Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro
Located in Tanzania Northeast, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest walkable mountain in the world and one of the ultimate outdoor challenges. We are one of the leading providers of high quality treks, with five to eight night options, exceptional summit success rates and an exemplary safety record.
Since 2010
"THE ROOF OF AFRICA"
At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point of Africa. This volcanic massif stands in splendid isolation above the surrounding plains, with its snowy peak looming over the savannah. The mountain is encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park.
Kilimanjaro National Park covering an area of some 75,575 has protect the largest free standing volcanic mass in the world and the highest mountain in Africa, rising 4877m above surrounding plains to 5895m at its peak. With its snow-capped peak, the Kilimanjaro is a superlative natural phenomenon, standing in isolation above the surrounding plains overlooking the savannah.
Why trek with us
The bottom line is that trekking with us should maximise your safety, your enjoyment and your chances of getting to the top of the mountain. Please forgive us for blowing our own trumpet, we don’t usually do this kind of thing, but a trek on Kilimanjaro is a very serious undertaking and it’s extremely important that you choose a reliable operator.
Getting to the top
We have a genuine proven summit success rate of 94% on our recommended routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, which is truly exceptional. We have long since come to understand that the only way to deliver outstanding summit success rates is to provide treks which are interesting, challenging, reliable, comfortable and enjoyable.
Safety
A trek on Kilimanjaro can be an incredibly dangerous undertaking. We cannot completely remove that risk, but at least by trekking with us you can be reassured by our unrivalled safety record. With over 1000 trekkers, we’ve never lost a client due to altitude sickness.
Our teams are so far ahead when it comes to safety that our guides are often obliged to intervene to literally save the lives of trekkers with other companies.
Flexibility
We pride ourselves in delivering the best solution for each group of trekkers. Every single trip is private and tailor-made to select the timing, routing, specification and pacing to maximise your chances of an enjoyable and successful attempt on the summit.
Value
Although there are plenty of companies out there which will offer you lower cost treks on Kilimanjaro, we would argue that no one beats us on value. We understand that it can be difficult for you to directly compare the trek offerings from different companies, so we just have to rely on our reputation, plus the quality and level of detail of the information that we provide here.
Hopefully you can sense the difference.
The fact that we have four different specification levels for every trek also enables you to substantially adjust the pricing up or down.
Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes
Choosing the right route on Kilimanjaro is absolutely essential. If you’re very fit and confident about your ability to endure the rigours of camping out on the mountain for a week, then you should go for one of the longer 7 or 8 night treks, which offer better altitude acclimatisation and scenic variety.
Marangu Route
Machame Route
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Dahlia Africa offers Machame as a seven day group climb or as a six day private climb. The six day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.
Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds.
Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).
Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way. Descent is made via the Marangu route.
Dahlia Africa offers Rongai as a seven day group climb or a six or seven private climb. The six day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day four at Mawenzi Tarn.
Lemosho Route
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Dahlia Africa® offers Lemosho as an eight day group climb or as a seven to eight day private climb. The seven day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.
Northern Circuit Route
Shira Route
The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 1/2 hours walk of Shira Hut (4000m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.
The Shira route is only offered to hikers who are already acclimatized to 4 000m, by hiking either Mt Meru or Mt Kenya a few days before attempting Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicle, to within a ½ hours walk of Shira Hut (3 850m).
This drive is very spectacular and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.
Kilimanjaro Trekking FAQ's
In short, you may climb the Mount all year round. Climbs during the dry season are, however, more comfortable. The dry season spans the periods from the second half of from December till March and from June till November.
At the same time, a the rainy season has some advantages as well.
Kilimanjaro Trekking Month to Month Guide
April-May
The “big” rainy season starts at the end of March and continues until the middle of May. April marks the beginning of the coldest time of the year in Tanzania. These months have significantly less climbers than the rest of the year, but there is a high chance of hiking in the rain at this time of the year.
