One of the important prerequisites of a successful summit attempt is being properly equipped. Ensure that you are well equipped – print the Checklist below and mark it off, it will be an essential part of your preparation for the climb. Please remember to limit the weight of your duffel bag and its content, to be carried by the porters on the climb, to 15 kg (32 lbs.) or less. Extra luggage, including clean clothes to wear after your climb, can be left at the hotel in Moshi. Please feel free to contact us should you have any further questions regarding the checklist.

This list consists of items that are necessary for Kilimanjaro climbing and hiking to high altitudes. These items are not optional, they are essential for your comfort and safety. You may rent items on the list from us. We have all on the Kilimanjaro climbing list, used but in good condition for Kilimanjaro climbing. You may contact us with any questions about mountaineering equipment.

Basic Equipment

Backpack with an internal or external frame. Find a pack that fits you well and that can hold all your gear. 2500 – 3000 cubic inches is a good minimum size. Make sure is comfortable
Sleeping bag. Down or synthetic fill, Rated to at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit Sleeping pad.
Duffer bags. A large one for your mountaineering gear and clothes and a smaller one for your city clothes. Please keep combined weight to approx 100 1bs. It is essential to keep gear separated for storage purposes. Luggage locks. For locking your duffer bags.
Headlamp; be sure to bring extra batteries and extra light bulbs. Some clients have reported their batteries being confiscated from hand luggage while traveling through Kenya, so be sure to check extra batteries if you have more than four.
An extra bag to put your stuff which you do not need while on the mountain.

Sun Protection

Warm hat
Sun hut a wide one is the best, try to get that cover back your neck and ears against the sun bun
Balaclava for neck and face covering Sun hat with good brims are essential for protection from the equatorial sun.
Headlamp; be sure to bring extra batteries and extra light bulbs. Some clients have reported their batteries being confiscated from hand luggage while traveling through Kenya, so be sure to check extra batteries if you have more than four.
Sunglasses – Dark, glacier glasses with side shields. Choose glasses with full UV and IR blockage.
Lip Balm with SPF rating of I5 or more.

Clothing – Upper Body
T-Shirts

Two T-shirts. Synthetic is best. Long sleeve underwear top. Light or medium synthetic. Absolutely no cotton.
Light weight long sleeved shirt
Heavyweight Jacket
Sports bra
Rain parka or Poncho
Gloves or mittens
Down Jacket

Clothing – Lower Body

Quick dry hiking shorts. Good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain.
Long underwear bottoms. Wool or synthetic. Light or medium weight. Wool, bunting, or pile pants. One pair that fit loosely and are comfortable Rain pants.
Waterproof nylon Wind pants. Tights. Lycra types are best. These are comfortable while hiking to prevent needle stings, or to provide warmth on cool misty days under a pair of pile pants.
Undergarments are enough for the proposed days.

On Your Feet

Socks. Synthetic or wool, at least 3 pairs.
Liners Socks if you wear them. Absolutely no cotton. You will wear a thin pair, rinse the thin pair at night and peg the in-pack to dry on the next day.
Hiking boots. High–top heavy-duty hiking boots with a good sole for traction. These should be well worn by trip departure. Make sure it’s not plastic and must be high enough to support your ankle.
Please wear your boot which you’re going to use on Kilimanjaro in case luggage goes missing on a plane.
Gaiters must be knee length with Velcro closures Lightweight shoes, sandals, or other shoes for crossing rivers and for base camp.
Trekking trousers, not cotton or jeans. Fleece-lined trousers are a good choice.
Trekking poles are very useful for the descent.

For Drinking

Water bottle. Four bottles, one-liter size.
Water treatment tablets. Not essential, but good to have on hand. (We provide tablets as part of the trip service).
Water flavoring. (The water treatment tablets tend to leave a small aftertaste, so having your favorite drink powder can help to mask this. Also not essential).

