What is Kilimanjaro tipping?

As tipping on Mount Kilimanjaro is a customary tradition, our Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide will help you to make the right tipping choices while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It is an essential and customary way of paying your mountain crew. Kilimanjaro Tipping is a universal custom and recognizes the hard work that the Kilimanjaro crew members put in helping you reach the summit.

How much should I be tipping on Kilimanjaro?

As per our Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide, we suggest you tip around 15% of your trip cost. The Kilimanjaro Tipping recommendations as follows (per group, not per climber): $5-7/day for porters, $20/day for guides, $12/day for assistant guides.

How much should you tip porters on Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro Porters are the most important people on the mountain and as per our Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide, we suggest you pay $5 to $7 (per group) to each of these porters. Without the assistance of these dedicated porters, Kilimanjaro Climbing would be next to impossible.

Do I have to give Kilimanjaro tips?

Yes, Kilimanjaro Tipping is a customary tradition on the mountain. But it is not a compulsory custom. You can choose to refrain from tipping the guides and porters despite their hard work or undermining the fact that it is their only source of income. But in case you feel they have provided you a good Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing experience, we suggest you tip them.

Kilimanjaro Tipping Guidelines, How Much To Tip Kili Porters & Guides!

Tipping is a “compulsory tradition” on every Kilimanjaro Climb. It is important to know from our Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide before you are attempting for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tips for the Mountain crew are regular practice and Tipping on Kilimanjaro is vast as you will need to whole team to climb with you, like guides, porters, cooks and other crew members. However, the decision on How Much Should You to Tip on Kilimanjaro does not depend on whether you have reached the summit or not but how well the Kilimanjaro guides served you.

You should include tipping to Kilimanjaro guides, porters, cooks and all the crew members in Kilimanjaro Climb Cost.

In Our Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide We Recommend You to Tip Moderately but Definitely To the Hard-Working Kilimanjaro Staff Who Strive 24/7 Hours to Make Your Climb Successful

	1 Climber	2 Climber	3 Climber	4 Climber
Guides	$120-150	$120-150	$240-300	$240-300
Ass. Guide	-	$90-120	$90-120	$180-240
Cooks	$90	$90	$180	$180
Porters	$120-180	$300-360	$480-540	$840-900
Total For Group	$330-420	$600-720	$990-1140	$1440-1620
Per Climber	$330-420	$300-360	$330-380	$360-405

Tipping Guidelines For Guides, Porters And Cooks :

Every group has a lead guide and generally has one assistant guide per three climbers. You will have one cook for every 10 climbers. The tour operator also offers one waiter per group and one toilet porter per group. To know How Much Should You Tips to Porters on Kilimanjaro, you should go for our Kilimanjaro Tipping Recommendations.

The number of porters in your group depends on the Kilimanjaro route you have selected and the number of days for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. However, there are two porters per person in lesser itinerary routes, and three porters per person on all other routes. The number of porters is larger for small groups. Make an effort to know your porters and their roles if possible. They will appreciate the recognition. You can also take the help of Kilimanjaro Tipping Guidelines while tipping.

Here Is The List Of Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide :

Guides	Assistant Guide	Cook	Porter
$20-25 per day	$15-20 per day	$13-15 per day	$10-12 per day

Tipping Ceremony On Kilimanjaro

The Kilimanjaro Tipping Ceremony will be help on the last night on the mountain, after the summit day. The group will receive two envelopes. One envelope is for tips for the guides and cooks. The other envelope is for tips for all porters.

Each envelope will have a form attached detailing the number of staff in each role. The clients should then fill in the amount of tip money to give each person. Note that the actual money is not placed into the envelopes at this time. The envelopes only contain the tip distribution sheets.

The guide will assemble the entire staff. It is customary for the spokesperson to say a word of thanks to the staff. The guide will translate. Then the spokesperson shall hand one envelope to the lead guide and the other envelope to porters' representative.

Once back at the hotel, one representative from your party should collect the tip money from the group and give the total tip money to the lead guide. Tips can be made in US dollars or Tanzanian Shillings. It is very important that US bills be new, crisp and untorn. Do not tip with marked, wrinkled, torn or old (older than 2002) US bills; they are not accepted in the country. It is very helpful to bring an assortment of dollar denominations for tipping.

Each crew member signs a tip distribution report which we review after every climb to make sure everyone received their fair share of the tip money. KPAP provides oversight of the entire process to enforce fair and proper payment.

Why Kilimanjaro Tipping Is So Essential?

For fairly paying the Kilimanjaro crew tipping is an essential and customary way that has been practiced for ages. This is essential at it recognises their hard work and supports them and their family financially. This has become a universal custom.

