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The 9 Best Companies to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro With

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Summiting Kilimanjaro is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers. To make it to the top, you’ll have to put in long hours of training, spend thousands of dollars, and take a lot of vacation time. It’s not a journey you can (or should) attempt alone, and it would be heartbreaking to travel all that way and not reach your goal. That’s why choosing the right tour company to climb Kilimanjaro is the most important part of your trip.

All companies featured on this list are approved partners with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), which monitors the treatment of porters on the mountain to ensure that they are paid fairly, do not carry excessively heavy loads, and are provided with comfortable accommodations and three meals a day during the trek.

Wildland Trekking

Wildland Trekking aims to get guests away from the crowds on Kilimanjaro’s slopes, and starts their trips on the Rongai Route before merging with the more popular Marangu Route. Wildland’s 10-day journey includes plenty of time for acclimatization, which is crucial for hiking at high altitudes. 

As Wildland says, “It takes a team, not an individual to reach the summit of Africa,” and the company truly values and invests in its porters. 

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Exodus Travels

Exodus Travels offers trips on two different routes on Kilimanjaro, the scenic Rongai Route and the slightly longer Lemosho Route. (Pick the Lemosho Route for the best chance of success—Exodus Travels has a 96 percent summit rate on this trail). 

Spend summit night under a full moon by choosing one of Exodus’ full moon departure trips, or opt for a woman-powered trek with an all-female crew trip.

Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) boasts an incredibly high summit rate, with 97 percent of clients making it to the top. (The average success rate on Kilimanjaro is 60-70 percent.)

The secret to A&K’s success lies in its preparation. Every climb will feature first-rate safety and emergency equipment (including oxygen and a portable altitude chamber), proper nutrition in the form of fresh food, and comfortable campsites complete with private toilets. 

Every A&K guide on its Kilimanjaro trips are certified Wilderness First Responders—and most have completed over 200 summits. 

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Every year, MT Sobek operates an annual Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid training in Tanzania to ensure their guides are prepared for anything on the mountain. 

When you are focused on the summit, you might forget to consider the scenery along the way. Fortunately, MT Sobek has done the research for you, and follows a unique trail over the Machame Route, through the Great Barranco Valley, and over the Western Breach for some of the most beautiful views on the mountain. This path also allows for plenty of time to acclimatize (including spending the night in Kibo’s crater before making the summit push), contributing to the company’s 98 percent success rate. 

Intrepid Travel

Not a fan of camping? Sign up for Intrepid Travel’s Marangu Route trip , which overnights in mountain huts along the way instead of tents. Machame Route treks are also available, as are trips that combine Kilimanjaro with a relaxing safari. 

Intrepid Travel operates with a strict ratio of one guide for every two clients. 

Ultimate Kilimanjaro

Ultimate Kilimanjaro helped Anne Lorimor become the oldest person in the world to climb Kilimanjaro—so the odds are good that they can help you reach the top as well. 

The company has been leading trips up the mountain for over 15 years and leads over 150 climbs annually.

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Pristine Trails Adventures & Safaris

Pristine Trails Adventures & Safaris is locally-owned. Owner Edward Lyimo was born and raised in Tanzania and worked at another tour company before deciding to start his own operation. Under the “Pristine Promise” all guides have extensive experience (and are Wilderness First Responder certified). Guides and cooks are re-trained each year during the low season. 

Guests will sleep in roomy Mountain Hardwear tents during the trek, atop local-made sleeping mats that will increase their comfort levels. 

World Expeditions

Leave Kilimanjaro better than you found it on a trip with World Expeditions . This eco-minded company asks its guests to pick up 10 pieces of litter each day of the trek, helping to keep the mountain pristine. 

World Expeditions has been offering Kilimanjaro treks for over 25 years, and is one of just a few companies that offer trips up the less-crowded Shira Route and Northern Circuit. 

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G Adventures

Kilimanjaro trips are expensive, but budget-minded travelers can find some good deals with G Adventures . G Adventures hikes are a little more basic than the others on this list (you won’t find private toilet tents on these expeditions.) However, G Adventures’ summit rates are still very high, varying from 90 percent to 96 percent depending on the route.

There are lots of Kilimanjaro trips to choose from with G Adventures, including tours that combine Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and Zanzibar.  

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Ultimate Kilimanjaro has an impressive clientele and an equally impressive reputation for quality. They have also been featured in various books, newspapers, documentaries and international magazines (GQ, CNN and Esquire to name a few).

With their phenomenal website and blog (the best Kilimanjaro site in our opinion), superb guides, quality service and reasonable prices, the operator attracts many clients.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro claims to guide over 1,000 climbers per year, and their heavy presence on the mountain seems to confirm that, proving them to be the most popular outfitter of our featured companies. Solid company with extensive credentials comparable to much more expensive operators, but at a great price. 

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $3,299 (2024)

2. Peak Planet : $$

Peak Planet is one of the few specialist companies with a long track record of organizing high-quality Mount Kilimanjaro climbs. We have been setting the standard for climbing Kilimanjaro since 2008. Through the years, we have elevated and perfected our service to be exceptional in all areas.

Consistently recognized as one of the best operators on Kilimanjaro, we have the passion and the capabilities to make your dreams come true. To sum it up, we have better guides, better equipment, and better meals than our competitors. We operate on a higher level of safety and are more environmentally and socially responsible. And we do it all for less money. We hope that you will dig deep and note what we offer and what our customers say about us. We believe that you will see what we already know — Peak Planet is the best Kilimanjaro outfitter on the mountain. 

Peak Planet is a favorite among Kilimanjaro climbers due to their affordable prices, friendly guides and comprehensive safety regimen. The company has a close relationship with KPAP, so you can be assured that your staff are treated well.

Peak Planet guides receive advanced medical training equivalent to or better than the higher priced companies on this list. Also included are daily health checks with monitoring of pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, as well as personal oxygen systems and emergency helicopter evacuation.

With a 99.8% client satisfaction rate, Peak Planet comes highly recommended. Clients rave about their talented guides, excellent service and fair prices.   

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $3,079 (2024)

3.  Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience : $$$

Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience (SENE) is a Tanzania-based company, owned and operated by Simon Mtuy. Simon’s leadership skills translate naturally to SENE expeditions. As a licensed Kilimanjaro guide, he has made more than 300 ascents of the mountain. Simon is dedicated to the safety and well being of his clients.

SENE is run almost entirely by native Tanzanians, ensuring that all profits stay in the country. We utilize the skills and expertise of East Africans to support and develop the local economy.

SENE is the smallest of our featured Kilimanjaro companies. The outfitter is also the least well known, despite being founded by perhaps the most famous owner – Simon Mtuy. Simon is the former record holder for the fastest climb of Kilimanjaro ( 9 hours 21 minutes round-trip). SENE has a reputation for exemplary treatment of its porters and is beloved by its crew and clients alike. One unique aspect of SENE is that they are one of the few wholly owned Tanzanian companies that are members of KPAP. Additionally, SENE’s clients stay at cottages on Simon’s family farm cottages.

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $4,190 (2024)

4.  Summits Africa : $$$

Summits Africa was created through the combined experience and vision of over 50 dedicated Kilimanjaro and trekking specialists from senior managers to porters. Most of the Summits Africa team have been working together since 2001 shaping the way we do business and that makes for a very dedicated and close knit team. 

Adventure International is a premier adventure travel specialist, offering a full range of travel services to the world’s most magnificent locations. Our authenticity and expertise comes from our extensive background as guides, trip leaders, and managers. We have over a decade of experience running safe and professional adventure trips into remote wilderness areas and the world´s highest peaks.

Summits Africa is a high end luxury operator that acts as the ground handler for many international adventure travel companies who repackage their trips. Their service and equipment is top notch, and it has to be when dealing with clients who may have paid upwards of $6,000 for a spot on one of their group climbs (price through REI Adventures). However, you can make trip arrangements at a much more palatable price, but still quite high, through Adventure International, their U.S. affiliate company. Summits Africa does not take direct bookings.

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $5,600 (2024)

5. Tusker Trail : $$$$

With the credentials “Born and raised in Africa”, Eddie Frank has been leading Kilimanjaro climbs for the past  38 years. His vision for his company, Tusker Trail, took root back in Africa in his early teens, when he dreamed of leading expeditions.  50  climbs of Kilimanjaro later, he succeeded – step by step – establishing Tusker’s reputation as the top climbing outfit on the mountain.  Tusker Trail enjoys “World Class” status among an elite cadre of high altitude medical doctors and professionals.

Tusker Trail is the most established company on this list. As one of the original Kilimanjaro companies, Tusker Trail has been a leader in the industry for quite some time. Tusker boasts to have the best trained guides when it comes to safety. From our perspective, their guides may very well receive the most medical training and be armed with the most safety equipment of all Kilimanjaro companies. Tusker guides carry oxygen, a portable altitude chamber, and an evacuation stretcher on every climb.    

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $6,340 (2024)

6. Thomson Safaris : $$$$

We’ve been sending travelers to Tanzania for over 30 years, we’ve trekked every route on the mountain (and stayed in every single hut, lodge, and campsite there is), and all of your Thomson trip planners have successfully summited Kilimanjaro. We eat, sleep, and breathe Kilimanjaro, and we can say with confidence: no one knows the mountain better. We help you with everything from route-specific personal training programs to renting or buying your gear. That’s why we have a 98% summit success rate, and hundreds of happy trekkers singing our praises.

Though Thomson Safaris began and grew as primarily a safari company more than 30 years ago, they are now equally as proficient in running excellent Kilimanjaro climbs. Hands down, Thomson is the most expensive operator on the mountain, with some trips costing nearly $8,000.   But these prices don’t seem to turn off clients as the company receives steady business year after year. The MTV celebrity climb, Summit on the Summit, was handled by Thomson Safaris. Thomson’s crew is very visible on the mountain, as they are the only company that outfits its porters with (bright orange) all-weather uniforms.

Lemosho 8 day group climb: $6,590 (2024)

Summary of the Best Kilimanjaro Operators (as an Insider)

Ultimate Kilimanjaro is o ur top recommendation for climbing Kilimanjaro .

When searching for a guide company, it is very difficult for the average person to discern the top performers and the inferior operators. Any company can craft a professional looking website, produce a nice video and only publish biased reviews.

There are many known companies that have bad reputations in the industry, but conversely have an overwhelming number of glowing reviews on Trip Advisor. This is what makes choosing a Kilimanjaro guide company so hard.

To truly assess the quality of a company, it takes industry knowledge.

I am a former Kilimanjaro guide who worked on the mountain for about three years with one of the top operators. I assisted on treks with other operators. I had a friends who worked in some capacity in the industry – as guides, as part of the mountain crew or in sales and administrative roles. So it’s safe to say that during my tenure in Tanzania, I learned a lot about the many Kilimanjaro operators – as an insider .

The outfitters on the above list are all well known and respected in the industry. These companies are truly regarded as the very best Kilimanjaro operators in the world.

However, we believe that Ultimate Kilimanjaro is at the top of the class.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro is highly experienced, highly reputable company with a strong presence on the mountain. They have guided more than 15,000 people to the summit, which is no easy task. They have established their name as the #1 guide service on Kilimanjaro by offering great service at a reasonable price. And this is precisely why we recommend them over the others. The value they offer is superb.

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The Best of Everything for Climbing Kilimanjaro

• BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO
• BEST KILIMANJARO ROUTE
• BEST BACKPACK
• BEST RAIN JACKET
• BEST FLIGHTS
• BEST KILIMANJARO TRAINING
• BEST KILIMANJARO WEBSITE
• BEST KILIMANJARO MOVIES
• BEST KILIMANJARO BOOKS
• BEST SLEEPING BAG
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8 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Companies

8 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Companies 2023 – 2024: Trekking Operators Reviewed

Hiking up the dormant volcano, Kilimanjaro, is an experience that many recommend. It is the easiest of the seven summits, but still difficult considering it is Africa’s tallest peak at 5,895 meters.

While this is the easiest of the seven summits, it still gets more difficult at night and still requires you to be in great physical condition. The first step in researching how to climb the mountain is by locating a tour company that can assist you with your climb.

Best Kilimanjaro Tour Operators & Companies List and Ratings 

1. climbing kilimanjaro.

They are so popular due to specializing in hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, unlike many other companies. This allows them to assist you fully from start to finish, and you know they are professionals.

Best Kilimanjaro Guides

Our top recommendation for a Best Kilimanjaro Guides is Climbing Kilimanjaro; they send more teams up Kilimanjaro than any other operator in Tanzania, making them #1 in experience. Not only do they prioritize client safety, but also have the resources to perform helicopter evacuations incase of  emergency.

Climbing Kilimanjaro has highly experienced and licensed Mountain guides. They are known for their high client satisfaction and summit success rate. They provide tips even before you arrive to let you know what to expect and bring.

They believe that a quality guide is key to making it to the summit. Almost a third of climbers don’t make it up the mountain if they don’t have an experienced guide, which is why Climbing Kilimanjaro only provides you with the best.

This company is focused on keeping you safe and providing the best equipment for your trip. This includes tents, meals, water, and even toilet tents. All of their equipment is made specifically for the mountain experience and will provide comfort, knowing that it was arranged by professionals.

They also provide many safety features for your hike. This includes Certified Wilderness First Responders being at the ready. To properly check your health, they will take daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring. Emergency oxygen and medical kits are provided as well.

Along with providing equipment, their website has a list of what you should pack. Along with this, they provide many different tips on how to prepare for your climb.

The Premier Kilimanjaro Outfitter was formed upon the following motto: Focus on safety, be flexible, treat everyone fairly, and have fun! Climbing Kilimanjaro hold 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor:

Tour Packages

Climbing Kilimanjaro offers seven different tour options, varying from six to nine-day trips. On their website, they provide detailed information on each route and what to expect. The best feature outside of the itinerary is the review section for each route. This allows you to see what other clients thought of that route.

The first night of all tours allows you to get acclimated in the foothills of Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania. You will get to stay in Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, which has many amenities that you can enjoy.

Machame Route

The route costs $2,790 with various dates available and lasts for seven days. This is one of the most scenic routes on the mountain with a variety of different zones. This includes lush rainforest and arctic zones.

Marangu Route 

This route is six days long and costs $2,670 for one person. This route comes up to the mountain from the southeast and takes you across six different ecological zones.

Rongai Route 

The Rongai Route is a seven-day trek that costs $2,850. This is the only northern route with a view of Kenya and Amboseli Park. You will go through six ecological zones during this hike.

Northern Circuit Route

This is the only nine-day route, at the cost of $3,280. This is a newer route that is quickly gaining popularity with clients. It has a beautiful view throughout the trip with various zones as well.

 Lemosho Route 

There is a seven and eight-day option for this route. The seven-day costs $2,850, while the eight-day $2,980. From day two, the itinerary does differ, so make sure to view which one you may prefer. The Lemosho Route is known for being the most scenic of all the options.

Climb Mount Meru 

Along with expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro, they also have the option to climb Mount Meru. These treks usually last three or four days and give you the feel of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on a smaller scale. For three days, it costs $950 per person, and it’s $1,050 for the four-day option.

2. Tanzania Expeditions

They offer many tips and tricks on their  website  on how to best make it up the mountain and how to prepare prior to your hike.

The equipment provided varies depending on the tour package you choose. So you will need to make sure to review this information, so you know what you need to bring. They do provide you with a thorough  list  with recommendations for what you should bring.

Tanzania Expeditions does offer eight different tour packages. Specifically, each package takes you through a route that can take from 6 to 7 days long. It is recommended to take an extra day where you can get acclimated during your climb.

Their website provides a highly detailed itinerary for each route and a list of what each one includes.

Tanzania Expeditions Holds is one of the best reviewed Kilimanjaro tour company, holding 5/5 ratings on Trip Advisor :

Lemosho Route 

• Six-day: $2,229 one person
• Seven-day: $3,500 one person

Machame Route 

• Six-day: $2,100 one person
• Six-day: $2,590 one person

Umbwe Route 

• Six-day: $2,790 one person

3. Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience

They do provide all accommodations and meals within the fee. This means all camping and dining equipment is covered, other than sleeping bags and pads. You will also need to bring your own hiking equipment.

All of their routes begin with a stay in the foothills of Kilimanjaro on  My family farm.  The routes from six to ten days long.

Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Expereince Holds  5/5 rating on TripAdvisor:

Lemosho Crater

• Nine-day: $4,640 per person

Lemosho Route

• Eight-day: $3,990 per person
• Seven-day: $3,635 per person

Rongai Route

• Seven-day: $3,545 per person

Northern Circuit with Crater

• Ten-day: $4,995 per person
• Six-day: $3,175 per person

4. Tusker Trails

Tusker Kilimanjaro Guides

All of their Kilimanjaro guides have comprehensive medical training and experience hiking up the mountain. Tusker Trails also makes sure that there are plenty of guides per group, usually ranging from two to six guides per group.

They have a list of their guides on their website, along with their experience. The least experienced having been a guide for ten years, and the most experienced at 20 years.

Tusker Trails Holds  5/5 rating on TripAdvisor:

Tusker has four different routes available, each with amazing views. They also have recommended lengths for each route so you can best acclimate to the mountain. Each route has a designated camping site along with meals and tents provided.

Marangu Route

• Nine-days: $2,980
• Ten-days: $4,530
• Twelve-days: $5,480

Tusker Spiral Route

• Fourteen-days: $6,570

Tusker has even pioneered a new route, Tusker Spiral Route. This route will start from the north and go through a spiral shape to go around the entire peak. This is also a longer trip that allows you to acclimatize easily.

5. XPATS International Travel

6. thomson safaris.

Like most other companies, they do provide campgrounds, tents, and meals. They also provide a highly detailed  list  of what you should bring and how you should plan on packing your bags based on your itinerary. They even have a downloadable link for packing tips and a checklist.

Thomson Safaris has ten different options for your Mount Kilimanjaro trek. They vary from scheduled routes to private or custom routes. They vary from four to ten-day routes. Each route has a detailed itinerary along with what accommodations you should expect.

Western Approach

• Nine-day: $5,990 per person

Grand Traverse

• Ten-day: $8,490 per person

Umbwe Route

• Six-day: $4,690 per person
• Seven-day: $3,990 per person

The private routes are:

Northern Circuit

• Ten-day: $8,490

The rest of the routes require you to contact them directly as the length and price varies depending on your request. 

• Seven to ten-day trek
• Four to six-day trek
• Six to seven-day trek

The last route they have available is the Design Your Own route. You will be allowed to customize any route that you would like; all you will need to do is contact them to go over your specifications. This includes dates and how many people will be going on the trek with you.

7. Kandoo Adventures

Kandoo Adventures provides safety, meals, quality guides, and many other features in a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. They provide tips and other advice on how to best prepare for your trek. They also have expert travel consultants listed and ready to answer any questions you may have about your trip.

