Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is quite expensive, and a big part of the cost comes from the fees you need to pay to the Kilimanjaro National Parks Authority (KINAPA), the group that manages the park. These fees make up about 75% of the total cost of the trek.
Let's break down these fees into smaller pieces so you can understand them better. We'll also explain how to figure out the fees on your own and tell you about discounts that are available.
Quick Look at Park Fees
If you're short on time, here are the fees for different routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. These prices were last updated in March 2018 and include both the fees and taxes.
Fees for Different Routes
Here's what you'll pay for different routes. These prices include both the fees and taxes.
- Machame 6 days: $814.20 per person
- Machame 7 days: $955.80 per person
- Lemosho 7 days: $955.80 per person
- Lemosho 8 days: $1097.40 per person
- Marangu 5 days: $719.80 per person
- Marangu 6 days: $873.20 per person
- Rongai 6 days: $814.20 per person
- Rongai 7 days: $955.80 per person
- Umbwe 6 days: $814.20 per person
- Umbwe 7 days: $955.80 per person
- Northern Circuit 8 days: $1097.40 per person
- Northern Circuit 9 days: $1239.00 per person
Understanding the Different Fees
The fees have different parts, and they depend on how many days and nights you'll be in the park. Let's look at the main parts.
Conservation Fees
These fees help take care of the national park. You pay $70 for each day you're in the park. For example, if you're on a 7-day Lemosho route, the conservation fees will be $490 (that's $70 x 7 days).
Camping Fees
On most routes, you'll sleep in tents at campsites. The park takes care of these areas, including toilets. You pay $50 for each night you camp. So, if you camp for 6 nights on a 7-day Lemosho trek, you'll pay $300 (that's $50 x 6 nights).
Hut Fees
On the Marangu route, you'll sleep in huts instead of tents. The park maintains these huts. You pay $60 for each night you're in a hut. If you're on a 5-day Marangu route, the hut fees will be $240 (that's $60 x 4 nights).
Rescue Fees
These fees cover the cost of rescues if needed. It's $20 per trekker for each trek.
Crater Camping Fees
If you want to camp on the crater, it's an extra $100 per trekker per night.
Guide and Porter Entrance Fees
You also need to pay for the park entrance of your guides, cooks, and porters. It's $2 for each person on the trip.
VAT
The government adds a tax called Value Added Tax (VAT). It's 18% and applies to all the fees mentioned above.
Calculating the Fees
Now that you know the different parts of the fees, you can easily calculate them. Let's take two examples.
Example 1: 6-day Machame route
- Conservation fees: $70 x 6 days = $420
- Camping fees: $50 x 5 nights = $250
- Rescue fees: $20
- Total (before taxes): $420 + $250 + $20 = $690
- VAT (18%): $124.20
- Total (including taxes): $690 + $124.20 = $814.20
Example 2: 5-day Marangu route
- Conservation fees: $70 x 5 days = $350
- Hut fees: $60 x 4 nights = $240
- Rescue fees: $20
- Total (before taxes): $350 + $240 + $20 = $610
- VAT (18%): $109.80
- Total (including taxes): $610 + $109.80 = $719.80
Paying the Fees
The prices we provide upon your inquiry already include the fees and taxes. We'll take care of paying the fees to the park and getting the permits.
Discounts Available
The park offers discounts for certain groups, like children, residents of Tanzania, and citizens of East African countries.
➔ Children aged 5-15: They get a lower price for conservation and camping fees. Hut and rescue fees stay the same.
➔ Children under 5: They don't pay conservation or camping fees. Hut and rescue fees are still there.
➔ Residents/Expatriates: If you live and work in Tanzania, you get a lower conservation fee. Other fees remain the same.
➔ East African Citizens: If you're from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, or South Sudan, you can get discounts. You need to show your passport to prove your citizenship.
Summary
We charge exactly what the park asks for – no extra charges. Our prices on the website cover all the fees and taxes, so you know the real cost upfront.
Important Update
Starting from October 2018, you can't pay the fees directly at the park gate on the first day of the trek. Only tour operators can pay through the online system.
