Tipping guidelines for the mountain crew
Tipping guidelines for the mountain crew on Kilimanjaro/Meru
After climbing Kilimanjaro it is customary to give tips to all the members of the mountain crew. Please bear in mind that tips make a substantial proportion of the income of your crew. The amount you might tip should reflect your degree of satisfaction, regardless of whether you have actually reached the summit.
Of course, you can give each member of the team a corresponding tip according to your individual satisfaction. If you were very satisfied with the work your team has done, naturally you can give a little more than we recommend in our guidelines.
Guideline for the tipping of the mountain crew per group/day (not per person)
Position | Recommended tip per day / per crew member(in USD) |
Guide | 20-25 |
Assistant Guide | 15-20 |
Cook | 15-20 |
Porter | 7-10 |
Here is an example of how the tips should be calculated for an 6-day climb per group and climber:
| 1 Climber (number of crew) | 2 Climbers (number of crew) | 3 Climbers (number of crew) | 4 Climbers (number of crew) |
Chief Guide | 120 – 150 USD (1) | 120 – 150 USD (1) | 120 – 150 USD (1) | 120 – 150 USD (1) |
Assistant Guide | ———————— | 90 – 120 USD (1) | 90 – 120 USD (1) | ..90 – 120 USD (1) |
Cook | 90 – 120 USD (1) | 90 – 120 USD (1) | 90 – 120 USD (1) | 90 – 120 USD (1) |
Porter | 126 – 180 USD (3) | 252 – 360 USD (6) | 378 – 540 USD (9) | 504 – 720 USD (12) |
Total for group | 336 – 450 USD (5) | 552 – 750 USD (9) | 678 – 930 USD (12) | 804 – 1110 USD (15) |
Per Climber | 336 – 450 USD | 276 – 375 USD | 226 – 310 USD | 201 – 278 USD |
This is an example, the exact mountain crew size depends on the route, group size and other factors (eg. special requests, toilet porter).
When and how should the tips be given to the mountain crew?
The best way to hand over the tips to your crew is during the leaving ceremony, which takes place the last day of your climb. Ask your chief guide for a list which contains all the names of your crew and their position within the team. Decide together with your travel companions how much your crew should receive and collect the total amount. During the leaving ceremony one of you should read out aloud which amount each member of the crew receives. You can give the entire amount to the chief guide who will then hand over the monies accordingly to the crew members. This method has proven itself, it saves you and your travel companions a debate with the guides and porters how much each should receive.
Donation of Clothing & Equipment
In addition to the tips, you can also express your appreciation in another way. If you have clothes or gear which you do not need after your climb, your crew will be very thankful to receive it. Remember that your crew members are climbing the mountain several times a year and that their equipment
correspondingly wears out. Your donation is of great assistance to your crew. They will appreciate your generosity tremendously. Clothes and gear should be given directly to individuals they are intended for, perhaps to those with the greatest need or who were of particularly good service.