How Much Does It Cost to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

If you’re looking for a difficult challenge, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is definitely something to consider. At over 5,800 metres high, getting to the top is something many aspire to do. However, the physical aspect of the hike is not the only problem – you have to consider the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro too.

In this article, we’ll be breaking down the costs of climbing Kilimanjaro and what you’ll need to get started. Still interested? Keep reading.

What You’ll Need to Consider

This trip isn’t for the faint hearted. You’ll need to plan a lot before you embark on a trip up Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll have to consider a lot of different variables, such as flights, visas, and accommodation. Here, we list a number of things you’ll need to consider so you’re not met with any financial surprises.

Flights

For some reason, a lot of the guides online forget to mention the process of actually getting to Mount Kilimanjaro – which is in Tanzania for those who aren’t aware. It’s safe to say the flights to get there are going to cost you a pretty penny.

The flights from the UK to Tanzania are going to cost a large proportion of your overall trip. If you’re going from the UK, you’ll likely have to make two connections, stopping in Amsterdam for the first before flying down to Africa via KLM.

The prices for these flights can vary depending on the time of year, economy, etc. However, it is a good idea to budget for around £1000 for the flights alone. This, of course, would be for a return.

At the time of writing this article (28/09/2021), the prices for a one-way ticket from London were around the £450 mark.

Oh, and don’t forget travel insurance. Rates can differ on this, so just find the cheapest one that suits your needs.

Visas for Tanzania

Another thing people forget when planning their trip to Mount Kilimanjaro is the visa requirements. You’ll need to get one before venturing into Tanzania, where you’ll access the mountain from.

The best way to get one is by visiting the Tanzanian embassy nearest to you and sorting one there. However, if you have forgotten and it’s too late to organise one in the UK, you can get one at the airport when you land. Just expect to be sat in a few queues.

The typical cost of a Tanzanian visa is £30.

Equipment and Tools

Making sure you have the right equipment and clothing is crucial if you’re to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. If you have the right equipment already, you’ll save a significant amount of money. However, here’s a few things you should think about if you have nothing at home to take climbing:

• Layered clothing, including base layers, mid layers, and jackets
• Sleeping bag designed for hardcore weather
• Walking poles
• Headlamp
• Good pair of walking boots
• A good-sized backpack (45L+)

Expect to pay around £600 to get fully kitted up ready for your Mount Kilimanjaro adventure. Of course, you can save money if you already have equipment at hand.

If you want to save a bit of money and save yourself the time of heaving equipment around on your trip, you can rent equipment in Tanzania. This way, you pay for the equipment when you need it and it will often be cheaper than buying it outright.

Accommodation

Although it won’t be a big cost, accommodation must also be considered as you’ll need a place to stay on arrival and the day you’ll leave. The middle section of your trip will be in a tent on the side of the mountain, so you don’t have to worry about booking a weeklong stay in a hotel.

Usually, two nights will do. Depending on the hotel you stay at, you should keep a few hundred pounds spare to account for this expense.

In general, keeping £200 aside for accommodation and food could be a good idea.

Vaccinations and Medication

As you’re travelling to a malaria country, taking the proper precautions with medication and vaccination is important. However, saying this, sometimes a few common-sense methods are all that’s needed to prevent any disease or illness from taking effect.

You might not even need malaria tablets, as mosquitos don’t tend to fly up to high altitudes. However, making sure you’re covered up, wearing Deet repellent, and are indoors in the early morning and late night can make sure you’re not bitten.

As well as malaria, you may also need other vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Polio. HEP-A, and other various diseases. Some of these vaccines can cost as much as £100.

Make sure to save a few hundred aside to account for the various medications needed to travel Africa safely. £150 will usually do. And be sure to talk to your GP about the vaccinations and malaria tablets you might need.

Travel Packages

Now this is where the majority of your money is going to be spent. 99% of the time, you’re going to be using a Mount Kilimanjaro travel package with one of the many providers in Tanzania. These providers will include various costs into the price and simplify the entire process. It’s recommended you use one of these packages if you’re not an experienced climber.

Travel packages include hotel transfers, National Park Fees, food, guides, etc. They usually have everything you need to travel safely up the mountain. Interestingly, out of all these costs, the most expensive is the Park Fees, which account for 70% of the costs!

The costs of travel packages can vary wildly depending on who you go with. It’s usually good to go with an experienced team and pay a bit extra for the added experience. You don’t want to go too cheap and get a terrible experience as the climbing team has cut costs and corners.

Generally, a good package with a reliable company will cost you around £1500, but this number can go up and down quite drastically. Nonetheless, at this price, you’ll get a 7-8 day trek which will let you acclimatise to the mountain’s conditions. You’ll also get good food, a good team, and hotel transfers will usually be thrown in. Obviously, the longer the trek you choose, the more expensive the trip becomes, but there are benefits to having more time on the mountain.

When it comes to budgeting, aim to save around £2000 aside for the travel package. The extra money will give you some wiggle room and could allow you to opt for a better company and better experience.

It is also worth noting the tipping system. When you’re taken up the mountain by a team, you’ll be expected to tip them, and this can sometimes be quite hefty. It can be a good idea to keep aside a few hundred for tipping. This might sound excessive but you’ll have a better experience if the team is well-paid and feel appreciated.

Is it Wise to Go Cheap?

Some of you will be looking at that big £2000 with shock, and you may be tempted to go for one of the cheaper companies. After all, some can offer travel packages as low as £1000 (some even lower). However, don’t get caught out by the price. The cheap rates come with plenty of negatives.

The main negative is the staff not getting paid. It may come as a shock to some, but cheap travel companies won’t pay their staff, asking them to rely on tips from climbers. The competition in Tanzania is cutthroat and Coronavirus has made the situation even worse. The guides, porters, and cooks are all underpaid and usually exhausted. They suffer from poor welfare conditions and don’t always get enough food. The situation isn’t ideal.

Because the staff and team are suffering from these problems, it’s safe to assume the experience can turn negative. Food might be at a premium or might taste awful. Tents can be cramped. The whole climb won’t be very enjoyable.

Save up some money and go for a more expensive option. You’ll have a better time and won’t regret it.

Summing it up

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is hell of an experience, and many people dream of doing something so adventurous. However, many don’t consider the various costs associated with the climb.

In total, the entire climb will cost you around £3000 - £3500.

It’s also important to save up a little extra just to be sure you don’t run out of money. You might not need it or use it all, but it’s clever to have a safety fund in case things go south.

Hopefully, this guide has provided everything you need to know about the costs associated with Mount Kilimanjaro. If you need help choosing the right clothing and equipment for this expedition, check out our store or get in touch with the team now.