Kili-Base Hotel — Hotel in Kilimanjaro

Unfortunately, a part of a broader Kilimanjaro climbing package that lets the hard work of the main team down and leaves guests apprehensive about recommending future travellers.

The accommodation is very basic, which is fine. However, there are much larger issues at hand…

Firstly, there were no prices on the lunch and dinner menus. Why? Because of the outrageous 20USD pp charge per meal. Drinks were also multiples more expensive than at any local shop. Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg of issues.

Storing valuables. There is a significant issue here. Climbers of Kilimanjaro are told not take cash or valuables with them. As a result, we are virtually forced to count in money to the cashier, who writes amounts with an erasable pen. Many of our group took a video of the counting and even so they will do everything and anything in their power to frankly steal. 50EUR From my wallet was taken, yes this was not reported but in the nature of everything being packed into one day, some details was missed. This was consistent throughout visitors within our group and other travellers we have met who have also stayed at Kili base. Missing cash and swapped notes.

It’s such a shame! We see this business and reputation has been built over years with the hard work of guides - but this level of dishonesty leaves a bitter taste that makes it hard to recommend other travellers.

I hope honest reviews will keep coming and provide an opportunity for the company to develop the foresight to not destroy the reputation they have worked hard on. There is so much more money out there in scaling a honest business… far more than the 10-20-50USD you are going to manage to steal from passing climbers.

I really hope you see the bigger opportunity. And for travellers, be very careful, and don’t be afraid to get police involved as...

The accommodation itself is decent, but the staff running it are dishonest and actively scam tourists. They charge $20 per person for a mediocre lunch or dinner—an outrageous price considering even airport food is cheaper. When I asked if this was a “mzungu price,” they absurdly claimed that no African person is allowed to stay at the hotel. On top of that, meals can take up to 2-3 hours to be prepared.

Even more concerning, multiple people in our group were robbed. If you leave cash or wallets unattended in your room, expect money to go missing. They also insist that you must leave all valuables with them before starting the Kilimanjaro climb, despite authorities allowing climbers to carry up to $200—something Kwesa Tours conveniently failed to mention. If you do entrust them with your money, make sure to declare every single note, no matter how small, as theft is a real possibility. In fact, the receptionist was caught on CCTV stealing someone’s money, yet nothing was done about it. When we retrieved our cash, we even received different bills from the ones we originally left.

If you’re renting climbing equipment from them, be warned: the sleeping bags we received were filthy and smelled terrible, despite giving them a full week’s notice.

That said, some of the cleaners and service staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, the leadership of this place lacks honesty and good customer service. There is potential here, but significant changes are needed for them to become a trustworthy business.

Overall, this is a highly untrustworthy operation. While the mountain guides are skilled and professional, the organization itself is plagued by greed and mismanagement. Until these issues are addressed, I strongly advise extreme caution if you choose...

I recently stayed at Kili Base Hotel as part of my itinerary before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience. Despite some negative reviews, I found the hotel to be exactly as described - clean, comfortable, and with a dedicated team that truly cares about their guests' satisfaction.

Sharon, the cashier, impressed me with her attention to detail and quick thinking when it came to keeping my valuable belongings safe while I was away on my expedition. I returned to find everything in place, which gave me great peace of mind.

I also had the pleasure of enjoying delicious meals prepared by Fatuma. Her culinary skills are top-notch, and all I had to do was inform her of my dining preferences, and she would ensure my meal was ready on time.

Additionally, Wilson, the Manager, deserves special recognition for his leadership and professionalism. He was always available to address any concerns and ensured that my stay was nothing short of exceptional.

Overall, my experience at Kili Base Hotel was truly memorable, and I highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a comfortable and welcoming stay in the Kilimanjaro region. Thank you to the entire team for making my visit...