Kandoo does provide certain equipment for camping, but you will need to bring your own hiking gear. They have a list provided of gear they highly recommend, especially when considering how difficult the climb will be.

On their website, they have tips for the best time to climb and what you should expect. They provide a brief description of each of the routes they have available, along with recommendations depending on your needs. Specifically, they give information on which routes are best during certain times of the year.

They have four different routes that they highly recommend:

• Seven-day: $2,925 per person
• Eight-day: $3,245 per person
• Nine-day: $3,635 per person

Kandoo also offers other routes or even routes with added benefits:

Machame Climb and Safari 

• Eleven-day: $3,895 per person
• Seven days on the Machame route before switching over to the safari

Lemosho Climb and Safari

• Eleven-day: $4,675 per person
• Seven days on the Lemosho route before switching to four days in the safari

Machame Route and Crater Camp

• We will need to contact them for prices.
• Allows for extra time to explore the summit and crater
• Six-day: $2,335 per person

Kandoo also offers a trek climb up Mount Meru. Many prefer Mount Meru since it is at a lower elevation compared to Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a three to a four-day trip that is a perfect option if you just got off safari. To enquire about prices, you will need to contact Kandoo Adventures directly.

8. Team Kilimanjaro

Team Kilimanjaro is a family-run company that specializes strictly in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Since they are specialized, they have offers that other companies may not have. For example, they offer different levels of hiking. This can vary from a VIP trip to a one for someone who is a hard-core adventurer.

They offer a wide variety of tips for climbing the mountain on their website. Along with this, they give you recommendations on how to prepare for your climb.

Each team has a chief guide with a team to assist a group of climbers. They have a wide variety of guides available and have a page dedicated to their founders. Their two founders both have or do still hold records for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro the fastest.

Team Kilimanjaro has a list of items that you should have for your expedition. They have gear available in their shop that you can look through. They even provide a Kilimanjaro Kit that you can rent out. It has many of the main items you will need while climbing that you can look through.

They offer six different routes to hike up with a variety of lengths. They offer the pros and cons of each route so you can find the best one for you and have good advice from people with a lot of experience hiking up the mountain.

They offer a wide variety of prices, depending on the length you would like to stay for. Along with this, each price varies depending on the level you would like to be on.

• Superlite, nine-day: $2,561 per person
• Lite, nine-day: $3,385 per person
• Advantage, nine-day: $3,951 per person
• Superlite, nine-day: $2,595 per person
• Lite, nine-day: $3,449 per person
• Advantage, nine-day: $3,978 per person
• Superlite, nine-day: $2,718 per person
• Lite, nine-day: $3,575 per person
• Advantage, nine-day: $4,112 per person
• Superlite, nine-day: $2,579 per person
• Lite, nine-day: $3,436 per person
• Advantage, nine-day: $3,973 per person
• Superlite, nine-day: $2,648 per person
• Lite, nine-day: $3,505 per person
• Advantage, nine-day: $4,042 per person

Shira Route

There is one more level called Excel that is slightly more expensive because it includes a stay in the crater. The advantage is the most popular package as it includes a high level of support during your climb.

Lite and Superlite are both levels that have less assistance and fewer quality amenities that the other packages offer. These are only recommended to experienced climbers or highly athletic individuals.

Final Thoughts

While the routes throughout each company may seem similar or repeat, there are many other things to consider. This includes the overall price, but also what may be included in the trip. While they all provide campsites, there may be other amenities that one offers that the others do not.

Another factor to consider is the overall experience they have with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. You may want to find a company that specializes in climbing the mountain, or just look somewhere that has highly skilled and Best Kilimanjaro guides.

No matter what, you will need to know what is on your priority list to know which company may be best suited to you.

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Best Kilimanjaro Tour Operators Compared: Climb Africa’s Highest Peak

When you are ready to tackle Africa’s highest peak, you’ll want to be surrounded by the best Kilimanjaro tour operators. Here we share tips on what to look for, along with recommendations. As we have yet to make the climb, we have gone to an expert for advice. Marvin Derichs is an avid mountaineer who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, along with several other impressive peaks. (see his bio below)

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent and one of the few places in the world where you can find massive glaciers close to the earth’s equator. Climbing this majestic volcano is an epic adventure you will remember for the rest of your life.

If you want to successfully reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll need more than endurance and fortitude: you should have great hiking boots, well-suited mountain gear, and a reliable climbing tour operator.

While being presented by a tour operator isn’t legally required to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll run into a lot of trouble trying to arrange a mountain expedition on your own! First of all, the rules of Kilimanjaro National Park provide that each group of climbers must be accompanied by a recognized mountain guide, so good luck finding a good one without the expertise of a local tour operator.

Secondly, everyone entering the park must pay national park entry fees and climbing permits. And finally, you will need a 6-7-day stock of provisions and camping gear to get you to the top.

In Tanzania, tour operators manage all of these logistics: permits and park fees, health and safety equipment, experienced mountain guides, food throughout the trek, tents and gear, and a climbing crew to help carry it all. With tour operators handling so many important aspects of the climb, who you choose is a make-or-break decision.

What to look for when choosing the best Kilimanjaro tour operators

To reach the top of Kilimanjaro safely and successfully, climb only with the trusted tour operators in Tanzania.

But there are so many of them! How do you choose right? Let’s break it down:

• Start with those who have more experience : check which company has led the most climbs in recent years. It does not necessarily imply the operators that have been in business the longest but rather those that have grown a strong presence on the mountain over the years.
• Choose a company that has high success rates on their climbs. They must be doing something right!
• Always choose a tour operator that puts health and safety first . Climbing Kilimanjaro is no joke. Choose a company that cares about your safety, not saving your expenses .
• Finally, select an operator that is highly rated by independent reviewers and former climbers. Hundreds of reviews give an accurate picture of what you can expect. If you see over 100 positive reviews, you can be sure that it’s not friends and family doing a favour but actual clients sharing their real opinions.

The seven best Kilimanjaro tour operators

To make it even easier, we have rounded up the Top 7 Kilimanjaro Climbing Operators for you.

• Altezza Travel
• Team Kilimanjaro
• Kiliwarrior Expeditions
• Ultimate Kilimanjaro
• G Adventures
• Summits Africa
• Nature Discovery

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kilimanjaro and Safari Tours (@altezza.travel)

More on each of the best Kilimanjaro guides

1. altezza travel.

A clear winner of our Top 7 best Kilimanjaro guides is Altezza Travel. They hit each point on our checklist and boast a great track record when it comes to safety and customer satisfaction. You can’t go wrong climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with Altezza Travel .

Experience: 1 in every 5 climbs on Kilimanjaro is guided by Altezza Travel, making them the most experienced climbing operator on the mountain. They have been operating in Tanzania since 2014, and now they run more climbs than any other local company. While Kilimanjaro is clearly the focus of their activity, they can also supplement your climbing experience with a safari adventure or beach holidays on one of the Tanzanian islands.

Safety: Altezza wins the day on this point too. Dedicated to client safety, they conduct two daily health checks throughout the climb to detect the onset of altitude sickness before it progresses to a dangerous stage. All of their guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, yearly retrained and re-examined on their professional knowledge. Altezza also has a heli-pad on their climbing base, allowing them to receive helicopter evacuations (something no other operator can do as of this writing).

High Success Rate: Altezza Travel keeps a record of each summit attempt and successful ascent of their expeditions. While the official data on routes by TANAPA are outdated, Altezza can present accurate statistics making it possible to predict which route is more likely to get a beginner to the summit and which one will work better for a climber with experience. Altezza backs up every figure of their success rates with GPS data.

High Ratings: A quick look at their Trip Advisor and you’ll see – Altezza Travel has over 350 positive reviews. Better than that – they don’t have a single negative review! That says a lot about a climbing operator. Not only do they perfectly attend to all the necessities while on the climb, but also advise you on the best routes for altitude acclimatization and which gear to bring, ensuring everything is well-arranged and you’re fully ready for the challenge.

Altezza Travel also organizes climbs for celebrities, record-breaking summits and amazing feats: like Wings of Kilimanjaro, RedBull and National Geographic. They have their climbing base in Tanzania, right at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, which makes everything run that much smoother. The best Kilimanjaro guides lead with Altezza; the company reinforces ongoing training to make sure their guides are always the best in the industry. And every climbing group gets lots of care and attention; you can be sure you’ll have the best Mount Kilimanjaro climb with Altezza Travel.

2. Team Kilimanjaro

If you’re a dedicated athlete and adventurer when it comes to climbing mountains, then you may be interested in Team Kilimanjaro. Team Kilimanjaro is one of the only climbing operators to offer Super Lite tours: just a guide; no cook, no porters. You carry your own tent/sleeping bag and lightweight food up the mountain for a special, very rugged experience.

Team Kilimanjaro was founded by an expat John Rees-Evans, a passionate mountain enthusiast who has climbed Kilimanjaro multiple times himself. In fact, he holds a speed record up Kilimanjaro for British citizens – impressive! 

Team Kilimanjaro can boast amazing guides and genuine dedication to ethical treatment for porters, too, so you can rest assured you’re climbing with a responsible climbing operator. Client safety and a great climbing experience are the top priorities of Team Kilimanjaro.

3. Kiliwarrior Expeditions

Kiliwarrior Expeditions is a Canadian company with Tanzanian roots. Founders Wilbert Mollel and Gerry Analytis joined forces to provide an amazing climbing experience to anyone ready to call themselves a ‘Kiliwarrior’. 

This is a small, local operator with a team of guides who have been climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for over 20 years.  We are confident that Kiliwarriors prioritize client safety: all of their guides are Wilderness First Responder certified and competent in mountain-related health issues. Kiliwarriors specialize in a unique route – the Western Breach, for climbers who want to try a risky, less popular trek up Kilimanjaro. It is a longer route (a total of 9 days, including descent), but it offers a great acclimatization transition and amazing scenery throughout the climb.

Kiliwarrior Expeditions have also shown a great success record – 94% of their climbers reach the summit. You’re sure to have an amazing climb with this top climbing operator for Kilimanjaro.

4. Ultimate Kilimanjaro 

Another popular climbing operator on Kilimanjaro is Ultimate Kilimanjaro. They have a good track record, high ratings and plenty of experience. Ultimate Kilimanjaro has been in operation for 15 years, and they lead an estimated 150 climbs up Kili every year. Based on our calculations, this makes them the second-most experienced operator on Kilimanjaro.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro prioritizes client safety with mandatory twice-a-day medical checks for all climbers and guides trained as Wilderness First Responders.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro keeps the number of climbers per climb low (16 participants, max), which adds to the reasons why climbers choose them. They offer scheduled joint and private climbs, so you can climb with your own group of friends or make new friends along the way.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro makes sure to offer routes that have a great acclimatization profile, so you’ll definitely reach the summit with this awesome team.

5. G Adventures

G Adventures are an international operator running tours all over the globe. They don’t exclusively focus on Kilimanjaro climbs – it is one of the tours on their offer. Since they work with a number of destinations, they don’t offer treks for every single route on Kilimanjaro – only on a selected few (Marangu, Machame are some other popular ones).

G Adventures have experience running tours for over 30 years. Those keen to join a fun group from all over the world can jump on board with this international tour operator. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not the sole focus of this operator, so we could not find conclusive information for how long they have been offering Kilimanjaro climbs specifically.

G Adventures know how to create an amazing adventure and bring people from different countries and cultures together for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re a solo climber looking to join a group, G Adventures’ Kilimanjaro treks are a great option to join up with like-minded people to climb Africa’s highest mountain.

6. Summits Africa

Summits Africa specializes in treks throughout East Africa (including Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda). They act as a connecting point for other tour operators leading treks in East Africa, so if you choose Summits Africa for a trek in Kenya or Uganda, you may be climbing with one of their trusted partners. They also give climbers more freedom in logistics arrangements than some other climbing operators: Summits Africa gives you the option to bring your own guide while they handle the climbing permits only or climb with their guides and porters.

Summits Africa has been organizing and leading climbs since 2001. They have a great deal of experience in mountain trekking, not only in Tanzania but throughout East Africa. If you’re interested in climbing other mountains, like the Rwenzori in Uganda or Mount Kenya in Kenya, then check out Summits Africa to arrange your climbing expedition. They also offer a few pre-scheduled climbs every year that individuals may join. For Kilimanjaro climbs, their office (located in Arusha, Tanzania) will handle all the details, and the Summits Africa climbing crew will lead your trek.

7. Nature Discovery

Nature Discovery has been in business for over 25 years. They focus on both safaris and treks across Tanzania, with a mission to respect the environment. Nature Discovery is one of the few climbing operators that offer treks on Mount Longido (located near the border to Kenya) and Ol Doinyo Lengai – an active volcano found near Lake Natron.

Their team is passionate about Tanzania’s wildlife and environment conservation, and they bring that enthusiasm on each of their mountain expeditions. Nature Discovery emphasizes such practices as Leave No Trace for all of their climbs and safaris, so travellers can be sure that they do not foster an organization that causes harm to nature.

Nature Discovery has a solid track record for safety and client satisfaction. A Kilimanjaro climb with this operator is sure to be a great and eco-friendly adventure.

Summary of the best Kilimanjaro tour operators

There are so many operators offering climbing tours on Mount Kilimanjaro. How do you choose? For a safe and successful climb, it is important to look for the best operators – those with plenty of experience, focus on safety and great independent reviews.

Our list includes a diverse selection of climbing operators: a global adventure travel company, small, local Tanzanian climbing operators and the most experienced climbing operators on Kilimanjaro. From this list, you can find a great climbing operator for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb.

Our top recommendation for a Kilimanjaro climb is Altezza Travel ; they send more teams up Kilimanjaro than any other operator in Tanzania, making them #1 in experience. Not only do they prioritize client safety, but also have the resources to perform helicopter evacuations (a rare service in Tanzania). They send climbing teams up every route on Kilimanjaro, and they keep GPS data to back up their claims about summit successes. If you’re looking for the best climbing operator, climb with Altezza.

Save on your trip with these resources

These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

• Flights : we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Motorcycles : we have heard good things about BikesBooking .
• Campervans or Motorhomes : we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
• Private guides : we love the private guides at Tours by Locals .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

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Which of the best Kilimanjaro tour operators will you climb with?

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About the author who compared the best Kilimanjaro tour operators

Marvin Derichs is a dedicated mountain climber and avid traveller. He spent many years in East Africa, exploring its mountains, cultures and lifestyles. So far he has been on the peaks of Mount Stanley (Margherita) in Uganda, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in Tanzania, and Mount Kenya in Kenya. Now he is sharing his experiences from Munich, Germany and planning further adventures in Africa.

Photo credits:

All photos on this page were provided by Altezza Travel and used with written permission. All rights reserved.

About Albom Adventures Editorial Team

Albom Adventures’ editorial team consists of travel bloggers and other travel writers who periodically provide content to this blog. If would like to join our editorial team, please send us an email via the information on our contact page .

Reader Interactions

July 25, 2022 at 6:44 am

Ashanti tours. Went with them in Feb through discover adventure in UK. And they were brilliant. Came down from summit with Cuthbert the owner in one day and truly is a gent. If you want the best i would recommend these guys all day long. Julio, Bryson were brilliant at leading group. Go with them and won’t go wrong

Glen Garvin

July 6, 2022 at 11:13 pm

How can you possibly leave RMI (Rainier Mountaineering) off of this list? They are the best across the world and have the most experienced, world-renown guides?

Skyler Soelberg

July 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm

Lol!! Climb Kili has twice the positive Tripadvisor reviews of any of these other companies.

June 26, 2022 at 8:18 am

Thank you for for such good outline short list down the best Kilimanjaro tour operators! very helpful!

March 5, 2022 at 6:10 pm

Very useful content. Thank you.

January 23, 2022 at 4:02 pm

I definitely don’t think I’d try to do this without a tour operator — too many logistics to keep track of. Thank you for putting this together! Altezza sounds great!

January 23, 2022 at 3:07 am

Thank you for such a detailed guide on all the best operators, climbing Kilimanjaro is something I’d love to challenge myself to do one day so it’s very interesting to read about all the options!

January 22, 2022 at 11:06 am

Great information with complete details and what to expect. And this place looks like a definite bucket list trip!

January 19, 2022 at 7:13 pm

This is interesting to me! Thank you for insight into such an epic adventure

Alex J. Cavanaugh

January 19, 2022 at 3:56 am

I’d like to see it, but don’t think a week of climbing is for me. You bet I would place safety first though.

January 19, 2022 at 3:18 am

I would LOVE to go there! thank you for the guide, you do have everything covered. Saving it for later to actually book trip

January 19, 2022 at 2:42 am

I’m glad I got to see these photos. Even at my youngest and healthiest, this would have been daunting to me.

Jasmine Martin

January 18, 2022 at 6:36 pm

I would absolutely love to visit Kilimanjaro. I am definitely going to use this for whenever I do visit there.

January 18, 2022 at 2:28 pm

This is great information for those looking to climb Kilmanjaro. It definitely would be a huge challenge!

January 18, 2022 at 11:40 am

Very interesting information! A nephew of mine summited Kilamjaro years ago and enjoyed the challenge very much. I blogged about his experiences at that time.

January 18, 2022 at 11:17 am

Lots of great info on climbing Kilimanjaro! I hope to make it back to Africa and do it!

Lydia C. Lee

January 18, 2022 at 10:18 am

Wow! Looks lovely. Feels like a very long way off at the moment.

January 18, 2022 at 8:05 am

This is such a great article! For a smaller hike, I went on a known tour company and it was pretty traumatising. So I’d definitely recommend someone to this article for such an intense hike. Thanks for sharing this.

January 17, 2022 at 12:43 pm

Good to know how to find a good tour! My friend was getting overwhelmed with all the options when planning a trip and climb there. Can’t wait to send this on 🙂

Renata Feyen

January 17, 2022 at 11:23 am

My physical condition is not good enough to make such climbs, but I suppose a good guide makes a huge difference

January 17, 2022 at 10:33 am

I don’t believe I am fit enough ever to be hiking Mt Kilimanjaro. However, I love your tips for selecting a good operator. Safety is essential, and what’s best than climbing the mountain with a trusted tour operator? Altezza Travel sounds like the best one out of the 7.

January 17, 2022 at 8:28 am

Until recently I didn’t know about this place or the tours. A co worker of mine is going there in September.

January 17, 2022 at 8:03 am

Thanks for sharing this! I am actually heading to Kilimanjaro in September and was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tour operators and didn’t have a clue where to even start, so this was super useful, thank you!

Vanessa Shields

January 17, 2022 at 7:53 am

So much great information on trekking up Kilimanjaro! This is definitely a bucket list activity. I’d definitely want to go with Altezza Travel as I like how experienced they are, focused on safety and they have a heli pad if needed!

Travel Addicted Unicorn

January 17, 2022 at 7:29 am

Oo wow what an interesting post…I have never climbed such a big mountain before (am not much of a hiker myself) but so inspiring when you see others do it. I did a trip with G adventures a few years ago but it was in Europe and I did like them. Didn’t know they did tours on mount Kilimanjaro and especially for 30 years!!

