TIPPING ON
KILIMANJARO.

Tipping is customary on Kilimanjaro and a meaningful part of your crew’s income. Here is exactly how it works, how much to budget, and how we make sure every dollar reaches the people who carried, cooked, and guided your climb.

A REAL PART OF THE CREW’S INCOME.

Tips are not included in your trip price. They are customary, expected, and one of the most important ways your mountain crew is compensated. Without the guides, cooks, and porters, no one would reach the summit — tip them well.

The amount depends on the length of the trek and the number of climbers in the group, and typically totals between $300 and $800 per climber for the entire mountain team, pooled across the group. Bring the tip money in cash (USD), in bills dated 2009 or newer with no tears — the exchange rate is better for larger bills, and $100 notes make counting easier.

THE KPAP TIPPING PROCEDURE.

1. 01

   You receive a tipping sheet

   At the trip briefing you are given a sheet that lists every guide, cook, and porter on your climb, with their job titles. This is the same list that goes to KPAP.

2. 02

   You decide the amounts

   Most groups discuss tipping as a whole group, pool the money, and appoint one person to announce the tips. You write the amount for each individual on the tipping sheet.

3. 03

   The money is counted in front of you

   The tip money goes into one envelope and is given to the guide, who counts it in your presence. There are no cuts taken behind the scenes.

4. 04

   Every crew member signs for their tip

   At the end of the climb, each crew member receives the tip that corresponds to the amount on the sheet and signs for it. Our office reviews the sheet, and a copy goes to KPAP for compliance, so you never have to wonder whether the crew was paid fairly.

A STARTING POINT.

Tipping is based on the crew meeting your expectations, and the amount scales with group size and the number of days on the mountain. The figures below are a guideline for the whole group, pooled and divided across the team. Your guide will walk you through a detailed, role-by-role breakdown at the trip briefing.

Lead guide

$20–$25 per climber, per day

Assistant guides

$15–$20 per climber, per day

Cook

$12–$15 per climber, per day

Porters

$8–$10 per porter, per day (pooled)

Whole mountain team

$300–$800 per climber, total

These are suggested ranges only. Final per-role amounts are confirmed at your trip briefing based on your group size and trek length.

THE LAST NIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

Because you may not see everyone who supported your climb after you descend, there is a tipping ceremony on the last night on the mountain. Your group appoints one person to announce the tips, and the crew gathers to be recognised by name.

The money is then handed to an assistant guide and a porter to count. If you miss the trip briefing — for example because your flight arrived late or you were on safari — we will give you an abbreviated briefing in the morning before heading to the trailhead so you still know exactly how tipping works.