Kilimanjaro — Expedition Guides & Reviews
Find trusted expedition guides for Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Read verified reviews, compare companies, and book with confidence.
Quick Facts: Kilimanjaro
- Elevation: 5,895m
- Country: Tanzania
- Region: Africa
- Guide Companies: 50 verified operators
- Price Range: $80 – $13,475 USD
- Season: Weather: Climbers find themselves travelling through different climate zones when climbing Kilimanja
- Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the official currency. USD is widely accepted and preferred for park fees, guides, and tips. Bring clean, post-2006 USD bills. ATMs available in Moshi and Arusha. Credit cards accepted at hotels but carry cash for tips (budget $150-300 USD for crew tips).
- Languages: Official: Swahili (Kiswahili), English. Local: Chagga language spoken by mountain communities. English is widely spoken by guides and in tourist areas. Basic Swahili phrases appreciated: "Jambo" (hello), "Asante" (thank you), "Pole pole" (slowly slowly - the climbing motto).
Region: Africa, Tanzania
Expedition Guide Companies for Kilimanjaro
- Altitude Trail Guides
- Markventure Travel Expeditions
- African Traces · $1,500 – $2,960 USD
- Aika summit and Adventures · $1,850 – $3,000 USD
- Ian Taylor Trekking — ERTI: 3.9/5 · Rating: 4.8/5 (19 reviews) · $3,950 – $6,500 USD
- African Love Birds Adventure LTD · $250 – $2,460 USD
- Meilleur Tours And Safari · $350 – $4,500 USD
- Wilderness Footprints Tanzania
- Rupia Adventure · $2,000 – $2,400 USD
- Safari Stride · $1,900 – $2,500 USD
- Baraka Trails · From $2,820 USD
- Bundi Travel — ERTI: 4.6/5 · Rating: 5.0/5 (12 reviews) · $2,000 – $4,500 USD
- Bantu Pori Journeys · From $100 USD
- We Wild Travel
- Summit Trekking and Safaris
- Pinnacle Tanzania Adventures & Safaris
- Pumbaa Africa Expeditions · $1,750 – $3,400 USD
- AAI (American Alpine Institute) — ERTI: 3.6/5 · Rating: 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
- Click Expedition
- Fahari Safari · $1,913 – $3,700 USD
- Trekking And Safari Adventures · $1,375 – $1,500 USD
- Almighty Kilmanjaro · $1,400 – $1,850 USD
- Explore 2 Africa — ERTI: 3.3/5
- Gomberi Travel
- Adventure Consultants — ERTI: 4.4/5 · Rating: 4.9/5 (14 reviews) · From $5,700 USD
- Adventure Makers Tanzania
- Aga Adventures · $3,000 – $3,000 USD
- Peasant Travel · $1,500 – $3,000 USD
- African Trek & Travel · $1,450 – $2,500 USD
- Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris Ltd · $2,150 – $10,500 USD
- Africa Bucket List · $1,650 – $2,590 USD
- Bujo Tours and Safaris Ltd · From $1,350 USD
- African Holiday Safari LTD. · $80 – $6,900 USD
- Serac Adventure
- EGS Tanzania
- Moshitreks
- Aardvark Expeditions Limited · $1,938 – $2,451 USD
- Alaitol Safaris · $1,956 – $13,475 USD
- Amet Adventures · $2,200 – $2,900 USD
- Great Lake Expedition — ERTI: 3.5/5 · Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Adventure Makers Tanzania Limited · From $1,500 USD
- Girls Adventures Tanzania · $2,300 – $4,000 USD
- Alba Trekking Ltd · $1,378 – $1,950 USD
- Ascend Tanzania — ERTI: 2.9/5 · Rating: 1.1/5 (2 reviews) · From $1,000 USD
- Gifted African Adventures · $1,577 – $2,970 USD
- African Delight Safaris · $130 – $1,735 USD
- Altezza Travel — ERTI: 4.4/5 · Rating: 5.0/5 (11 reviews) · $2,600 – $3,700 USD
- Oserok Trips · $450 – $2,640 USD
- Africa Natural Tours · $1,450 – $1,850 USD
- Trekkers And Safaris · $1,887 – $2,451 USD
Climbing History
First recorded summit by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller in 1889 via Marangu route. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Over 50,000 climbers attempt the summit annually, with 65% success rate. The mountain holds spiritual significance for the Chagga people who have lived on its slopes for centuries.
Notable Routes
Machame Route (6-7 days): Most popular "Whiskey Route", scenic with high success rate. Marangu Route (5-6 days): Only route with hut accommodation, "Coca-Cola Route". Lemosho Route (7-8 days): Remote, scenic approach from west. Rongai Route (6-7 days): Approaches from Kenya, drier conditions. Northern Circuit (9 days): Longest route, highest success rate at 95%. Umbwe Route (5-6 days): Steepest, most challenging, for experienced climbers only.
Weather Information
Weather: Climbers find themselves travelling through different climate zones when climbing Kilimanjaro. Weather will depend on the time of year you climb, but average temperatures at base camp tend to be around 24°C. Summit temperatures can range from -7°C to -29°C., Best Time to Visit: January to March, June to October, Average Expedition Length 5-9 Days
Frequently Asked Questions about Kilimanjaro
Which guide companies operate on Kilimanjaro?
There are 50 verified guide companies for Kilimanjaro on ExpedReview, including Altitude Trail Guides, Markventure Travel Expeditions , African Traces and more.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
Guided expedition prices for Kilimanjaro range from $80 – $13,475 USD depending on the operator, route, and service level.
What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
Weather: Climbers find themselves travelling through different climate zones when climbing Kilimanjaro. Weather will depend on the time of year you climb, but average temperatures at base camp tend to
How do I choose a guide for Kilimanjaro?
Compare guide companies on ExpedReview using our ERTI Trust Index, verified reviews, pricing, and certifications. Look for guides with high trust scores and recent positive reviews.