Jori Sutton

January 17, 2022 at 5:57 am

Have a friend planning this trip now! Will send it on!

January 17, 2022 at 5:38 am

As someone who usually likes to do things “self-guided,” I can easily say that hiking Mount Kilimanjaro would be an experience I’d definitely choose to go on a tour! These are all great suggestions that I’ll keep in mind if I ever tackle this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity someday! 🙂

Linda (LD Holland)

January 17, 2022 at 2:57 am

I am not sure I would ever consider trying Kilamanjaro without an organized tour. Great to get some tips on how to pick a good tour group. And to get some insight into some of the best ones.

January 17, 2022 at 12:50 am

Thank you for breaking down the best Kilimanjaro tour operators! it was very helpful! I’ll be saving this for down the road!

January 16, 2022 at 9:19 pm

This is a very helpful tips on kilimanjaro mountain. Btw, awesome tent color, love it 🙂

January 16, 2022 at 3:13 pm

This is a great guide to compare the top 7 Mount Kilimanjaro climbing operators. I’m in awe of those with such dedication and passion to accomplish this adventure.

January 16, 2022 at 2:59 pm

It’s pretty cool that you have so many options for hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro! My friends did it a few years ago and my husband and were soooo sad we couldn’t join them (we were just too poor while we were saving to get married…) I do love the idea of doing this one day though. I’ll try to remember that Altezza Travel is the one to go for.

January 16, 2022 at 12:26 pm

This info about Mt Kilimanjaro tours is SO helpful – thank you!

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MOUNT KILIMANJARO TOURS & SAFARI

Welcome to Climb Kili, your trusted partner for unforgettable journeys to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Our unwavering commitment is to offer memorable, high-quality adventures to those with a spirit of exploration and a desire to conquer the highest freestanding peak in the world.

The Climb Kili Difference

At Climb Kili, we distinguish ourselves in the landscape of Kilimanjaro expeditions, not merely through our expertise but also our dedication to crafting a unique experience for every adventurer. We understand that climbing Kilimanjaro is more than a trek – it’s a transformative journey. It’s about immersing oneself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature, pushing personal boundaries, and discovering inner resilience.

More Than Guides, We Are Your Partners

We are not just your guides; we are your partners on this voyage of self-discovery. Our team ensures that your journey is not only safe and thrilling but also profound and meaningful. We aim to leave each climber with a sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering Africa’s highest peak and memories of an extraordinary journey that will be cherished forever. Every step with Climb Kili brings you closer to a meticulously curated and personally fulfilling epic adventure. Embrace the climb! It’s time to conquer Kilimanjaro with Climb Kili.

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Every Kilimanjaro tour unravels a story of revelation. From unique biomes to the unparalleled panoramas at the summit, our Kilimanjaro tours offer an immersive experience that captures the essence of this awe-inspiring mountain.

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At Climb Kili, our pride lies in being recognized as one of the top facilitators for Kilimanjaro expeditions. Our wise and accomplished team is committed to orchestrating every Kilimanjaro trek with precision and unwavering dedication to your absolute safety and satisfaction.

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The aspiration to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro can be a daunting endeavor, but under the guidance of our expert Kilimanjaro guides, your well-being is ensured. Our guides, seasoned mountaineers, have dedicated their lives to traversing Kilimanjaro’s trails, ensuring a nurturing, enlightening, and secure environment throughout your journey.

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Our belief rests in tailoring Kilimanjaro treks that resonate with the unique preferences and requirements of our climbers. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker in search of a challenging route or a beginner yearning for a less demanding trail, we have a Kilimanjaro expedition option that aligns with your expectations.

Join Us for a Memorable Kilimanjaro Adventure

For those who dream of reaching the ‘Roof of Africa,’ we invite you to embark on a journey beyond the ordinary. At Climb Kili, we combine years of expertise, meticulous preparation, and a passion for exploration to create Kilimanjaro journeys that leave lifelong memories.

Our Kilimanjaro guides have been assisting adventures from all over the world climb Kilimanjaro for over three decades. You choose your start date!

CLIMB KILI SAFARIS

As we run our own Safari company, we can do any length and itinerary safari you'd like.

With a Local office on Zanzibar, we can take care of all your Zanzi needs. The Zanzibar archipelago consists of over 50 islands – which vary from tiny outcrops to the larger

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With nearly 40 years experience summiting Mt Kilimanjaro, Why are we the best Kilimanjaro tour Company? We guide you long before the climbing Kilimanjaro by answering When is the best time to climb, how do you train for Kilimanjaro, what is the best route on Kilimanjaro and much more! Climb Kili is the premier trekking company for climbing Kilimanjaro and Tanzania safaris and we answer all the Kilimanjaro Questions.

At Climb Kili, we pride ourselves in providing the safest Mt Kilimanjaro treks with our certified equipment and professional Mt Kilimanjaro Guides. Make your reservation for a Kilimanjaro tour today!

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Absolutely! Kilimanjaro’s climbing ability caters to individuals across the fitness spectrum. Our diverse trails cater to a range of skill levels, with our proficient guides accompanying you at every step, ensuring your safety and success.

Our history is steeped in leading adventure enthusiasts up Kilimanjaro. Our seasoned guides, comprehensive preparation, and thorough route planning, coupled with a commitment to your safety and enjoyment, set us apart.

We equip our climbers with a comprehensive gear list, including critical items like thermal clothing, hiking boots, and a headlamp, among other essentials. Our team is ready to answer any questions and assist you in your preparation phase.

Seize the opportunity at Climb Kili for an unparalleled adventure, reaching towering heights and creating memories to last a lifetime! Don’t overlook this incredible opportunity.

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For many visitors to Africa, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge. The climb takes in muddy rainforests, unique high-altitude plants and alpine meadows before finally arriving at the glacier-coated summit. Standing tall above the savannahs of East Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895m/19,340ft) is an icon of Africa. But just how do you go about climbing Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro and how fit do you have to be? We answer some of these common questions below.

10-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek

$5,238 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Budget Camping & Lodge

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

6-Day Marangu Route - Quality Service

$1,705 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 15 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Moshi (End)

5.0 /5  –  24 Reviews

9-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Rongai Route

$2,695 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 60 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut & Camping

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Kilimanjaro Airport, Mt Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Moshi (End)

Dodo Group Tanzania   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  22 Reviews

8-Day Lemosho Route Tanzania

$2,255 to $3,361 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Mountain Hut & Camping

Gifted African Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  8 Reviews

5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Summit Special

$1,499 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 10 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Moshi (End)

Alpine Chat Adventure   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  28 Reviews

5-Day Marangu Climbing Route

$1,815 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 10 people per group) Budget Camping

Kilimanjaro Vikings   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  28 Reviews

5-Day Game Drive and Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari Tour

$1,485 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha (End)

Nkollo Tours & Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  44 Reviews

6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Umbwe Route

$1,870 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut & Camping

Almighty Kilimanjaro   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  157 Reviews

10-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking via Lemosho Route

$1,890 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Budget Mountain Hut & Camping

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro Airport, Moshi (End)

Taste of Kilimanjaro Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  13 Reviews

6-Day Climb Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route

$1,799 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 16 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut

Zara Tours   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  18 Reviews

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro - the Machame Route

$1,991 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 10 people per group) Budget Camping & Hotel

Simba Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.7 /5  –  11 Reviews

6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

$1,925 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per group) Budget Mountain Hut & Lodge

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kilimanjaro Summit, Moshi (End)

L S and Trekking   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  7 Reviews

8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek

$2,816 pp (USD)

5.0 /5  –  354 Reviews

5-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing-Marangu Route

$1,532 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Budget Mountain Hut

Safari Nuggets   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  4 Reviews

6-Day Amazing Marangu Route Mountain Trekking

$2,200 pp (USD)

Evarest Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  2 Reviews

5-Day Trek - Park Camping Safari

$1,782 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Arusha (City) , Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Greg Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  27 Reviews

7-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Trek

$1,980 pp (USD)

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Moshi (End)

Spirit of Kilimanjaro and Safari   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  39 Reviews

7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climbing

$1,760 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Mt Kilimanjaro, Mweka Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro) , Arusha (End)

Mountain Beauty   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

Not yet rated

8-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Londorosi Route

$5,610 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 20 people per vehicle) Budget Mountain Hut & Camping

You Visit: Moshi (Start) , Kilimanjaro Airport, Mt Kilimanjaro, Moshi (End)

Velam Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

6-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

$1,430 pp (USD)

Africa Magic Holidays and Tours   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  34 Reviews

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7 Questions About Kilimanjaro Mountain Climbing Tours

Answered by

Stuart butler.

Why should I choose a Kilimanjaro climbing tour?

“In 1923 George Mallory answered, “Because it’s there,” when a journalist asked him why he wanted to climb Mt Everest. It is a one-liner that applies equally to Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. At 5,895m/19,340ft, Kilimanjaro is not just the highest mountain in Africa, it’s also the world’s largest freestanding mountain. Freestanding means it’s not a part of a mountain chain. More than that, Mt Kilimanjaro is an icon of Africa. For many people, the image of elephants in front of the mass of Kilimanjaro simply is Africa. While the size of the mountain inspires a sense of awe, it’s surprisingly easy to climb. As well, a week-long mountain climbing tour is easy to slot into a standard East African safari.”

How long do I need to complete the climb and does that include time to acclimatize?

“There are several different routes by which Kilimanjaro can be climbed. Some of these are only suitable for those with mountaineering experience. The standard route is the Marangu Route, often sold as a 4-night, 5-day return climb. However, the reality is you’ll be ascending to nearly 6,000m/19,685ft. This 5-day schedule doesn’t allow enough time to safely acclimatize. You should add at least a day to this schedule to allow for a safer ascent. Or, better, try one of the other longer and quieter routes, which will naturally allow for better acclimatization. The Shira Plateau Route, Machame Route or the Northern Circuit Route (the longest of the lot) are all safer ascents. As well as being more rewarding, these all have a fraction of the crowds of Marangu.”

What level of fitness and experience is required for a mountain climbing tour?

“Mt Kilimanjaro is a big mountain and no attempt on its summit should be taken lightly. That said, this is one of the easiest mountains of its height to climb. For all the standard routes, no special mountaineering experience or equipment is required. It’s merely a long but steady uphill climb. Any reasonably fit and determined person should be able to climb it. You will need very warm clothing, including a thick mountain jacket, thermals, gloves and a hat. You’ll also need a very warm four-season sleeping bag. The most common reason for not making it to the summit is altitude-related. The standard 5-day mountain climbing tour simply doesn’t give enough time to get fully acclimatized. It’s far better to add in an extra acclimatization day or to do a longer, more-gradual route than to try and rush up and down.”

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

“Basic! Accommodation will either be in one of the very simple trekkers’ huts found on the mountain, or you’ll be camping. The huts are just that: a hut, with beds laid out dorm-style. The only form of heating will come from the other exhausted bodies sharing the hut. If you camp, then your chosen trekking company will provide small two-person dome tents. These offer a more comfortable night than in the huts. They are also more private! Better tour operators provide a much larger dining tent. The more upmarket companies will also provide tables and camp chairs. These extras might not sound like much but the added comfort they provide can really make the difference on your trek.”

What does a typical day look like on a Kilimanjaro climb?

“Days start early on Kilimanjaro and typically you’ll shiver your way out of your sleeping bag shortly after dawn. After a steaming bowl of porridge or similar, you’ll be back in your hiking boots to start walking. Aside from breaks to take in the wonderful scenery, or catch your breath, you’ll walk until lunchtime. There’ll be a hearty packed lunch. Then a couple more hours of walking before you arrive at your night spot by mid- to late afternoon. With any luck your porters might have arrived ahead of you and be boiling up a reviving cup of tea. Dinner is served early. Shortly after dark, most people snuggle back into the warmth of their sleeping bag and drift off to sleep. Take note that the more altitude you gain, the more disrupted your sleep is likely to be. Above 4,000m/13,100ft, a combination of the cold and a lack of oxygen make nights very uncomfortable. On summit day, you can give up on sleep altogether. Most people set off from camp around 1 AM. With the aid of flashlights, they walk through the night in order to be on the summit for dawn.”

How much will this tour cost?

“Climbing Kilimanjaro can be an expensive business. All trekkers must be on a package with a guide and at least one porter. The cheapest, shortest and most basic packages cost from US$1,250 per person for the 4-night, 5-day Marangu Route. Prices rise with each extra day and depend on the route you chose. The Shira Plateau Route costs a minimum of US$1,800 for a 7-day trek. This is the one we recommend due to its scenic variety and the opportunity it affords to properly acclimatize. It’s worth paying a little more in order to ensure better food and newer, better-quality tents. Plus, it’s worth having a guide who points out wildlife and interesting sites to you. Before booking a Kilimanjaro trip, be sure to check exactly what is and isn’t included. Remember that in all cases guides and porters will expect tips. This can add another couple of hundred dollars to even the cheapest Kilimanjaro climb.”

What should I consider when choosing a Kilimanjaro climbing tour?

“The most important question to ask yourself before deciding to climb Mt Kilimanjaro is whether you really have the stamina and desire to get to the top. Although not a hard mountain to climb, it’s certainly not a walk in the park. Expect long, energy-draining days, aching muscles, potential altitude problems and extreme cold. If none of these appeal, don’t sign up to a Kilimanjaro trip. You should also consider the season. July to October and January and February are the driest and most pleasant times to climb. Avoid the Wet season, when trails will be muddy or snowbound and views limited. Finally, allow plenty of time to acclimatize. Most people don’t, and many end up regretting that decision as altitude sickness is often the result. ”

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10 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Companies 2023 - 2024: Reviewed

• Tanzania Safaris Author
• Dec 03, 2022 Date

10 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Companies 2024: Trekking Operators Reviewed

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most attractive places for ordinary tourists and climbers from all over the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest African peak, can be the most memorable adventure of your life. To make your Kilimanjaro dream a reality, you must carefully approach choosing the right tour operator. This is the most important step because you need to trust them for climbing safety and summit success. When choosing a tour operator, we advise you to pay attention to reviews by tourists on the popular resources for travelers, like Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet, or other Travel guides. Always notice the public reputation of the company.

Key Factors in Evaluating Climbing Kilimanjaro Tour Operators

As you can see, the most comfortable way to step on the top of Kilimanjaro is provided by the climb operators. You need a company that specializes in extreme recreation. When you make your choice, you should be guided by these criteria:

Focus on Safety

You should remember that climbing Kilimanjaro is a dangerous process when it comes to altitude sickness. Make sure that your chosen tour operator provides professional guides with mountain rescue qualification and at least two years of experience.

Clients’ Success Rate

Explore the clients’ success rate of your tour company. Remember not only to check Kilimanjaro trekking companies’ websites, but also use web resources popular with tourists from all over the world, like TripAdvisor. There you can not only find some useful reviews but also ask questions about the company you’ve chosen.

Quality Gear

Quality equipment is one of the key parts of the climbing process. It must always be provided by responsible hiking operators. The most important camping and climbing equipment includes tents, oximeters, and oxygen systems (at that height in the air there is little oxygen, but it will be stored in the cylinders).

Private and Group Climbs

Remember that the best Kilimanjaro operators provide different privacy options for climbing trips. You can always choose a private climb only to share this experience with your friends.

Budget tour operators typically only provide simple carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, and porridge, because at higher altitudes, these are assumed to be easier to digest. For most meals, operators should aim to include a variety of foods and a decent ration of fruit and vegetables as well as protein.

Overall Quality Services

Don’t forget to check if there is a special porter in the climbing crew provided by your Kilimanjaro Outfitter. A porter helps to carry your things during the climb and provides camping equipment. When climbing Kilimanjaro, you will cross several climate zones, traveling from summer to winter and back again.

Tour Operator Experience

Regarding many of these circumstances, we advise you to choose the most experienced tour operator. The oldest and most well-experienced ones will provide more sophisticated help and a professional climbing crew.

Tour Operators Popular with Celebrities

Don’t forget to check some popular bloggers and celebrity Instagram pages to check out photos and videos of their Kilimanjaro climb programs.

Besides the inspiration, you also can learn some useful and relevant information on interesting Kilimanjaro trips provided by the responsible tour operators.

Kilimanjaro Climbing Companies That Have A Good  Performance

Top 10 best kilimanjaro tour companies 2024.

Here’s our top of companies that organize best trips to the mount Kilimanjaro in details:

1. Climbing Kilimanjaro

A clear winner of our Top 10 is  Climbing Kilimanjaro . First of all it’s the only Kilimanjaro company that has its own guiding school. They train their guides all year round. The school also offers classes to other guides from different companies. Their intention is to make Kilimanjaro the “safest Mountain to climb in the world.” 

Experience: They guide more clients on the Mountain more than any other company making them the most experienced climbing operator on the mountain. They have been operating in Tanzania for more than 15 years. While Kilimanjaro is clearly the focus of their activity, they can also supplement your climbing experience with a safari adventure or beach holidays on one of the Tanzanian islands.

Safety: Safety is Climbing Kilimanjaro's number one priority. Dedicated to client safety, they conduct two daily health checks throughout the climb to detect the onset of the altitude sickness before it progresses to a dangerous stage. All of their guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, yearly retrained and re-examined on their professional knowledge. You can read in depth about Kilimanjaro Safety  

High Success Rate: Climbing Kilimanjaro They have the highest summit record than any other Kilimanjaro Company and this is due to the fact that the service they offer is top notch. All of their Wilderness First Responder certified guides have over 50 summits under their belts. So they know the Mountain like the back of their palms. 

To Sum it up Climbing Kilimanjaro is the best company to climb Kilimanjaro with. 

Climbing Kilimanjaro extensive experience and commitment to clients safety makes them the  the go-to operator for Kilimanjaro expeditions ​. T hey have better guides, better equipment, ​  Plus, ​they have the resources to perform helicopter evacuations in an emergency situation ​.

Check out Climbing Kilimanjaro Day to day real time trek updates from Mount Kilimanjaro : Climbing Kilimanjaro Facebook

Climbing Kilimanjaro hold 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor. :  Climbing kilimanjaro Tripadvisor Reviews

2. Thomson Safaris:

3. Pristine Trails. 

They pride themselves as a top-rated company serving hundreds of travelers each year. Their focus is tailor-made tours with a responsible approach, personalized and enriching experiences for the traveler while also benefiting the local people, wildlife and conservation efforts of the country.

Edward Lyimo who’s the founder was born and raised in Tanzania. He is a wildlife enthusiast with a degree in African Wildlife Management and more than 15 years in the tourism industry. 

Pristine Trails TripAdvisor rating is 5/5.

4. Summit Africa

Summits Africa LTD is based in northern Tanzania. They have partners in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo for fulfilling programs across the region.

They are a core team of guides & crew providing white label solutions to the travel industry from porter management all the way up to highly customized total event management solutions. 

