Planning a trip to climb Kilimanjaro is not as daunting as it seems. Here is a quick way to budget the cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro:
If you divide the costs into categories, you can easily plan and budget for your climb. The costs can be divided into 4 categories: The cost of the climb, transportation costs, climb preparation, and incidentals.
The cost of the climb should include all aspects that are required in order for you to participate on the climb. Transportation costs include airfare to get to your climb start point. Climb preparation costs include all equipment and gear that you need to bring onto the climb. Incidentals are costs that are not 100% required but highly recommended.
In this example, we are estimating the costs for a climber who is coming from the USA and arriving the day before the climb and leaving the day after the climb.
Cost of the Climb
- Mountain Kilimanjaro Climb: $2,525 (Peak Planet’s Rongai 6 Day Group Climb)
- Guides and Porter Tips: $300
- Trip Insurance: $100+ (World Nomads Explorer Policy)
The cost of the climb is a relatively fixed amount. Tips range between $180-$220 unless you go as a single private climb. Trip insurance can vary from $100 to $300 depending on how much you want to insure.
Transportation
- Airfare from the United States to Kilimanjaro International Airport: $2000 average (Expect to pay between $1400 – $3000 depending on the time of year)
- Visa: $100 (US Citizen)
- Transport to and from the airport: $100 – $200
Airline prices will vary throughout the year. We have found that the flights are generally the lowest price in August through October, and that June and July flights are the most expensive. The price of a Visa for a US citizen is $100. We offer airport transfers at $100 each way for up to 6 persons. Taxis will range from $70-$90.
Climb Preparation
- Down Jacket, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Trekking Poles.
- Boots $100+
- Layered Clothing, Hats, Gloves $300+
Most climbers will have some gear already. If you do not have any clothing and need to purchase it all, this can become a significant expense for your climb.
Incidentals
- Tips for drivers, hotel personnel $50
- Vaccinations $400
- Medication $150
You should bring a lot of $1 bills to use to tip the workers. No vaccinations are required for citizens of the USA to get into Tanzania, however, most clients will elect to get some shots before the trip. Clients often bring medication such as Diamox (for altitude sickness), Malarone (for malaria), antibiotics and digestion aids.
The total cost of climb Kilimanjaro in this scenario can range from $4,000 to $6,000 per person. A good starting point for planning your Kilimanjaro trip is that it will cost about $5,000 per person.
