Tipping Porters and Guide Kilimanjaro Guideline

Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of staff on the trip and the number of clients on the trip. Generally groups like to meet together before the end of the trek to discuss how much they would like to tip each staff member based on their individual trek experience.

You will be given an envelope at on Hotel after your trek for your tip money.

Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether your guides and porters were professional and had your best interests in mind.

If your guides and porters have not met your expectations, please inform immediately, and don’t feel obligated to give a tip. If they press you for a tip during your trek, inform us as this is against our company policy.

Do not pay tips on the mountain nor should you pay for any extra services while you are on the mountain other than for the purpose of refreshments. It is also worth bearing in mind that items of clothing and footwear, for children or adults, used or new, are also highly valued and can be given as well as money tips.

After Climb we will gather both your guides and porters at Hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank you in addition to their tip.

You can use US dollars, Euros, TZ Shillings or a combination of these.

The following are daily rates the group as a whole is recommended to tip per staff member:

Guide 15 $ a day
Assistant guide 10 $ a day
Cook 10 $ a day
Porter 7 $ a day

For all Kilimanjaro routes except Marangu you will have:

1 climber: 1 guide, 3 porters, 1 cook
2 climbers: 1 guide, 6 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
3 climbers: 1 guide, 9 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
4 climbers: 1 guide, 12 porters, 2 extra assistance guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter

For Marangu you will have:

1 guide and 1 cook for each 8 climbers, 1 extra assistant guide per each
3 climbers, 2 porters per climber

Note: Each client should expect to tip between US$ 200 – US$ 300

* If you have booked your climb through an agent that gave you different information, please tip according to the agent’s information.

* Tip is given directly to each crew at the hotel after trek. To avoid confusion, on the first day of your climb, please confirm with your guide the correct total number of staff that you or your group have. Don’t pay tips to any other persons.

* When you do the tipping at your crew, please make sure all you have all the team to allow total transparency.

If anything is not clear ask feel free to ask us.

To help you understand better, here is how the tips are divided among the crew...