Cost
It is required to have a licensed guide to climb Kilimanjaro. The guide can either be hired upon or before arrival. Park entry and camping/hut fees are over USD$100 per day.
All inclusive trips range from about USD$800 to USD$5,500. Hiring just a guide upon arrival may cost as little as USD$200 with the expectation that each carry their own food and equipment (i.e. guides carry their food and equipment and you do the same).
Over and above the amount you pay to the tour operator, one also needs to pay tips to the guides, and cooks and porters if those are used. Though there are no set guidelines as to how much you should pay, it is sufficient if you can pay around 10% of the amount you pay to the tour operators with the guide getting the major share and equal distribution of the remaining amount to the porters and cooks. It is not advisable to give the whole amount to one person and expect him to distribute it among the others. Chances are high that he may pocket the whole amount. It would be wiser to give tips directly to individuals. Also, the gear used by the porters is mostly substandard and in fact not at all fit for the trek, and many would be grateful if you could spare gear.