Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. If you are looking to climb Kilimanjaro anytime soon, there are a few things you need to remember beforehand, especially the cost of it. You are most likely to spend differently than the locals if you are not already one. The cost will probably be around USD 2000 to 6000. If you are paying anywhere less than this, you should ask where you are going wrong because a good tour and trustworthy guidance will cost you more than you might think. In this article, we have listed everything that you need to know before you climb Kilimanjaro, from how much it costs to all the other things that you need to keep in mind.
Stay tuned with us till the end of this article to know more!
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
The trip to Kilimanjaro will cost an individual around $2000 to $6000. However, the cost may exceed how many facilities you will be seeking. There are hi-fi travel agencies who are going to provide their tourists or clients with just as many facilities, which will hike the cost higher. But, if you are going to be tight on your budget, we suggest you be as careful as little money is not going to save you in the long run when you are climbing Kilimanjaro.
Be wise while you spend, but don’t be too stingy!
Cost for guides and Portals to Climb Kilimanjaro
How much does it cost you to pay for the guides and portals to climb Kilimanjaro? This question is simple. You will meet the guides and portals around the area unless they are outsourced by your travel agency which is least likely unless you pay a high fee.
The guides and portals are mistreated by many travelers, which has been the biggest complaint for locals working as one. Likewise, the death rates of these underpaid portals are just as high in comparison to the ones they are guiding and carrying luggages for. These portals are not given the artificial oxygen or the equipment required to climb Kilimanjaro, which is also why they don’t return from the mountain.
Hence, if you are taking along a portal or guide from around the base camp, make sure you are paying them decently. The local portals don’t have a fixed amount of fees that they charge you. But think about the hardships they will be going through for your summit, and pay them well with this in mind.
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
There are different categories for national park fees when you are in Kilimanjaro. The conservation fees for a 7-day Machame climb would be $490. This is just an example of how you will be paying. The conservation will have you pay for each day you spend in it, and you will be paying approximately $70 for a single day.
Similarly, when you spend the night on the campsite on the Machame route, Lemosho route, Rongai route, or Northern circuit (or huts on the Marangu route), you must pay $50 to $60 per head. Hence, if you are to spend six nights at the campsite, you should pay around $300.
If you are stranded in Kilimanjaro, a rescue team will be sent to fetch you. This is likely to cost you $20. You will, however, not be relying on the national park rescue team. Instead, your travel agency will be responsible for lending you this service as well. You should pay $2 for porters and guides entrance inside the park.
Lastly, you should also remember the tax you will be paying. The Tanzanian government has a policy of having to pay 18% VAT for the services that you are going for in Kilimanjaro national park. The cost to an operator, however, is $160-200 only.
Kilimanjaro staff wages
The staff force in Kilimanjaro is often desperate porters who do not demand a salary but are willing to work for a small tip in return. As a responsible operator, one should keep in mind to have the travelers pay $80-$150 per climber on a single day to know, depending on how many people are there in a single group.
These wages must also include the safety gear and equipment for the staff.
Food, Water, Transportation, and Equipment Costs in Kilimanjaro
Food and water are not as expensive in your Kilimanjaro to climb as it will only cost you $10-$20 per day. The transportation cost will exceed $100 depending on what route you are going to take. You can take equipment separately or rely on your travel agency to provide all the necessary equipment and gear to ascend Kilimanjaro.
Likewise, you might also want to pay a little to your trainers to train you to climb Kilimanjaro. It will take a beginner around 3 to 4 months to train to become fully ready. Hence, the cost of the training depends on how much the trainer’s charge, and most of them charge differently depending on their service.
Kilimanjaro Route Choice Cost
If you are looking for the shortest route to the lowest fees, you may be here for a waste of your time and money. When you choose a shorter route, you tend to fall sick from the sudden change in altitude while not getting enough time for acclimatization. A five-day Marangu route has been completely canceled as this has led to many failures and absolute sickness among trekkers or mountaineers.
Instead, the only wise choice to opt for is, you have to take a route that will take as long as 6 to 8 days, where you can ascend at a slower pace and get enough time for acclimatization. Taking a longer route will give you the best acclimatization protocol as well, and you have a higher chance of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
The cost of tours is priced according to the routes that you will be taking. For the Lemosho route, you should pay $2,850 and $2,980 for 7 and 8 days, respectively. Likewise, you are expected to pay $2,790, $3,280, $2,670, $2,850, and $1,050 for Machame, Northern Circuit, Marangu, Rongai, and Mount Meru Climb routes, respectively. As mentioned earlier, the days taken in the routes as per the order are 7, 9, 6, 7, and 4 days.
Overall, the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro is simple, and you will be paying an average of $4000, reaching up to $6000. The more you spend, the safer you are. But this means you should spend a lot on your climb to Kilimanjaro. Be mindful of how much you are spending. Make sure you don’t save a lot, as it may result in you not saving yourself from the brutality of the mountain. Besides this, if you are paying high, you might also forget what exactly you are paying for. Therefore, if you ever decide to go up to Kilimanjaro, you should know that you are paying for your safety and convenience as well as for your to be successful at the summit. Do not let the costs exceed a certain point of your budget, but don’t try to clench money in your pockets either.
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