Tanzania Tipping

Safari Tips

• $15-20/person/day for driver/guide

Currently, guides prefer U.S. dollars for tips as the value of the Tanzania shilling has been declining.

Kilimanjaro Tips

Kilimanjaro Tipping Spreadsheet >>

Your mountain crew not only assists you on your trek but also gives you an opportunity for a deeper experience of the nature and culture on Kilimanjaro. Your crew will consist of a mountain guide, assistant guides, a cook, and a team of porters. The number of porters required will be determined by the total weight being carried for the entire group. Added hiking days, extra personal gear and rental equipment will increase the number of porters required for your climb.

As regulated by Kilimanjaro National Park, porters can carry no more than 25 kg/55lb of total weight including their own personal gear. Besides the clients’ personal gear and group camping and trekking equipment, porters also carry some of the gear required by your guide, assistant guides and cook. Clients are expected to carry their own personal day pack each day.

• Tipping recommendations from the trekking group (not per climber):
  • Guides: $30/day
  • Assistant Guides: $15-20/day
  • Cook(s) and waiter(s): $15-20/day
  • Porter: $10/day

• Expect 1 guide per 2 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers. Porters as follows:
  • 3-4 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route and Mt. Meru
  • 4-5 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek
  • 5-6 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route

• NOTE:
  • Extra porters may be required based on the weight of the equipment for the trek.
  • The number of porters does not count extra services like a portable toilet, oxygen, etc.

• Budget $350-600 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek, depending on the size of the group.  Refer to our tipping spreadsheet.

For the 3-day trek, staff will include:

• 1 Lead Guide
  1 Assistant Guide
  1 Cook
  3 Porters

Currently, guides and porters prefer U.S. dollars for tips as the value of the Tanzania shilling has been declining.

Preparation:

Please plan ahead of time to bring tip money with you on the mountain. You will need to discuss this with your climbing group so everyone is prepared. The following list will prepare you for this process.

• Small denominations of Tanzanian shillings, US dollars, or Euros
• Envelopes or rubber bands
• Small notebook and pen
• Calculator and the current exchange rate

On the Mountain:

Fill out a Tip Sheet, give all the money to the guide, and the guide will distribute it. You can use large bills (make sure $100 bills are the new style and in good condition). Bring the Tip Sheet with you on the mountain — the guide will fill out the names of the staff, and on the last morning of the trek, you announce how much each person gets.

You can leave your tip money back at the hotel. Ask the manager to put it in the safe if you feel more comfortable than in your luggage. Then give the Tip Sheet and your money to the guide back at the hotel after the trek.

After the Trek:

Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items just for this purpose.  Gifts should be in addition to tips, not instead of.

Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guide(s) back to your hotel for dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.