Your Ultimate Kilimanjaro
Climb Resources

The cost is USD 2500 per person for a premium 7-day package.  This is a significantly discounted package which allows you to crowdfund or get sponsors for a portion of the cost.  You pay the package cost to Adventure Dynamics International (USD 2500) and the “crowdfunding” portion (ZAR 15 000 for South African residents and USD 1000 for non-residents) is paid directly to Kusudi La or one of its beneficiaries.  Key point here is that you don’t pay more for the expedition cost.  Some of our climbers prefer to pay the charitable portion directly rather than fundraise.  It’s a personal choice, but we give you the option.  Of course, we love you to fundraise as much as you can for our great causes! Please refer to our detailed Kilimanarjo Info Pack for detailed information about costs e.g. tips, personal items, etc.

You’ve asked what other costs you should budget for. Please refer to our Kilimanjaro Info Pack for details. Costs are subject to change, but let me give you some indication of costs as best I can:
• Flight costs: these vary depending on routes and exchange rates so please check this for your departure point to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
• Tips for guides & Miscellanous: these are discretionary, but our experience is that when climbers see how well we are supported, they want to tip generously. Our pack says USD 300 for tips and miscellenaous, but recommended minimum is USD 250. We have a tipping pool for the full support team and then you will want to give tips to people who have been of particular assistance to you e.g. your porter, a particular guide etc. You package includes all meals on the mountain and most meals off the mountain, but drinks and snacks off the mountain are at your cost.
• Gear: depends on how much gear, you already own. Please go to Your Ultimate Kilimanjaro Resources for our interactive packing list. You will get an expedition branded fleece (100g), ADI and Kusudi La buffs and other useful items for the mountain in your Kusudi La gift pack.
• Medical aid / evacuation / travel insurance: check with your medical aid to make sure they cover you on Kilimanjaro. Evacuation insurance generally purchased separately. For information or to purchase, goto www.globalrescue.com. You can also purchase travel insurnance from Global Rescue or a local insurance provicer.
•Extra days, meals etc are for your own account.

There are no technical skills required to summit Kilimanjaro.  You don’t need any mountain climbing or hiking experience, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness.

We have had many climbers join us who are afraid of heights and have successfully summited without issue.

5 895m

We like the Rongai route. It’s the newest route and a tented route. We like it because it’s clean, relatively quiet (and we bring our own tents and port-a-loos). It’s also beautiful!

We offer a 7-day expedition to give our climbers the best chance to make it to the summit and to enjoy the experience. We spend 2 days at Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4 330 m) and do an acclimatisation walk to allow our climbers to be well prepared for the final push to the summit!

We will ascend over 5 days and then the descent is 2 days. After the summit, we will walk about 10km from Kibo Huts (high camp) to our camp site for the evening and then hike to the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park the next day – tired but exhilarated!

We will walk just over 80 km to reach the summit along the Rongai route and then about another 30 km for the descent. The walk to the summit is 6km up from Kibo Huts (High Camp) and 6 km back down to the camp. We will then walk a further 10km on that day to reach our camp site for the evening.

Our expedition leader is Sean Disney, the first South African to do the Explorers Grand Slam (7 Summits and both Poles) of Adventure Dynamics International to ensure we have a quality expedition experience. 2025 will be Kusudi La’s 4th Kilmanjaro adventure and co-founder, Stephanie Brown’s, 8th Kilimanjaro. Sean has guided more than 30 Kilimanjaro expeditions.

Moutain weather is variable and summit night can get as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius with windchill. The coldest time is between 3 – 7am.

The best time to climb is during periods of low precipitation. These are generally considered to be the best climbing windows: January, February, September (driest months); June, July, August, November and December are good for snow conditions at the summit. We like July!

A good pair of comfortable hiking boots with lots of room in the toe space. This is key for the descent. Toes touching the front of the boot are painful and you may lose toenails which can take a year to grow back!

With the Kusudi La package, you get most of your gear on the mountain (tents, sleeping bag, gear bag, 300 series fleece, gaiters, windproof/rainproof jacket, over gloves, day pack and more. You need to provide your own personal hiking gear.

Wear a hat or a buff! No shower facilities, but you will get a bowl of warm water morning and evening for a little tent wash. Enjoy the simplicity.

Yes, even if you are healthy, you should get a general check-up. It’s especially important to ensure that your chest and lungs are clear. It’s dangerous to climb if you have a chest infection. If you choose to take diamox generic is Acetazolamide) then you need a script.