Kilimanjaro Porters

Kilimanjaro Porters

Kilimanjaro Porters

The local Tanzanians consider Mount Kilimanjaro to be an adventure place. And no wonder, climbers who successfully Climb Mount Kilimanjaro view it as a spiritual and life-changing experience. And, our Kilimanjaro Porters play a vital role in their success. It is almost impossible to complete such a daunting hike of nearly 6000m above sea level without their assistance.

Imagine waking up in the freezing temperatures of Mount Kilimanjaro to see a person with a smile on their face, offering you a cup of coffee while another refills your water bottles. Every day, tired from exhaustion when you finally reach your camp, a warm meal, and a comfy bed will be waiting for you. This is all thanks to the Kilimanjaro Porters. They serve like clockwork to keep you hydrated, fed, sheltered, and safe during your entire Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing expedition.

But many Kilimanjaro budget tour operators are guilty of ignoring the human rights of their porters. These budget tour operating companies often overwork their porters and subject them to poor working conditions with a low wage. But in recent years, their situation seems to have been improving.

Now there is a weight limit, minimum wage, and other important benefits that are now set for the welfare of Kilimanjaro Porters.

Kilimanjaro Porters; the Real Heroes Behind the Curtain.

In reality, Kilimanjaro Porters help you to get to the summit successfully.

In the morning after you begin the hike, the porters stay behind to wrap up the camp. Afterward, the porters proceed ahead of the climbers at a faster rate to reach the campsite ahead of you. There they set up camps, prepare meals and boil water.

They carry all your gears from camp to camp, cook for you, keep you warm and comforted. Porters help to make your life easy and stress-free so that you can concentrate on your Kilimanjaro Climbing. In case of emergencies, the porters work in the Kilimanjaro Rescue Team too.

How Many Kilimanjaro Porters Do You Need?

On average, you’ll need 2-3 porters. The rule says the larger the group, the lesser the porters per person are required. If you take the Marangu Route, you can get away with about two porters per trekker and less if the group is large. Mainly because the Marangu Route has huts and not tents.

As per the other routes where tents are necessary, at least two to three porters per person are necessary.

Kilimanjaro Porters Weight limit

Every Kilimanjaro Trekker is allocated one porter to carry their duffel bag from one camp to the next camp. For their welfare, Kilimanjaro Porter Weight Limit is set to be 15 kg per duffel bag excluding the sleeping mat, tent, and food. Make sure to bring a waterproof soft duffel bag as the porters have to carry the duffel bag on their heads and shoulders. However, some porters are asked to carry more weight than preferred. So, make sure you’re not encouraging it.

Kilimanjaro Porters Tipping

The Kilimanjaro porters walk to the Kilimanjaro national park gate every day. And that’s where many budget operators pick up the porters.

Some Budget tour companies exploit these porters and do not pay them well.

Porters do a lot of hard work to support your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. We suggest that you should consider paying a tip amount in the range of US $6 to $10 per day depending on the level of service the porters provided you. It is best to tip porters directly or to announce the amount that you would like them to receive.

Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

KPAP was founded, looking at the poor working conditions of the Kilimanjaro Porters. Its primary focus is to improve the working conditions of the porters by:

  • Lending mountain clothing to porters for free.
  • Fight for their rights advocate for fair wages and demand ethical treatment by all companies climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • Facilitate educational opportunities for the mountain crew.

At Timeless Dream Travels, we commit to fair porter treatment and take full responsibility towards their welfare, and are supported by KPAP. Timeless Dream Travels ensures that both you and our porters have a safe and more enjoyable climb.

Kilimanjaro Travel Guide

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