For Personal Hygiene Items

Bring enough toiletries for the entire trip. Keep it simple and light, but bring enough for your needs.
Biodegradable soap.
Hand sanitizes
Sunscreen. Minimum of SPF15 First Aid.
A complete personal first–aid kit containing any drugs prescribed by your doctor (see the “letter to your physician for high altitude meds, antibiotic and the like”) Insure Antiseptic cream, plasters, knee support, moleskin or compeed, Ibuprofen, aspirin, paracetamol, Imodium, rehydrating power, through sweet are packed.
Towel for washing in camp. (A small one.) You can also use a bandana.
Insect repellent containing DEEP
Moist towelettes or baby wipes for additional hygiene.
Pocket Knife. Simple Swiss Army type with scissors.
Trail Munchies. Although plenty of snack food is provided, trekkers like to have a taste of home in their packs. It is also advisable to bring at least three energy bars to assist you on summit day.
Hot drink mixes. We provide plenty of coffee, cocoa, and tea, but non-caffeinated drinks are not readily available here. Bring a supply of your favorite herbal teas.
Electrolytes, powder, and tablets (optional)
Snacks, lightweight, high calorie, high energy ( Optional)
Earplugs. To block out snoring and hut noise and ensure peaceful rest.
Plastic bag for protecting wet gear as well one extra for garbage.

Paper Work

Valid passport and visa ( Visa also available Tanzania on arrival for countries who get visa on arrival)
International health card with immunizations (Yellow fever)
Trip Itineraries and receipts
Travel InsuranceAirline ticket
Medical insurance
US$ cash / Travellers Checks / Credit Card

Others

Toiletries
Prescriptions
Camera with Extra batteries (option)and memory card. A UV filter is needed for SLRs.
Wristwatch and alarm
Cell phones and space batteries, check also with your network provider for coverage and local network. You can get signal across a lot of points on the mountain and as well as understand that most points still have weak networks.

Introduction

Each climber on Mt. Kilimanjaro is required to pay park fees, which constitute 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’s climbing cost.

Read more : how long does it take to climb mount kilimanjaro

Be aware that some unethical tour operators deliberately provide misleading information regarding Kilimanjaro park fees.

Never trust claims that it is possible to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and avoid fees by bypassing ranger posts. It is simply impossible to reach Uhuru Peak avoiding any encounters with park rangers. Some of those who try to attempt this are caught every year.

Each climber on Mt. Kilimanjaro is required to pay park fees.

Furthermore, it is dangerous. Bypassing established official routes where climbing permits are checked at each ranger post will bereave you of the possibility of receiving timely assistance from the rangers should such a necessity arise.

Lastly, it is unlawful. Trespassing to National Parks is considered a serious offense in Tanzania. The best-case scenario entails being bereft of the chance of ever experiencing the wonders of Tanzania again after being deported and stiff fines. Imprisonment is also not to be ruled out.

Listed are the park fees for various common routes. This figure does not include guide and porter entrance fees.

Machame 6 days = USD 814.20 per trekker
Machame 7 days = USD 955.80 per trekker
Lemosho 7 days = USD 955.80 per trekker
Lemosho 8 days = USD 1097.40 per trekker
Marangu 5 days = USD 719.80 per trekker
Marangu 6 days = USD 873.20 per trekker
Rongai 6 days = USD 814.20 per trekker
Rongai 7 days = USD 955.80 per trekker
Umbwe 6 days = USD 814.20 per trekker
Umbwe 7 days = USD 955.80 per trekker

What are the various components of the park fees?

Kilimanjaro park fees comprise various components. It depends on how many days and how many nights you spend inside the park. Here are a few major ones.

Conservation Fees

Fees charged by the park department for the upkeep of the national park are USD 70 per trekker per day. Charged for the number of days you spend inside the park. For e.g., on 8 days Lemosho route, the conservation fees would be USD 560 (USD 70 x 8 days).

Camping Fees

On all routes except Marangu, you would be camping at the public campsites. These campsites as well as common areas such as toilets are maintained by the park department. The camping fees is USD 50 per trekker per night. This is charged for the number of times you camp on a trip. Continuing the previous example, on an 8-day Lemosho trip, you would be camping for 7 nights. So the camping fees would be USD 350 (USD 50 x 7 nights).

Hut Fees

On the Marangu route, you would be sleeping in huts along the route instead of camping. High altitude maintained huts by the park department. Some of the huts are Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo. The hut fees is USD 60 per trekker per night. So on a 6-day Marangu route, hut fees would be USD 300 (USD 60 x 5 nights).

