Money & costs
Contents
Costs
Kilimanjaro can only be climbed with a licenced guide. Unless you are a Tanzania resident and well-versed in the logistics of Kili climbs, the only realistic way to organise things is through a tour company. No-frills five-day/four-night treks up the Marangu Route start at about US$850, including park fees, and no-frills budget treks of six to seven days on the Machame Route start at around US$900 to US$1000, although it’s highly recommended to budget at least one additional night for the ascent. Better-quality six-day trips on the Marangu and Machame routes start at about US$1000. The Umbwe Route is often sold by budget operators for about the same price as Marangu, and billed as a quick and comparatively inexpensive way to reach the top. Don’t fall for this – the route should only be done by experienced trekkers, and should have an extra acclimatisation day built in. Prices start at about US$750 on the Rongai Route, and about US$1100 for a seven-day trek on the Shira Plateau Route. As the starting points for these latter routes, particularly Rongai, are much further from Moshi than those for the other routes, transport costs can be significant, so clarify whether they are included in the price.
Whatever you pay for your trek, remember that at least US$525 of this goes to park fees for a five-day Marangu Route climb, and more for longer treks (US$750 for a seven-day Machame-route climb). The rest of the money covers food, tents (if required), guides, porters and transport to and from the start of the trek. Most of the better companies provide dining tents, decent to good cuisine and various other extras to make the experience more enjoyable (as well as to maximise your chances of getting to the top). If you choose a really cheap trip you risk having inadequate meals, mediocre guides, few comforts and problems with hut bookings and park fees. Also remember that an environmentally responsible trek usually costs more. Bringing a stove and fuel, for example, requires additional porters because of the greater weight. (It’s not permitted to use firewood on the mountain.)
Park Fees
Park entry fees – calculated per day, and not per 24-hour period – are US$60/10 per adult/child aged five to 15 years, and must be paid in US dollars, cash or travellers cheques. Huts (Marangu Route) cost US$50 per person per night, and there is a US$20 rescue fee per person per trip for treks on the mountain. Camping costs US$50 per person per night on all routes. Park fees are generally included in price quotes, and paid on your behalf by the trekking operator, but you’ll need to confirm this before making any bookings. Guide and porter fees (but not tips) are handled directly by the trekking companies.
Kilimanjaro National Park Headquarters (027-275 6602/5; kinapa@iwayafrica.com) is at the park gate (open 8am-6pm) in Marangu.
Tipping
Most guides and porters receive only minimal wages from the trekking companies and depend on tips as their major source of income. As a guideline, plan on tipping about 10% of the total amount you’ve paid for the trek, divided up among the guides and porters. For the Marangu Route, tips are commonly from US$40 to US$60 for the guide, and from US$15 each for the porters. Plan on more for the longer routes, or if the guide and porters have been particularly good.
