How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?

A full breakdown of what it really costs to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but how much does it actually cost to climb? The cost of a Kilimanjaro trek varies depending on your chosen route, level of comfort, and extra add-ons such as gear hire or safari extensions.

On average, you can expect to pay between £2,000 and £6,000 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, with our trip sitting towards the higher end of that range. This includes park fees, guides, porters, food, and camping equipment, but doesn’t cover things like international flights, visas, or tipping.

Here’s a complete cost breakdown for climbing Kilimanjaro, to help you plan and budget your own adventure up Africa’s highest peak.

Main costs of climbing Kilimanjaro

1. Trip cost (trek package) – £1500+

This covers your guided trek up the mountain, including park fees, camping, meals, porters, and a professional mountain crew. Prices vary by route, for example:

• Marangu Route: ~£1,800 (5–6 days, hut accommodation)

• Machame Route: ~£2,200 (6–7 days, camping)

• Lemosho Route: ~£2,500–£3,500 (7–8 days, scenic and less crowded)

• Northern Circuit: ~£3,500–£4,500 (longest and most gradual route)

Choosing a reputable company is key, this is not the place to cut corners.

Your Kilimanjaro trek cost is the biggest expense and covers:

• Guides & porters – Essential for carrying gear, setting up camp, and leading the trek.

• Park fees – Entry fees for Kilimanjaro National Park are significant.

• Meals & drinking water – All provided during your Kilimanjaro climb.

• Camping equipment – Includes tents, cooking gear, and other essentials (though you may need to bring/hire some personal gear like waterproofs, hiking bag, walking boots).

We did the 8-day Lemosho route, which is slightly more expensive than shorter treks but offers better acclimatisation and higher success rates.

We went with Altezza Travel who were incredible and provided the best service before, during and after our hike.

2. Flights (UK to Tanzania via Kenya) – £800 - £1200

Flight prices fluctuate depending on the season, how early you book, and your departure airport. If you can be flexible with dates and book in advance, you may find cheaper deals. We flew with with British Airways from London to Kenya.

3. Vaccines & medications – £150 - £300

Some vaccines are covered by the NHS, but others—such as Yellow Fever and Hepatitis B—will need to be paid for. You may also need:

• Anti-malarials – ~£75-£150 depending on the type. I personally didn’t take these as was advised the risk of Malara was low both in Moshi and at the base of the mountain.

• Optional vaccines – Rabies, Hepatitis A, and typhoid are recommended for Tanzania.

• Altitude medication – Diamox can help with altitude sickness, though it’s best to consult your GP before taking it. We were given this by our guides each day, so we didn’t need to purchase any before travelling.

4. Food & drink (pre/ post-trek meals) – £250

While meals are included during the Kilimanjaro trek and cooked fresh each day by the fantastic team of porters and chefs, you’ll need to budget for food and drink in Arusha or Moshi before and after the climb while at the hotel.

5. Gear & equipment – £200 - £1000+

You don’t need technical climbing gear, but climbing Kilimanjaro requires clothing for all four seasons. If you already hike, you’ll likely own much of what you need. If not, here’s what you’ll need to buy or hire.

Here is my full Kilimanjaro kit list with prices and links.

Essential items:

• Down jacket for around camp and for summit night. A jacket like the Rab Microlight or Montane Anti-Freeze hooded down jacket would be perfect.

• Waterproof jacket & trousers (these are needed throughout the trip). I personally wear Arc'teryx but any decent jacket such as the Montane Torren jacket.

• Base layers & mid-layers. Check out the Montane Dart long sleep top and woman’s version here.

• Good, worn in hiking boots. I personally wear the Scarpa Rush TRK mens and womans version here

• Gloves, hats, buffs (always good to have two pairs). Check out the Montane Windjammer Softshell gloves.

• Backpack & duffel bag - a 30-40l backpack is perfect for the whole trip and you’ll carry this. A 95l+ duffel bag is perfect for your kit.

• Water bottles & hydration bladder

Hiring gear is an option, with items like sleeping bags, duffel bags, and ponchos often available to hire from your travel company. I hired the big bulky items like the sleeping bag in order to save space and weight in my travel bag.

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6. Porter & guide tips – ~£400

Tipping is expected and an important part of the local economy. Standard tipping amounts are:

• Porters: $10-15 per day per porter

• Guides & cooks: $15-20 per day per person

7. Travel insurance – £400

A specialist high-altitude trekking insurance is required, covering climbing Kilimanjaro up to 6000m and helicopter evacuation in case of emergencies. Companies like World Nomads and True Traveller offer solid options. I went with True Traveller and they were great, super easy to get setup plus they provide a free e-sim while out there.

8. Visa for Tanzania – £40

Most nationalities, including UK and US travellers, require a Tanzania visa. You can apply online before your trip for a quicker entry process.

9. Optional extras (£100–£500)

• Safari add-ons in Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater

• Cultural tours in Moshi

• Extra acclimatisation day on the mountain

How to reduce the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are a few ways to save money:

✅ Book early – Flights and trek packages can be cheaper when booked in advance.

✅ Join a group trek – Private treks are more expensive; group treks split the cost.

✅ Borrow or rent gear – Instead of buying expensive new gear, rent or borrow from friends.

✅ Choose a budget trek operator – Be careful though—cheaper operators may cut corners on safety and guide wages.

✅ Plan your payments – Some operators offer monthly payment plans to spread out the cost.

Final thoughts: is climbing Kilimanjaro worth it?

Absolutely. Standing on the roof of Africa at 5,895m is an experience like no other. Yes, it’s a big financial commitment, but the adventure, the challenge, and the views make it worth every penny. If climbing Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list, start planning now!

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