CLIMBING KILIMANJARO COST ….
Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost – Financial Stuff you should Be aware of – Estimates on climbing to the roof of Africa – Uhuru peak 5,895 Meters High above sea Level.
The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro is non-trivial. Many people commit to climbing Kilimanjaro before thinking through the full financial implications.
In this post we discuss the cost considerations for climbing Kilimanjaro that most people often forget to account for.
Special Note:
Treat all costings here in mentioned as aguide – feel free to email us for an Up-to-date Kilimanjaro Price
CLIMBING KILIMANJARO COST CONSIDERATIONS
The total climbing Kilimanjaro cost is usually significantly more than the travel package numbers that you see on travel / adventure tour websites. There are a number of costs that are not accounted for in the total travel package cost. In our experience there are 7 key costs that you should budget for, as follows.
GETTING TO KILIMANJARO – FLIGHTS
The cost of getting to Kilimanjaro is usually accounts for a significant portion of your total Kilimanjaro adventure.
Depending on where you are flying from you might have a journey that involves two connections. Most climbers fly into Nairobi or Addis Ababa and then catch a connection flight (usually Precision Air)to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
If you live in and around Holland you can catch a connecting flight from Amsterdam that flies direct to Kilimanjaro.
Budget at least $1,000 (£650) for flights Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost, Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost, Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost
CLIMBING TRAVEL PACKAGES
Most trekkers book their climbing adventure through established tour operators who typically offer all-inclusive packages which includes airport transfers, a night in a hotel before and after the trek and all expenses on the mountain (food, porters, guide, tents etc.).
The cost for these tours varies depending on which route you take and the number of days you choose.
There are seven routes on Kilimanjaro. Northern Circuit is the more expensive route as it is the longest on Mount Kilimanjaro. Trek lengths range from 5 days (cheapest) to 10 days (most expensive).
Five-day treks are too short for the average hiker in terms of acclimatisation (less than 50% of trekkers reach the summit on the 5-day treks). If you are looking to go budget we suggest choosing a six or seven day trek which usually gives you an acclimatisation day, and increases your probability of summit success a lot. If you want to splash out a little go for an 8-day trek, which will give you the highest probability of reaching the summit..
Budget at least $2,200 (£1,400) for all inclusive travel packages Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost
TANZANIAN VISA
Most trekkers need a Tanzanian visa. 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) Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost, Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost, Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost
VACCINATIONS AND MEDICATIONS
Most trekkers also need a Yellow Fever vaccination card when entering Tanzania. Costs for Yellow Fever vaccinations vary but can be as much as $100. Remember Yellow Fever Vaccine is now MANDATORY for all persons traveling to Tanzania – you will be asked for a card as proof. Read more about Yellow Fever
In addition to Yellow Fever you may want to get a HEP-A vaccination and a Polio Tetanus Diphtheria booster.
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.
Budget $150 (£80)
EQUIPMENT AND KIT
It is important that you purchase the right equipment for trekking Kilimanjaro. This includes layered clothing, an extreme weather sleeping bag, walking poles, good quality hiking boots, a headlamp, duffle bag, daypack and insulated water bottles.
The costs can vary depending on the quality of equipment you buy.
Budget at least $800 (£550)
TIPPING GUIDES AND PORTERS
Tipping your support team is standard on Kili. Your guides and porters work extremely hard for very little money. The tips that they receive after the climb go a long way to support their families who they don’t see for weeks on end. If you can afford it we suggest paying more than the standard rate of approx. $300 per climber for your support team.
Here is a detailed article on tipping guides and porters on Kilimanjaro.
Budget $300 (£180)
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES
Inevitably you will end up spending money during your hotel stay before and after your climb. Set aside some cash for those miscellaneous expenses
Budget $200 (£125) Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost, Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost Climbing Kilimanjaro Cost
TOTAL CLIMBING KILIMANJARO COST = $4,700 (£3,000)
We hope this article has provided more clarity on the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below and we will respond on this page asap or write us an email
See here for a comprehensive Kilimanjaro gear packing list.
Recommended Gear for your Kilimanjaro Adventure
The type of Kilimanjaro duffle bag you choose is important as it will be carrying all of your gear, including your sleeping bag. In my humble opinion the best Kilimanjaro duffle bag on the market is The North Face Base Camp Duffle. It is light, provides loads of room, is super durable (made from laminate material), excellent quality and is great value for money.
