Tips are usually given on the last day of the climb, either at the last camp (on the way down from the summit) or at the gate and the whole group usually contributes to the tip pot and tips together, rather than individually

When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, tipping is not compulsory, however it is deeply ingrained in the culture and highly expected, so if you feel that you have received a good service from your local guides and porters, please do tip them. If you don’t, they will be pretty offended.

Roughly the suggested amount to tip is as following;

• Main Guide: $20 per day
• Assistant Guide: $12 – $15 per day
• Cook: $12 -$15 per day
• Porter: $5 – $10 per day

Example on how to contribute tip on the climb ; If you were a group of 4 climbing over 8 days, you would likely have a support team of around 15 (1 guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 12 porters) and you would tip:

•         Main Guide x 1: Should receive $20 x 8 days = $160 in total  ($160 / 4 climbers)

                                                         = you tip $40

•         Assistant Guide x 1: Should receive $12 – $15 x 8 days = $96 – $120 in total ($96 or $120 / 4 climbers)

                                                         = you tip $24 – $30

•         Cook x 1: Should receive $12 – $15 x 8 days = $96 – $120 in total ($96 or $120 / 4 climbers)

                                                         = you tip $24 – $30

•         Porters x 12: Should each receive approx. $5 – $10 x 8 days = $40 – $80 in total ($40 or $80 x 12 porters = $480 or $960 / 4 climbers)

                                                     = you tip $120 – $240

                                                                                     Your Total Tip: $208 – $340

The amount given to your support staff is split between the whole group, not per individual climber. The number of support staff you have will determine the tips you give, but it generally works out that the bigger the group, the less you pay in tips.

If you’ve received amazing service from someone in particular, you may want to tip them at the higher end of the scale. Again, your choice!

Tips can be given in Tanzanian Shillings or US Dollars. Dollars should be dated on or after 2013 and must be in good condition.