Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Porters

Mountain Kilimanjaro climbing is composed of number of crew which includes Chief Guide, Assistant Guide, Cook and Porter. Due to the profession of the Chief Guide, Assistant Guide and Cook most of the companies opt to employ these groups and leave porters to be on hired bases. Before the initiation of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) porters were treated unfairly by getting less paid, carrying heavy duty luggage and on top of all if things go worse there was no place or organization to complain. Today KPAP has solved lots of common problem that Kilimanjaro porters were facing. Read the article below and visit their official website for more information.

We are committed to supporting proper treatment for our crew on Mount Kilimanjaro. As an approved Partner for Responsible Travel with the International Mountain Explores Connection (IMEC), our climbs are regularly monitored by IMEC's local initiative, the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), to ensure that we are abiding by the guidelines established for fair porter treatment.

In 2003 KPAP was established to improve the working conditions of the porters by equipping, educating and empowering them. In addition KPAP works to educate the public and tour companies about fair porter treatment. The Tanzanian NGO was registered seven years ago and is an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Boulder, Colorado.
KPAP is dedicated to:

  • Lending donated clothing to porters climbing Kilimanjaro at no charge
  • Providing complimentary classes to porters on topics that include English, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Money Management and Porter Rights
  • Working with climbing companies to monitor compliance to fair treatment practices
  • Educating the public on porter working conditions and fair porter treatment

There are many ways to help make a difference in the lives of the Kilimanjaro porters:

  • Ensure you climb with a responsible company that enforces recommended porter guidelines
  • KPAP monitors company practices. For a list of Current Partner Companies please visit: http://www.kiliporters.org/climb_with_a_partner_company.php
  • Tipping each crew member directly is the best way to ensure that the full amount of tip is received. If tipping recommendations are not offered, a basic tip amount for each crew member from the group (not per individual climber):
  • Porter: $ 5 per day
  • Cook:   $ 7 per day
  • Assistant Guide: $ 8 per day
  • Guide: $ 10 - 15 per day
  • Complete a post-climb survey on the KPAP website: http://www.kiliporters.org/complete_a_climber_survey.php
  • Make a financial contribution to KPAP by visiting:
    http://www.kiliporters.org/make_a_financial_donation.php
  • Donate climbing gear to the KPAP office in Moshi
  • If you plan to give any of your clothing to the crew do so via lottery during the tipping ceremony ensuring a fair distribution of all donated items to the entire crew


    More Information

    Expect 1 guide per 2 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers. Porters as follows:

    3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
    2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route and Mount Meru (minimum of 4 porters)
    4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of porters)
    Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of the luggage.