Because Kilimanjaro National Park fees account for 60-70% of total climbing costs, I thought it was important to explain the different components that contribute to your hike, how they’re structured, and the way they’re calculated.
A quick Google search will yield Kilimanjaro treks ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Though this is the most common price range on the market, you can find Kilimanjaro packages for much less.
Did You Know — You Could Save Up To $2,000 On Your Kilimanjaro Climb?
Let me explain: The cost of your Kilimanjaro hike will vary depending on the route you take, the number of days you hike, and the company leading the expedition. The longer you trek, the more you’ll pay— It’s that simple. By leveraging open group climbs, hidden discounts and a third component, which will be discussed further in this post, you’ll be able to reduce your hike costs by $2,000.
In this post, you’ll understand various Kilimanjaro National Park fees, learn four strategies to cut down your Kilimanjaro hike costs, and distinguish fair market offers based on your preferred route and its variation. So, without further ado, let’s talk money.
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Breaking Down Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Costs
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Costs | Kilimanjaro National Park fees | Number Of Hiking Days |
| Marangu Trekking Costs | $866.08 | 5 Days |
| Marangu Trekking Costs | $1,047.09 | 6 Days |
| Umbwe Trekking Costs | $1,027.60 | 6 Days |
| Rongai Trekking Costs | $1,194.68 | 7 Days |
| Machame Trekking Costs | $1,144.56 | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Costs | $1,194.68 | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Costs | $1,361.77 | 8 Days |
| Northern Circuit Trekking Costs | $1,528.86 | 9 Days |
Because Kilimanjaro National Park fees account for 60-70 percent of total climbing costs, I thought it was important to explain the different components that contribute to your hike, how they’re structured, and the way they’re calculated. Below, you’ll find a table listing the sum of park fees levied by route and the number of days trekked. This will give you a general idea of how much you’ll be paying to climb Kilimanjaro.
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees | Quantity | |
| Conservation Fees | $70 | Per Day |
| Camping Fees | $50 | Per Night |
| Hut Fees | $60 | Per Night |
| Crater Camping Fees | $100 | Per Night |
| Rescue Fees | $20 | Per Hiker |
| Guide and Porter Entrance Fees | $2 | Per Supporting Crew |
| Forest Entry Fees | $10 | Per Hiker |
| Forest Vehicle Entry Fees | $20 | Per Vehicle |
| Forest Support Crew Entry Fees | $1 | Per Supporting Crew |
| Tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% | N/A |
| Retail Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% | N/A |
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This Is The Cheapest Way To Climb Kilimanjaro
The cheapest way to climb Kilimanjaro is to use a local agency, join an open group, or simply ask for a discount. Now that you know all of the components that make up Kilimanjaro National Park fees and how they’re structured, you’ve probably realized that the government is responsible for a significant portion of your expenses. Despite this, climbing Kilimanjaro does not have to break the bank. Below are four tried and true methods for saving money while climbing Kilimanjaro.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a local agency?
The leading contributors to high Kilimanjaro climb costs are foreign agencies with no presence in Tanzania. By simply cutting out the middleman, you could cut your Kilimanjaro hike costs in half. With that said, there are a few companies that offer affordable Mount Kilimanjaro climbs; however, finding them in such a crowded market can be difficult. Instead, seek help from local agencies. Expeditions led by local companies are usually fair and reasonable. You’ll also be contributing to the local economy.
What does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro with an open group?
Joining an open group rather than a traditional hiking group is the second best way to save money on your Kilimanjaro climb costs. Because their business model relies on as many hikers as possible joining the expedition, open groups charge a low flat fee. At any given time, these groups can number anywhere from 7 to 12 trekkers. It’s worth noting that most businesses avoid forming open groups because they’d rather avoid the hassle and charge hikers a premium for their services.
How much would it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a special discount?
Take advantage of the few holiday discounts that can be found on the internet and, if you can’t find any, simply ask. Bargaining is a part of Tanzanian culture, so don’t be afraid to ask for discounts. In most cases, asking can result in very small reductions in costs.
How to save $2,000 on your Mount Kilimanjaro climb costs?
You can save up to $2,000 on your Kilimanjaro climb by taking advantage of options 1, 2, and 3. Keep in mind that packages under $1,700 are frequently fraudulent. Either you’ve been duped or someone hasn’t been paid. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the standard Kilimanjaro packages.
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How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
As previously stated, packages for Kilimanjaro hikes should cost anywhere from $1,700 to $2,700, depending on the route and number of days spent on the mountain. This will ensure that proper standard operating procedures are followed while your safety is prioritized. Because of the efficient acclimatization systems in place, these treks often have very high success rates. A table depicting the difference between standard and overpriced hikes on the market can be found below.
| Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Costs | Cheap Kilimanjaro Packages | Overpriced Kilimanjaro Summit Costs |
| 5 Day Marangu Costs | $1,775 | $2,451 |
| 6 Day Marangu Costs | $1,886 | $2,810 |
| 6 Day Umbwe Costs | $1,886 | $2,832 |
| 7 Day Rongai Costs | $1,998 | $3,329 |
| 7 Day Machame Costs | $1,998 | $3,587 |
| 7 Day Lemosho Costs | $1,998 | $3,651 |
| 8 Day Lemosho Costs | $2,200 | $4,042 |
| 9 Day Northern Circuit Costs | $2,400 | $4,733 |
How Much Does A Luxury Kilimanjaro Trip Cost?
Mount Kilimanjaro’s luxury trip costs range from $7,000 to $13,000 per person. The hikes include fine dining and luxury living accommodations fit for a prince. Many people, I believe, would be content with standard treks as the goal of a Kilimanjaro hike is to reach the summit successfully and safely. Regardless, it’s always interesting to see how the other side lives. A table with luxurious Kilimanjaro climbs is provided below.
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Costs | Kilimanjaro Luxury Treks |
| 5 Days Marangu Trekking Costs | $7,180 |
| 6 Days Marangu Trekking Costs | $7,276 |
| 6 Days Umbwe Trekking Costs | $7,276 |
| 7 Days Rongai Trekking Costs | $7,764 |
| 7 Days Machame Trekking Costs | $8,300 |
| 7 Days Lemosho Trekking Costs | $9,396 |
| 8 Days Lemosho Trekking Costs | $10,500 |
| 9 Days Northern Circuit Trekking Costs | $12,800 |
How Much Should You Tip Porters On Kilimanjaro?
Tipping costs on Kilimanjaro are structured anywhere from $200 to $500 per person. This customary policy will differ depending on the company leading the expedition and the number of supporting crew. Nonetheless, we have simplified Kilimanjaro tipping guidelines in the table below based on XPATS International’s Kilimanjaro hikes. It is important to note that the aforementioned tips are to be paid by each hiker and not to be given to each crew member.
| Mount Kilimanjaro Tipping Guidelines | Kilimanjaro Tips | Number Of Hiking Days |
| Marangu Tipping Guidelines | $200 | 5 Days |
| Marangu Tipping Guidelines | $250 | 6 Days |
| Umbwe Tipping Guidelines | $250 | 6 Days |
| Rongai Tipping Guidelines | $300 | 7 Days |
| Machame Tipping Guidelines | $300 | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Tipping Guidelines | $300 | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Tipping Guidelines | $350 | 8 Days |
| Northern Circuit Tipping Guidelines | $350 | 9 Days |
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