It is essential to understand that the lower the costs of a climb, the higher the probability that a cheap tour operator may not be adhering to proper treatment standards. This leads to porter exploitation. We at Jerry Tanzania Tours however follow the strict guidelines set by KPAP regarding fair porter wages and treatment.

Guides and porters earn more money

Did you know that as per the Tanzanian tax legislation, tipping is tax free? This implies that tipping on Kilimanjaro eliminates the need for porters and guides to register as tax payers. In turn they take home more of a wage.

Incentive to work hard

Although tipping Kilimanjaro guides and porters is not compulsory it gives them an incentive to work hard.

Is it compulsory to tip on Mount Kilimanjaro?

No it is not compulsory to tip the crew members while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, however it is deeply ingrained in the culture and highly expected.

As per KPAP each porter should receive at least 32,000 TSH per day (approx. $14) from wages and tips.
Also the KPAP registered companies have to pay their porters at least 20,000 TSH per day ($9 – which is considered a good basic wage, but not a good living wage) and state that the clients should make up the extra 12,000 TSH ($5) per day in tips.
In case you feel you have not been provided with great services you are not obliged to tip as well.

Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost For 7 Days Trek On The Mountain

As you can see the 7 Days Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost for guides, porters, and cooks is as follows:

For a single lead guide – the per day, per staff tip is $20
For assist. Guides it is $15
For Cooks it is $15
While for porters the tip is $10.
The Total tip per climber varies with the number of members in the group.

Other tipping factors vary depending on various factors such as number of climbers, duration of climb, number of Kilimanjaro crew members, etc. The tables below describe the same.

Kilimanjaro Trek 7 Days
#Climbers in Group	#Lead Guides	Guide Tips	#Asst Guides	Asst Tips	#Cooks& Waiters	Cook Tips	#Porters	Porter Tips	Total Tip from Group	Total Tip / Climber
1	1	$140	0	$ -	1	$105	8	$560	$805	$805
2	1	$140	1	$105	1	$105	12	$840	$1,190	$595
3	1	$140	1	$105	1	$105	15	$1,050	$1,400	$467
4	1	$140	1	$105	1	$105	18	$1,260	$1,610	$403
5	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	20	$1,400	$1,960	$392
6	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	24	$1,680	$2,240	$373
7	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	27	$1,890	$2,450	$350
8	1	$140	3	$315	2	$210	30	$2,100	$2,765	$346
9	1	$140	3	$315	3	$315	33	$2,310	$3,080	$342
10	1	$140	3	$315	3	$315	36	$2,520	$3,290	$329
11	1	$140	4	$420	3	$315	39	$2,730	$3,605	$328
12	2	$280	4	$420	3	$315	42	$2,940	$3,955	$330
Tip/Day/Staff Member		$20		$15		$15		$10
Total/Staff Member		$140		$105		$105		$70

Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost For 6 Days Trek On The Mountain

Although the Total Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost may vary per climber, the overall cost of tipping each member is same as the 7 Days trek.

The total tip for a 10 membered Kilimanjaro crew is $690 per climber. Also the total tip for a 12 membered Group climb for a 51 membered Kilimanjaro Crew is $283 per climber.

Kilimanjaro Trek 6 Days
#Climbers in Group	#Lead Guides	Guide Tips	#Asst Guides	Asst Tips	#Cooks& Waiters	Cook Tips	#Porters	Porter Tips	Total Tip from Group	Total Tip / Climber
1	1	$120	0	$-	1	$90	8	$480	$690	$690
2	1	$120	1	$90	1	$90	12	$720	$1,020	$510
3	1	$120	1	$90	1	$90	15	$900	$1,200	$400
4	1	$120	1	$90	1	$90	18	$1,080	$1,380	$345
5	1	$120	2	$180	2	$180	20	$1,200	$1,680	$336
6	1	$120	2	$180	2	$180	24	$1,440	$1,920	$320
7	1	$120	2	$180	2	$180	27	$1,620	$2,100	$300
8	1	$120	3	$270	2	$180	30	$1,800	$2,370	$296
9	1	$120	3	$270	3	$270	33	$1,980	$2,640	$293
10	1	$120	3	$270	3	$270	36	$2,160	$2,820	$282
11	1	$120	4	$360	3	$270	39	$2,340	$3,090	$281
12	2	$240	4	$360	3	$270	42	$2,520	$3,390	$283
Tip/Day/Staff Member		$20		$15		$15		$10
Total/Staff Member		$120		$90		$90		$60

Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost For 8 Days Luxury Trek On The Mountain

Similarly for an 18 membered Kilimanjaro Crew for a single private climber, the Kilimanjaro tipping $1365 while for a 78 membered crew team (12 membered group) the tip per climber is $490.