5. Kandoo Adventures

Kandoo Adventures create life-changing experiences through adventure travel that have a positive impact on individuals and the communities they visit. As part of the Altaï Travel family, they operate trips with a personal hands-on approach, ensuring clients have an excellent experience throughout their journey.

Kandoo Adventures is a well-known Kilimanjaro climbing operator being on track for ten years already. The company is famous for precise attention to any aspects of the climbing trip.

5/5 on TripAdvisor.

6. Ultimate Kilimanjaro

 Ultimate Kilimanjaro, offers high quality service on their Climbs. They have a good track record, high ratings and plenty of experience. Ultimate Kilimanjaro has been in operation for 10 + years They prioritizes client safety with mandatory twice-a-day medical checks for all climbers, and guides trained as Wilderness First Responders. And also offer scheduled group and private climbs.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro TripAdvisor rating is 5/5.

7. Tusker Tails

Tusker Trail is one of the established companies on this list. As one of the original Kilimanjaro companies, Tusker Trail has been a leader in the industry for quite some time. 

All of their guides have comprehensive medical training and experience hiking up the mountain. Tusker Trails also makes sure that there are plenty of guides per group, usually ranging from two to six guides per group.

Tusker Trails Rating on Tripadvisor is 4/5.

8. Tanzania Expeditions

They provide Kilimanjaro trekking packages, Safaris and Zanzibar vacations for clients across the world, and specialize in customizing packages for individuals too.

They offer many tips and tricks on their website on how to best make it up the mountain and how to prepare prior to your hike. 

Tanzania Expeditins Rating on Tripadvisor is 5/5.

9. Team Kilimanjaro

Team Kilimanjaro mountain staff are divided into close-knit teams each led by a chief guide who reports daily from the mountain, directly their Expedition Coordinator. 

They offer a wide variety of tips for climbing the mountain on their website. Along with this, they give you recommendations on how to prepare for your climb. Each team has a chief guide with a team to assist a group of climbers. They have a wide variety of guides available and have a page dedicated to their founders. Their two founders both have or do still hold records for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro the fastest in the UK.

Team Kilimanjaro Rating on Tripadvisor is 4/5.

10. Easy Travel

Easy Travel offers Safaris and treks to kilimanjaro.Their staff is a tightly woven team dedicated to welcoming every guest into Tanzania and crafting the most life-changing experiences possible. 

Having operated as a family-run business for 35 years, Easy Travel has experience, but importantly, They continue to have experiences that they constantly learn from. Each year, they set out to improve on the last, using their gained experience to provide the best possible trip for clients.

In our 35 years, they claim to have combed over each square kilometer of Tanzania, and know exactly how to lead a tour up Kilimanjaro, find the best spots to see wild animals in national parks, and when to hit the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.

Easy Travel Rating on Tripadvisor is 4/5.

What Should Your Operator Organize Before the Climb?

Conquering Kilimanjaro is not a simple tourist trip, so your chosen operator is obliged to give you a list of recommendations before you go on the trip. First, the company should be concerned with your health and safety: what vaccinations to do before the trip, how to choose the right equipment and backpack, and what medications can help with acclimatization.

Your trek operator in Kilimanjaro will arrange nearly everything you need to climb Kilimanjaro locally. Together with guides, cooks, and porters, they will recruit your mountain crew, provide full meals and drinking water. They will also arrange your mountain accommodation, arrange transfers to the gates of the park, and work out fees and regulations for your park entry.

Your operator will arrange your airport transfers and book your accommodation before and after your trip, depending on your package. They can also help you organize equipment, such as sleeping bags or trekking poles, which you may prefer to rent rather than buy.

Tour operators are government-controlled and are required to maintain appropriate licenses to run tours up Kilimanjaro. Ask your company to provide copies of these documents for confirmation.

Things to Remember When Planning A Kilimanjaro Trip

Summing up, it is important to mention the basic rules of choosing the right guide company to conquer the Kilimanjaro summit.

• Do not try to save money: cheap tours can harm your health and mood
• Learn about the experience of the company you are interested in and be sure to check the reviews of tourists on different social networks
• Do not forget to prepare your body for Kilimanjaro climbing, then the experience will be truly magical, and you will get truly inspired.

Here are the Top 3 Best companies to climb Kilimanjaro with for 2024:

• Climbing Kilimanjaro - score of 5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor
• Thomson Safaris - score of 5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor
• Pristine Trails - score of 5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor

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5 comments for this post.

Mike De Ath

Not surprised at all- a fantastic company who excelled in supporting us to the summit this year. Many congratulations!

Congratulations Climbing Kilimanjaro, this is well deserved recognition!

Evertrek were fantastic for me travelling from the UK. They should definitely be in the top 10, if not actually Number 1. 😀🇹🇿😀🇹🇿

Judith Hillner

Hey a big shout out to all Africa-, Safari- and Kililovers out there! I climbed Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro January 2023 with Chacha Tours from Arusha. I had a wonderful time with the best preparation, guides, food and happy porters on both mountains. The organization was outstanding and Chacha is an amazing organizer, guide and friend for his guests, fellow guides and porters! Can’t recommend his company enough.

Tuheri Daniel

For sure these companies Climbing Kilimanjaro and Tanzania Expeditions,deserves the awards this year,they are really the best in operating on the mountain. Am proud to be among their guides

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Kilimanjaro Hike

Best kilimanjaro tour companies 2024: trekking operators reviewed.

Kilimanjaro is one of the most attractive places for ordinary tourists and climbers from all over the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest African peak can be the most memorable adventure of your life. To make your Kilimanjaro dream come true for real, you must carefully approach choosing the right tour operator. This is the most important step because you trust them not only your journey but also your health.When choosing a tour operator, we advise you to pay attention to reviews by tourists on the popular resources for travelers, like Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, or Tour Radar. Always notice the public reputation of the company.

Notice travel operators who organize celebrity tours and provide various Kilimanjaro activities. Photo tours, charity hikings, and incentive journeys for children or even elderly people: always notice if the company is providing some interesting events besides making climbing journeys only. You can always find some relevant information on the topic on their social media pages.

Key Factors in Evaluating a Climbing Tour Operator

As you can see, the most comfortable way to step on the top of Kilimanjaro is provided by the climb operators. You need a company that specializes in extreme recreation. When you make your choice, you should be guided by these criteria:

Focus on Safety

You should remember that climbing Kilimanjaro is a dangerous process when it comes to altitude sickness. Make sure that your chosen tour operator provides professional guides with mountain rescue qualification and at least two years of experience.

Clients’ Success Rate

Explore the client’s success rate of your tour company. Remember not only to check Kilimanjaro trekking companies’ websites, but also use web resources popular with tourists from all over the world, like TripAdvisor. There you can not only find some useful reviews but also ask questions about the company you’ve chosen.

Quality Gear

Quality equipment is one of key parts of the climbing process. It must always be provided by responsible hiking operators. The most important camping and climbing equipment includes tents, oximeters, and oxygen systems (at that height in the air there is little oxygen, but it will be stored in the cylinders).

Private and Group Climbs

Remember that the best Kilimanjaro operators provide different privacy options for climbing trips. You can always choose a private climb only to share this experience with your friends.

Budget tour operators typically only provide simple carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, and porridge, because at higher altitudes, these are assumed to be easier to digest. For most meals, operators should aim to include a variety of foods and a decent ration of fruit and vegetables as well as protein.

Overall Quality Services

Don’t forget to check if there is a special porter in the climbing crew provided by your tour operator. A porter helps to carry your things during the climb and provides camping equipment. When climbing Kilimanjaro, you will cross several climate zones, traveling from summer to winter and back again.

Tour Operator Experience

Regarding many of these circumstances, we advise you to choose the most experienced tour operator. The oldest and most well-experienced ones will provide more sophisticated help and a professional climbing crew.

Tour Operators Popular with Celebrities

Don’t forget to check some popular bloggers and celebrity Instagram pages to check out photos and videos of their Kilimanjaro climb programs. Besides the inspiration, you also can learn some useful and relevant information on interesting Kilimanjaro trips provided by the responsible tour operators.

Top 7 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Companies

Here’s our top of companies that organize best trips to the mount Kilimanjaro:

1. Climbing Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro , The Premier Kilimanjaro Outfitter was formed upon the following motto: Focus on safety, be flexible, treat everyone fairly, and have fun!

Climbing Kilimanjaro was created out of decades of hands-on experience on Mt. Kilimanjaro. The founder, started this company after working on the mountain as a porter and guide for more than 10 years.

After gaining ample experience as a mountain guide and witnessing the injustices porters and guides faced, Justin decided to create his own tour company that focused on customer and staff satisfaction. Over the years, Justin has watched his company grow and gain the attention of many travelers.  Climbing Kilimanjaro hold 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor.

2. G Adventures

The G Adventures reviews show high (4.6/5) ratings for all aspects of the trip from customers on TripAdvisor, so you can be sure you’re in good hands. The company provides 24/7 customer support and has different kinds of Kilimanjaro climbing activities. The company collaborates with high-qualified guides and can get you to beautiful, unique destinations.

Moreover, GAdventures offers various interesting tours in multiple places all over the planet: from National Geographic Journeys to extraordinary adventures in Polar regions.

3. Viva Africa Tours

Viva Africa Tours is a Tanzanian operator based on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Its main advantage is providing special tours, which are flexible for each client’s demands. This is the best choice for tourists who are not afraid of a little disorganization and are eager to feel more freedom in the trekking process. Viva Africa’s rating on Trip Advisor and Tour Radar is 4/5.

4. Intrepid Travel

The company organizes Kilimanjaro trips with various durability. It is also an official partner of IMEC’s Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). It is the largest “small group adventure” tour provider in the world.

Travellers like this company for paying attention to details and providing quality support on every question. Intrepid Travel holds 4.6/5 rating on Tour Radar.

5. Kandoo Adventures

Kandoo Adventures is a well-known Kilimanjaro climbing operator being on track for ten years already. The company is famous for precise attention to any aspects of the climbing trip. https://www.responsiblevacation.com/vacation/8221/kilimanjaro-climb-machame-route Kangoo Adventures can provide you a special menu based on your individual meal plan, if you have any allergies, or even make a birthday cake while climbing to the top of the highest African peak. 5/5 on TripAdvisor.

What is a Reasonable Price for a 6-7 Day Hiking Tour to the Summit?

The cost of the trip depends completely on the level of service that the company offers. So, if the price is low, then you should always be worried. Why? The total budget is formed with the number of porters/guides and their experience, operator license, group size, route, additional days for acclimatization, equipment (such as oxygen tanks, portable toilets, pulse oximeters, etc.), insurance, as well as rescue service, food, and a warranty.

Some companies prefer to save money, especially on the rescue service, which is not often needed. Or they can offer a small number of trip days, without additional days for acclimatization. There must be room for acclimatization before the trek because Kilimanjaro climbing is not an easy trip in terms of endurance. All of these factors must be considered when you choose the climbing operator. We recommend that you start your price expectations from €216 per tour day in order to prevent any situations that can spoil your Kilimanjaro trip.

Luxury Kilimanjaro Trekking Companies

Luxury Kilimanjaro trekking companies, like Jacada, give you more acclimatization time during the expedition. In addition, they provide professional English-speaking guides and quality equipment of weatherproof, custom-made sleeping and dining tents; you will be taken through a thorough briefing before the trek begins in order to ensure your climb is both safe and inspiring. This luxury Kilimanjaro climbing trip will cost you about €350- €500 a day.

What Should Your Operator Organize Before the Climb?

Conquering Kilimanjaro is not a simple tourist trip, so your chosen operator is obliged to give you a list of recommendations before you go on the trip. First, the company should be concerned with your health and safety: what vaccinations to do before the trip, how to choose the right equipment and backpack, and what medications can help with acclimatization.

Your trek operator in Kilimanjaro will arrange nearly everything you need to climb Kilimanjaro locally. Together with guides, cooks, and porters, they will recruit your mountain crew, provide full meals and drinking water. They will also arrange your mountain accommodation, arrange transfers to the gates of the park, and work out fees and regulations for your park entry.

Your operator will arrange your airport transfers and book your accommodation before and after your trip, depending on your package. They can also help you organize equipment, such as sleeping bags or trekking poles, which you may prefer to rent rather than buy. Tour operators are government-controlled and are required to maintain appropriate licenses to run tours up Kilimanjaro. Ask your company to provide copies of these documents for confirmation.

Things to Remember When Planning A Kilimanjaro Trip

Summing up, it is important to mention the basic rules of choosing the right guide company to conquer the Kilimanjaro summit.

• Do not try to save money: cheap tours can harm your health and mood
• Learn about the experience of the company you are interested in and be sure to check the reviews of tourists on different social networks
• Do not forget to prepare your body for Kilimanjaro climbing, then the experience will be truly magical, and you will get truly inspired.

Here are the Top 3 companies to climb Kilimanjaro we recommend in 2024:

• Climbing Kilimanjaro
• G Adventures
• Intrepid Travel

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Climb Kilimanjaro with Team Kilimanjaro

Welcome to Team Kilimanjaro.  We're happy you've found us!

This site covers pretty much all the questions trekkers have when planning to climb Kilimanjaro. It's a pretty huge site that we've been maintaining since 2004 and has more words than most guide books.

To find what you're looking for you'll need to use the menu button at the top right  ☝️or the search box. And if you think there's anything missing, just tell us and we'll add it 👍

🧭 Best Route - Why TK Has Our Own Routes 

By around 2007 TK had come to realise that the standard six routes the authorities permit to be used on Kilimanjaro had serious problems: overcrowding ; inadequate acclimatisation / mountain sickness; and needless depletion of stamina reserves prior to the summit bid - a feat many find to be the hardest of their lives.

We therefore formulated our own unique route variants that correct these three issues and which have proven to be incredibly successful.

Or  learn more about avoiding the crowds , optimising your acclimatisation, and preserving your crucial stamina reserves for your summit bid.

Learn why TK Lemosho is probably Kilimanjaro's most beautiful route  👉

👊 Who are Team Kilimanjaro?

Team Kilimanjaro is an Arusha-based tour operator and the undisputed authority on climbing Kilimanjaro , regularly consulting to the national park authorities on mountain safety, route development, and environmental degradation reduction.

Because of our in-depth, hands-on knowledge of the mountain and unique acclimatisation strategies, TK often support world record attempts - including the first women's speed ascent 🏃‍♀️(2005), the youngest person to summit Kilimanjaro (aged 5.37 years), the fastest unsupported ascent, and multiple quadriplegic 👨‍🦽 and amputee ascents.

Team Kili have created unique route variants that reduce acute mountain sickness and increase summit prospects , and have helped more than 10,000 trekkers to climb Kilimanjaro since 2004.

Learn more about Team Kilimanjaro 👉

🥾 Climbing Kilimanjaro Successfully

Over the last 17 years one of the most surprising things we’ve seen when witnessing non-TK climbers failing to summit, is how little effort they've spent considering the most important factors that contribute to summit success on a climb:  route selection  and  acclimatisation strategy .

You may have already found the best operator to climb with. However, it's not enough merely to plan to climb Kilimanjaro; you should be planning to summit .

Climbers contact TK because our methods are unique and have been developed to ensure you have the best chance of reaching the summit.

Learn why you're more likely to summit with TK 👉

"…highly recommended... comes at Kilimanjaro from a whole different angle... Reliable, reasonably priced and delightfully obsessed about the mountain... Overall a great little company and well worth checking out.”

📅 Best time to climb?

This is often one of the first questions we get asked. Happily, the answer is that you can climb Kilimanjaro every single day of the year! 🎆 However, in spite of the fact that if it ain't raining, it ain't training , a lot of people don't like getting heavily rained on when trying to enjoy some of the planet's most breath-taking views.

To cater for those who want to stay reasonably dry, we therefore recommend climbing during the dryer months - January to February, and June to October .

However, there are some important weather-related considerations and other factors that affect our recommendation, such as route selection 🧭 and crowding.

Take a moment to learn more about ❄️  Kilimanjaro's weather 👉and how to avoid the crowds 👉

💵 Cost to climb?

Depending on your group size, support level (and some very special extras), the cost to climb with TK ranges from USD 1,302 to USD 12,873 per person! However, the vast majority of those booking to climb with us pay between USD 2,243 and  USD 3,169 per person .

See our detailed Kilimanjaro climbing costs 👉 

But apart from the actual price of the climb which only covers your costs within Tanzania, there are additional costs that you'll need to be aware of...

🤔 How much money do you need to climb Kilimanjaro?

Since you're not going to be able to take your fancy house, car or clothes to the grave with you, and since you only live once (or perhaps twice), at TK we believe that a life well-lived is all about what you do , not what you have .

So, yes, climbing Kili is certainly an investment, and you may have to forego cluttering-up your house with a few more bits of junk to be able to afford it, but it's an investment which our clients repeatedly tell us they wouldn't have given up for anything.

Hi John, i just got down. Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. Faraja is an absolute legend.  One of the best weeks of my life .

When budgeting for a trek, then, you'll also need to consider the following costs. These are very approximated and will obviously differ depending on whether you're flying in from the US, UK, South Africa, or Australia:

• Training for Kilimanjaro  👉, to include trips to the hills, fuel and supplies could easily set you back USD 200 - 300  
• Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport  👉 could be around USD 400 - USD 1200 depending on where you fly-in from
• Clothing & equipment for Kilimanjaro  👉 could set you back USD 400 - 1,000 , but you can reduce some costs by hiring bulky and occasional use items  👉 
• Visa for Tanzania 👉 will cost USD 100 if you're American, or else USD 50
• Tips 👉 to the mountain crew will tend to range from USD 300 - USD 500 , depending on group size and route length - though very occasionally some tip as much as USD 1,000!

So, with the cost of a climb at probably not less than USD 2,300, with these additional costs, you probably need to have not less than USD 3,700 available to climb Kilimanjaro - though possibly as much as USD 6,000 - 7,000 with long haul flights and big tips.

🧮 Climbing on a Budget

The first time our founder climbed Kili on 27th March 2000 at the age of 21, he spent only USD 45 on park fees and had no porters - reaching the summit from Marangu Gate in just one day, to save costs.

So, while nowadays also offering the highest-end climbs on the market to VIP climbers , Team Kilimanjaro was established on an extremely budget-conscious basis and is therefore sympathetic towards those who need to make a little go far!

There are two ways to climb on a budget:

• If you're very fit you can climb on TK's Superlite Series with only a guide, and no cook or porters . This will mean carrying everything yourself and bringing along your own lightweight foods. Each year we have a handful of climbers who actually prefer the additional challenge of climbing in this way, irrespective of the cost savings to be made.
• You can climb with a budget outfitter, such as our sister operation Kilimanjaro Alpine Service . Like most budget operators, KAS keeps its prices low by using old equipment, cheaper foods and lower-paid staff. However, it benefits from the same exacting oversight and professionalism as TK. 

