KILIMANJARO  PORTERS  NEED  BETTER  CARE
 Those who have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro know that the porters are the heart and soul of your trek. Without their hard work and strength we would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of Kili. But the truth is porters are often impoverished Tanzanians who depend on this labor-intensive employment in order to feed themselves and their families.

Porters can be severely underpaid and many climb Kilimanjaro without adequate clothing, footwear, or equipment. Like climbers, porters can suffer from altitude sickness and hypothermia.   In fact, in September 2002 three porters died of hypothermia when a late season storm hit Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project recognizes the value of the demanding labor these porters perform.  We are committed to improving the working conditions of the Porters on Kilimanjaro. Whether you are a climber, porter, guide, or managing a tour company, the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project needs your help in ensuring fair treatment of all porters.

In our experience we have found that many companies climbing Kilimanjaro do not have adequate standards and the practices listed below may be common.

However, there are some within the industry who strive to treat their porters well.  Companies who value and treat their employees with respect should be recognized for their conscientious operations.  The International Mountain Explorers Connection has instituted a Partnership for Responsible Travel Program.  We urge you to consider their Partners when choosing a company to climb Kili.

MYTHS ABOUT PORTER WORKING CONDITIONS

THERE IS A MININUM WAGE THAT COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO PAY ALL PORTERS CLIMBING KILI.  
 KINAPA (The Kilimanjaro National Park) recommends companies pay 6,000Tsh per day on the Marangu Route and 8,000Tsh per day on all of the other camping routes. This is only a recommendation. A typical wage for a porter is under 4,000Tsh per day. Because a little money is better than no money, porters will accept the work, but this pay does not add up to a living wage.
PORTERS EAT THE SAME QUALITY MEALS AS CLIMBERS DO.
Porters often eat just one meal at the end of each day, primarily a local corn-porridge called "Ugali". 		 
PORTERS HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY THEY ARE WORKING FOR.
Seldom is there an official contract for working as a porter. A company will employ the guide who then is responsible for hiring the porters. Porters can even be hired the morning of the climb itself. And many companies hold no responsibility for the porter if he should become ill while climbing.
IT IS EASY FOR A PORTER TO CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
Climbing Kili is just as hard work for porters as it is for climbers and the porters are carrying at least 25 kilos (55 lbs) of luggage.   Although KINAPA recommends this weight limit it is difficult to enforce. Porters can carry as much as 30-35 kilos.
  
YOUR TIP WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY TO THE PORTERS IF YOU GIVE IT TO THE GUIDE.
KPAP receives many reports that when tips are not handed directly to the porters they may receive only half of the amount that was intended for them.
PORTERS ARE PROVIDED WITH PROPER SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS.
Porters are often overcrowded in the huts and tents. On the camping routes they may have to sleep in the mess tent which means they must wait, sometimes in inclement weather, until all climbers are finished with their meals.

CLICK TO READ ABOUT PROPER PORTER TREATMENT.