Tipping Guidelines on Mount Kilimanjaro
At Nyamera Treks and Safaris, we are committed to ethical and fair practices in all aspects of our operations, particularly concerning the welfare of our guides and porters. We adhere to the guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), ensuring that our team members are well-compensated and treated with respect.
Recommended Tipping Amounts
Tipping is an integral part of the compensation for the hard-working crew members who support your Kilimanjaro climb. KPAP provides recommended tipping amounts for various roles, which we fully endorse and adopt:
- Lead Guide: $20 per day
- Assistant Guide: $15 per day
- Porters: $8 per day (per porter)
- Cook: $15 per day
These amounts are based on the total group of climbers and are not per individual climber. You will be informed of the total crew size in your final briefing pack, allowing you to prepare the appropriate tips.
Example Tipping for a Typical Trek
To give you a practical understanding, let’s consider a typical seven-day climb for two people. The crew would generally include:
- 1 Lead Guide
- 1 Assistant Guide
- 1 Cook
- 6 to 7 Porters
For such a group, here’s how the tipping would break down for the entire trek:
- Lead Guide: $140 (7 days x $20)
- Assistant Guide: $105 (7 days x $15)
- Cook: $105 (7 days x $15)
- Porters: $392 to $456 (7 days x $8 x 7 to 8 porters)
If your trek includes additional days or services, such as a private toilet porter, the number of porters will increase accordingly to carry the extra supplies and equipment.
When and How to Tip
We recommend that tips are given to the head guide on the morning of the last day of your climb. This practice ensures a smooth and organized distribution of tips. The head guide will then distribute the tips fairly among the crew members, following our strict policy.
Our tipping policy is designed to ensure transparency and fairness, reflecting our commitment to the welfare of our team. Your contributions significantly impact the lives of our crew, providing them with much-needed support for their dedication and hard work.
Summary
Tipping is a vital aspect of acknowledging and supporting the crew who make your Kilimanjaro adventure possible. By following the KPAP guidelines and our structured tipping process, you help ensure that these dedicated individuals are fairly compensated for their exceptional service. With Nyamera Treks and Safaris, you can rest assured that your contributions are handled ethically and with the utmost respect for our team.
