Hey guys,
just wondering what kind of price range is reasonable for Kili. Rainier Mountaineering is my only frame of reference and they're charging $5,500 for the safari and trek...seems steep. Are there equally reputable companies out there that offer it for a much lower price?

I believe Alpine Ascents is similiar to RMI and REI has a trip but I think it is much more expensive.

Zara is considered by many to be the top dog down there.

It's considered by most to be the best company down there and it's less expensive than what you were quoted (though it still isn't that cheap):

http://www.ewpnet.com/Kprices.htm#kilimanjaro

http://www.ewpnet.com/Kprices.htm#pa

Its a while ago now but back in 2004 I used Roy Safaris via the Rongai route and paid from memory a tad over USD$1k. I recall even then that the Western operators were substantially more expensive than a Tanzanian operartor by a magnitude of 2-400%.

Try:

http://www.adventureswithinreach.com/

In 2008 I think we paid about $1400 for 6 days on the Machame Route and about the same for a 5 day safari. Obviously that didn't include airfare, tips and a few meals.

Or if you're brave you can find a guide once you get to Moshi ar Arusha for less money than using a travel company. I have the name of a great independent guide if you're interested.

I just booked a trip down there recently with a 4 day meru climb, 8 day kili climb via lemosho and a 1 day safari with airport x-fers and the whole deal for approximately half of what you were quoted. I'll be there for first half of July. I'm staying down some extra days on my own to goof around and find some other interesting things to do as well.

If you search long enough you'll definetly be able to find much better deals then what RMI and AA are offering.

Scott wrote:Zara is considered by many to be the top dog down there.

It's considered by most to be the best company down there and it's less expensive than what you were quoted (though it still isn't that cheap):

http://www.ewpnet.com/Kprices.htm#kilimanjaro

http://www.ewpnet.com/Kprices.htm#pa

I agree, I've been on Kili a couple of times (both with Zara Tours) and it's cheaper than that. Good quality-price relationship.

We went with Team Kilimanjaro http://www.teamkilimanjaro.com in October of 2009. They took good care of us and I would definitely recommend them. I'm not too familiar with Zara, though I have heard good things about them.
Total cost was about $5000 US per person, which covered just about everything: Flights, Kili trek, post-trek safari, ground transport in Africa. That doesn't include any extra gear or meds you may need.

I agree with everything here. It is pretty much the same the world over. A local trekking company will be far less expensive, though it may be a little rougher. I was with African Walking.

I'll add a bit on the post-climb safari. If you safari on the Tanzanian side, it should be the Serenghetti. My friends that have done the closer areas were not pleased with the wildlife.

I did Amboseli on the Kenyan side. Very nice, though the hut in the N.P. was $399.00 per night. It however included the walks and wildlife viewing rides.

If you're from the US, you'll need a Kenyan single entry visa and a Tanzanian multiple to do this.

The Land Rover "Taxi" cost me $300.00 from Kili to Amboselli. It was an adventure in itself and well worth the money. You have to take the long way around, even though you can see Kili from Amobseli.

http://www.summitpost.org/image/132895/150202/after-the-climb.html

I echo that for the $1200 range you can get a great operator. I did Machame in January with 2 others. We had 10 staff (6 porters, waiter, cook, asst guide & guide) and went with the 6 day option. Total was less than $1200 PP and that also covered 2 hotel nights in Arusha. We booked local and had local transportation already setup so we didn't need all the extras. I went with and would recommend www.bobbytours.com .