You might be planning your trip to climb Africa’s tallest mountain, but in the process of choosing a tour operator, you became aware of the importance of fair porter treatment and responsible travel practices.
That’s a legitimate concern as, historically, porters of all mountain areas may not have good working conditions. Of the more than 20,000 porters on Mount Kilimanjaro, many of them may not be treated properly.
The main problems are a lack of compensation and an unsafe working environment. For example, they may receive a salary below the government announced minimum wage, have poor quality tents and overcrowded sleeping conditions, and may only get one meal per day. In extreme cases, porters have died.
Fortunately, different porter welfare organizations are trying to change things for the better. They assist companies in implementing fair porter treatment practices.
However, not all porter welfare organizations are applying similar standards or have the same level of transparency. This may also apply to various climbing companies.
Consequently, as a traveler, it’s sometimes confusing to figure out who you can trust. How can you be sure that the Kilimanjaro porters that will accompany you on your climb are treated fairly?
Therefore, it’s important to know what to look for when selecting a tour operator to climb Kilimanjaro. This will help you to find out whether they are a legitimate, responsible company and who is monitoring fair porter treatment.
At Fair Voyage, we follow strict criteria when we source our partners to ensure Kilimanjaro porters are treated fairly on all our climbs.
To understand why it’s crucial that porters are treated fairly, it’s necessary to get some more clarity on what the issues are and how porter welfare programs try to solve this.
How are porters exploited?
Read more about what fair porter treatment entails on our Climb Kilimanjaro Experience page.
Fortunately, porter welfare organizations are trying to solve this for the better.
What are porter welfare organizations and what do they do?
Which porter welfare organizations exist and how do they differ?
Let’s have a more detailed look at which services KPAP delivers.
What is KPAP?
KPAP is an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC), a US 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and was launched in 2003.
What is IMEC?
IMEC created the Partner for Responsible Travel Program to highlight those companies adhering to proper treatment practices. All companies are welcome to collaborate with the Partner Program. However, there are strict screenings and criteria to which a company must adhere to be able to become a partner.
What is the KPAP/IMEC Partner for Responsible Travel Program?
You can find the list of approved Partners for Responsible Travel on the website of the International Mountain Explorers Connection.
Can any tour operator become a KPAP partner?
KPAP’s work is essential for Fair Voyage to be able to ensure that all our climbs are ethical and respect fair porter treatment and responsible travel practices.
Why are internally run porter monitoring programs less trustworthy compared to an independent organization like KPAP?
What are our responsible travel criteria for Kilimanjaro operators?
To make sure that you’re booking an ethical climb and that your Kilimanjaro porters will be treated fairly, verify that your tour operator is listed on the official list of approved KPAP Partner companies on IMEC’s website.
Environmental damage and pollution is not such a big problem on Mount Kilimanjaro as it is for other destinations. The Kilimanjaro National Park has a TITO (Trash In Trash Out) policy which they monitor closely.
How can I check if my preferred company is truly a KPAP partner?
Conclusion
You can read more about fair porter treatment, wages and tipping guidelines on our Climb Kilimanjaro Experience page, and feel free to request our ethical climb package for your consideration.