Mount Kenya Tipping Guideline
Tipping ceremony
The tipping ceremony is an important and fun custom that happens at the end of every Mount Kenya climb. Amidst song and dance, climbers give their mountain crew tips – money that is an important source of supplementary income.
Your mountain crew is the team that accompanies you throughout your climb. The team consists of guides, a cook and porters.
These men and women are incredibly hardworking individuals who are specially trained to support you throughout the climb. Their support extends to the logistical, practical, emotional, medical, and more. Whatever is needed, they’re there to help!
The majority of the guides and porters are local kenyans men (and a few women) between the ages of 18 and 50. Most Mount Kenya porters are not employed on a permanent basis. Instead, they freelance for different companies.
For many, their work on Mt Kenya climbs is their main source of income and how they survive. This is another reason why tipping on Mt Kenya is so vital to the welfare of your support staff.
Tipping Policy
Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of staff on the trip and the number of clients on the trip. Generally groups like to meet together before the end of the trek to discuss how much they would like to tip each staff member based on their individual trek experience.
You will be given an envelope by Lead Guide after your trek for your tip money.
Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether your guides and porters were professional and had your best interests in mind.
If your guides and porters have not met your expectations, please inform Africa Outdoors Representative immediately, and don’t feel obligated to give a tip. If they press you for a tip during your trek, inform Willy as well, as this is against company policy.
Do not pay tips on the mountain while hiking nor should you pay for any extra services while you are on the mountain other than for the purpose of refreshments.
You can pay the tips on your last day before leaving back your Hotel.
Also you are also welcome to invite your guides back to our hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank you in addition to their tip.
You can use US dollars, Euros, Ksh Shillings or a combination of these.
The following are daily rates for each climber recommended to tip per staff member:
- Per Chief Guide:$15- 20 Per day
- Per Assistant guide: $10- 15 Per day
- Per Cook $10- 15 Per day
- Per Porter: $7-10 Per day
Note: Each client should expect to tip between US$ 100 – US$ 200 for the entire climb
For all Mount Kenya routes.
1 climber: 1 guide, 3 porters, 1 cook
2 climbers: 1 guide, 6 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
3 climbers: 1 guide, 9 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
4 climbers: 2 guides, 9 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter.
Additional notes:
# If you have booked your climb through an agent that gave you different information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
# To avoid confusion, on the first day of your climb, please confirm with your guide the correct total number of staff that you or your group have. Don’t pay tips to any other persons.
# When you do the tipping at our Hotel, please make sure the guide is accompanied by at least one other member of your crew to allow total transparency.
If anything is not clear ask Willy
