If sharing the mountain bothers you, avoid July and August, and lean towards June, September, or the quieter routes such as the Northern Circuit, Rongai and Lemosho, which spread climbers across more space.

The single biggest chunk of any Kilimanjaro climb is not profit, and it is not even the guides. It is the national park fees. The Tanzanian authorities charge conservation fees, camping or hut fees, rescue fees and more for every day you are on the mountain, and these alone make up around a third of the total cost, often a thousand dollars or more. Crucially, every single operator pays exactly the same park fees. They are fixed and non-negotiable.