Rescue Fees

Charged by the park department to provide rescues on the mountain. The current cost is USD 20 per trekker per trip.

Crater Camping Fees

In case you wish to camp on the crater, the cost would be USD 100 per trekker per night.

Guide and Porter Entrance Fees

In addition to paying park fees for yourself, you are also responsible for paying the park entrance fees for your crew, your guides, cooks, and porters. The park entrance fee is USD 2 per trip per person.

VAT

There’s a Value Added Tax (VAT) charged by the government of Tanzania. The government started charging VAT on Kilimanjaro treks in July 2016. Currently, it’s set at 18%. All the components above would have to be charged with 18% VAT.

How to calculate the park fees?

Now that we know all the components of the park fees, it’s trivial to calculate how much the amount will be.

Let’s say you are doing an 8-day Lemosho route. This would mean you would be spending 8 days and 7 nights on the mountain. On the Lemosho route, you would be camping at the public campsites. So here is how you would calculate the Kilimanjaro park fees.

Conservation fees = USD 70 x 8 days = USD 560 per trekker
Camping fees = USD 50 x 7 nights = USD 350 per trekker
Rescue fees = USD 20
Total (exclusive of taxes) = USD 560 + USD 350 + USD 20 = USD 930
VAT = 18% of USD 930 = USD 167.40
Total (inclusive of taxes) = USD 930 + 167.40 = USD 1097.40

Let’s take another example for Marangu’s 6 days. On the Marangu route, you would be spending the 5 nights in huts instead of camps.

Conservation fees = USD 70 x 6 days = USD 420 per trekker
Camping fees = USD 60 x 5 nights = USD 300 per trekker
Rescue fees = USD 20
Total (exclusive of taxes) = USD 420 + USD 300 + USD 20 = USD 740
VAT = 18% of USD 740 = USD 133.20
Total (inclusive of taxes) = USD 740 + 133.20 = USD 873.20

How to pay the park fees?

You have two options when it comes to paying the park fees.

The most common and popular option is to pay the park fees upfront to us, along with the trek fees. All prices on our website include park fees as well as VAT. We will then pay the park fees to the park department.

Another option is to pay the park fees directly to the park department. You can do this with any Visa card at the park gate. You would be doing this on the first day of the climb at the park gate we would be entering from.

While booking, you can indicate your preference to us on how you wish to pay the park fees.

What are the discounts available from the park department?
The park department offers discounts for children under the age of 16 years at the time of the climb, residents, and ex-pats of Tanzania and East African citizens. Let’s look at these discounts in detail.

Children aged between the age of 5 and 15 years

Children aged between the age of 5 and 15 years get a discount on conservation fees as well as camping fees. There is no discount on hut fees or rescue fees.

Conversation fees are USD 20 per day.
Camping fees are USD 10 per day.
Hut fees are still USD 60 per day.
No change in rescue fees. Rescue fees are still USD 20 per trip.

Children below the age of 5 years

The park department charges no conservation fees or camping fees for children below the age of 5 years. Hut and rescue fees are still applicable.

No Conversation fees.
No Camping fees.
Hut fees are still USD 60 per day.
No change in rescue fees. Rescue fees are still USD 20 per trip.

Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania

If you are an expatriate or a resident living and working in Tanzania, the park department discounts your conversation fees. There are no discounts on camping fees, hut fees, or rescue fees.

Conversation fees are USD 35 per day.
No change in camping fees. Camping fees are still USD 50 per day.
No change in hut fees. Hut fees are still USD 60 per day.
No change in rescue fees. Rescue fees are still USD 20 per trip.

East African Citizens

You can get discounts if you are a national of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda & South Sudan. Please note that this is applicable to the citizens of these countries and not residents. If you are a national of one of these countries, you must produce your passport at the entry gate.

We charge you the exact park fees charged by the park department. We have no markups. You are free to pay the park fees directly to the park department as well on the first day of the climb at the different park gates. Prices on the website are inclusive of the Kilimanjaro park fees listed above as well as VAT to give you a true and transparent picture of the costs.

Source

Tanzania National Parks – Park Fees and Regulations
Tanzania National Parks – Park Fees and Regulations for EAC Citizens