😱 Can you climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?

No . The rules enforced by the park authorities require everyone wanting to climb Kilimanjaro to register their climb through a 100% Tanzanian-owned company that holds a valid Mountain Climbing / Trekking license, and to be accompanied by a Mountain Guide with currently valid guiding license.

For trekkers who are used to planning and executing their own expeditions, carrying their own equipment and navigating for themselves, this regulation may be disappointing. However, it is with these self-sufficient adventurers in mind that Team Kilimanjaro designed the Superlite Series , which is the closest one may legally get to climbing on your own and being self-sufficient .

👥 Can you climb Kilimanjaro without porters?

Yes! In spite of what you will read on many other tour operators' websites, it is perfectly legal to climb Kilimanjaro without porters - as is done on TK's Superlite Series . If you are willing to carry your own equipment the rules state that you need only have a guide, plus assistant guides for larger groups, in case the party has to fragment - since the authorities do not permit visitors to the mountain to be unaccompanied during any period of movement.

📚 Climb Guide

We are sometimes asked for recommendations on a guide to Kilimanjaro. While it's not really necessary to own one as you'll be accompanied by a human guide who knows the mountain like the back of his hand and possesses detailed knowledge of Kilimanjaro's flora and fauna, some still like to read up on the mountain before they fly out, and to have it handy for referencing. We even keep a copy in our office!

The best guide to climbing Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly the one written by Henry Stedman . Henry regularly travels to Tanzania to update his writing (five editions in 15 years!), and is passionate about the mountain and - while we don't quite agree with everything in his guide - it is diligently researched, lighthearted, and easy to read.

Henry's Kilimanjaro guide covers the standard routes so you won't get any useful information on Team Kilimanjaro's customised routes but there's plenty of useful information on Kilimanjaro's wildlife, history, people and customs; and useful pointers for those spending time in Arusha, Moshi, Marangu and even Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

⏱️ How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

The park authorities mandate certain minimum timeframes for climbing Kilimanjaro, depending on the route you choose to trek. These are the current minimum timings for each route  - including time spent descending:

• Marangu - 5 days
• Rongai - 5 days
• Machame - 6 days
• Umbwe - 6 days
• Lemosho - 7 days

In spite of these minimums trek lengths, we recommend that climbers spend 7 - 8 days ascending and descending  unless they are already acclimatised from a recent high altitude trek completed within the 3 weeks prior to their Kilimanjaro climb.

Check out our blog page for more information on how long it takes to climb Kili 👇

📍 Hike Distances

For many who are thinking about a Kilimanjaro trek but have absolutely no idea what's involved, one of the first things they want to know is the hike distance for each route :

• Umbwe Route: 49.6 km / 30.8 miles
• Machame Route: 52.9 km / 32.9 miles
• Standard Rongai Route: 61.6 km / 38.3 miles
• Standard Lemosho Route: 67.3 km / 41.8 miles
• Marangu Route: 76.1 km / 47.3 miles
• TK Rongai Route: 78.8 km / 49.0 miles
• TK Lemosho Route: 79.0 km / 49.1 miles

These are the typical distances covered when trekking with TK, but bear in mind that our clients walk further than those with other operators, as  our guides are trained to implement several pro-acclimatisation excursions  throughout each trek.

🗺️ Kilimanjaro Map

Although you don't need to navigate on Kilimanjaro those who are used to leading their own expeditions are in the habit of wanting to know where they're going and usually appreciate having a really accurate map.

There is only one accurate map that has ever been produced for Kilimanjaro . We know it's accurate (except for the significant misprint on the altitude of Big Tree Camp, and Pofu Camp being omitted) because TK helped to create it.

This map was prepared by Sasha and Sandra, Swiss cartographers, who came to stay with TK in 2007 and were guided by us on seldom-visited trails and with whom we shared our bank of captured GPS data.

With 2 km grid squares and super-clear 50 metre contour increments, it's a beautiful map to own and use . Here's a sample, which serves the dual purpose of showing why Team Kili's hugely successful version of the Rongai Route covers 79 km instead of the standard 62 km 👇

On a mobile and want to see more detailed resolution in this map? Just rotate your phone sideways and back again and pinch to zoom  😉👍

🏃‍♀️ Preparing to Climb

So, you've decided to climb Kilimanjaro but want to know what you need to do to prepare? It's very straight forward. There are just five simple steps:

• Book your climb . We recommend you do this as early as possible so you're committed and there's no more room to dither and make excuses! It only takes a deposit of USD 150 to secure your place and you can do this by card, quickly and painlessly 😉. Just ask us for a card payment link.
• Start buying your equipment . You don't need to buy everything on Day 1, but we strongly recommend you get your day sack and hiking boots early, so you can break them in, identify any possible problems, and remedy them when you still have plenty of opportunity to look at options. Check out our recommended kit list where we offer suggestions on specific items and where you can download a printable PDF Packing List .
• Start training ! Although we do get a few last minute bookings, if you have time to do so, we recommend starting your training 3 months before you plan to climb. If you're ready to get started right now, download our 12 Week Training Plan . And if you don't like following training plans, just try to do three cardiovascular sessions per week or 30 minutes or more, and two 5-8 hour endurance sessions in the hills with 10-12 kg of weight.
• Book your flights Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) . While we don't necessarily recommend booking your flights many months ahead of travel, it's worth looking at flight prices early so you can get a feel for the price trend and buy when fares are cheapest. Check out our  flights page where we review 7 fight comparison sites and offer our recommendations on how to find the cheapest flights to Kili.
• Get your Tanzanian visa . We recommend obtaining your visa ahead of travel so you don't have to queue on arrival. We offer step-by-step guidance on how to apply for your Tanzanian visa online , so it's really simple to do this. It's a good idea to apply for your visa 2-3 weeks before you fly, though you'd usually expect to get it within a week of applying. It'll be valid to stay in Tanzania for 3 months for a visit anytime within a year from application.

🧬 How fit do you have to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

When we recommend that you book your climb at least 3 months in advance and commit to our 12 Week Training Plan, we don't want you to think that climbing Kilimanjaro is only possible for super-fit people . That's definitely not the case and over the years we've assisted many people to the summit who would admit they were in bad shape and didn't find time to train.

The main reason we want our climbers to train is simply because they'll enjoy the experience so much more and remain far more alert to the incredible natural beauty around them. 

That said, we recommend you read our suggested minimal health requirements for climbing Kilimanjaro  👉 where we offer a couple of pointers to determine whether you're fit enough to stand a decent chance of reaching the summit.

😓 How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro?

When we say you don't have to be super-fit, it may then sound like a contradiction when we go on to say that for many, many trekkers we're told that reaching the summit is the hardest thing they've ever done in their lives . And this description is certainly not limited to those who didn't train. We have received similar comments from professional athletes.

Actually, high altitude is a great leveller. While it is obviously helpful to be fit and while the greatest advantage you can give yourself is to shave off any unneeded bodyweight during the build-up to flying out to Tanzania, the last 500 vertical metres to the summit are a very difficult challenge for everyone and should not be underestimated.

Read some more in-depth information about how difficult it is to climb Kilimanjaro  👉

🥺 Climbing for Charity

Kilimanjaro climbers are generally special people, the kind of people who think about what's important in life.

After all, why train, plan, prepare and fly out to a hostile wilderness environment, volunteer to suffer discomfort and privations, and deliberately do one of the most difficult things most people will do in their lives, unless you're the kind of person that thinks that happiness and meaning in life have far more to do with giving than taking .

We assist two different charities in Arusha, where we're based - an orphanage and a school - and would love for you to dedicate your climb to raising funds for one of them, as money spent on these causes will go further and be put to better use than pretty much anywhere else that we could imagine in the world.  

That said, some climbers already have a benefit in mind when they plan to climb for charity, and we have a scheme that fits that option also.

Learn more about climbing Kilimanjaro for charity  👉

💉 Climbing Kilimanjaro During COVID-19

The Tanzanian government is now taking COVID-19 seriously. That said, it is an outdoor and agrarian society, with an active, healthy and well-nourished population, plenty of space, temperate weather and virtually no crowded or heavily built-up areas - so transmission is deemed to be far less a risk than in heavily developed countries - and we are still yet to see a single positive PCR test result , even though TK organises PCR tests in Arusha for clients of many other companies, several times a week.

👮🏾‍♀️ Current COVID-Related Visitor Requirements

The following is extracted from the Tanzanian government's most recent travel advisory as at  11th May 2023 : 

01 - All travellers entering or transiting URT through land borders, sea ports or airports are advised to be fully vaccinated as per approved schedule of primary vaccination against COVID 19 in their respective countries. 02 - All travellers entering or transiting URT Mainland through land borders, sea / lake ports or airports are not required to present a COVID - 19 vaccination certificate or RT-PCR certificate or perform Rapid Antigen Test on arrival unless stated otherwise by conveyance to be used or country of their final destination. However, for surveillance purposes Port Health Officials may at any time perform COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test free of charge for randomly selected travellers during arrival at points of entry. 03 - On arrival, thermal and physical screening will be done . Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening will be immediately isolated and handled as per health protocol. 04 - All travellers departing from Tanzania should seek information prior to departure from their travel agents regarding COVID-19 requirements of their country of destination or conveyance to be used. 05 - For travellers departing from Tanzania whose conveyances and destination countries require RT- PCR certificates, test will be done at designated places at their own cost of TZS 115,000 (50 USD) or perform Rapid Antigen Test before departure at their own costs of TZS 23,000 (10 USD). 06 - All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival and shall report to their nearest health facility or call Toll Free Health Emergency Number: 199 for Tanzania Mainland. NB: This Travel Advisory will be reviewed from time to time as need arises.

⛰️ Mount Kilimanjaro Facts

Kilimanjaro sits entirely within the borders of Tanzania, just 3 degrees south of the equator.

What's the closest airport to Kilimanjaro?

The closest airport to Kilimanjaro is Kilimanjaro International Airport , airport code 'JRO'. Confusingly, flight booking sites have recently started referring to JRO as 'Arusha'. But actually, there's another airport in Arusha with airport code 'ARK'.

How high is Kilimanjaro?

The altitude of Kilimanjaro's summit, Uhuru Peak, is 5,895 metres or 19,340 feet.

Does it snow on Kilimanjaro?

Yes, it can snow on Kilimanjaro throughout the year from around 4,600 metres and upwards. But snow is primarily associated with Kilimanjaro during the two wet seasons of April to May and November to early December.

Can a beginner climb Kilimanjaro?

There is nothing to prevent a beginner from climbing Kilimanjaro. You don't need any experience of altitude, or even of trekking. There's nothing technical or vertical along any of the routes, and only a couple of metres of scrambling at just one point on the Umbwe Route.

Why is Kilimanjaro famous?

Kilimanjaro's fame is primarily due to its being the highest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain the world - rising 5,118 metres from it's base.

Why is there snow on Kilimanjaro?

In spite of being so close to the equator, above 5,000 metres altitude the temperature stays below freezing nearly all the time. Because of this, precipitation - which occurs mainly during April, May, November and December - falls as snow.

Do you need oxygen to climb Kilimanjaro?

No. Oxygen is generally only necessary when ascending mountains about 7,000 metres. It is however recommended to carry supplemental oxygen for use in emergencies and to aid safe descents if a climber has succumbed to severe acute mountain sickness or has symptoms of high altitude pulmonary or cerebral oedema.

How cold is Kilimanjaro at the top?

On 'Uhuru', the peak of Kilimanjaro, it's usually around -6°C / 21°F, but with windchill, the temperature will often drop to around -10°C / 14°F.

What animals live on Kilimanjaro?

Commonly seen are the four-striped grass mouse, harsh furred mouse, climbing mouse, mole rat, blue monkey, colobus monkey, bush pig, bushbaby, small-spotted genet, tree hyrax, buffalo.

There are rare sightings of the olive baboon, civet, leopard, mongoose, serval, aardvark and honey badger.

Birds seen are the lammergeyer, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, streaky seed eater, white-necked raven, Hartlaub's turaco, speckled mousebird, tropical boubou, silvery cheeked hornbill, montane white-eyes, common stonechat, trogan, Ruppell's robin chat, common bulbul, alpine chat, streaky seed-eater, augur buzzard, and crowned eagle.

What does the name 'Kilimanjaro' mean?

None of the locals are really sure what the name 'Kilimanjaro' actually means, but since the tribe that inhabits its foothills is the Chagga, and since the Chagga word for white is very similar to 'njaro', it's a reasonable guess that an earlier form of the language would have rendered 'white mountain' as kilima njaro .

When was Kilimanjaro first climbed?

No-one knows for certain when Kilimanjaro was first climbed. Many locals believe it was climbed by one of the sons of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba! However, in modern history the first people known to have climbed it were Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and their guide Yohani Kinyala Lauwo on 6th October 1889 (a descendant of whom named Abel Lauwo, still works as a guide on the mountain today).

Who was the youngest person to summit Kilimanjaro?

The youngest person known to have reached the summit of Kilimanjaro is Bran Rees-Evans who was 5 years 136 days old when he summited at 1345 on 26th November 2012. Exactly two weeks earlier he had just become the youngest person to summit Mount Meru at 4,566 metres altitude.

Who was the fastest person to ascend Kilimanjaro?

So far, all speed ascents have started from one of the park gates, which are generally already around a quarter of the way up Kilimanjaro from its base. However, the fastest ascent of Kilimanjaro from the park boundary to the summit was achieved by Karl Egloff in 4 hours 56 minutes. 

Team Kilimanjaro is currently planning the first complete speed ascent of Kilimanjaro from a point reckoned to lie on the perimeter of its base, just outside Himo at 777 metres altitude.

Read more facts about Kilimanjaro  👉

✔️ Quick Reference - Page Contents

🎬 ready to climb.

So if you're ready to climb Kilimanjaro or would like some advice or guidance on how to plan your expedition to the most exciting and hospitable country in Africa, then don't delay! Get in touch with TK today.

Since most summit bids start from high camp at around 2300 - 0100, with exact start time usually depending on the guide's assessment of the group's pace over the preceding few days, most of the approach to the summit happens in darkness.

For some climbers this question is almost irrelevant as they will have to fit their climb into whatever dates they can clear from their busy work or family schedules, though for perhaps the majority, this is probably the first question prospective climbers should ask themselves.

You don't need to climb on these dates shown below. We publish them only for those who wish to climb with others they don't already know. The majority of our clients choose their own dates (at no additional cost), though most request us to open up their climbs for others to join - simply so as to have extra company on the trek.

Best Kilimanjaro Tour Operators 2024

When you google "climb Kilimanjaro," the search will show websites of dozens of operators. At first, they might all seem the same, each promising a safe and enjoyable adventure with professional guides. Conversations with their consultants often reinforce these assurances. Considering that the prices among them vary hugely, making a decision is often difficult.

However, choosing the right operator for your trek is critical. Four out of ten climbers fail to reach the summit due to tour operator's unrealistic promises. More seriously, 5-10 climbers die annually on Kilimanjaro from high-altitude sickness complications. While Kilimanjaro is generally a safe climb, this number should trigger caution.

We've compiled a list of the seven best Kilimanjaro operators for expeditions in 2024. Having lived in Kilimanjaro for ten years, the authors of this article saw them in action and can confirm that they are trustworthy. Yet, each is unique in some way. Below, we will tell you how.

You will need about 15 minutes to read this article. If you don’t have the time for that — here is a curated list of whom you should be considering for your trip to Uhuru Peak. All these companies are safe and reliable to travel with.

1. Altezza Travel 2. Tusker Trail 3. Thomson Treks 4. Summits Africa 5. Follow Alice 6. KiliWarriors 7. African Scenic

Below we'll explain how we selected the companies for this list, and why our opinion is trustworthy. You’ll also find a short description of each company.

Why our opinion is trustworthy?

We have been working in the Kilimanjaro climbing industry since 2014. Over these years, we've closely observed how different companies operate, talked to the park rangers, guides and porters of other companies, and reviewed feedback from climbers on platforms like TripAdvisor. Living in Tanzania, we see what really happens on Kilimanjaro. And not just what tour operators choose to show on their websites and in the media.

Disclaimer: The authors of this article are members of the Altezza Travel team. However, the aim of this piece is not to promote Altezza Travel's services. Instead, our objective is to guide potential climbers toward responsible operators, regardless of whether it's Altezza or another good company.

Selecting the best operators to climb Kilimanjaro

When choosing Kilimanjaro operators for this article, we looked at the following factors:

Local presence. Each company on our list operates directly on Mount Kilimanjaro. We didn't analyze travel agencies that simply resell the climbs of local providers.

Established record. On this list, we included experienced operators who have led successful trips for 5+ years with 700-800+ customers a year. Most companies on our list exceed a decade in operation.

Personal observation. Our assessment included firsthand observations of these companies in action on Mount Kilimanjaro. We have lived in Tanzania since 2013 and personally climb Kilimanjaro 4-5 times annually. This allows us to observe how different Kilimanjaro trekking companies work. We often talk with guides and porters of various companies and park rangers in the camps.

Porter welfare. A fundamental criterion for our selection was membership in the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP). By becoming a member, the companies prove that they treat their mountain crews well. This includes providing fair wages, regular meals, and good working conditions. Non-members are not listed in this article.

Positive local impact. The companies selected demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility. This includes initiatives and contributions that positively impact the local communities and environment in Tanzania, going beyond the core business of climbing Kilimanjaro.

In comparing the best operators for a Kilimanjaro climb, we focused on the value they deliver for the price charged, the variety of experiences offered, and their involvement in unique projects. We also considered other key factors like customer service and safety records.

The pricing benchmark of our rating

When talking about the price, we used the standard 7-day Machame route trek as a benchmark. This route is among the most popular choices for those looking to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you consider climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via a different route, we've got you covered too. All Kilimanjaro tour operators on our list are equipped to offer climbs via the Rongai route, Lemosho route, Marangu route, Northern Circuit route, or other traditional routes.

What do all responsible operators have in common?

All the tour companies on our list have quality camping and dining equipment and prioritize client safety. Each has amazing guides, most of whom are Certified Wilderness First Responders. Such guides know what to do when a climber shows the symptoms of altitude sickness. In addition, they have the skills to manage the camp, administer first aid, and organize an evacuation.

All companies on our list are registered with the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP). This ensures that they adhere to fair employee treatment standards and take good care of their climbing crews.

Ensuring a safe working environment for mountain teams is a crucial concern. This is especially true for developing travel destinations like Tanzania. The KPAP certification is the sole verifiable method to guarantee that your chosen operator treats their crew fairly. Explore more details in our article . Also, check out our short video about KPAP and the role of porters in Kilimanjaro climbs at the end of this piece.

All operators below prioritize client safety with rigorous protocols, ensuring that every trip is safe and comfortable. The positive reviews across multiple platforms for these companies affirm their reliability.Overall, choosing any of these operators will likely result in an amazing climb for you.

