Kilimanjaro Safari Tour Cost Guide 2025 – Best Budget Tips & Must-Know Advice

Laziness kicked in, took me a month after coming back to start writing.

First, about the hike—I did the Machame 6-day route, nicknamed “Whiskey,” so my advice is only for this trail. My safari was just one day, very simple.

**Route options:** 5, 6, or 7 days.
Unless you’re super fit and love trail running, don’t go for 5 days. The 6-day route isn’t too hard unless you’re really out of shape. The 7-day option is more relaxed, great if you have time.

**Price:**
The cheapest I heard was $1,200 including tips for a group of four doing 5 days. The usual range for 5-6 days is $1,200–$1,600 (tips not included). The “Emperor” option costs $2k+ (worth it).
My buddy and I upgraded to 2 nights of better lodging + a private toilet—our accommodations were $200+ per night on Google. So our group fee was slightly higher, really just a tiny bit (less than $1 more), but the sleep and environment were excellent, totally worth it.

**Deposit:**
Ranges from 10%–50%. I negotiated mine down to 10%. For domestic transfers, you’ll need to visit the bank counter—bring your contract. Fees vary by bank. International transfers cost $20.

**Tips:**
The agency provided a guideline (WA), which depends on group size. Below is the total group size, with the amount per person:
– 1 person: $500+
– 2 people: $300+
– 3–4 people: around $200+
P.S.: The tip amounts I asked about on WeChat were higher, so I won’t mention them.

**Safari:**
Cost depends on the parks you visit (park fees are separate). The one I went to seemed free. For two people in one car, the total was $520 (including a $20 tip). Generally, a car costs $500–600 (max 6 people), tips extra, and depends on how many animals you spot.

That’s about it—shouldn’t be any other questions, right? [shy][shy][shy]