Tipping Guide for Kilimanjaro Crew
Tipping Guide for Kilimanjaro Crew
At Bush Lion Tours, we value the hard work and dedication of our Kilimanjaro climbing crew. When you embark on your Kilimanjaro adventure, you will be supported by a team of porters, guides, and cooks who ensure your safety, comfort, and success throughout the journey. One of the important aspects of your climb is showing appreciation for their efforts through tipping. This guide will help you understand how tipping works and how much to give to each member of the crew.
Why Tipping is Important
Tipping is a way of showing gratitude for the incredible support your crew provides during your climb. The crew members work tirelessly to ensure your comfort and safety, from setting up your tents to preparing meals and guiding you along the challenging trails. A tip is an important part of their income and helps them support their families.
How Much Should You Tip?
The amount you tip depends on the size of the group and the level of service you receive. On average, guests typically tip between $200 to $300 per climber for the entire crew. It’s important to note that the tip is usually divided among the team members. This includes the head guide, assistant guides, porters, and cooks.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the suggested tipping amounts for the entire team:
- Head Guide: $20 to $25 per day
- Assistant Guides: $15 to $20 per day
- Porters: $10 to $15 per day
- Cooks: $10 to $15 per day
If you are climbing with a larger group, these amounts are often shared among the crew members. This means the tips will be spread out to make sure everyone is fairly compensated for their hard work.
When to Give the Tip
It’s best to give your tip at the end of your climb when you are completing the trek. This is when you will have a chance to personally thank each crew member. You can give your tip in cash, and it’s a good idea to have small denominations of Tanzanian shillings or US dollars for easier distribution.
How to Tip
At Bush Lion Tours, we recommend collecting the total amount for the crew tip from all group members. Afterward, the head guide will gather the tips and distribute them to each team member according to the amount they worked. If you prefer, you can also give individual tips to the crew members personally.
Final Thoughts
Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation for the crew’s hard work and dedication. It helps them provide for their families and is an important part of the climbing experience. By following our Tipping Guide, you can ensure that you’re being fair and showing your gratitude to the amazing team that supports you on your Kilimanjaro adventure.
If you have any questions or need more information on tipping, feel free to contact us at Bush Lion Tours. We’re always here to help ensure you have an amazing experience on Mount Kilimanjaro!
What They Say About Us
EXCELLENT Based on 55 reviews Tumpe K2025-04-10Verified A Journey of love and Altitude As a couple, climbing Kilimanjaro together was a personal dream, and Bush Lion Tours made that dream feel safe, exciting, and deeply meaningful. We took the 7-day Machame Route, and every single day brought us closer not just to the summit, but to each other. The trail challenged us in new ways, but the support from the team made it feel possible. Our guide was patient and kind, always checking on us and explaining what to expect each day. The gear provided; tents, sleeping bags, mats was clean, warm, and reliable, even on the coldest nights.What made the experience so special was the energy of the whole team. The porters, cook, and guides felt like family. They cheered us on, made us laugh, and even surprised us with a celebration song after reaching the summit. We’ll never forget sharing tea at Shira Camp under the stars, or watching the sunrise hand in hand at Uhuru Peak. It wasn’t just about climbing a mountain it was about sharing something powerful and emotional. Thank you, Bush Lion Tours, for making this journey the highlight of our lives. Magreth G2025-04-07Verified A Family Adventure to the Top of Kilimanjaro We traveled as a family with Bush Lion Tours on the Machame route, and it was an adventure we'll always cherish. Jackson and his team ensured that the climb was safe and enjoyable for everyone, including our kids. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely patient with us. They made sure we took breaks when needed and even shared stories about the mountain’s history. The whole experience exceeded our expectations, and we will forever be grateful for Jackson’s leadership and the amazing service. Janny G2025-04-06Verified Fantastic Lemosho Route Climb Bush Lion Tours made my Kilimanjaro dream come true! The Lemosho Route was quiet, scenic, and full of adventure. Great food, friendly porters, and expert guides. 10/10! Caroline S2025-04-02Verified Amazing Experience with Bush Lion Tours We had an incredible time with Bush Lion Tours! Jackson was very helpful from the start, and he organized everything perfectly for us. He made sure we had all the details in place, and his communication was always clear and fast.The whole experience, from the 7-day Machame route trek to the 4-day safari, was unforgettable. The team was so friendly and professional. They took care of everything, ensuring we were always safe, comfortable, and well-informed. The guides were amazing, always there to support us and share their knowledge. Thanks to them, we felt confident and enjoyed every moment of our adventure.We highly recommend Bush Lion Tours! Jackson and his team made this trip unforgettable, and we are so grateful for their excellent service. If you're looking for a well-organized and memorable trip, don’t hesitate to book with them! Yǔ tóng L2025-03-31Verified Amazing 8-Day Lemosho Route and 6-Day Safari with Bush Lion Tours I had an unforgettable experience with Bush Lion Tours! We contacted Jackson, who helped us organize an amazing trip. He was very helpful and made sure everything was well planned for us.The 8-day Lemosho route trek was incredible! The views were breathtaking, and the guides were professional and friendly. They made sure we were comfortable and safe throughout the hike. We reached the summit of Kilimanjaro with their great support!After the trek, we went on a 6-day safari, and it was just as amazing! We saw so many animals up close, and the guides were knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife. The accommodations were excellent, and we felt very well taken care of.Thank you, Jackson and Bush Lion Tours, for making this trip so special! Highly recommend this company for anyone planning a safari or Kilimanjaro trek! Bianca M2025-03-05Verified Unforgettable Safari Experience This was the best safari experience ever! I reached out to Jackson regarding our trip as we were a group of 4. Initially, we were deciding between the 7-day Machame route or the 8-day Lemosho route, with an additional 4-day private safari. With Jackson’s expert guidance, we decided to go for the 8-day Lemosho route combined with the safari, and everything turned out to be perfect. From the pickup, to the service, and the hotels, every detail was handled beautifully. I highly recommend this company for an unforgettable experience. Farzaneh R2025-02-08Verified Safari and climbing mount Kilimanjaro I must say that every thing was great. We climbed mount Kilimanjaro and had a two days Safari. The food was great during climbing and team members specially main guides, Mohammad, Yahya and Luma were so friendly and kind. Also we were in touch with Jacson all the time and he handled our requests even helped us rearranging some of our plans. I am so greatful for having such a great experience with this amazing team. 宇威 顾2025-02-04Verified Mount adventure I was soloing going to Tanzania for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I contacted with Jackson, he showed every details for the route and pricing, it is all clear. And the whole team is great during the climbing period. Thanks a lot for making a n amazing adventure, I successfully get to the summit with the team. Masoud Farahbakhsh2025-02-03Verified great experience We climbed Kilimanjaro from Marangu route with this company. I am a mountain guide in Iran and I should say Jackson, Janeth and the team worked very hard and well for us. Good services, friendly porters, delicious food suitable for the altitude, leaders Mohammad, Yahya and Luma were inspiring and everything was good. I recommend working with this company and for the next time i cooperate again with Bush lion tours. Rossella G2025-01-30Verified Amazing 8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek – Highly Recommended! The team was absolutely fantastic! The cook prepared different, delicious, and well-balanced meals every day. One team member was always ready with a hot drink in the tent, and everyone was incredibly friendly, smiling, and always helpful.We were provided with everything needed—nothing was missing. The gear check was very professional, ensuring we had the right equipment for the trek. The organization was impeccable, from landing to departure.Highly recommended!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more