Note: These insights present our opinion based on: 1) publicly available information 2) discussions within the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators 3) talks with Kilimanjaro guides and porters 4) personal experiences on Mount Kilimanjaro and 5) reviews on open platforms. However,we do not have insider knowledge of these companies. Therefore, we cannot be held accountable for Kilimanjaro climbing tours with operators other than Altezza.

#1 Altezza Travel

Price for a standard 7-day Machame route trek: $2557

Among all the companies offering Kilimanjaro climbs, Altezza Travel is the largest, both on this list and in the industry overall. Annually, Altezza handles over 4500 climbers across more than 800 expeditions. In addition, Altezza Travel has earned the #1 ranking on TripAdvisor.

Although founded by non-Tanzanians, the core team of Altezza Travel, including its founders, have made Tanzania their home. Our company operates exclusively in Tanzania, with all taxes paid and 100% of earnings spent within the country. We have built expertise around climbing Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, and do not offer trips to other mountain destinations.

Of the 250+ members of our office and ground teams, 99% are local Tanzanians. In the climbing crew, we have 1600+ locals. As of today, Altezza Travel is the largest tourism employer in Kilimanjaro.In addition, most of our core team are energetic people in their 30s passionate about Tanzania. They are also true experts when it comes to Kilimanjaro, with lots of first-hand experience.

How is Altezza different from other operators?

Gear rental shop. Altezza Travel has the largest rental gear shop in Kilimanjaro. All climbers can easily access it on the spot if they don’t have their own hiking equipment. Other operators on our list may offer sleeping bags and jackets, among a few other items. However, at the Altezza rental store, you can get every piece of equipment needed, from hiking poles to appropriate footwear.We update our extensive inventory every year with the best top-brand gear.

Hiking equipment. Of all Kilimanjaro operators, Altezza Travel has the largest stock of camping equipment to ensure comfort and safety. We have over 300 sturdy 4-season mountain tents. Our inventory of 400+ oxygen tanks is also the largest in the industry. In fact, this is more than all other operators on Kilimanjaro have combined.This number allows us to use oxygen not only when a client develops symptoms of altitude mountain sickness but also from the early days of the hike to make acclimatization easier.

Altezza’s approach to oxygen management in a nutshell:

Two medical check-ups a day. Every morning Altezza guides perform medical checks for both the crew and the clients. This helps to identify the first signs of mountain sickness and adjust the hiking pace to optimize acclimatization. We keep individual medical cards for each participant to see how acclimatization progresses, and how a hiker is feeling throughout the trek.

Comprehensive medical kits. Altezza Travel is the only company to carry comprehensive medical kits. They cover the majority of health issues that may arise on the mountain. The kits include over 50 medication types for various injuries and emergencies.As far as we know, other operators carry only standard Kilimanjaro medication. For example, Diamox for high altitude, and Ibuprofen as a painkiller. Some advise the clients to bring their own medical kits.

You may read more about Altezza’s medical kits in this article.

Trusted by partners. Altezza is the chosen Kilimanjaro climb operator for Nimsdai, a celebrated climber and Netflix star. In addition, we are trusted by the Wings of Kilimanjaro project, Red Bull athletes like Valerii Rozov and Stephan Siegrist, among many others.

Hotels. Finally, Altezza Travel is one of the few companies to own two hotels near Mount Kilimanjaro. As of 2024 Aishi Lodge and Brubru Lodge are in the company's portfolio. This allows us to make the itineraries even more smooth and comfortable for our clients.

Impactful collaboration with the Kilimanjaro National Park. Altezza Travel works closely with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority to overcome challenges on Mount Kilimanjaro. In 2020 and 2022, we sent the biggest task force among all Kilimanjaro operators to fight the wildfires on Kilimanjaro.

We also regularly participate in cleaning initiatives on Kilimanjaro. Altezza Travel sends a special "garbage" crew to pick up trash left by trekkers on Kilimanjaro every three months.

You may read about other social projects of Altezza here.

Easy booking experience. Instead of sending large emails and PDF itineraries, Altezza uses a custom-designed Make a Story itinerary builder. A client gets a single link with all information about the trip. All trip essentials become easily accessible from both mobile and desktop.

See an example here .

Lowest deposits. Of all operators, Altezza Travel sets itself apart by requiring the lowest deposit payment. A climber needs to pay just $100 to secure the spot.

Regular guaranteed join group departures. Altezza Travel has the highest number of guaranteed join group departures. Our expeditions start every other day.

Each departure is guaranteed. This means that the trip will proceed as planned even if there is just one climber. Such an approach eliminates the uncertainty often associated with group tours. We may open a new group upon request, allowing travelers to share the journey and costs with other like-minded hikers.

The list of Altezza join group trips is available through this link.

In case you’re not sure if you need a private or a group trip, this video explains the difference:

#2 Tusker Trail

Price for a standard 7-day Machame route trek: $3,180

Tusker Trail is one of the oldest companies operating on Kilimanjaro. It has been a well-known member of the Kilimanjaro tour companies since its inception in 1977. Founded by Eddie Frank, a legendary foreign guide on Kilimanjaro, Tusker has consistently led high-quality climbs. Eddie Frank's expertise and personal touch have been passed down to generations of guides.

Tusker Trail and Altezza Travel are competitors. However, we share a goal to improve the Kilimanjaro climbing experience at large. Our head of Kilimanjaro expeditions, Dmitriy, regularly talks with Justin, Tusker's head of Tanzania operations. As we both prioritize climbers' positive experiences and fair treatment of Kilimanjaro mountain crews, this bond goes beyond competition.

Overall, Tusker Trail is a good company to climb Kilimanjaro with.

How is Tusker different from other operators?

Range of destinations. Tusker Trail's expertise extends beyond Tanzania to other popular climbing destinations. They offer treks to the Everest Base Camp,Mongolia, and Iceland.

Video archive. If you want to see African expeditions from the past, check out Tusker's website. They have travel videos filmed by Eddie Frank in the 1990s, as well as some videos from today's trips.

By the way, if you prefer watching to reading, consider visiting Altezza Travel's YouTube channel . There we have many high-quality videos about our Kilimanjaro trips.

Community work. Tusker Trail supports the Msandaka School for Deaf Children in Kilimanjaro. This initiative provides audio-impaired children with opportunities for education and personal development.

Fundraising climbs. Tusker Trail frequently organizes fundraising climbs. This is done to support noble causes such as cancer treatment, education for underprivileged children, and various other socially significant initiatives.

#3 Thomson Treks (Thomson Safaris)

P rice for a standard 7-day Machame trek: $4,290

Thompson's main office is located in the USA. Thompson, akin to Tusker, are known for organizing quality and safety-focused Kilimanjaro climbs. Rick and Judi, the company's founders, have years of industry experience. They are well-known in the Tanzania tourism world.

How is Thompson different from other companies?

Thompson's has a large team in the USA. This partially accounts for their higher pricing compared to other operators. However, for some customers dealing with fellow Americans may be more convenient than with the EU- or Tanzania-based consultants.

Award-winning company. As a long-standing player in the industry, Thomson Safaris has earned numerous awards. These include accolades from National Geographic and Travel + Leisure.

Social responsibility. Thompson contributes to Tanzanian communities through their own foundation, Focus on Tanzanian Communities. This foundation helps poor communities in Tanzania with education, clean water, and healthcare.

#4 Summits Africa

Price for a standard 7-day Machame trek: unknown, booked through various travel agencies

Founded in 2001, Summits Africa is one of the oldest Kilimanjaro trekking companies. It is a 100% local enterprise, fully run by Tanzanians. They operate not just on Kilimanjaro. Branch offices have been opened in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Kenya.

Distinctively, you can’t book a trek with Summits Africa directly. All trek reservations are handled by the various partnered travel agencies. The reason for that is simple. Summits Africa only has guides and porters on their team. There are no managers or ground consultants. The only thing they do is lead the groups. Such a business model inevitably means that a portion of the client's payment is retained outside Tanzania. This factor may influence the decision of conscious travelers.

How is Summits Africa different from other companies?

Apart from working with travel agencies only, Summits Africa became famous with their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the crisis erupted, instead of suspending their operations, this company founded a communal farm. By farming together and selling their produce, they were able to support their families during these challenging times. This initiative not only demonstrated resilience but also stood as a commendable example of impactful community action in Tanzania.

#5 Follow Alice

Price for a standard 7-day Machame trek: $2,695

Follow Alice, a relatively new tour company in Kilimanjaro. It has been making a notable impact since 2014. Distinct from seasoned operators like Tusker and Thompson, Follow Alice shares similarities with Altezza in its modern approach to working culture. The company's team members are mostly in their 20s and 30s. They are actively using modern IT solutions in both marketing and operations. The company has offices in the UK and in Tanzania.

How is Follow Alice different from other companies?

Many destinations. Follow Alice offers a variety of trips, not just limited to Kilimanjaro. They also offer expeditions in Asia, South America, and Europe, collaborating with local companies in these regions. On Kilimanjaro, they offer regular group departures for climbers with different schedules.

Positive team. Our brief interactions with the Follow Alice team revealed a friendly and positive team.

Informative website. Their website and online presence stand out. Follow Alice have well-written materials and engaging videos about climbing Kilimanjaro, packing tips, and other essential info for an amazing experience in Tanzania. They offer valuable insights and a friendly introduction to the Kilimanjaro climbing experience.

#6 African Scenic

Price for a standard 7-day Machame trek: $2,699

African Scenic Safaris holds a special place on our list and shares a strong bond with Altezza Travel. As a 100% Tanzanian company, it is led by a friendly director, Simbo Natai. Their Kilimanjaro climbs are safe and, from what we see in the reviews, comfortable. Like Altezza Travel, African Scenic also focuses its operations exclusively within Tanzania.

African Scenic shows a strong commitment to social responsibility in Tanzania. They do this through their foundation, Path to Africa. Also, they are the first company in Tanzania to receive Travelife Partner certification. This further demonstrates their commitment to sustainable travel.

This company is also actively working with volunteers willing to contribute to positive social change in Africa. If you want to spend 2-3 months in the country helping women's advocacy groups, teaching Tanzanian kids English, helping out in hospitals, or doing conservation projects, consider contacting them.

#7 Kiliwarrior Expeditions

Price for a standard 7-day Machame trek: $4,200

On the Kiliwarrior Expeditions website, there isn’t any information about open join group expeditions. But we have noted their presence on Kilimanjaro. Based on our observations and their pricing range, we believe that among all the companies on our list, Kiliwarriors is the smallest. The head office of Kiliwarriors is located in Canada.

Kiliwarriors actively promote their trips by teaming up with bloggers and social media influencers.

Kiliwarrior Expeditions is one of the few companies regularly running Western Breach climbs. It is the only route on Kilimanjaro with a real rockfall risk, and prior experience is highly advised to sign up for this climb. Yet, it is very scenic. It is certainly a great way to explore Kilimanjaro off-the-beaten-track. At Altezza, we organize Western breach climbs on demand but admit experienced trekkers only. Signing a waiver is necessary.

Other climbing Kilimanjaro operators worth mentioning

Several trekking companies, although prominent online, haven't been included in our list. This includes Pristine Trails and Ultimate Kilimanjaro . They have informative websites with professionally written articles and accurate information about Kilimanjaro. However, our interactions with them have been limited. We haven't had the opportunity to meet their managers or talk to their team members, though we do see their expeditions on Kilimanjaro.

Foreign-based travel agencies

Large international travel agencies like Intrepid Travel , World Expeditions , and G Adventures typically collaborate with local providers for their Kilimanjaro climbs. This can lead to less direct control over clients' experience. Unlike companies specializing solely on Kilimanjaro, these agencies offer a wide array of trips globally.

Their consultants might not have personal experience climbing Kilimanjaro. While they possess good general knowledge, specific industry insights might be overlooked.

However, unlike Tanzania-based tour operators,most of these companies are B Corp-certified. The certification is something that shows their commitment to sustainable travel.

The pitfalls of booking Mount Kilimanjaro climbs with cheap operators

When considering a Kilimanjaro trek, it's tempting to opt for the most budget-friendly options. However, operators offering 7-day Machame climbs for less than $2300 often come with significant pitfalls. These include:

Mistreatment of porters

A critical issue with low-cost operators is the mistreatment of porters and other employees. These operators often pay low or no wages. They expect porters to rely solely on tips, which may not be fairly distributed. Additionally, inadequate food supplies and lack of proper clothing for the porters are ways these operators cut costs. Budget operators often cannot afford to treat their staff well. Such practices lead to unsafe working conditions and many fatalities annually.

Responsible tour operators make sure their staff is treated fairly and adequately compensated. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, having KPAP membership is essential. If a company asserts that it is paying its crews well, but is not a KPAP member, this is certainly untrue. For over 10 years we spent on Kilimanjaro we haven’t seen a single operator paying above KPAP minimum, and opting out from membership. There are simply no reasons for that. Membership in KPAP is free and it offers immense marketing and social benefits to its members.

Check this short video to learn more about the KPAP and their work in Kilimanjaro:

Inferior quality equipment

When planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with budget operators one major concern is shoddy gear.These operators often use poorly maintained vehicles and substandard hiking and camping gear to cut costs. Issues like vehicle breakdowns en route or inadequate sleeping bags and leaking tents on the mountain happen from time to time.

Unprofessional "part-time" guides

Professional climbing crews receive their qualifications through training. They earn higher wages for their expertise. Budget operators often employ less-qualified, inexperienced, or part-time guides to keep costs low. Quickly formed teams might not work well together and lack the skills needed. This could cause conflicts and put clients at risk. In contrast, the best Kilimanjaro tour operators like Altezza have perfected every every aspect of their operations and teamwork.

Inadequate safety policies

In many cases,budget expeditions don't have emergency oxygen or medical supplies. Insufficient monitoring of climbers' health and inexperienced guides contribute to failed summit attempts. When inexperienced crews and inadequate safety equipment are combined, the situation may become life-threatening. This is evident from the 5-10 fatalities that happen every year during Kilimanjaro climbs.

High risk of fraud

Lower prices often correlate with higher risks of fraud. Common scams include last-minute cancellations without refunds and operators ceasing communication entirely. Some climbers have been stranded mid-climb, extorted for additional payments for supposedly un-included services.

Many such companies operate out of small, rented offices. They can abruptly close and relocate. This nomadic approach to business premises often hints at a lack of long-term stability. Additionally, a significant number of these companies tend to evade tax obligations. It poses a risk of legal complications, especially during audits. Smaller local businesses often struggle with effective money management, leading to less control over their operations. This lack of financial discipline can affect their ability to deliver promised services reliably.

Final remarks

In summary, choosing a good tour company to climb Kilimanjaro with is essential. When planning your Kilimanjaro trek, carefully read the trekking companies' websites, and check their reviews and social media. Most importantly, choose to climb only with companies that are members of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). Choosing KPAP members ensures fair treatment of the porters who are essential to the success of the climb. You can save money on flights, hotels, or gear, but you shouldn't save money in a way that mistreats local porters and puts your own life at risk.

In 2013, Thomas Becker relocated from Germany to Tanzania, captivated by the country's charm. He explored various regions, immersing himself in local culture, traditions, geography, and wildlife. He personally successfully ascended Kilimanjaro’s highest point - Uhuru Peak.

Prior to joining Altezza in 2023, Thomas held the role of general manager at several lodges, including Kaliwa Lodge. At Altezza Travel, he oversees the operational facets of all expeditions and manages our mountain team of over 1700 members, the largest in the region

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11 Ways to Boost Your Hiking Endurance for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Do you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Every year, over 30,000 people just like you come to Tanzania to scale the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and Africa’s highest peak. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness, determination, and the right guide service to help you along the way.

That’s where we come in.

WHY CLIMB WITH ULTIMATE KILIMANJARO®?

For over 18 years, we have provided the highest quality Kilimanjaro climbs at a reasonable cost.

EXPERT GUIDES

• Hand selected, licensed local guides
• Decades of climbing experience
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Over 15,000 clients led to the summit
• Top performers in the industry

HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS

• Rugged, 4-season Mountain Hardwear tents
• Warm Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags
• Hot meals from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with WaterGuard
• Private toilet tent on all climbs

SAFETY FOCUSED

• Trained in first aid & mountain rescue
• Health checks performed twice per day
• Monitor oxygen saturation & heart rate
• Emergency oxygen included on all climbs
• Helicopter evacuation

HAPPY CUSTOMERS

• 89 year old Guinness World Record holder
• Celebrities, television hosts & producers
• US Senator, US Ambassador & Lt. Governor
• Filmmakers, authors & journalists
• Disabled veteran (with two prosthetic legs)

HIGHLY REGARDED

• U.S. and foreign newspapers
• International magazines
• Best selling books
• Award winning films
• and more…

wHAT’S IT LIKE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced mountaineer, our team be there every step of the way to help you along. We provide everything you need to succeed on Mount Kilimanjaro. Watch the video below to see how we guide clients on the Roof of Africa.

we have a reputation for excellence

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® is one of the largest and most reputable operators on Mount Kilimanjaro .

Due to our hard working, dedicated team, we have gained a reputation for excellence in the field among our peers and our clients. We are an authoritative expert in the industry.

Every year, we lead over 150 climbs and guide more than 1,000 people. Our clients have included celebrities, film makers, senators, ambassadors, authors, and journalists. We have successfully guided the world record holder for the oldest person (an 89 year old woman), a disabled war veteran (with two prosthetic legs), and a United States Senator to the summit.

All agree, you won’t find a better Kilimanjaro outfitter.

Our expert guides, high quality standards, and focus on safety have made us the top choice for thousands of customers from all over the world. In short, we know what it takes to get you to the summit – in an safe, fun, and affordable way.

Thousands of people have stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with us. Won’t you join us on the Roof of Africa?

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Choosing the Right Kilimanjaro Climbing Operator

Research Reputable Operators:

• Begin your quest by researching reputable operators with a strong history of guiding Kilimanjaro treks. Check online reviews, ask for recommendations, and consult with experts in African adventure travel.
• Pay attention to operators’ safety records and customer feedback. A trustworthy operator should have nothing to hide in these aspects.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Verify that the operator possesses all the required licenses and permits necessary for guiding Kilimanjaro treks. Ensure they are authorized by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and affiliated with organizations like the Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
• Be certain that their guides are certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority and hold wilderness first aid training.

Experience and Guides:

• Your guides play a pivotal role in your Kilimanjaro experience. Inquire about the experience and qualifications of the guides who will accompany you.
• Smaller groups often mean more personalized attention and a safer experience. Ask about the guide-to-climber ratio.

Equipment and Support:

• Find out what equipment and support the operator provides. This includes details about the quality of tents, sleeping bags, dining facilities, and the availability of portable toilets.
• The porter-to-climber ratio is essential to your comfort and safety. Ensure there are enough porters to carry equipment and supplies.