June-July
The frequency of rain gradually decreases. The weather on Kilimanjaro is fairly dry and clear in these months, but nights are still cold. June is usually quiet, sunny, and, in our opinion, much underrated in terms of climbing. It is an excellent idea to choose June for your adventure because of great weather and routes that are almost private to your climbing party. The number of climbers increases as the year progresses. Starting from July the majority of the routes will be quite busy.
The peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro is from August to September. The weather is particularly good for climbing: the days are clear and somewhat warmer than in June/July. At the same time, it may be cloudy in the forest/moorland zone, as well as it may be rainy on the southern routes (Machame and Umbwe). However, once you leave the rain forest behind, it will be sunny.
October is another unfairly ignored season: nice weather conditions last into mid-October and the number of climbers drops dramatically, giving you a good chance to enjoy Kilimanjaro treks almost alone. At the end of October, the weather becomes more changeable. As long as you are equipped to withstand the occasional rain shower, this should not present any major challenges.
November is the “small” rainy season. The rainy weather may last into mid-December. The temperatures will have dropped and mist covers the Mountain, making your climb slightly tricky and risky, yet more challenging and exciting. November might not be the best pick in terms of weather, but gives a great opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views of misty-covered Mount Kilimanjaro with its snow-capped peak and to take some terrific pictures.
December – January – Christmas and New Years are the second busiest climbing season on Kilimanjaro. The traffic is extremely high, although there is a good chance of rain and thick clouds at the lower altitudes of Kilimanjaro.
Mid-January to mid-March are very popular among climbers. The weather is perfectly balanced: it is neither too cold, nor too wet. The days are generally dry, though occasional rains may happen. The possibility of rain increases in the second half of March because the season of the “big rains” is approaching.
Many different factors affect the climbing prices. A Kilimanjaro climb can cost from $1,400 (standard) to over $5,000 (luxury package) and above. Blend this knowledge with the fact that there are 250 licensed and hundreds of unlicensed operators in the region and making the right choice becomes a major task. In fact, to understand how the climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro cost is formed many different factors should be taken into consideration.
Trekking Kilimanjaro Price Components
The price of a Kilimanjaro climb is made up of two kinds of costs: fixed, (i.e. park fees per person), and variable, i.e. (transfers and equipment), which are shared between all members of the group and, up to a certain point, lower as the number of climbers grows.
Unless you take the risk of opting for the lowest of offers, slighting most if not all of safety and comfort features that are normally available, the final price of your trek shall include the costs of the following:
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
Every Mount Kilimanjaro climber is required to pay park fees, which inholds conservation, camping, rescue and crew fees. On Lemosho and Rongai routes special forest fees are also applicable. It is another key element of Mt Kilimanjaro climb cost.
Total Park Fees, depending on route and number of days, will amount to between US$800 and 1,100 (all calculations and prices henceforth are given in USD).
Kilimanjaro Climbing Crew Wages
Crew wages are the next important component of Kilimanjaro climbing cost. While the rates paid (and charged to the client) may vary, all reputable Tanzanian trekking outfitters have wage systems for their climbing crews. A guide usually receives USD 20-40 per day, a cook – USD 10-15, a porter – USD 7-10, adding to the total cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. The final total will therefore hinge upon the size of the crew necessary to serve the total number of climbers and attain a satisfactory level of comfort expected on the climb. Tips, determined by the client’s experience while trekking, are also appreciated.
Camping Equipment Costs
A typical climbing package will also include such equipment as sleeping bags and mess tents; cookers and kitchenware; tables and other essential items. As reliable gear means not only comfort but also safety, equipment should be renewed on a regular basis and must be thoroughly cleaned after each climb. Operators must consider how to replace or repair equipment for future treks and pay staff to properly clean items such as sleeping bags and tents.
Average amortization costs are: $50/climber.
