The Tanzania Porters Association: The Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and it’s the tallest free standing mountain in the world. Therefore people that hike this mountain to the summit must pride in this achievement since there many people that have tried and failed, some have even lost their lives.
You will need a lot of supplies for the walk because you will be spending several days on the mountain.
This implies that in order to make your walk easier, you will need assistance carrying some of your belongings.
The people that do this job are called porters.
Who are Kilimanjaro Porters?
Porters should typically be between the ages of 18 and 40. Both men and women can work as porters.
Although most of them are from the neighborhood, others may be from other regions of Tanzania.
Usually, they receive some instruction. There will be more personnel on your team, such as rangers and guides.
What Does a Kilimanjaro Porter Do?
The porters will help you carry all your equipment and the equipment for the entire team. This will include all your personal belonging, tents, food, oxygen, stretchers, garbage bags and many more things.
Your clothes and shower with clean water will be taken care of by the porters.
Bottles will be carried by you from the mountain’s base. The porter will assist the cook in meal preparation.
You can get assistance from the porters with anything.
Porter Working Conditions
The porter’s job is really a hard one. The standards of working on the Kilimanjaro are really hard. Some porters have basically ragged clothes and very old shoes.
Porters are supposed to carry 20 kilograms yet some of them carry up to 40 kilograms. Those that are not attached to good Kilimanjaro trekking companies will go with very little pay just to avoid being with no work.
Usually porters are paid about $8 or $9 which is an equivalent of about Tsh.20, 000.
Being a porter is inherently a tough job, but it’s made even tougher if you add substandard working conditions into the mix.
Unscrupulous employers routinely force porters to carry as much as 40kg of gear instead of the recommended 20kg.
Female Porters
There are few female porters on the Kilimanjaro. Most companies will prefer to hire male porters as they to have a notion that the male porters are stronger and more reliable.
There are little opportunities for females even in fields of rangers and guides on the Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania Porters Association (TPA)
The goal of the Tanzania Porters Association’s founding was to basically enhance the working conditions for Kilimanjaro porters.
The association’s primary objectives were basically to set a minimum salary and control the work of porters. The association will see to it that the visitor is looked after as well.
Additionally, this group will ensure that the weight limits that each porter is permitted to carry are upheld.
The association ensures that the guides meet the standards by providing them with training.
How Can I Help?
To makes sure the porters are well taken care of, book a trip with a reputable company. Chances are high that the porters will be paid well and will have better conditions.
You can also tip the porters on an individual basis or you can support the several initiatives by the guides.
Climb Kilimanjaro Mountain in Tanzania with these recommended Kilimanjaro climbing companies or inquire with us directly below.