Ecology of Kilimanjaro

• Choosing Kilimanjaro Climbing Operator
• Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

Choosing Genius Kilimanjaro Climb as your operator is the first step to an unforgettable Kilimanjaro climb. Our dedication to safety, experienced guides, and top-notch equipment ensure your expedition is not only safe but also exceptional. Next, let’s explore the “Best Time to Climb” with Genius Kilimanjaro Climb.

 “Best Time to Climb with Genius Kilimanjaro Climb.”

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8 reasons to climb with us:

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5 Best Kilimanjaro Tour Operators : Full Review

XPATS International Travel, Climbing Kilimanjaro, Team Kilimanjaro, Altezza Travel and Ultimate Kilimanjaro (UK) are 5 best Kilimanjaro local tour operators and international travel agencies for 2023 to 2024, with an average climb and tour company review score of 5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor, Trustpilot and Reddit over time.

These Kilimanjaro climbing companies are equipped with high-quality equipment, have well-trained tour guides, and are known for being sustainable tourism businesses.

Furthermore, you can expect nutritious and healthy food, cozy accommodations during your climb, as well as a safe and sanitary camping environment on all hiking routes.

To get a better insight into the degree of quality you can expect from various Kilimanjaro outfitters, we’ve put together a listing of company profiles that highlight a host of amenities provided by respective brands.

Customer Rating System For Tour Operators On TripAdvisor

• Local Operators And Companies
• Foreign Climbing Companies
• International Travel Agencies

What Is The Status Ratio Required Of A Hiking Group To Ascend Tanzania Mountains?

To ensure safety and a personalized experience, the climbing expedition maintains a ratio of 2 hikers to 1 supporting guide, allowing for careful monitoring of factors such as heart rate, breath work and signs of altitude sickness. The implementation of this 2:1 system, by the Kilimanjaro National Park, aims to minimize health risks and reduce death rates on Mount Kilimanjaro, particularly on the Barranco Wall (Kissing Rock).

How Long Does It Take A Tour Guide To Run A 5 Star Performance Climb Up The Mountain?

The time required to ascend Tanzania’s mountains varies, with Mount Kilimanjaro’s climb typically taking 5 to 9 days, while Mount Meru’s ascent usually spans 3 to 4 days. Factors such as route selection, acclimatization and individual fitness levels contribute to the varying durations of mountain ascents in Tanzania.

What Is The Name Of A Travel Agency Group In The Tourism Industry That Can Include International Travel In Their Trekking Holiday?

Although most tour operators and luxury travel agencies will handle airport logistics, finding a climbing or safari compan y that can accommodate your travel visa stamp or air ticket will be nearly impossible. All necessary travel requirements, including your flight, would need to be taken care of personally.

Native Tour Operators That Work With Experienced Guides

1. xpats international travel  🇹🇿.

XPATS International Travel is a Kilimanjaro local tour operator that has established itself as a sustainable tourism company with an unblemished reputation for offering unique and personalized travel experiences.

The team at XPATS International Travel is comprised of local tour guides who have an intimate knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro and a deep-seated passion for showcasing its splendor. One standout feature of XPATS International Travel is the unwavering commitment to safety and comfort for all their climbers and support crew.

The company provides camping and dining equipment, which includes tables, chairs, sleeping tents, mess tents, dining utensils and mattresses.

Moreover, all your meals are freshly cooked, according to your dietary preference, and served at your convenient time , leaving you free to focus on climbing Kilimanjaro .

XPATS International Travel has a perfect 5/5 star review rating on TripAdvisor, Trustpilot and Facebook.

2. Summit Africa 🇹🇿

Summit Africa offers several options for those seeking adventures beyond climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The company has a variety of traditional routes, which are accompanied by a lead guide, assistant guides, and a mountain crew. All the routes begin at the foothills of Kilimanjaro and vary in length from a 5 to 9-day travel itinerary.

Summit Africa provides accommodations and meals, along with camping and dining equipment. However, you’ll need to bring your own hiking gear, as well as sleeping bags and pads.

According to TripAdvisor, Summit Africa holds a 5/5 rating .

3. Climbing Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a well-known tour operator that offers a wide range of adventure and travel experiences in Tanzania, which include safaris, cultural tours & trekking expeditions on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The company has gradually become one of Kilimanjaro’s key players, running expeditions during high seasons on a daily basis. This operator takes great pride in educating their clientele to ensure hikers joining their climb are well-informed and prepared for the undertaking.

Climbing Kilimanjaro provides airport transits, accommodations, before and after treks, as well as meals, tents and dining facilities during the climb.

The company’s efforts have earned them a solid 5-star rating on Trustpilot and TripAdvisor, respectively.

Foreign Tour Operators That Have A Strong Native Presence

1. Team Kilimanjaro 🇬🇧

Team Kilimanjaro is a family-run business office that was founded by John Rees-Evans, a British expat in Tanzania, who happens to be an avid mountain enthusiast. The company prides itself on its commitment to the ethical treatment of porters and guides, ensuring all climbers have a responsible climbing experience.

Team Kilimanjaro only specializes in Kilimanjaro treks, which gives them an edge over other tourism companies in the country.

The company provides essential climbing and outdoor camping equipment, as well as a list of items that climbers should have, with gear available for purchase or rent.

Team Kilimanjaro has 230 positive reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. Altezza Travel 🇷🇺

Altezza Travel was founded by Alexander and Dimitri, two Russian brothers, who chose to settle in Tanzania in 2016.

Their expertise extends beyond arranging successful climbs since they also provide advice on the best routes for acclimatization and gear requirements. Altezza Travel also caters to famous celebrities and organizes record-breaking summits , such as Wings of Kilimanjaro, RedBull and National Geographic.

The company provides comfortable resort accommodations, before and after the trek, as well as quality hiking equipment and dining items.

Furthermore, Altezza Travel has one of the largest rental storage in the tourism industry, ensuring climbers have all they need for the climb.

Altezza Travel has a perfect 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings.

3. Tanzania Specialist 🇳🇱

Tanzania Specialist was founded by Robbin Meuliemans, a Dutch entrepreneur, who aimed to provide exclusive private tours. The company boasts a team of expert safari and trekking guides, who speak fluent English. To ensure peace of mind, Tanzania Specialist has established their headquarters in Europe and their subsidiary in Tanzania to guarantee clients a once-in-a-lifetime trekking vacation, filled with cultural exchanges, tourist attractions and fun activities.

The company offers some camping gear but they highly recommend hikers bring their own equipment to ensure they’re well prepared for the climb. Amenities provided include tents, mattresses, tables and chairs.

Tanzania Specialist has an average 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings.

When Is A Good Time Of Year To Schedule An Ultimate Adventure?

Tanzania, particularly Mount Kilimanjaro, experiences dry weather conditions at Uhuru Peak during the hiking seasons, from June to October and December to mid-March, with the warmest months being February, August, September and October. To minimize foot traffic during summit night, consider planning a trek in February, June, July or October, as these months are less crowded since they border the rainy seasons.

Which Route Works Effectively With A Luxury Tour Operator?

Unlike the Marangu Route (Coca Cola Route) or Umbwe Route , long hiking trails such as the Machame Route , Lemosho Route , Rongai Route and Northern Circuit Route perform best among many tour operators and travel agencies. That’s because a long trail on Kilimanjaro has minimal elevation gains, which leaves plenty of room for recovery and acclimatization during your walking tour .

What Qualities Contribute To The Excellence Of Outfitters During Tour Expeditions?

Companies that prioritize small group sizes, provide thorough training, and receive positive client reviews possess the ability to ease the success of a Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru ascent . Additionally, a smooth climbing experience is facilitated when tour operators provide experienced guides, well-crafted itineraries, high-quality equipment and rope, and a commitment to safety and sustainable tourism practices.

What Makes Trust Pilot The Preferred Rating Platform For Discovering Tour Operators Compared To Reddit?

The worst place to find the best Kilimanjaro tour operator In 2023 is on Reddit and TikTok because subpar climbing companies encourage climbers to leave recommendations on the app, which eliminates any element of independent feedback. The ultimate approach to finding a good company for the big expedition is to assess both good and negative reviews on TripAdvisor or Trustpilot.

Travel Agent That Outsources Their Climbing Trips To Responsible Businesses

1. Ultimate Kilimanjaro 🇺🇸

Ultimate Kilimanjaro is an American travel agency that has been working with local tour operators for more than 15 years, providing personalized services with safety being a top priority. The travel agency maintains limited climbing spots to ensure every climber gets attentive care, which is different from other international travel agencies that allow up to 80 climbers per trip. Ultimate Kilimanjaro gives climbers the flexibility to climb with their group of friends or meet new people along the way.

The travel agency provides top-notch camping equipment and basic climbing amenities on all camping routes, as well as decent accommodation at a hotel, before and after the trek, run by a school on the outskirts of Moshi.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro’s years of dedication to the industry have earned them a 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor and Facebook.

2. G Adventures 🇨🇦

G Adventures is a well-established Canadian travel agency that boasts 30 years of experience creating unforgettable trips for travelers around the world. Unlike international travel agencies, who specialize exclusively in Kilimanjaro treks, G-Adventures offers a variety of package tours that are outsourced to trusted local outfitters. They are often able to create a fun and diverse group dynamic, offering an excellent opportunity to team up with like-minded individuals from around the world.

The travel agency offers meals and accommodations however, you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags, pads and hiking gear.

Thomson Safaris has an average review rating of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor and Tourradar.

3. Thomson Safaris 🇺🇸

Thomson Safaris is an American-based travel agency that has gained recognition for its unique approach to adventure tourism, whether you prefer a scheduled day trip, private or custom itineraries, or even luxury 8-day climbs. The company prides itself on its high standards of service, which attests to the quality of safety and comfort during their trips. Rather than operating package tours , they outsource their work to local outfitters, in tourist destinations within the African continent, to ensure clients are accompanied by guides who have an intimate knowledge of the native location and culture.

The international travel agency provides Kilimanjaro luxury campgrounds in unique settings, in addition to restaurant meals, tents and other basic amenities. Thomson Safaris also provides a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list , outlining exactly what clients need for their trip and how they should pack their bags.

Thomson Safaris has an average review rating of 5/5 on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings.

4. Mountain T Sobek 🇺🇸

Mountain Travel Sobek is an American adventure travel company that specializes in organizing sport expeditions to some of the world’s spectacular mountains, including the base camp of Mount Everest. It has established itself as a trusted name in the tourism industry, working with local Kilimanjaro outfitters who are trained to navigate challenging conditions to better ensure the safety and well-being of their clients.

They handle logistics, including accommodations, transportation and camping equipment. To make things even easier, they provide a downloadable link for packing tips and a checklist to make sure that clients are fully prepared for their Kilimanjaro hike .

Mountain Travel Sobek has an average review rating of 4.5 on Trustpilot, TripAdvisor and Facebook.

5. Intrepid Travel 🇦🇺

Intrepid Travel is an Australian travel agency that takes great pride in prioritizing the safety and well-being of its travelers. The travel agency’s risk-management protocols and continuous staff training, guarantee confidence and peace of mind. From well-maintained equipment to emergency plans, every aspect is carefully considered to mitigate risks and maximize the safety of their climbers.

Intrepid Travel offers essential camping equipment, as well as a list of items that climbers should have, with gear available for rent.

Intrepid Travel has an average review rating of 5/5 on TripAdvisor and TourRadar.

6. World Expeditions 🇦🇺

World Expeditions is an esteemed Australian travel agency that has been providing Kilimanjaro treks for more than 25 years. The company has built an outstanding reputation in the tourism industry, outsourcing its work to local outfitters who have a long-standing knowledge of the mountain and its surrounding area.

World Expeditions provides mattresses, tables, chairs, sleeping tents, mess tents, eating utensils and other dining equipment. Climbers can expect decent accommodation and breakfast, before and after the trek, as well as comfortable camping equipment during their trips.

World Expeditions has an average 4.5/5 review rating on TripAdvisor and Tourradar.

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How to find the best Kilimanjaro tour operators

One of the challenges associated with climbing Kilimanjaro is finding the best Kilimanjaro tour operators to book your trip with. A quick Google search will bring up dozens of blogs about the best offers, operators, routes to take and what to bring with you.

However, Kilimanjaro tour operators do not always agree on the ideal approach in terms of acclimatization, route, equipment and safety procedures.

Most people read reviews about the different tour operators before making their decision. The problem is there are positive and negative reviews for almost every company and they are not always accurate.

For example, some of the reviews on forums such as Tripadvisor, SummitPost and Lonely Planet may be misleading or written from fake accounts.

Unfortunately, there have also been reports that some operators have pressured travellers into writing positive reviews, while others have tried to remove negative reviews or bribe people into editing or deleting their feedback.

This is one of the reasons you cannot rely solely on the reviews or information you read online.

Although it may be tempting to simply follow the recommendations that you read or book a tour with an operator who has the lowest price, this is risky and may not give you the best experience or summit success.

So how do you know whether the information you read is credible or trustworthy?

In this blog, we will outline the key things you should consider when selecting the best operator for your Kilimanjaro climb .

What does your Kilimanjaro tour operator organize?

Your Kilimanjaro tour operator will organize almost everything that is required for you to climb Kilimanjaro locally. They will hire your mountain crew complete with guides, cooks and porters; provide full-board meals and drinking water.

They will also organize your mountain accommodation ; arrange transfers to and from the park gates; sort out your park entry fees and regulations; and more.

Depending on your package, your tour operator may arrange your airport transfers and book your accommodation before and after your climb. They can also help you organize gear that you may prefer to rent rather than purchase, such as sleeping bags or trekking poles.

In addition, your tour operator can give you lots of advice about how to climb Kilimanjaro safely and provide you with information about what you can expect of your health and wellbeing during the experience.

How to choose the best Kilimanjaro tour operator

It is important to compare offers not only by price and reviews, but also by the ethics of the tour operator, the experience of the guides and crew in question and the quality of equipment.

You should also consider the route you choose to take and the type of tour you want to book.

So how do you select the best tour operator?

Choose a responsible tour operator

The predominant problem caused by Kilimanjaro tourism is the exploitation of porters . When you are considering the responsible travel criteria used by tour operators, there is only one independent organization that monitors porter treatment practices locally. This organization is the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) , an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC). To make sure that you're booking an ethical climb and that your porters will be treated fairly, verify that your tour operator is listed on the  official list of approved KPAP Partner companies on IMEC's website .

Environmental damage and pollution is not such a big problem on Mount Kilimanjaro as it is for other destinations. Most tour operators, and including all KPAP approved companies, adhere to the Kilimanjaro National Park's leave no trace guidelines to collect waste at campsites and bring it down the mountain. Therefore, it's not a major consideration when booking your climb.

Why does it matter if my porters are treated fairly?

We believe that responsible tour operators who treat your porters fairly are also more likely to offer you, as a client, higher quality standards, and that porters who are treated fairly by their companies are also more likely to have your best interests in mind. That means first and foremost not your summit success, but your health and safety.

Amongst others, you rely on your porters for your water and food to be treated properly. In the worst case, you might have to rely on them for a safe descent. Will your porters be able to do a good job if they are hungry, cold and get paid significantly less than their colleagues camping right next to your group?

While there is no guarantee, we believe that booking your climb with a responsible tour operator and guides  who treat your porters fairly will be the safer choice for you.

Decide what type of climbing tour you want

Start by deciding which route you want to take and how many days you want to climb. The route you take will influence the success of your climb. For most people, we recommend climbing for at least 7-8 days because this will help you to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Similarly, you should check whether a private or group tour is better for your circumstances and ensure that your operator offers the type of tour that you are looking for.

Most tour operators will be able to offer almost any itinerary their clients want, but you should beware that not all of them have experience with more sophisticated, or off-the-beaten track itineraries.

If you do you want such an itinerary (for example one which includes an overnight stay at Crater Camp), then be sure to book with a company that has a proven record of catering to those types of itineraries. So sure to check what they offer before booking your climb.

Another thing you should be aware of is that if you do want to go for a specific itinerary (during a preferred time period) and you want to join a group tour, then this will obviously narrow down the list of tour operators who are able to offer this.

This is why it is important to decide on the route and type of tour first.

Choose a Kilimanjaro tour operator with experienced guides

Another important consideration to take when climbing Kilimanjaro is the experience of mountain crews and guides who will accompany you up the mountain.

A responsible tour operator will ensure that guides are properly equipped, prepared and trained to lead climbers up Kilimanjaro. They will also ensure that there are enough guides for your group.

So how do you know whether your tour operator has experienced and knowledgeable guides?

Currently, there are no objective certifications or ratings which can help you find the best Kilimanjaro guides. However, there are ways that you can increase your chances of finding an experienced and well-trained guide .

Firstly, you should book with a responsible climb operator . They tend to have the best guides, because they are better paid, trained properly and given the resources they need to navigate the mountain.

The two things you want to look for are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training and CPR first aid training , should you fall ill on the mountain.

How many guides should there be for my climb?

Before booking a climb, make sure you understand the ratio of hikers to guides that will be provided by your operator. Having an adequate number of guides is essential to ensure a safe and successful climb.

When climbing Kilimanjaro , you must have at most 2 climbers per guide, and at least 2 guides for groups of 2 climbers or more.

This ensures that there will always be enough guides to assist climbers who require descent, while at the same time allowing all other climbers to continue their summit ascent safely.

The minimum guide-to-climber ratios are stipulated by Kilimanjaro National Park regulations and they apply to all climbs booked via Fair Voyage. So for every group, there will always be one lead guide, and we have classified all other guides as assistant guides.

Please beware that guides and companies operating illegally on Kilimanjaro may not adhere to these minimum ratios, which can lead to dangerous, life-threatening situations. While it may be tempting to save costs by booking with a low-budget operator, your financial savings may come at the cost of your own safety.

Minimum ratio of Kilimanjaro climbers per guide for all climbs booked via Fair Voyage:

What else will your kilimanjaro tour operator provide.

Prices for Kilimanjaro climbing packages typically include: all park fees; transfer to/from the park gates; dormitory accommodation in the Marangu Huts on the Marangu Route , or sleeping tents and mats on all other routes; drinking water and full-board meals on the mountain; and the salaries of your mountain crew including an English-speaking head guide, assistant guide(s) (if more than one climber), cook and porters.

Many packages (but not all) also include: airport transfers; pre/post climb accommodation; a mess tent, tables and chairs for dining; a private toilet tent; oxygen for emergencies; and more (if specifically stated).

If you are looking for a tour that offers more than the bare minimum or one that includes equipment such as a hyperbaric chamber then be sure to check whether your tour operator includes this. These types of inclusions are usually only offered by mid to higher range operators.

Good tour operators will always be transparent about what is and isn’t included in each itinerary. Be sure to check whether your tour is fully customizable, in terms of itinerary variations, upgrades or rentals.

Tour operators will also vary in terms of the quality of the equipment they offer. The three most important components are tents, sleeping bags and any AMS -related equipment.

Some of the considerations you should keep in mind are the make and quality of the equipment provided, as well as usage practices.

