MT. KILIMANJARO CREW

KILIMANJARO HIKING CREW

Mt. Kilimanjaro crew of porters are the backbone of every expedition, carrying the necessary equipment, food, and other supplies up the mountain. Depending on your hiking route as the shortest route is done in 5 days and the longest in 8-9 days, these unsung heroes carry heavy loads, of about 20 kilograms (44 pounds), on their backs or heads for the duration of the whole journey. These loads include equipment, tents, food, and personal belongings of the climbers. The weight can put a tremendous strain on their bodies, particularly during steep ascents and descents.

Beyond their physical strength, they provide encouragement, share their knowledge of the mountain, and inspire climbers with their genuine passion for the environment. Porters often form strong bonds with climbers, their presence and dedication create a supportive and uplifting atmosphere. A simple “thank you” and a genuine smile go a long way in acknowledging their hard work and dedication. Remember to learn their names, engage in conversation, and take the time to understand their stories.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Crew Members

Mountain Guide

Are experienced leaders who ensures your safety, provides expert navigation, and offers encouragement throughout the trek. Fluent in English and knowledgeable about the mountain’s terrain, they enhance your experience with insights into local culture and natural history.

Chef (Cook)

Skilled culinary expert who prepares nourishing meals at high altitudes. They ensure you have the energy needed for the trek, accommodating dietary needs with diverse, flavorful dishes. Their expertise and creativity make dining on the mountain a memorable experience.

Porters

Highly dedicated team members who carries your gear, supplies, and camp equipment up the mountain. Their strength and endurance lighten your load, allowing you to focus on the climb. Porters are essential to the expedition’s success, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Meet the Mount Kilimanjaro Crew

Head Mountain Guide
Leading each expedition team is our Head Mountain Guide. For larger groups, a second guide may also join to ensure everything runs smoothly. The Head Guide is not just a title but a crucial role that involves harmonizing our policies, mountain regulations, and your personal needs with the entire team. They take on extensive responsibilities before, during, and after your trek to guarantee a successful journey. With years of experience, our head guides are among the best on Kilimanjaro, fluent in English, and available in other languages upon request.

Assistant Mountain Guides

When your trek includes more than one participant, Assistant Mountain Guides join the team. They work closely with the Head Guide, focusing on your safety and the overall success of the expedition. These guides often form strong connections with climbers, as they are highly dedicated to client care with fewer administrative tasks. Trained to the same high standards as Head Guides, many of our assistant guides also lead their own expeditions, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Cook

On Mount Kilimanjaro, where there are no restaurants, each trekking group is accompanied by a skilled mountain cook. Cooking at high altitudes is challenging, but our cooks excel in preparing delicious meals under these conditions. They undergo regular training and bring unique flavors to your trek. If you have specific dietary needs, just let us know in advance, and we’ll tailor the menu to suit you. In addition to preparing meals for climbers, the cook also provides meals for the entire support team. For larger groups, additional cooks may be assigned. The cook also has a preassigned waiter from the crew of porters. The waiter often becomes a favorite among climbers. More than just a porter, the waiter takes on additional duties at campsites, such as serving meals and setting up dining tents. They ensure that hot, delicious food is served promptly, helping to keep you energized for the journey ahead.

Porters

Porters are the unsung heroes of any Kilimanjaro crew expedition, playing a vital role in ensuring the success of your climb. Their primary responsibility is to carry equipment, supplies, and personal belongings, making the ascent more manageable for climbers. Each porter typically carries up to 20 kilograms, including tents, cooking gear, food supplies, and your duffel bags.

Their work begins early in the morning, often breaking down campsites and setting them up again at the next stop before you arrive. Despite the physical demands, porters navigate the mountain’s challenging terrain with remarkable speed and efficiency, ensuring that your gear is ready and waiting for you at each camp.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Crew Members for various group size:

To calculate tips, it’s important to understand how large your support team is going to be.
Below we have listed the crew size from Group of 1 to 10 people

Group of 1 person – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Cook, 3 or 4 Porters
Group of 2 people – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 1 Cook, 6 Porters
Group of 3 people – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 1 Cook, 9 Porters
Group of 4 people – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guides, 1 Cook and 12 Porters
Group of 5 people – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 1 Cook and 15 Porters
Group of 6 people – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks, Toilet crew 1 and 18 Porters
Group of 7 people – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks, Toilet crew 1 and 21 Porters
Group of 8 people – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks, Toilet crew 2 and 24 Porters
Group of 9 people – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks, Toilet crew 2 and 27 Porters
Group of 10 people – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks, Toilet crew 2 and 30 Porter

Looking For More?

We’ll help you customize your own itinerary for a once in a lifetime adventure in Tanzania.

Looking For More?

We’ll help you customize your own itinerary for a once in a lifetime adventure in Tanzania.