The best way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is to climb with an ethical, sustainable, and responsible operator. Many people look for a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. But if you have done some research, then you have already found that this is not possible. Probably you have also discovered that there is a wide range of prices charged for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by different operators. There are more than 300 licensed operators on Mount Kilimanjaro. The choices may be overwhelming. The bad news is that there are not many reputable operators, and who you choose to climb with is crucial to your success and overall experience. However, if you disregarded the questionable companies, you’d be left with only a couple dozen or so quality Kilimanjaro operators.
First and foremost, do not make your decision based on price alone. Price should be only one component of your overall decision. High-altitude trekking is not the place to shop for a cheap deal, nor is it the place to overpay needlessly. What you are looking for is high-quality service at a reasonable price.
Kilimanjaro Operational Costs
There are minimum operational expenses every Kilimanjaro operator faces, such as park fees, staff wages, food, equipment, transportation, and other logistical costs. Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees, camping/hut fees, and Tanzanian taxes by far make up the biggest expense, costing about $180 per climber per day. The other significant expenses are staff wages, food, and transportation costs. Local wages amount is around $80-$150 per climber per day (depending on group size). Food costs come out to about $10-$20 per climber per day (includes food for staff). Transportation costs are about $100 per trip depending on the route. There are also costs associated with wear and tear on camping equipment and administrative costs for arranging your climb. By adding up all the daily costs listed here, you can estimate what it may cost to fund a Kilimanjaro climb on your own.
Average Kilimanjaro Climb Cost
The average Kilimanjaro climb cost is anywhere between US$1,500 and $4,000 per person depending on the number of days one has taken to climb and the standard of service. This excludes flights, clothes, and gear. You would probably need to add at least another US$1,000 for those things depending on where you live and how much mountain gear you already have.
The Kilimanjaro climb price alone depends on a lot of factors including things such as tour operator and itinerary.
As we mention above given that the biggest cost involved in climbing Kilimanjaro is the park fees, where no tour operator can undercut another by any serious margin. What they can do, and a lot of operators do, is that they are paying their staff below minimum wage, provide low-quality food, and take the shortest and least scenic route up the mountain. This is why most of the operators are often much cheaper than other operators who are working under authorities like the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority(KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Most of the Operators who registered under KINAPA follow all the mountain rules, including fair treatment of porters and guides. Exploitation on Kilimanjaro is a major problem and choosing cheap operators only enhances the poor treatment of guides, cooks, and porters.
Average Tanzania safari cost
When traveling to Tanzania for a wildlife safari you will find three options that are budget safari, mid-range safari, and luxury safari where you can choose depending on your budget. A no-frills safari in Tanzania with basic accommodations such as tents or budget hotels starts at $250 per person, per day. A mid-range safari with lodging runs from $400 per person, per day while a high-end luxury safari with all the trimmings ranges from $700 to about $1000 per person, per day. Keep in mind that this does not include international flights, visa fees, vaccinations, travel insurance, and other incidentals.
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