Kilimanjaro tipping guide
Tipping from the heart, explained clearly.
Tipping is never mandatory. It is a personal thank-you for the people who support your climb, and we explain the custom in advance because the total can be a significant part of your travel budget.
Kilimanjaro tipping guide
Why tips matter
Porters, cooks and guides do demanding seasonal work at altitude. Wages are paid separately, but tips make up an important part of many crew members’ income and help support their households between climbs. A tip should still come from the heart: the amount is your decision and should reflect the service and care you received.
Voluntary guidelines
What should you budget per day?
Cook
$20–25per cook, per dayAssistant guide
$20–25per assistant guide, per dayHead guide
$25–30per head guide, per dayOur ranges are transparent planning guidance, not a compulsory charge. You remain free to give less, more or nothing.
The amounts are shared by the climbing group
These ranges are for each crew member, for each day of the climb. They are not an extra amount owed by every climber. The group adds the crew’s recommended amounts together and then divides that total between the climbers. Your exact crew size is confirmed before the climb, so you can budget without surprises.
Example: a 7-day climb
For 2 climbers, a typical team has 8 porters, 1 cook, 1 assistant guide and 1 head guide. Using the lower end of our ranges gives a group total of $1,015: porters $560, cook $140, assistant guide $140 and head guide $175. Divided between 2 climbers, that is $507.50 per person. This is only an example; the actual crew size and the amount you choose may differ.
How tipping works
How tipping works
Before the climb
Edward confirms every crew role and the total number of crew members. Use that list to calculate a realistic group budget.
During the climb
Judge the team on professionalism, safety, food, camp support and personal care.
At the end
The group normally chooses one spokesperson and announces the total during the farewell or tipping ceremony. Tips are counted openly and distributed transparently so each person receives the amount intended for their role.
Practical advice
Practical advice
- ✓ Bring clean, undamaged US-dollar notes in smaller denominations, or agree in advance to use Tanzanian shillings.
- ✓ Keep the money secure and do not distribute it early on the mountain.
- ✓ Labelled envelopes can make the final distribution easier, especially for guides and cooks.
- ✓ Clothing or equipment in good condition can be a welcome additional gift, but should not replace a cash tip.
- ✓ Ask Edward before departure if the crew size changes or if you are unsure how to divide the total.