Companies are invited to participate voluntarily in the Partner for Responsible Travel Programme in support of responsible tourism, porter welfare and environmental stewardship..
Partner for Responsible Travel Programme Process
Through the Partner for Responsible Travel Programme, information relating to porter welfare, including wages, tipping practices, bag weight, food provision and accommodation, is gathered to help inform programme activities, stakeholder engagement and continuous learning.
Please refer to the Our Impact page for a summary of this information.
Companies participate voluntarily in the Partner for Responsible Travel Programme. The programme is implemented through the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). All KPAP monitoring activities are performed at no charge to the climbing company.
Step 1 Initial engagement
An introductory meeting with the company to discuss its approach to porter welfare and responsible tourism practices on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Step 2 Programme participation
During programme participation, information relating to porter welfare is gathered to support programme learning and reporting.
Step 3 Season summary
Information gathered during the programme is compiled into a seasonal summary and shared with participating companies.
Step 4 Partner Responsibilities
Following completion of the programme process, participating companies receive a summary of programme information and responsible porter treatment practices and may continue participating in the Partner for Responsible Travel Programme.
Step 5 Ongoing Programme Engagement
Participating companies continue to engage with the programme through ongoing communication, information sharing and collaboration.
Step 6 Programme Participant Review
Programme participation is reviewed periodically to ensure the programme continues to support its objectives and remains aligned with applicable laws and organisational policies.
Programme Good Practice Areas
Wages
Pay the minimum wages for the crew agreed upon by the government and Kilimanjaro stakeholders.
Ontime payment
Provide salary payments within 2 days after the descent of a climb as per KINAPA regulations.
Tipping procedure
Implement a transparent tipping procedure to ensure that the porters receive the full amount of tip intended for them.
Tipping recommendations
Provide tipping recommendations to climbers so that porters receive a proper living wage from the combined salary and tip.
Number of porters
Provide the appropriate number of porters per climb so that each porter carries only 20kg of company gear. The minimum number of porters per climber on the camping routes is at least 3 porters per climber and 2 porters per climber on the Marangu route.
Meals
Provide 3 meals a day of adequate portion and cover all costs for food while on the mountain.
Tents
Provide proper tents, ground sheet, and appropriate sleeping space for crew. Regular porters are not to sleep in the mess tent.
Work opportunities
Offer equal opportunities for work to all porters registered with the company.
Gear&Equipment
Inform the crew of the company’s requirements regarding gear and equipment and ensure proper kit prior to the climb.
Medical help
Assist with the descent of an ill porter and provide for medical treatment as necessary.
Transportation gates
Provide transportation to Londorossi and Rongai gates.
Participate in meetings
Participate in a biannual review of Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment Scorecards with KPAP.
Meet with porters, company Director/s and KRTO once per year to review and discuss crew welfare.
Attend annual Partner Company general meeting.
Legal compliance
Participating companies are expected to comply with all applicable Tanzanian laws, regulations and requirements issued by the relevant authorities.
