porters will carry them for you, that is why they are so important for your trip and you will rely on this mountain equipment to make your adventure enjoyable and easier to make it to the top.
Environmentally friendly climbs on Kilimanjaro also costs money, that is where the porters and guides come in, they will be responsible for carrying all the rubbish, our main aim is to keep the mountain clean and green.
The larger the climbing group, the lower the price per person because you will be sharing resources and costs.
Since we are a locally owned and operated company for Kilimanjaro climbs and adventures, it means our prices are more competitive and affordable than choosing an agent from overseas. Agents act as middlemen and have slightly or more expensive prices.
Kilimanjaro Park Fees
Every climber of Mount Kilimanjaro is required to pay park fees, which include crew, conservation, and camping expenses. Additionally, extra forest taxes are applicable on the Lemosho and Rongai routes. It is yet another important component of the price to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Depending on the route taken and the number of days, the total park fees will range from US$800 to $1100. (all calculations and prices henceforth are given in USD).
It is IMPOSSIBLE to climb Mount Kilimanjaro without paying the required park fees by avoiding ranger posts. It is just not feasible to get to Uhuru Peak without running into any park officials. Every year, dozens of people who do this are captured.
Estimated park fees, Machame Route, per climber in a group of two
| Fee payable |
Climber/day |
Climber/trip (7 days) |
| Conservation fee |
70 |
490 |
| Camping fee |
50 |
350 |
| Rescue fee (paid per trip) |
20 |
20 |
| Crew fee (13 people) |
13 |
91 |
| VAT 18% |
– |
171 |
| Overall park fees |
120 |
1122 |
Additionally, it is risky. You will lose the chance to get prompt assistance from the rangers if you deviate from established approved routes where climbing permits are checked at each ranger post.
Finally, it is forbidden. Tanzania views trespassing on national parks as a serious offense. The best-case scenario means getting deported and paying huge fines, leaving you without the chance to ever experience Tanzania’s beauties again. You may be jailed if you commit this offense.
Kilimanjaro Guides, Porters, and Cook Wages
The next significant expense factor for climbing Kilimanjaro is crew wages. All credible Tanzanian trekking outfitters have wage systems for their climbing crews, even though the rates paid (and charged to the client) may differ. The average daily wage for a guide is between USD 20 and USD 40, for a cook, it is between USD 10 and USD 15, and for a porter, it is between USD 7 and USD 10. Therefore, the ultimate sum will depend on the number of crew members required to serve the total climbers and provide the level of comfort anticipated during the climb. Tips that are based on the client’s trekking experience are also appreciated.
The high unemployment rate, on the other hand, enables many budget operators to fill their crews with people prepared to work without a guarantee of compensation, allowing them to maintain low rates. The only source of income for the crew will be the client’s tips at the end of the expedition. These teams frequently have a large proportion of inexperienced and unqualified employees.
Food cost and transport
The majority of climbs offered by reputable outfitters are packages that include logistics and supplies, including transfers and resupplies, at least three meals and water, as well as numerous other minor but crucial items. These logistics and supplies add to the overall cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Costs that are somewhat typical for the sector in Tanzania are: $55 per climber
Mountain Gear and Equipment
On the mountain, the gear and equipment go through harsh weather and conditions causing wear and tear sometimes. Make sure your operator maintains all equipment to a high standard and replaces it on a regular basis. When selecting a climb, make sure you’re obtaining the following:
- Tents that are sturdy, well-maintained, and appropriate for mountainous terrain.
- table and seats in a proper dining tent
- Toilet and a portable toilet (if applicable)
- backup equipment in case of damage
You’ll also want to make sure that your group has the right sleeping arrangements and hiking equipment. You can also rent gear and equipment from Moshi or Arusha if needed.
The difference in costs in the Kilimanjaro routes
The route you will be choosing to take you up Mount Kilimanjaro will determine the cost of the overall trip. Many routes differ by popularity, traffic on the route, length or duration of days on the route, scenery, and difficulty. More scenic and longer routes are more expensive, they also happen to have fewer people plying their trails.
How much is it to stay in Moshi?
Moshi, the closest town to Mount Kilimanjaro offers a wide range of accommodation options, from cheap, shoe-string budget guest rooms to midrange to high-end and luxury lodge accommodations. Dormitory beds could go for as cheap as $5 per night per person in hostels like the Kilimanjaro Backpackers hostel while luxury options would range between $100-$500 for hotels like the Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel and other luxurious options.
Travel Insurance Cost
In the event of a mountain emergency, you will require sufficient travel insurance to cover you for all possibilities, including cancellation, lost luggage, and, most crucially, medical evacuation and treatment.
From Moshi, the Kilimanjaro Helicopter Rescue Service provides emergency evacuation in the event of a mountaintop injury, altitude sickness, or severe ailment. You must have emergency evacuation and trekking up to 6,000 meters covered by your travel insurance.
Airline Tickets and VISA fees
Getting to Kilimanjaro will cost you more money. We advise you to reserve your flight tickets well in advance and to confirm your visa needs to avoid any last-minute surprises. Most foreign travelers require a visa, which must be obtained in advance or paid for at the airport (if possible).
