National park · Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro
Climb Kilimanjaro: choose a route and budget – go for a 7‑day Machame trek in Jan–Mar or Jun–Oct for best weather, budget $1,200‑$2,000 per person including park fees and guide.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,688 km² (652 sq mi)652 sq mi (1,688 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Sep, Jan–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Tanzania e-visa before arrival; from 1 October 2026 the inbound insurance (US$44) is mandatory — check the current rule.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Carry TZS cash for park gates, fuel stops and village guesthouses; cards work in Arusha and Moshi hotels, rarely in Lushoto.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Left-hand driving; tarmac on the Arusha–Moshi–Dar corridor, rough gravel on the Lake Natron and Usambara side roads.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 1,688 km² (652 sq mi)652 sq mi (1,688 km²)
- The park covers the mountain above 2,700 m; the total area including the forest reserve is about 1,688 km² (check).
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Sep, Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak (5,895 m) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climbing it requires a licensed guide, a park ticket and a route choice: Marangu (huts, easiest), Machame (scenic, tents), Lemosho (remote, longer) or Rongai (drier, northeast). The standard 5–6‑day schedule carries a high risk of altitude sickness; 7–9 days improves acclimatisation and summit success. Best months are January–February and June–October. Budget $1,200–$2,000 per person for an all‑inclusive trip, or $200–$300 for a guide plus park fees if you self‑carry.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Kilimanjaro National Park listed as a natural World Heritage Site.
Size and age
1,688 km² (652 sq mi)652 sq mi (1,688 km²) · national park since 1977
The park covers the mountain above 2,700 m; the total area including the forest reserve is about 1,688 km² (check).
Why go
- Summit Africa's highest peak with distinct ecological zones.
- Multiple routes let you choose difficulty and scenery.
- Chance to see high‑altitude wildlife such as buffalo and elephants.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWarm, clear, low rain.
- FebWarm, clear, low rain.
- MarStart of short rains, still climbable.
- AprWettest month, trails muddy.
- MayWet, high humidity.
- JunCooler, drier, good for acclimatization.
- JulCool, relatively dry.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, clear skies, cooler nights.
- OctDry, start of short rains late month.
- NovIncreasing rain, trails get wet.
- DecShort rains, colder nights.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African buffalo, elephants, leopards (mainly on lower slopes)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| High‑altitude birds (e.g., alpine thrush)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Marangu Gate | Southern entry, hut accommodation, easiest route (Marangu). | Open with park ticket. |
| Machame Gate | Northern entry, base for Machame and Lemosho routes. | Open with park ticket. |
| Lemosho Gate (Londorossi) | Remote western entry, start of Lemosho and Northern Circuit. | Open with park ticket. |
Sketch map
- 1Kilimanjaro International Airport · Town≈-3.429, 37.072Main air gateway (JRO).Map ↗
- 2Marangu Gate · Gate≈-3.131, 37.292Southern entry, hut route.Map ↗
- 3Machame Gate · Gate≈-3.056, 37.360Northern entry, trailhead for Machame/Lemosho.Map ↗
- 4Lemosho Gate (Londorossi) · Gate≈-3.083, 37.300Remote western entry.Map ↗
- 5Kibo Hut · Cave≈-3.075, 37.353High‑altitude camp before summit.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the mountain and gate locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | US$100–120 | person | Covers gate access; additional camping/hut fees apply per night. |
| Camping/hut fee | US$30–45 | person per night | Designated sites only. |
| Licensed guide (per group) | US$200–300 | group | Mandatory for all routes. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$100–120
- US$30–45
- US$200–300
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tanzania Parks – Kilimanjaro National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all routes; must be licensed by park.
- Camping
- Only in designated camps or huts; no wild camping.
- Fires
- Prohibited outside designated cooking areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; pack‑in‑pack‑out policy.
- Altitude medication
- Allowed only with prescription; must be declared at gate.
Where to stay
Near the park
Arusha
Hotels, lodges and guesthouses 2 h drive from Marangu Gate.
Near the park
Moshi
Accommodation options 2 h drive from Machame Gate.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Cold at summit medium
Rapid weather change medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gates reachable by vehicle; short walks to trailheads.
- Steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility beyond gate areas.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed guides to support park staff and local economy.
- Stay in designated camps only; avoid litter and fire.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Kilimanjaro?
Park entry is $100–$120 per person; add $30–$45 per night for camping/hut fees and $200–$300 per group for a licensed guide.
What are the best hikes in Mount Kilimanjaro?
Machame, Lemosho, and Northern Circuit offer the best scenery and acclimatization; Marangu is the easiest, Rongai is drier on the leeward side.
When is the best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro?
January, February, and September have the most reliable weather; June–August are cooler and still dry, while April–May are very wet.
Do I need a guide to climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes, a licensed guide is mandatory for all routes; you can hire one at any gate or pre‑book with an operator.
Can I camp anywhere on the mountain?
Camping is only allowed in designated camps or huts; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mount Kilimanjaro
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