Mt. Kilimanjaro trekking tipping guidelines : Mount Kilimanjaro stands out as the highest peak in Africa. It is 5,895 meters above sea level. Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb, so you don’t need special mountaineering skills to reach the summit. However, it is not as easy as pie. Hard work and perseverance are essential for summit success.
Conquering the Kilimanjaro summit is an unforgettable experience. You have the guts to be proud since not all climbers make it. The joy of standing on the ‘roof of Africa’ to witness sunrise is unmatched.
You always hike with others. A crew makes your hike endurable. It comprises a guide, an assistant guide, porters, and cooks. These individuals will take the burden off your shoulders as you hike uphill.
Porters will assist you with the backpacks. A cook will prepare meals and hot washing water throughout the hike. Guides will guide you to the summit of Africa’s highest peak. For every meter you move forward, the crew always puts much effort into making your hike successful.
In Africa, tipping is a great way to show appreciation. A successful Kilimanjaro climb is a milestone worth celebrating. Yet, the team (guides, cooks, and porters) has been your company since the first day of the hike. Tipping them indicates a thumbs-up appreciation for their efforts.
What is tipping?
Suppose you worked extra hard for your company and produced good results. You may likely expect appreciation from your boss or other fellow workers. A ‘thank you’ or ‘promotion’ would make you work harder for tasks.
It is a tradition amongst the community to provide a token of appreciation after being served at any point during your safari. It is prevalent in Africa, and most people anticipate it. They may even ask for it. On the other hand, tipping is not mandatory, especially for waiters or waitresses, as most people might perceive. It is up to you to offer it depending on the services provided.
Why you should tip?
Giving tips is not like offering financial help but showing appreciation for the service. Mount Kilimanjaro is on the village side of Moshi. Many people in these villages depend on agriculture. Tourism is their loophole in earning a significant income to support their families.
They generally exert great effort to support climbers, expecting tips in return. Hiking up steep trails with a burden is exhausting, and tips can relieve such pain.
Tipping is common after a successful hike. You might have experienced it in other countries with breathtaking peaks, like Nepal and Peru. It reduces the pain of hiking.
Guidelines for Kilimanjaro tips
You decide the amount to tip and how to do it. However, some factors worth considering include the trek’s length, the team’s size, and the level of services rendered.
Length of the trek
Kilimanjaro has seven routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe, Shira, and the Northern Circuit route. They differ in length. Some take up to 11 days (Northern Circuit route), while others take only six days (Marangu and Umbwe).
Sometimes, length can be due to the number of days you plan to spend on Kilimanjaro. For instance, although the Marangu route takes six days to reach the summit, you may spend up to nine days. Extra days are perfect for acclimatization purposes.
No matter your route, the crew will be with you every day. While deciding on the amount to tip, consider the days you spent with them in the remote Kilimanjaro routes.
The size of the team
Every successful Kilimanjaro hike involves a team of mountain experts working together. These include lead guides, assistant guides, porters, and mountain chefs. The guides help you follow the right way. They know the trail well. They are also excellent communicators.
Porters do much work behind the scenes. They carry luggage on their shoulders and handle toilets, tents, water supplies, etc. We can’t ignore the incredible service that mountain chefs render. Chefs usually ensure their clients enjoy the food.
The size of the team depends on the group size. For a solo climber, an ideal team may consist of up to six members (1 guide, one cook, and three porters). You can figure out the best way to tip the whole team.
Level of services rendered
The crew will always go the extra mile when offering a service. If the service satisfies you, give a tip, but if it doesn’t, it is not necessary to tip.
How much you should tip
The amount you should give to the crew needs to be fixed. We know you have incurred various costs on your trip. Tips should not be a burden. They should depend on your budget. Here is our guide:
- Senior guide: $18 – 25 per day
- Assistant guide $13 – 20 per day
- Cook: $10 – 15 per day
- Waiter: $8 – 12 per day
- Porter: $8 – 12 per day
- Summit porter: $10 – 15 per day
- Toilet crew: $8 – 12 per day
This guide applies to groups of all sizes. You can calculate the best amount that lies within your budget.
How to Tip
Handling notes to a guide would depress other workers. The best way to give a tip is to enclose it in an envelope and give it to the senior guide. Focus East Africa Tours will distribute the tips to all crew members.
The alternative is to handle each individual with a tip enclosed in an envelope. You can also divide the tip into two envelopes: one for the lead guide, assistant guide, and chef, and the other for porters.
Whatever you choose, respect and discipline are very important. To avoid rising conflicts between crew members, find the best way to handle tips.
Tipping is not a necessity, but it is essential during your Kilimanjaro trip. Tipping impacts the community living on the foothills of this spectacular peak. Therefore, consider tipping on your next adventure to Tanzania.
