Porters on path between Horombo Huts and Kibo Huts, Marangu Route (photo: Vadim Petrakov/Shutterstock.com)
Circuit paths
While the Northern Circuit Path is very remote and rarely used, other than in conjunction with the Lemosho Route and an ascent to the summit via School Hut, allowing you to enjoy the mountain in peace, the Southern Circuit Path, which connects a number of the ascent routes with the final climbs to the summit, is a busier traverse that provides you with fine panoramas of the Southern Icefields. For those less concerned about claiming the summit’s scalp, a complete loop of the Circuit Path is an outstanding way to enjoy the mountain and explore some of its least visited features. However, you will need special permission to trek the full circuit and it isn’t tackled as a standard outing on the mountain or regularly offered by outfitters.
Costs and budgeting
Climbing Kilimanjaro is an expensive business. The Tanzanian government has understandably cashed in on the mountain’s popularity and has introduced a series of mandatory fees that must be paid before you can even enter the Kilimanjaro National Park. The charges to climb Kilimanjaro have increased exponentially over the last few years and the combination of park gate fees, camping and hut fees levied by the authorities have now reached well over US$100 per day.
There is no cheap way to climb the mountain. The fees are compulsory. In addition to these, you must also hire and pay for a guide and a team of porters through a licensed outfitter. All food and transport costs need to be factored in as well. On top of all of the unavoidable costs, you must also include the amount of money that you will need to tip the guide and his porters once the climb is completed (see Guides and porters).
Fresh produce at the start of the trek
The mandatory costs include a conservation fee (formerly the national park daily gate fee), which costs US$70 per day. You must also pay either camping fees of US$50 per night or, on the Marangu Route, hut fees of US$60 per night. There is also a compulsory rescue fee of US$20 per trip. You must also pay US$2 per person per trip as wages for each guide and porter that accompanies you during your ascent. Thus, the basic cost of a five-day Marangu Route ascent using a guide, assistant guide and two porters rapidly escalates to over US$600. By the time that your outfitter includes each member of your team’s wages, approximately a further US$150 for a team of four, and the costs for food and transport, you will appreciate how the cost of the expedition very quickly increases. On top of this, you will inevitably be charged another fee by, and for, your outfitter in order to make the business profitable.
When all of these considerations are taken into account, expect to pay an outfitter somewhere in the region of US$1350–1550 for a basic five-day Marangu trek. The Umbwe and Rongai routes will cost somewhere between US$1700–1900, while the Machame Route costs around US$1600–1800. The Shira and Lemosho routes are both slightly more expensive and will set you back at least US$2000. A trek with a top tour operator can cost far more than this and the sky’s the limit if you keep adding in extras or expanding your team.
It pays to shop around and compare prices offered by each outfitter. Prices are often lower if you walk as part of a group rather than on your own. In most cases it is true that you get what you pay for, and the extra money spent on signing with a more expensive outfitter may pay dividends during your climb. Bear in mind that if you book your climb in the UK the costs will be much higher for each of the routes up the mountain.
Western Breach and summit viewed from the top of the Lava Tower on the Southern Circuit Path
Kilimanjaro is fairly unique in that you pay per day spent on the mountain. There is no option to make a one-off payment that would then enable you to make a slow ascent and several attempts on the summit. Every additional day spent on the mountain is an extra cost. This can prove particularly expensive on the longer routes, and consequently groups may be tempted to race up Kilimanjaro in a bid to save money. By charging a daily fee the Tanzanian authorities have created a system that encourages people to climb too quickly, which increases the risks to individuals’ health. However, the additional cost is relatively inexpensive when compared to the frustration of having to descend without having made it to the highest point.
Don’t let the cost discourage you. The ascent of Kilimanjaro is an exceptional and priceless experience. Nevertheless, do consider spending extra on an additional acclimatisation day to ensure that you maximise your safety on the mountain.
When to go
It is possible to climb Kilimanjaro all year round but there are definitely more preferable times of year to attempt the climb. Ideally you will want to tackle the mountain during one of the two dry seasons that Tanzania enjoys. These last from mid-December to March and then from July to early October. During the dry spell at the start of the year, the weather is generally dry and warm, while during the middle of the year it tends to be dry but cooler. The hottest months are January, February and September. Be aware that even during the preferred months, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict.
The remaining months of the year fall within the two rainy seasons, when climbing Kilimanjaro is less easy or, indeed, enjoyable. The long rains (masika) last from April to June and the short rains (mvuli) occur in November and early December, when thunderstorms are common. During this time, thick cloud shrouds the mountain and there are heavy downpours on the lower slopes, which can turn to snow higher on the mountain.
Temperatures on Kilimanjaro vary wildly. At the foot of the mountain the temperature can exceed 30°C, while on the summit it can plunge to below −20°C. Wind chill and the moisture in the clouds that swirl around the summits during the day can then make it feel even colder than this. While climbing on Kilimanjaro, groups must always be prepared for cold weather and sudden storms. The high winds can mean that weather changes at very short notice and the exposed nature of the climb means that this can be very unpleasant.
Porters on the Marangu Route between Mandara Huts and Horombo Huts
At the equator, the sun rises and sets at a fairly consistent time throughout the year. Sunrise tends to occur around 6.30am and sunset takes place 12 hours later, at around 6.30pm.
As a consequence of these factors, the ideal months to climb Kilimanjaro are January and February, just after the major rains, as the weather improves and becomes relatively settled and the mountain is freshly covered by snow. Alternatively, tackle the ascent from June to October after the short rains; although the forests are frequently encircled by cloud, the summits are often clear. This second set of dates tends to be the most popular time for people to make an ascent of the mountain as it coincides with European summer holidays; escape the crowds by travelling to the mountain from mid-September until the end of October as numbers begin to dwindle.
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