How much will it cost to trek Kilimanjaro?

Getting to Tanzania and hiking up Kili is not cheap. But the once in a lifetime experience is worth every penny. Costs (usually quoted in USD) will depend on the tour operator and what you need. Luxuries such as portable toilets and glassware will cost more. Land costs should include transport to and from Kili, full board, porters, guides, cooks, national park fees and permits. Do not choose the cheapest operator, choose an operator who discloses all costs and who offers value for money.

Kilimanjaro National Park fees

Entrance and camping/hut fees total $100 per climber per day. Local wages to guides and porters come to roughly $25 per climber per day, Food costs about $10 per climber per day. Your operator fee includes the official Kilimanjaro National Park fees for climbing. Your operator fee includes guide, assistant guide, and porter wages, which vary between companies. The following wages are considered high by most outfitters, who pay less.

Two options to consider when paying park fees. To pay the park fees direct to the company along with the trek fees. All prices on company’s website include park fees as well as VAT. Then the company they will pay the park fees to the park department. To pay the park fees directly to the park department. You can do this with any Visa card at the park gate. You would be doing this on the first day of the climb at the park gate.

Kilimanjaro National Park Fees

Rescue Fees This is fees for emergency if anything happen, the first thing is to prepare the rescue fees for Kilimanjaro. Charged by the park department to provide rescues on the mountain. The Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) will arrange a rescue service which will cost 20 USD / 18 EUR / 16 GBP. The price considering the fact that this mountain is almost 6,000 meters high.

Conservation Fees The conservation fees are charged by the park department and go towards and you’ve guessed it, conservation of Kilimanjaro National Park. This is a daily fee of 70 USD / 62 EUR / 56 GBP. These Conservation fees are high but are also very important. These fees make sure that Kilimanjaro is looked after. The conservation fee is basically the entry fee for Kilimanjaro. This fee is charged for the number of days you spend inside the park. For example five days marangu route.

Camping Fees This fee is calculated per person per day/night on all climbing routes other than the Marangu Route when your climbing you must staying on campsites. The fees are USD 50 / 44 EUR / 40 GBP. Other route cost up to 450 USD of your total price goes towards your camping permit. These campsites as well common areas such as toilets are maintained by the park department. This is charged for the number of times you camp on a trip.

Hut Fees When climbing Kilimanjaro you should know that there are some routes which have huts. Especially on the Marangu Route you will be staying in huts but not in camp. These huts need a cost of paint every day, although the Marangu Route is a relatively affordable trek, you must know that still, 60 USD / 53 EUR / 48 GBP per night you should pay. On Marangu route, you would be sleeping in huts along the route instead of camping. The huts are maintained by the park department. Some of the huts are Mandara, Horombo and Kibo.

Crater Fees In case you wish to camp on the crater, the cost would be USD 100 per trekker per night. There is extra cost including the cost of crater. It is an interesting experience that comes at For 100 USD / 88 EUR / 80 GBP a night you can stay at Crater Camp. A stay at the Crater Camp is included normally on Lemosho Route. Guide and Porter Fees What are also included in the costs of your Kilimanjaro climb is the daily fees for guides and porters. You pay 2 USD / 1, 80 EUR / 1, 60 GBP per staff member a day. The park entrance fee is USD 2 per trip per person.

If you are a citizen and resident of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda or South Sudan there are a few exceptions for the above-mentioned park fees. For children, there are some discounts you can also enjoy some benefits. There is also some discount applicable to expatriates. In addition to paying park fees for yourself, you are also responsible for paying the park entrance fees for your crew, for your guides, cooks and porters. To save you time working out all the various national park fees by route, here are the Kilimanjaro park fees for the most popular routes.

VAT The Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged by the government of Tanzania. The government started charging VAT on Kilimanjaro treks from July, 2016. Currently it’s set at 18%. All the components above would have to be charged with 18% VAT. Staff Wages Staff wages amount to around $80-$150 per climber per day depending on the group size. Staff wages are a considerable cost and making savings here directly takes money out of the pockets of the lowest-paid people on the mountain. Making sure the porters and guides have proper gear and training is a significant cost to any Kilimanjaro reputable operator.

Food, Water and Transportation cost Food shopping costs about $10-$20 per climber per day includes food for staff and Transportation costs are about $100 per Kilimanjaro trip depending on the route choice. While the cost of food in Tanzania is not high, it still has to be carried up the mountain, stored in safe and sanitary conditions and prepared by well-trained mountain chefs. On the longer routes, we may need to resupply with fresh produce a few days into the trek.

Where do I pay my park fees to climb the Kilimanjaro?

Park fees are paid to the tour company which will then pay to the government through the official financial infrastructure built for park fees payment. So after you have made your climbing price in full to the tour operator relax and wait for them to pick you up so that you begin your trek to the roof of Africa. Each climber on Mt. Kilimanjaro is required to pay park fees, which constitutes conservation, camping, rescue and crew fees. On Lemosho and Rongai routes special forest fees are also applicable. It is another key element of Mt Kilimanjaro climbing cost.

Be aware that some unethical tour operators deliberately provide misleading information regarding park fees. Never trust claims that it is possible to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and avoid fees by bypassing ranger posts. It is simply impossible to reach Uhuru Peak avoiding any encounters with park rangers. Dozens of those who attempt this are caught every year. Each climber on Mt. Kilimanjaro is required to pay park fees. Furthermore, it is dangerous. Bypassing established official routes where climbing permits are checked at each ranger post will bereave you of the possibility of receiving timely assistance from the rangers should such a necessity arise.