Kilimanjaro Porter Policy

The large numbers of people wishing to climb Mt Kilimanjaro has created a thriving industry of climbing operators providing the necessary guiding and portering services. These porters and guides (local Tanzanians in the main) are frequently forced to work for extremely low wages, with substandard equipment and excessive loads. As a result a number of associations have recently formed to promote the safety and welfare of this group. The Kilimanjaro Porters Association, Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters, International Mountain Explorers Connection and the International Porter Protection Group are just some of these. 

We fully support the efforts of these organisations, however to date they have not been effective in improving day-to-day conditions for porters. Many climb operators have seen membership to these organisations as important to their marketing, but have not made real changes to their working practices.

Our policy is only to arrange climbs with operators who can give us assurances about the following matters… porter loads, wages, sleeping conditions, porter equipment, porter insurance, terms of employment and education and rights awareness. 

We will be happy to provide information on each of these issues for every Kilimanjaro ascent that we arrange.