Ever wondered about the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain? Well, it’s not exactly a budget-friendly adventure, but it’s definitely a highlight of any trip to East Africa. Let’s break down the costs and dispel some myths about this epic journey.
First off, climbing Kilimanjaro on a tight budget, like I did, will set you back around $1200USD. Yes, even the cheapest climb still requires a guide, a porter, and a chef. If you’re really pinching pennies, you can manage it in 4 nights and 5 days. I did it for about $1000USD a decade ago, but prices have gone up since then.
Now, if you’re willing to pay more, you’ll get a better tent and nicer food, but honestly, the basic package is enough to get you to the top. As of 2018, the super budget option, with no accommodation on either side and low-quality tents, is around $1500. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’ll do the job.
Here’s the cheapest way to climb Kilimanjaro: don’t arrange anything beforehand. It might sound scary, but trust me, there are hundreds of expeditions waiting for you in Moshi, the town at the foot of the mountain. You can even arrive late in the evening and still have time to organize everything for the next day.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Get to Moshi by bus. Fly into Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, then take a bus from Ubungo bus station to Moshi. It costs around $5-$15 and takes 8-12 hours.
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Shop around in Moshi. Once you’re there, ignore the touts and walk directly into one of the many tour operators who offer climbs. There are 6 different routes you can take, but most people choose either the Machame route or the Coca-Cola (Marangu) route. The Machame route offers better scenery and a higher success rate due to an extra day for acclimatization.
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Climb it in 5 days (if you’re fit enough). If you can handle the 4-night/5-day climb, that’s cheaper. So if your budget is tight, get fit!
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Budget for tips. Tips are obligatory and expected. Budget AT LEAST $250 for tips.
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Climb and don’t fail. Your budget includes porters, chefs, tents, meals, water, equipment, park fees, and transport. So that’s you set. Now climb! And don’t fail.
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PAY CHEAP, PAY TWICE. Remember, if you cut corners, dubious ethics, bad equipment, all this could lead to you failing. And suddenly your super cheap “ $900 climb” becomes $900 the first (Failed) attempt, and then a sensible $1500-$2500 the second time.
So, that’s it! You now know how much it costs to climb Kilimanjaro! It cost me around $1000 on a super tight budget over 10 years ago. Nowadays though, in 2022 and beyond, it’s like this:
- Dubious ethics: $800-$1200 (steer clear, however tempting it is).
- Bargain basement: $1200-1900 (ask questions, get the ethics right, then go ahead, just don’t expect comfort!)
- Mid-range: $2k to $3500 (the sweet spot)
- Luxury: $4k+ (hot showers, toilets carried up the mountain, champagne when you summit!)
Just remember, if budget is your primary concern, and you’d prefer to save money and suffer a little more, then don’t organise it online. Come to Moshi and sort it out here. Happy travels! Any other questions just email me on johnny ‘at’ onestep4ward.com.
