How much does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Africa’s highest peak is one of the most popular places to visit in all of East Africa and it’s not hard to see why. It is truly an adventure of a lifetime. For many this is a longtime bucket list item, but how much should you actually pay to fulfil your dream? How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?

Today we will talk a bit more about the costs of climbing Kilimanjaro and the things to take into consideration.

Before I begin, it’s important to understand that choosing your tour operator should not be based on price alone. Ideally you should be searching for a fair and reputable operator that gives you high quality service at a reasonable rate. We will break down the costs so you can make the decision for yourself about what the best deals are and how you can differentiate between a good and bad tour.

Before you start chasing for the cheapest deal to climb Kilimanjaro, I will explain to you why your Topi adventure Tours and safari deal will give you the ideal. The tours we offer are by no means the most expensive, but we are proud to offer great value and service at a reasonable price.

Kilimanjaro Tour Operators

There are over 300 licensed tour operators offering Kilimanjaro treks.

If you walk through Moshi town, almost every second person will claim that they can take you up the Kilimajaro or Safari.

The truth is: The number of reliable operators going to Kilimanjaro is limited.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR CLIMBING KILIMANJARO?

Every tour to the rooftop of Africa or safari is built around these basic expenses for the tour operator:

  • Park fees
  • Camping fees
  • Rescue fees
  • Staff wages
  • Transportation and logistical costs
  • Taxes.
  • What should the price be to climb Kilimanjaro?

Let’s take an example, 7 days/6 nights Machame:

  • Kilimanjaro Entry Fees  $ 70 per person Per Day
  • Camping Fees                 $ 50 Per person per Night
  • Rescue Fees                    $ 20 Per person Per Trip
  • Crew Fees                         $ 2   per Crew Per Trip

The Total Cost     $ 812     VAT exclusive

If you Add 18% of VAT the cost for climbing Kilimanjaro for 7 days will be $ 958.16

 Out of the Park Fess we still have another Expenses Like

  • Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International airport.
  • Pre& Post Trek accommodation at Park View hotel or the same.
  • 4 season Big tents for sleeping.
  • Sleeping mats
  • Transport to and from the mountain gate.
  • 3 Meals a day while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Oxygen cylinder during trekking
  • Fair wages for the mountain crews as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park authority, KINAPA and Kilimanjaro association of Tour operator KIATO
  • Hot water for washing.
  • Office stuff salary
  • Office Commission
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Other Government Tax

Should you climb Kilimanjaro the cheap way?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a cheap dream to have, but you can’t put a price on fulfilling a dream.

If you want the best experience and many memorable moments, it’s very likely that you are going to have to pay a little bit more for this. Cheap doesn’t always mean good and paying extra for a knowledgeable guide and a reputable company is one way to make sure that you have the experience of a lifetime.

You may only get one chance to climb Kilimanjaro so it’s wise to find the right way to invest your money in your climb.

Book with a company that you can trust. A company that looks after you and its staff.

At Topi Adventure Tours and Safari we ensure this by ensuring that our chefs, porters and guides are experienced and trained to deal with any situation. We also ensure that we treat them as we do our guests.

Guides

There are countless mountain guides, who claim to be able to take you to the top of Kilimanjaro or organizing safari around the country.

At the end of the day the good mountain guides/ safari, don’t work for questionable companies. They don’t wait for a call for a Kilimanjaro trek next month. They are on the mountain all year round and they climb with the company that gives them the most benefits.

The main difference between the low budget and top guides is experience on the mountain, medical training and the ability to speak good English.

Experience

Rarely I meet travelers, who tell me about their Kilimanjaro trek without mentioning the following phrases “greatest trek”, “hardest thing I have ever done”, “bucket list” , “once in a lifetime” in their story.

It is in any sense an intense experience. It’s out of the ordinary for you, so search for an expert. An incomplete packing list, an incomplete gate registration or camp booking is all it takes for your trip to be cancelled. Therefore: book your tour with a company that has experience and who knows what they are doing!

Equipment

There is a saying, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothing”, and I couldn’t put any better.

The wrong gear or even broken gear can ruin your trip. The lower the budget for your trip, the more likely your company can’t afford to fix the holes in the tent.

It’s also good to make sure that the company checks all your https://topiadventure.comkilimanjaro-packing-list/  before the trek, the best companies will advise you of this and ensure that any problems are rectified before the trip even begins.