Taxes and Licenses
All Tanzanian businesses are subject to a variety of taxes. Licensed tour operators also pay for a number of licenses on a yearly basis. This ensures they are legally permitted to operate in Tanzania, and under the authority of the Tanzanian government. Choosing licensed tour operators for your travels means they are responsible to the government, and if you have any issues, safety problems (or your deposit goes missing) they will have to answer to higher authorities. Visitors choosing licensed operators receive consistently excellent service, in part because the operator has made investments and is abiding by the government rules. Unlicensed operators, on the other hand, are invisible to the Tanzanian government and are not legally allowed to offer tourism (including mountain climbing) services. If an unlicensed operator is already willing to break the law to provide climbing expeditions, they are likely to make many more dangerous risks with clients, all in order to make a higher profit.
Estimated taxes: $60/climber.
Climbing Comfort
Long days of trekking and climbing a mountain present physical challenges, even to the most active adventurers. Having sufficient and comfortable rests are imperative to a successful summit. If you are physically fit, but haven’t had a good sleep in three nights, you are risking your entire experience on Kilimanjaro.
Sleeping bags, a specifically-designed meal plan that includes re-supplies of fresh ingredients, satellite phones, oxygen for emergencies, etc. are all part of a successful climb, and raise your Kilimanjaro trek cost. However, consider that this extra comfort could mean all the difference in the success of your climb.
The cost of these additional features averages at: $50/climber.
Safety
Though climbing Kilimanjaro does not call for any specialized training or skills, mountaineering is an inherently dangerous activity. HAPE and HACE (High Altitude Pulmonary and Cerebral Edema respectively) should never be discounted.
Responsible Kilimanjaro climbing operators always keep safety in mind, and have safety measures in place that sometimes cause a slight increase in the overall Kilimanjaro climbing cost.
For example, we at Dahlia Africa Travel conduct safety workshops for our guides every four months. Each of our guides is expected to pass the Wilderness First Responder/First Aid test. The costs of training for all of our staff are covered by Dahlia Africa and it means that every Dahlia Africa guide on Kilimanjaro is not only Wilderness First Responder Certified, but is up-to-date in their training, for the assurance and safety of all of our clients
Every expedition organized by Dahlia Africa is supplied with emergency oxygen, oximeter and tonometer. Guides conduct medical checks twice a day on each climber to ensure their health and afety, especially as the team climbs to higher altitudes. In an emergency, a client shall be transported from Kilimanjaro to a hospital at no extra charge.
Estimated costs of climbing safety add-ons: $40/climber.
Accommodation Before and After a Kilimanjaro Climb
Most Kilimanjaro hiking packages include accommodation before and after the climb. Top-quality hotels in Tanzania are quite expensive: a night in a reasonable 3-star hotel in Moshi will cost $100-120 if booked directly or $80-90 if included in your climbing package. Therefore, accommodation will heighten the cost of your Kilimanjaro trip from the onset, but ultimately save you money than if you were to book independently..
Estimated costs of accommodation before and after the climb: $160
Operator’s Service Charge
Commissions added by Tanzanian tour operators to the Kilimanjaro climb cost generally fall within the 15-20% range.
Estimated average commission of a tour operator – 15-20%.
There are several routes to get the summit.
Those seeking seclusion, scenic value and good acclimatization transition should consider Lemosho or Northern Traverse. A pocket-friendly and picturesque Machame provides good acclimatization transition, though it is a bit crowded during the high season.
Due to a popular misconception of being the easiest, Marangu route is the most popular and cheapest option. It is the only route providing hut accommodation (all other routes are camping only), which are handy during the rainy season. Marangu, however, features poor acclimatization and scenic value, as the trail is used for ascent and descent.
Rongai is one of the least crowded and the only route approaching the Mount from the North. It is a physically challenging option and is ideal for those who value remoteness. This route is recommended during the rainy seasons (Northern side of the Mountain protects the climbers from precipitation).
Umbwe route is the for the real adventurers. The steepest and shortest option, Umbwe is a challenging test of your endurance, stamina and determination. The route offers unique panoramic sceneries. The cost of that is, however, the weakest acclimatization transition.
Get in Touch
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