Even if your tour operator provides the best equipment, you should also pay attention to the number of times it is used.

For example, when sleeping bags are used over and over again, they gradually become less effective at keeping you warm during the night. This usually happens after about 10 times of washing.

Keep in mind that not all operators offer high-quality equipment. In fact, most don’t. If in doubt, it is better to check with them to confirm exactly what type of equipment they provide.

What you will usually find is that if something is not clearly listed on an operator’s website or in their booking documentation, then it is most likely not provided by your operator.

Food and nutrition

Budget tour operators will usually just offer simple carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and porridge, because these are thought to be simpler to digest at higher altitudes.

The best operators will try to include a variety of foods and a fair ration of fruit and vegetables, as well as protein for most meals.

If you have special dietary requirements, then be sure to ask about this before booking your tour. Budget tour operators may not always provide specific answers to your questions, so if in doubt, request a specific meal plan to avoid nasty surprises when it’s too late.

The key to selecting the best Kilimanjaro tour operator is to get clear on the type of tour you want before your climb. Once you are clear on what your requirements are, the next step is to ensure that you understand exactly what your tour operator offers and how well this fits in with your requirements.

A good starting point is to select a KPAP Partner company . Companies who have demonstrated a commitment to treating their porters fairly are also more likely to be committed to your safety and wellbeing, compared to the industry average.

Once you have carefully considered the above, you will be able to make a much more educated assessment in selecting the operator that is most suited to your needs.

For reference,  see what Kilimanjaro climbers say about their experience with Fair Voyage, and feel free to request our package details and free custom quote .

Janine Griffiths

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• Start Here!
• Weather on Kilimanjaro - What is the Best Time to Climb?
• Which Climbing Route is the Best for You?
• Training for a Kili Climb
• Preventing Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro
• Equipment List and Packing Tips
• Mount Kilimanjaro Routes - Overview
• Marangu Route
• Machame Route
• Rongai Route
• Lemosho Route
• Shira Route
• Kilimanjaro Pictures (all routes)
• Cost/Prices of Kilimanjaro Climbs
• Choosing a Kilimanjaro Tour Operator
• Request Info

How to find the best Kilimanjaro Tours

(Note: If you are after  a quote, a specific price for a climb, please go to this page .)

Evaluating and comparing Mount Kilimanjaro tour companies and climb operators

A Kilimanjaro tour is a once in a lifetime trip. It is a trip on which you spend a heck of a lot of money. It is a trip into a part of the world that you are likely not familiar with.

And it is a trip that, if organised by irresponsible or incompetent Kilimanjaro tour operators, can quickly become dangerous and even life threatening.

Now, you may think that Kilimanjaro trekking companies would all be responsible and competent .

After all, they have to get approved by the park authorities, right? And all the mountain guides have to be licensed, right? So that would ensure that no matter who you go with, at least you would be safe, right?

Think again!

There are several hundred operators who offer Kilimanjaro tours. I would trust only a small fraction of them with my life and money.

Tanzania is a typical African country and regulation exists only on paper. There are a million loopholes and evasion strategies. The people supposed to enforce the regulations are poor. A budget Kili tour operator can bribe his way out of any requirements that would cost him too much money to keep his rock bottom prices.

Safety may be the most dramatic issue, but it's not the only one.

The best Kilimanjaro climb operators not only have the best safety record, they also have the best client success rates.

Your chances to reach the summit depend on your operator more than on anything else. Yes, your operator is more important than your fitness level!

I talked to long time Kili mountain guides about success rates, to investigate how the "official" numbers compare to their real life experience. They would not give me a number or estimate, because in their experience the success rate totally depends on the tour operator .

And last but not least, there is the issue of the Kilimanjaro porters. How they are treated does not necessarily affect your safety or success rate. But is that a reason to support the blatant exploitation of the people who make it possible for you to climb Kilimanjaro in the first place?

If you haven't done so already, you may want to read the pages about the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro and the page about the Kilimanjaro porters .

Reading them will help you make a better decision about who is the best Mount Kilimanjaro tour operator for you.

So now that you know that you want a quality operator with a good safety record, with good client success rates, who treats their staff fairly, how on earth do you find such a Kili tour?

There are two ways to book a Kilimanjaro trip. You can do it from overseas, or you can do it when you get there. Most people book from overseas, so I will talk mostly about how to do that. Further down the page I'll tell you how to find the best tour operator in Tanzania when you get there.

How to find the best Kilimanjaro tour companies

First of all, stay away from the bottom level budget Kili climbs . Yes, your friends may have had a great experience with a budget operator. Some people also win lotto.

But a lotto ticket costs a few bucks, a Mt. Kilimanjaro tour costs a few thousand (with flights and all). If the trip sucks and you don't even make it to the summit, is that really money saved? It's wasted!

If all the stars align correctly a budget operator may well guide you to the summit successfully, but you want a good chance in any weather! And you want to know that you will live, no matter what happens on that mountain.

It's difficult to give you price guidelines (I gave some suggestions on the costs page), because there are so many variables. Starting point, route, number of days on the mountain, booking through an agent or directly... as you start looking around you will get a feel for the prices soon enough.

Dig through the websites of the operators you consider. How much information do they share? Contact them and ask for more info. Are they open and transparent about how they run things? If not, ask yourself why not.

Someone who has lots of experience and knowledge, excellent equipment, an exceptional saftey record and great success rates would not hide that, would they? And I find there is no better way than to personally contact tour operators to get a feel for how much they really care about their clients.

Unfortunately many highly professional Kilimanjaro trekking agencies that treat their clients extremely well, still keep their prices competitive at the expense of the porters.

To make sure a Kilimanjaro tour operator not only genuinely cares about you but also about their staff, check the partner program of the International Mountain Explorers Connection.

The IMEC is behind the porters assistance project in Kathmandu, Nepal, and also the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project ( KPAP ) in Moshi.

The companies listed as partners not only agreed to treat their porters as recommended by the project and to pay them a fair wage. They also agreed to be audited and inspected by the KPAP on a regular basis.

(Naturally, the operator I recommend is listed on that page.)

Checking whether your chosen Kilimanjaro tour operator or agency is listed on that page is one important thing you can do to improve the situation of the Kilimanjaro porters.

(An international agency may not be listed on that page, yet the Tanzanian operator they use on the ground is. So if booking internationally, find out what the name of the company is that will actually be guiding you on Kilimanjaro.)

There is an added benefit to choosing a responsible partner. Do you think that an operator who sets an example when it comes to looking after even the lowest staff members, would then neglect the safety and welfare of their clients? I don't think so.

In fact, many agencies listed on that page are definitely in the top end of the price range, but there are also some that are reasonably affordable.

Still, if you want a good Kilimanjaro tour, you can only go so low in the price.

Finding the best Kilimanjaro tours locally

Your Kilimanjaro tour will be cheaper if you book directly with a Tanzanian agency when you get there. Not only do you cut out the middle man, you may also be able to negotiate something like a "last minute" deal. The operator may prefer to sell you a spot for a cheaper price than to not sell it at all.

There are of course risks. The good operators may be booked out. There may not be any climbs on your preferred route or preferred date. You may have to do a lot of waiting and running around.

And there is only so much running around you can do, only so many companies you can personally check out...

Most Kilimanjaro tour companies are located in Arusha or Moshi, some are directly in Marangu. To save yourself some time and research there, read up on the local Kilimanjaro tour agencies beforehand. You can.

Henry Stedman reviews a huge number of them in his excellent Kilimanjaro trekking guide . He also gives many tips what to look out for and what questions to ask before you sign that contract.

The best Kilimanjaro tour need not be the most expensive

I remember first discovering Henry Stedman's guide, AFTER I had booked my first Kilimanjaro tour. To my great relief Henry considered the Kilimanjaro tour company I had booked with as "one of the best on the mountain".

And you will be relieved to hear that they certainly were not in the luxury price range :). (Luxury is neither my style nor my budget.)

Take the time to do your research as outlined above, ask questions and trust your instincts.

What seemed to be an overwhelming choice of Mount Kilimanjaro tours, will soon be whittled down to a surprisingly easy decision.

Read more about What it takes to climb Kilimanjaro

Do you need help with all this?

Would you like to contact a responsible and trustworthy operator with competitive prices ?

Get some free, no obligations advice on route selection, duration and timing ?

I regularly receive emails asking me if there is an operator I personally can recommend.

There is and you can contact my preferred operator through this page.

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Conquer Kilimanjaro with the Best Tour Operators

Welcome to your gateway to adventure.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the rooftop of Africa with the best Kilimanjaro tour operators. We’ve done the groundwork for you, handpicking the most reputable and experienced guides to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and successful climb.

Why Choose Our Featured Tour Operators?

• Expertise and Experience:  Our tour operators boast extensive experience in guiding climbers to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Their expert knowledge of the mountain’s routes, weather patterns, and safety protocols will maximize your chances of reaching the top.
• Safety First:  Safety is paramount when conquering Kilimanjaro. Our operators are committed to following the highest safety standards, with well-trained guides and top-notch equipment to ensure a secure ascent.
• Range of Routes:  No two climbers are the same, and our featured tour operators understand that. They offer a diverse range of routes, catering to all levels of experience and fitness. Whether you seek a challenging route or a more leisurely trek, we have the perfect option for you.
• Eco-Friendly Practices:  Preserving the natural beauty of Kilimanjaro is vital. Many of our operators actively promote eco-friendly initiatives, ensuring minimal environmental impact while fostering responsible and sustainable trekking.
• Customer Reviews:  Hear it from fellow climbers! Read genuine reviews from past adventurers who have scaled Kilimanjaro with our featured operators. Gain insights into their experiences, tips, and feedback to make an informed decision.
• Accommodation and Amenities:  Enjoy comfortable and well-equipped campsites during your trek. Our tour operators provide quality accommodations and facilities to make your climb as enjoyable as possible.
• Customized Packages:  We understand that your adventure is unique. Our operators offer customizable packages to tailor the experience to your preferences, ensuring a trip that aligns perfectly with your aspirations.

What to Look for in a Kilimanjaro Tour Operator?

• Experience and Reputation:  Look for operators with a proven track record of successful climbs and satisfied clients. Years of experience signify their expertise and reliability.
• Safety Measures:  Safety should never be compromised. Choose operators who prioritize safety, conduct regular equipment checks, and have trained guides with First Aid knowledge.
• Route Options:  Assess the variety of routes offered, considering difficulty levels, duration, and scenery. Opt for an operator that caters to your fitness and adventure goals.
• Sustainable Practices:  Support operators who are committed to protecting the environment and supporting local communities through responsible tourism.
• Transparent Pricing:  Seek clear and upfront pricing, including all inclusions and exclusions. Avoid hidden fees and select operators with fair pricing policies.
• Customer Support:  Excellent customer service makes a difference. Choose operators who are responsive, address your queries promptly, and provide pre-climb guidance.

Embark on an Adventure of a Lifetime:

The allure of Mount Kilimanjaro awaits you. Experience the breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the thrill of conquering Africa’s highest peak. Our featured tour operators are your key to unlocking this unforgettable adventure.

Start planning your Kilimanjaro expedition today and let us guide you to the summit of your dreams!

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, East Africa, is the highest mountain in Africa with an elevation of 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). It is the largest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the seven summits.

Its snow-capped peak towers above the surrounding Savannah’s and is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park, which is home to a variety of unique flora and fauna. While it is a dormant volcano, it still serves as an important source of inspiration for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. More information about Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo 19,340 feet (5895 meters); Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5149 m); and Shira 13,000 feet (3962 m). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago, when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. Two of its three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest peak) is dormant and could erupt again.

The last major eruption has been dated to 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was recorded just 200 years ago. Kilimanjaro has 2.2 square kilometres (0.85 sq mi) of glacial ice and is losing it quickly due to climate change. The glaciers have shrunk 82% since 1912 and declined 33% since 1989. It might be ice free within 20 years, dramatically affecting local drinking water and crop irrigation.

Who Can Climb Kilimanjaro? Anyone from children over the age of 10 to older generations in their 60s and 70s! All you need is determination and the will to get to the summit. The real challenge with climbing Kilimanjaro is the altitude and the rate of ascent. Don’t worry we will be with you every step of the way!

Our Kilimanjaro Guides are highly skilled professionals and are a key component to your success.

Join the thousands of climbers who have stood on the Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Guided by Our Kilimanjaro Trek Expert Team. Climb Kili with the Best Kilimanjaro Tour Operator.

Kilimanjaro climb guide company : We are a premier Kilimanjaro trekking Tours company with decades of combined experience on the mountain, we specialize in Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. We run our own trekking operations, staffed with expert mountain guides, and do not act as a booking agent for other companies. We will give you comprehensive advice on packing, fitness, expected weather and trail conditions, and be by your side every step of the way – all the way to the Summit of Kilimanjaro! We will also bring you to the airport after the adventure of a lifetime.

Hiking Kilimanjaro Routes

There are Seven main Mount Kilimanjaro routes which lead to the summit, Uhuru Peak , one of which starts on the Northern side of the mountain and the rest on the Southern side. The routes are Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe.

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro takes between five to nine days in order to reach the Kilimanjaro Summit and then descend to the finishing point. The more days spent on the mountain the more likely you will summit successfully because you will become more acclimated to the altitude.

When is the best time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and the best time for a Kilimanjaro Hike is during the dry seasons: December to early March and June to October. We don’t climb during the height of the rainy season, for safety reasons.

LET US HELP YOU PLAN YOUR KILIMANJARO TRIP

Climb Kilimanjaro Tours and more

Kilimanjaro Routes & Prices

Choose the best route Easy to follow guide to all Kilimanjaro routes

Meet the Best Kilimanjaro Guides

Our guides are highly experienced, medically trained and committed to your safety

Safety is Our #1 Priority on Kilimanjaro

Our team carries a comprehensive medical kit, including bottled oxygen, and portable stretcher

And after your Kilimanjaro Climb

See the Big Five on Safari

Visit Ngorongoro or see the famous wildebeest migration

Visit Zanzibar, the spice island. Rest and relax on the idylic islands of Zanzibar

We had a fantastic time and felt we really were looked after like VIP's by Climbing Kilimanjaro !

James and Rebecca, UK

The whole Kilimanjaro Hike team was fantastic and we could not find fault with anything.

Jane and Debbie, Australia

The whole CK team were excellent, they looked after us well and were very friendly.

Doug and Gary, UK

Why Book with Us?

We run our own climbs for the best experience

In order to give you the very best chance of summiting we operate every aspect of your climb: that means fantastic guides, great equipment and lots of nourishing food.

Tailor made treks for individuals and groups

The whole of your trip can be tailor made to your requirement: your choice of routes, length of trek and dates in a custom made trip.

Great value all-inclusive climbs

Private airport collection, hotels before and after the trek, park fees, guides and porters and all your accommodation and food on the trek. All you need for a great climb.

Excellent safety procedures

Safety is the highest priority on all our Kilimanjaro climbs with detailed risk assessments and excellent guides who are all trained in first aid and altitude sickness prevention.

Highest Kilimanjaro Summit Success Record

Our Consultants team, expert guides and trip leaders are highly accomplished professionals, who know Mount Kilimanjaro like the back of their hands and are the key to the success of every one of our trips. We pride ourselves on having excellent staff and dedicated team leaders – that`s why we are so popular and have a very high summit success rate!

Responsible travel

We operate to the highest standards of responsible travel. Our porters are all treated well and we support the Leave no Trace rules so that Kilimanjaro is not spoiled.

100% Tailor made

• Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements
• Choose the route you want, the date you want and the options you want
• Create the perfect trip with our specialists

Expert Knowledge

• All our advisors have climbed Kilimanjaro, visited the safari parks and Zanzibar
• You will have the same advisor throughout the planning process.
• Make the most of your time and budget

Focus on Safety

• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• Emergency oxygen and medical kits
• High summit success rates and client satisfaction

The Best Guides On Kilimanjaro

• Make the difference between a good climb and an outstanding one
• Professional, experienced, licensed Mountain guides
• Honest, hardworking, team-oriented support staff

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I have never been in Africa. I am 52 and traveling with my 18 year old son. We want to attempt climbing Kilimanjaro. I found many web sites but don't know what is reliable. Any advise for a beginner?

Hi Gabriel - I definately think that there is a huge discrepancy between the best / most ethical and the worst / most exploitative, and so you're definitely right to be cautious. The travel industry is quite convoluted and so you can book and buy a Kilimanjaro climb from a travel agent in your home country and there are options to buy directly from operators on the ground.

But where to start. A good place, in my opinion, is the IMEC website that lists members that have signed up and pledge to maintain a certain level of ethics. There's nothing worse than booking only to find that when you arrive the local porters are not being looked after properly. The additional bonus with looking at that list is that most companies that bother with their ethics also work hard on their safety side too. see http://www.mountainexplorers.org/club/partners.htm for that list. Still a pretty big list but a good start and hopefully you'll find someone either close to you or email them and see what sort of response you get.

If you move onto route selection and other considerations it might be worth starting another thread but the tour operators should be able to give you good advise too about joining groups or even setting up your own private climb.

My brief recommendation for a first timer to high altitude: take your time, select a great route that let's you see most of the best parts of the mountain and choose a route that ascends via Stella Point for the very best chance of getting to the top. Lemosho 8 days or even 9 is a great place to start, there are a few options though!

safe travels!

Thanks "ilovealtitud" What do you think about Machame route?

We are in reasonable shape (run 1 hour a day) but never hiked for many days.

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Hi Gabriel,

well if you run an hour a day then I dare say you can select pretty much any route you like although I have been told that super fit people often have trouble acclimatising due to the lack of Ph buffers in their bloodstream! Rather bizarrely over ten year of being going up and down I'd actually back that up. Anyhow - you sound like you're in good shape, great!

As for Machame - it is a very scenic route and the success rates over 7 days are very high and even over 6 days the success rates remain very high. Combine this with the fact that is has an ascent profile that allows for some good walk high sleep low days and that it ascends via Stella Point (and hour closer to Uhuru once at the summit compared to routes ascending via Gilman's point - Rongai and Marangu routes) and you are looking at a route that is rightly very popular. And therein lies the big drawback - it tends to be very busy, or certainly among the very busiest and note this is a camping route and so the parks authorities do little to limit numbers (there are limited numbers in their 10 year management plan but so far they don't appear to have the machanism for enforcing these limits).

That said most routes can be busy in the high season. If you go with this in mind then numbers of people need not be a hindrance (and meeting people is often the one thing you take away with you).

Given that the Machame route is easily accessible by pretty much any vehicle and it's proximity to Moshi and has villages at the starting point the logistical costs tend are as good as it gets and so you can certainly get value for money from the Machame route too.

So overall: great. If you have the time, money and inclination then the Lemosho route can be a more exciting proposition but on all routes by making the best use of things that you can vary, such as starting times and subtle route variations, you'll get the best out of any given route.

Apologies for the long posts!

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