Kilimanjaro Trek 8 Days LUXURY Trek
#Climbers in Group	#Lead Guides	Guide Tips	#Asst Guides	Asst Tips	#Cooks& Waiters	Cook Tips	#Porters	Porter Tips	Total Tip from Group	Total Tip / Climber
1	1	$140	0	$-	1	$105	16	$1,120	$1,365	$1,365
2	1	$140	1	$105	1	$105	18	$1,260	$1,610	$805
3	1	$140	1	$105	1	$105	22	$1,540	$1,890	$630
4	1	$140	1	$105	3	$315	26	$1,820	$2,380	$595
5	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	32	$2,240	$2,800	$560
6	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	38	$2,660	$3,220	$537
7	1	$140	2	$210	2	$210	44	$3,080	$3,640	$520
8	1	$140	3	$315	3	$315	50	$3,500	$4,270	$534
9	1	$140	3	$315	3	$315	55	$3,850	$4,620	$513
10	1	$140	3	$315	3	$315	60	$4,200	$4,970	$497
11	1	$140	4	$420	3	$315	64	$4,480	$5,355	$487
12	2	$280	4	$420	4	$420	68	$4,760	$5,880	$490
Tip/Day/Staff Member		$20		$15		$15		$10
Total/Staff Member		$140		$105		$105		$70

Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost For 8 Days Trek On The Mountain

Also for a 8 Day Kilimanjaro trek, private climb, the tipping cost is $920 and for a group of 12 members accompanied by around 51 Kilimanjaro Crew members is $377 per climber.

Kilimanjaro Trek 8 Days
#Climbers in Group	#Lead Guides	Guide Tips	#Asst Guides	Asst Tips	#Cooks& Waiters	Cook Tips	#Porters	Porter Tips	Total Tip from Group	Total Tip / Climber
1	1	$160	0	$-	1	$120	8	$640	$920	$920
2	1	$160	1	$120	1	$120	12	$960	$1,360	$680
3	1	$160	1	$120	1	$120	15	$1,200	$1,600	$533
4	1	$160	1	$120	1	$120	18	$1,440	$1,840	$460
5	1	$160	2	$240	2	$240	20	$1,600	$2,240	$448
6	1	$160	2	$240	2	$240	24	$1,920	$2,560	$427
7	1	$160	2	$240	2	$240	27	$2,160	$2,800	$400
8	1	$160	3	$360	2	$240	30	$2,400	$3,160	$395
9	1	$160	3	$360	3	$360	33	$2,640	$3,520	$391
10	1	$160	3	$360	3	$360	36	$2,880	$3,760	$376
11	1	$160	4	$480	3	$360	39	$3,120	$4,120	$375
12	2	$320	4	$480	3	$360	42	$3,360	$4,520	$377
Tip/Day/Staff Member		$20		$15		$15		$10
Total/Staff Member		$160		$120		$120		$80

Kilimanjaro Tipping Cost For 5 Days Trek On The Mountain

A 5-Day private Kilimanjaro Climb may tipping costs around $575, whereas, a 12 membered group climb which is accompanied by over 40 kilimanjaro crew may cost $200 per climber for Kilimanjaro Tipping.

Kilimanjaro Trek 5 Days Trek
#Climbers in Group	#Lead Guides	Guide Tips	#Asst Guides	Asst Tips	#Cooks& Waiters	Cook Tips	#Porters	Porter Tips	Total Tip from Group	Total Tip / Climber
1	1	$100	0	$-	1	$75	8	$400	$575	$575
2	1	$100	1	$75	1	$75	10	$500	$750	$375
3	1	$100	1	$75	1	$75	12	$600	$850	$283
4	1	$100	1	$75	1	$75	14	$700	$950	$238
5	1	$100	2	$150	2	$150	16	$800	$1,200	$240
6	1	$100	2	$150	2	$150	19	$950	$1,350	$225
7	1	$100	2	$150	2	$150	22	$1,100	$1,500	$214
8	1	$100	3	$225	2	$150	25	$1,250	$1,725	$216
9	1	$100	3	$225	3	$225	27	$1,350	$1,900	$211
10	1	$100	3	$225	3	$225	29	$1,450	$2,000	$200
11	1	$100	4	$300	3	$225	31	$1,550	$2,175	$198
12	2	$200	4	$300	3	$225	33	$1,650	$2,375	$198
Tip/Day/Staff Member		$20		$15		$15		$10
Total/Staff Member		$100		$75		$75		$50

Join Group And Private Kilimanjaro Tours For The Best Tipping Guide With Jerry Tanzania Tours

We hope Kilimanjaro Tipping Guide can make you clear about the how to tip and how much to tip while Climbing Kilimanjaro. Get our Climb Kilimanjaro Guide for more information!

You should include tipping to Kilimanjaro guides, porters, cooks and all the crew members in your Climb Kilimanjaro Cost.