The cost to climb Kilimanjaro depends on a few primary factors:

The Mount Kilimanjaro climbing cost research shows that, there is no cheaper option to Climb Kilimanjaro, although there is wide range of prices charged for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by different operators, the price ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 per person.

1. Group Size

The more people that are in a trekking party, the lower the cost per person. Climbs that have only one or two climbers will have the highest prices as the costs to operate are shared by a small number of people. Not surprisingly, climbs with a dozen or more people will have much lower prices.

2. Days on the Mountain

Each day spent on the mountain incurs additional costs in park fees, staff wages, food, and equipment use. Thus, longer routes are more expensive than shorter routes. Route selection also plays a part as some require more personnel, gear and logistical arrangements.

3. Level of Service

Kilimanjaro operators can be categorized into three broad price ranges: budget, midrange and luxury. This is the main driver of the huge price disparity between different companies for what seems like the same service. The typical consumer has a hard time differentiating between operators because a company’s website doesn’t tell the whole story.

Conservation Fees – $70 per day per person.

The Kilimanjaro National Park authority collects fees from all visitors in order to fund the upkeep of the park. This includes maintaining the trail, keeping it clean and paying for the rangers. The conservation fee applies for each day (including partial days) you spend inside the park. On an 8 day Lemosho climb, the conservation fees total $560 ($70 x 8 days).

Camping or Hut Fees – $50 to $60 per night per person

This fee is charged for using the campsites and simple huts on the mountain. Huts are only available on the Marangu route. All other routes camping at designated public sites. The hut fees on a 5 day Marangu climb are $240 ($60 x 4 nights). On an 8 day Lemosho climb, the camping fees are $350 ($50 x 7 nights).

Rescue Fees– $20 per person per trip

Rescue fees are charged for the chance the park authority may need to coordinate a rescue. This fee must be paid whether or not you actually require rescue. The cost is $20 per person per trip.

Guide and Porter Entrance Fees – $2 per staff person per trip

All of the staff also must pay park fees to enter. The park entrance fee is $2 per person per trip.

Value-Added Tax – 18% of services

A value-added tax (VAT) is a type of general consumption tax that is placed on goods and services whenever value is added at a stage of production or distribution. The Tanzanian government charges an 18% VAT to Kilimanjaro operators.

Wages, Food and Transportation Costs

After park fees and taxes, the other significant expenses are staff wages, food, and transportation costs.

Local wages amount to 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.