Tipping Guidlines

What You Need to Know About Supporting Your Mountain Crew

We understand that tipping may not be customary in every country or culture. This guide is designed to make the process easy, transparent, and fair for everyone, as tipping is a standard part of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru treks.

Tipping is an important part of the compensation for your mountain crew and reflects the hard work they put into your climb. Tips should always be based on the quality of service provided.

The current fair living wage in Tanzania is 25,000 Tanzanian Shillings (approximately $10 USD) per day. The information below outline recommended tip amounts to help your support team reach this standard. Our crew works extremely hard throughout your expedition, and we encourage you to tip according to what you can reasonably afford and the quality of service you received. You may choose to adjust your tip—either higher or lower—based on your satisfaction during the trek, but the amounts listed represent the recommended guidelines for average service.

KILIMANJARO 2025 TIPPING GUIDELINES:

Crew Member

Lead Guide

Assistant Guide/s

Mountain Chef

Mountain Porter

Suggested Tip

USD $25+ per guide, per day*

USD $20+ per guide, per day*

USD $15+ per porter, per day*

USD $10+ per cook, per day*

All amounts listed are per crew member, per trek, and are contributed collectively by everyone in the hiking group. Whenever possible, crew members prefer tips in USD (banknotes printed after 2007). These guidelines are based on the most recent proper living wage figures for 2025.

Some crew members may take on extra responsibilities or go above and beyond their regular duties. While not required, you are welcome to offer additional tips to any team member. It is common for hikers to give slightly higher tips to the Head Guide, cook, waiters, dishwashers, personal porters, and toilet porters.

MERU 2025 TIPPING GUIDELINES:

Crew Member

Lead Guide

Assistant Guide/s

Mountain Chef

Mountain Porter

Suggested Tip

USD $20+ per guide, per day*

USD $16+ per guide, per day*

USD $13+ per porter, per day*

USD $10+ per cook, per day*

All amounts listed are per crew member, per trek, and are contributed collectively by everyone in the hiking group. Whenever possible, crew members prefer tips in USD (banknotes printed after 2007). These guidelines are based on the most recent proper living wage figures for 2025.

Some crew members may take on extra responsibilities or go above and beyond their regular duties. While not required, you are welcome to offer additional tips to any team member. It is common for hikers to give slightly higher tips to the Head Guide, cook, waiters, dishwashers, personal porters, and toilet porters.

If you choose to tip, here are the available methods:

RECOMMENDED METHOD – Cash Given Directly to the Crew or Head Guide

Place the tip for each crew member in a separate envelope with their name clearly written on it. You may hand the envelopes directly to each person or give the full amount to the Head Guide at the exit gate, who will distribute the tips in your presence. This method ensures transparency and is the most appreciated by the team.

NOT RECOMMENDED METHOD – Prepaid Tip Added to Your Package

You may pre-pay your tips as part of your climb package; however, this includes an additional 25% processing fee (administration, bank fees, VAT), plus any card or bank charges depending on your payment method. Consult your tour consultant for details.

Prepaid tips must be paid 30+ days before your trek. After this window, only cash tips directly to the crew are accepted. If you choose this option, please ask your consultant for the number of crew members assigned to your trek. Prepaid tipping must follow the above guidelines to maintain strong trust between the mountain crew and the office.

Important Information:

Office staff cannot accept cash tips on behalf of the crew unless they are a member of the trekking team on the mountain. All tips should be given directly to the crew member or the Head Guide.
Be sure to address any questions about tipping during your initial email or phone correspondence with your sales consultant. All quotes from Pundamilia Traverse will clearly indicate the expected crew size and recommended tip amounts.
Never feel pressured to give a specific tip amount.
Do not discuss tipping with your Kilimanjaro crew. Company policy prohibits crew members from initiating tip-related conversations. If you have any questions, your Head Guide is the appropriate person to consult.
If you choose to give the entire tip to the Head Guide, it’s best to announce to the whole crew how the tips are distributed. The Head Guide will provide an opportunity at the end of the trip for you to say your goodbyes and let everyone know the amounts allocated to each team member, such as porters, chefs, the Head Guide, and assistant guides.
The best time to distribute tips is at the park gate after your climb or early in the morning at the last camp before descending to the base. This ensures that all support team members, including those for whom the trek ends earlier, receive the intended amounts.