Kilimanjaro National Park in a nutshell
Kilimanjaro is a volcanic massif in northern Tanzania. Its highest point, Uhuru Peak on the Kibo cone, stands at 5,895 m and is the highest point in Africa. The mountain and its forest belt form Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. You can walk in the park on a day hike or climb all the way up, but every ascent goes through a licensed operator with a guide. Solo trekking is not allowed.
This guide covers the climb and the routes (Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai and others), what a trek costs, day hikes from Marangu Gate, altitude and fitness, the packing list, Moshi and its day trips, combining the climb with a safari, the way in, weather, the best time and where to stay. Prices are in US dollars for 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Kilimanjaro
Our take: the Lemosho trek includes park and rescue fees with fair crew wages; the Marangu trek sleeps in huts; the Materuni day is a gentle start from Moshi.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lemosho route in 7 days
- Park and rescue fees
- Fair crew wages
- Two hotel nights in Moshi
Park and rescue fees, fair wages for guides and porters, two hotel nights in Moshi, airport transfers, tents and meals, with emergency oxygen.
Check availability →
Marangu route trek in 6 days
- Park fees and permits
- Rescue fee
- Guides and porters
Park fees and permits, the rescue fee, guides and porters, meals, accommodation on the trek and transfers from the airport.
Check availability →
Materuni waterfall hike, coffee tour and lunch
- Waterfall and village entry
- Coffee tour and tasting
- Chagga lunch
A guide, private transport from Moshi, entry to the waterfall and village, a coffee tour with tasting and a Chagga lunch.
Check availability →Kilimanjaro treks, day hikes and trips
Multi-day climbs, a day hike to Mandara Hut and day trips from Moshi, with live prices and availability.
Climbing Kilimanjaro: pages to start with
Choose a route, then check the cost and your fitness.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Trek lengths, what a package includes and example prices for 2026.
Kilimanjaro tours compared
Treks, park day hikes, Moshi trips and safari combinations.
All routes compared
Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Umbwe and Shira.
Machame Route
Six or seven days in tents from the south, with the Barranco Wall.
Marangu Route
Five or six days in huts: Mandara, Horombo and Kibo.
Lemosho Route
A western approach over the Shira plateau, usually eight days.
Costs, fitness and what to pack
The practical pages before you book.
What Kilimanjaro costs
Park fees, package prices, rental gear, visa and tips.
Day hike to Mandara Hut
From Marangu Gate through the forest in one day, no summit.
How hard is Kilimanjaro?
Altitude sickness, warning signs and how acclimatisation works.
Packing list
Layers, boots, sleeping bag and what you can rent in Moshi.
Moshi
Coffee and waterfall tours, Chemka springs and the market.
Kilimanjaro and safari
How to add a safari of one to seven days to your climb.
Getting there, seasons and background
When to go, where to sleep and what the mountain is.
Getting to Kilimanjaro
JRO airport, transfers to Moshi and Arusha, visa and entry insurance.
Kilimanjaro facts
Three volcanic cones, five zones and the glaciers.
History
The Chagga, the first ascent, the park and the name Uhuru.
Weather
Rainy seasons and how conditions change with altitude.
Best time to climb
Dry windows, rainy seasons and how to plan around them.
Where to stay
Moshi or Marangu before and after your climb.
A few things to know before you go
Details that save you time when you plan.
Days on the mountain are not days of travel
Offers count the walking days. An 8-day Lemosho climb takes 10 calendar days from arrival to departure once the first and last day are added. Compare programmes by both numbers.
Climbing Kilimanjaro →Park fees come in US dollars
Park fees are $70 per adult per day, $50 per night for camping and $60 per night in the Marangu huts, plus a $20 rescue fee per trek. VAT of 18 percent may be added on top, so ask whether your quote includes it.
Cost and park fees →Entry insurance for the mainland
Travel insurance for entry to mainland Tanzania has been required since October 2026 and costs $44 for stays of up to 92 days. One policy is enough for a trip that includes Zanzibar. Ask what it covers before you rely on it for the climb.
Getting there →A cable car is only a plan
A link from Machame Gate to Shira Station has been proposed. There is no start of construction and no operating date, so there are no tickets to buy.
The day hike stops at Mandara
The day hike from Marangu Gate leads to Mandara Hut at about 2,700 m, with an optional detour to Maundi crater. It does not reach the summit and has no overnight stay.
Day hike →Route status can change
Routes are closed from time to time, for example after bush fires. Ask your operator for the current status of your route before you pay.
Routes at a glance
Approximate figures for the four classic routes. Lengths vary with the variant.
| Route | Days on the mountain | Sleeping | Approximate length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machame | 6 to 8, usually 7 | Tents | 57 to 62 km |
| Marangu | 5 or 6 | Huts | 67 to 82 km |
| Lemosho | 7 to 9, usually 8 | Tents | 65 to 70 km |
| Rongai | 6 to 8, usually 7 | Tents | 68 to 81 km |
For most first-time climbers, a 7 or 8 day programme on Machame or Lemosho leaves more nights to adapt to the altitude than a 5-day Marangu climb. The routes page adds Northern Circuit, Umbwe and Shira.
Beyond the mountain
Wildlife parks that have their own guides.
Kilimanjaro is a hiking destination, not a game drive area. If you want to see lions, elephants and the Great Migration after your climb, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area each have their own guide. Our Kilimanjaro and safari page explains how the pieces fit together.
More independent guides to Tanzania
Separate guides from the same team.
Kilimanjaro National Park: frequently asked questions
How high is Kilimanjaro?
Uhuru Peak on the Kibo cone is 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. The massif has three volcanic cones: Kibo at 5,895 m, Mawenzi at 5,149 m and Shira at 3,962 m. See the facts page.
Can I climb Kilimanjaro without a guide?
No. Ascents are only possible with a licensed operator and guide. Solo trekking is not allowed. You can compare options on the climb page.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
Example prices for 2026 range from $1,399 for a 5-day Marangu group departure to $9,190 for a premium Grand Traverse. Park fees are part of the price. See the cost page for the full picture.
How do I get to Kilimanjaro?
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Moshi is about 45 km away and Arusha about 50 km. Most operators arrange the transfer to your hotel and to the park gate. See getting there.
Can I visit without climbing to the summit?
Yes. A day hike from Marangu Gate leads to Mandara Hut, and Moshi has waterfall, coffee and hot spring trips. See the day hike and Moshi.
Is kilimanjaro-national-park.org the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the national park, of Tanzania National Parks or of any climbing operator.