What it costs to climb Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro with me costs $1,500 to $2,300 per person, depending on the route and the number of days. The price includes park fees, all meals on the mountain, crew wages and transport between your hotel and the gate. Tips, travel insurance, gear, hotel nights before and after the climb and airport transfers are extra. Prices can change for larger groups, so message me for a final price.
Key facts
- Price per person
- $1,500 to $2,300, depending on route and days
- Included
- Park fees, all meals, crew wages, transport to and from the gate
- Not included
- Tips, travel insurance, gear, hotel nights outside the climb, transport other than to and from the gates
- Group size
- Prices can change for larger groups: message Joseph for a final price
- Tips, per day for the whole group
- Guide $25, assistant guide $20, cook $15–18, each porter $8–10
- Park fees per person
- [NEEDS JOSEPH: current KINAPA fees and the date you checked them]
What does the price include?
Every route price includes:
- Park fees (and hut fees on the Marangu route)
- All meals on the mountain
- Crew wages
- Tents, a sleeping mattress and a dining tent with table and chairs (huts on the Marangu route)
- Transport from your hotel to the gate and back
Not included: tips, travel insurance, gear (you can rent it from me), hotel nights before and after the climb, and transport other than to and from the gates, such as airport transfers.
Prices are per person. They can change for larger groups, so message me for a final price.
How much are the park fees?
[NEEDS JOSEPH: the current Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) fees per person per day: conservation fee, camping or hut fee, rescue fee, crew entry fee and VAT, with the date you checked them and a link to where they are published. Don’t estimate these: they change.]
Where does my money go?
[NEEDS JOSEPH: a rough breakdown of a typical price, e.g. for the 7-day Machame: how much goes to park fees, crew wages, food, transport and equipment. This transparency is what makes the page worth citing.]
Why do prices differ between routes?
[NEEDS JOSEPH: why longer routes and remote gates cost more, e.g. extra park days, crew days and the drive to the gate.]
How much should I budget for tips?
These are the amounts I recommend for each crew member, per day. They are for the whole group, not for each climber, so split the total between everyone in your group.
[NEEDS JOSEPH: a worked example for one typical group, e.g. 2 climbers on the 7-day Machame with your usual crew size, so climbers can see a real total.]
The full guide to amounts, cash and the tipping ceremony is in Tipping your crew.
What else should I budget for?
Your flights, visa and travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 m. I can also arrange airport transfers, hotel nights and an extra rest day in Moshi. Their prices vary, so message me before your trip and I’ll confirm them:
Airport transfers and hotels
Optional, on top of the climb. Prices vary, so message me before your trip and I'll confirm them.
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport pick-up, JRO to Moshi | On request |
| Airport drop-off, Moshi to JRO | On request |
| Hotel, night before the climb | On request |
| Hotel, night after the climb | On request |
| Extra rest day in Moshi | On request |
You can rent the clothing and equipment on the gear list from me as well. See the packing list.
Why are some climbs much cheaper?
[NEEDS JOSEPH: your honest view on very cheap offers: what gets cut (crew wages, food, safety equipment, crew size) and what climbers should ask before booking.]
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
With me, $1,500 to $2,300 per person, depending on the route and the number of days. Park fees, meals, crew wages and transport to and from the gate are included.
Are park fees included in the price?
Yes. Park fees are included in every route price, and on the Marangu route the hut fees are included too.
Are tips included?
No. Tips for the crew are paid separately, in cash, after the climb.
Does the price per person change with the size of the group?
It can change for larger groups. Message me with the size of your group, and I'll confirm the final price.
Want to talk it through? Message me on WhatsApp.
Message Joseph on WhatsApp