Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity can be a free endeavor however, you should expect the total trip expenses to cost a little more than $5,000. That’ll cover travel, hiking equipment, visas, your hiking program and other miscellaneous expenses. A growing number of hikers nowadays are taking the opportunity of climbing Kilimanjaro in order to raise awareness and support their own charities. This of course takes creativity but, if you don’t know where to start, this article will highlight a step-by-step framework of how to go about organizing one of these campaigns. However before we get to a head start, let’s talk about the cost of climbing Mount kilimanjaro for charity.
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How Much Does It Cost To Climb Kilimanjaro For Charity?
- Climbing Kilimanjaro for charity could cost you as little as $0, if you subsidize the total cost of your trip from your fundraising campaign. This of course takes a whole lot of patience and grit however, if done correctly, 80-90% of the funds raised could go toward supporting a charitable cause, while the remaining 10-20% should be able to cover the cost of your flights, hike, visas, equipment and other miscellaneous expenses.
- If you’d like to outright make a donation to a local charity, without setting up a fundraiser, your Kilimanjaro trip could wind up costing you more than $5,000. That’s because, in addition to your donations to a local beneficiary, you’ll need to cover the total expense of your entire Kilimanjaro trip. Depending on your nationality, place of departure and hiking program, an all-inclusive Kilimanjaro program ranges between $3,800 and $5,000. If you do not already have a charity to support, your Kilimanjaro outfitter can organize a list of local causes, which best resonates with your values, to make a donation before your Kilimanjaro hike.
Keep in mind rates are subject to fluctuate according to foreign exchange markets, time of year and Tanzanian Government levies. In this article, you’ll learn how to climb Kilimanjaro for charity and get an overview of the costs you should be considering before booking your Kilimanjaro group climb. Now without further ado, let’s have a look at Mount Kilimanjaro tour prices.
Mount Kilimanjaro Tour Prices ($1,775-$2,970)
| Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Programs | Group Hiking Rates | Private Hiking Rates |
| 5 Day Marangu Program | $1,775 | $2,300 |
| 6 Day Marangu Program | $1,886 | $2,460 |
| 6 Day Umbwe Program | $1,928 | $2,460 |
| 7 Day Machame Program | $2,137 | $2,550 |
| 7 Day Rongai Program | $2,340 | $2,550 |
| 7 Day Lemosho Program | $2,198 | $2,550 |
| 8 Day Lemosho Program | $2,382 | $2,680 |
| 9 Day Northern Circuit Program | $2,593 | $2,970 |
Mount Kilimanjaro tour prices include the following expenses in your program:
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees which account for 60-70% of all hiking costs. (1)
- Crew wages for at least 8 mountain crew
- General equipment and supplies used during hikes
- Kilimanjaro safety equipment and training
- Accommodation before and after the climb
- Tourism & retail taxes (2)
- Tour operator’s commission
How To Climb Kilimanjaro For Charity?
Step 1. Start A Kilimanjaro Fundraising Campaign
Getting a campaign setup is as easy as setting up an online GoFund me profile and promoting it on social media. (3) Your best supporters are always going to be your friends and family. Otherwise you could also go through the old school route and pass out flyers at your church, school, etc. This is going to take a great deal of time and energy, so plan to start fundraising at least 1-year before your intended date of travel. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is between June to October and December to February. That’s beacuse weather’s warm during this period and the mountain’s trails are much easier to navigate with a group.
Although if you’d like to skip fundraising in order to make a donation to a local charity, ask your tour operator to line up a list of prospects that align with your values. Once you’ve narrowed down three, conduct an interview and choose a beneficiary. Agree on formalities and always donate the money in person.
Step 2. Book Your Trip
Book your Kilimanjaro hiking program and put down a small deposit, once you’ve got enough funds to pay for your flights, Kilimanjaro climb costs, and hiking equipment. If this is your first time hiking at high altitudes (above 3,000m/10,000ft), it’s best you compare the Lemosho vs Machane routes because they’ll leave you plenty of room for your body to adjust to higher elevations. The routes have great acclimatization landscapes, beautiful scenic views and success rates ranging from 85-92%. However unlike the Marangu route on Kilimanjaro, both these trails are camping routes where you sleep in tents instead of hut accommodations. More importantly, the Western Breach route on Kilimanjaro, which connects to both routes, should be avoided due to safety concerns. Rockfalls release at random, reportedly killing unsuspecting hikers, on this ascent path to the summit. It’s what sets the mountain apart, when you compare Kilimanjaro vs Everest Base Camp, and hikers considering this trail to the summit will require technical climbing skills plus extensive knowledge of how to prepare for Kilimanjaro.
Step 3. Train
For the most part, you don’t need any fancy training since Kilimanjaro isn’t really a technical climb. Extensive cardio exercises will do however, you’ll have to condition your body to anticipate higher elevation gains. One way to do that is by acclimatizing at an altitude of 3,500m (12,000ft), at least 1-month prior to your hike. (4) This is the best way to condition yourself before Kilimanjaro, apart from breathing exercises.
Step 4. Attend Your Kilimanjaro Sponsored Climb
After you’ve reached your goal, book your flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport, purchase your hiking gear and travel. Make sure to arrive in Tanzania at least 1 day prior to your hike so you are well rested. Every nation has certain entry requirements at the airport, so make sure to gloss over the necessary travel guidelines required before you purchase your ticket. (5)
Remember to document your trip on social media in order raise awareness and encourage additional support from your donors. That includes a documentation of your donation to the benefactor and the measures the charity organization is going to undertake in order to solve the problem, preferably addressed from a permanent founding member.
