Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost

The cost of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro typically ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 per person, depending on various factors. These prices vary based on the type of climbing package you choose:

- Classic Climbing Packages
- Luxury Climbing Packages

It’s important to note that the final cost depends on the customer’s requirements, including the number of people in the group, the services and facilities requested, the number of days on the mountain, and the route chosen for the climb.

In this post, we’ll break down all the financial aspects of a Mount Kilimanjaro expedition to help you understand what influences the pricing. Without further delay, let’s dive into the cost factors that shape your unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure.

What Makes Up For The Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost
The Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost is based on certain factors. We've explained them each in detail below:

Group Size – When there are more people in a group, the cost per person is lower. Kilimanjaro Climbing expeditions with only one or two climbers are more expensive because the cost is divided among fewer people.

Days Spent on the Mountain – Each additional day spent on the mountain brings additional park fees, staff wages, and food costs. Thus, longer routes tend to be more expensive than shorter ones.

Level of Service – The level of service of Kilimanjaro Climbing operators is categorized into three price ranges, i.e. budget, mid-range, and luxury. This is the primary cost driver of climbing expeditions up the mountain.

Expenses To Consider Before The Kilimanjaro Climb
Before we get to the costs that you’ll incur during your climbing tour, let’s first see some expenses that you need to take into account before your Kilimanjaro Climb:

Getting to Kilimanjaro – Flights (From $800 onwards)

The following are three international airports that you can use to fly to Tanzania:

- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) - DAR ES SALAAM

- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) ZANZIBAR

Tanzania Visa (From $50 onwards)

A single-entry Tanzania visa valid for 90 days costs $50.

The visa allows you to travel between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The cost is a little different for US travellers, i.e. $100.

The price is the result of a special travel agreement between the countries. The tourist visa is valid for one year and allows for multiple 90-day entries.

Medical Checkups and Vaccinations (From $100 onwards)
If you are travelling from a country that has a risk of Yellow Fever transmission, then you’ll need a vaccination certificate. The cost starts from $100 onwards.

The risk of contracting malaria is relatively low on the mountain as mosquitoes are not found at higher altitudes (over 1,800 metres).

So, the risk will only be before and after your hike. For this, we suggest bringing some anti-malarial tablets.

Moreover, having a medical checkup before your Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing adventure comes highly recommended by us.

Gear Cost ($500 - $600)
If you already have most essentials like quality hiking boots and a sleeping bag, then the cost will go down significantly. But, you should still budget around $300 for gear like layered clothing, walking poles, a duffel bag, a daypack, insulated water bottles, etc.

Travel Insurance Cost (From $50 onwards)
Travel Insurance is mandatory for hiking up to an elevation of 6,000 metres. It’ll cover you for high-altitude trekking, any accidents, thefts, lost/damaged luggage, delayed/interrupted travel, and off-mountain illnesses. The cost ranges from $50 to $100. 

Kilimanjaro National Park Fees ($70 per person)
Mount Kilimanjaro is located inside the premises of Kilimanjaro National Park. So, naturally, you’ll have to pay the entrance fees before the start of your climb.

The Conservation Fee of the Park is $70 per person, per day. The fee includes of upkeep of certain aspects like:
- Maintaining the Trails
- Keeping the park clean
- And, wages of the park rangers
- Camping and Hut Fees

The fee ranges from $50 to $60 per person, per night. It’s charged for using the campsites and huts on the mountain.

Remember that huts are only available on the Marangu Route. All other routes have designated public campsites.

The hut fee for a 5-Day Marangu Route Climb is $240 ($60 for 4 nights). And, on an 8-Day Lemosho Route Climb, the camping fee is $350 ($50 for 7 nights).Rescue Fees ($20 per person)Rescue Fees are charged in case the park authority needs to coordinate a rescue. The fee is mandatory whether there’s a need for rescue or not.

Guide and Porter Entrance Fees ($2 per staff, per trip)All of the staff and porters that will be alongside you during the climb will also have to pay the park fee to enter.

Food, Water and Transportation Costs
Food and Water Costs on the mountain are around $10 to $20 (per climber, per day). This includes food for staff as well.
Transportation costs are around $100 per trip. This is completely depends on what route you choose.

Taxes and VAT (18% of the services)The Government of Tanzania charges an 18% VAT to the climbing operators of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mountain Crew Wages (Around $80 to $150 per climber, per day)The following are the estimated wages of each member of the Kilimanjaro mountain crew: