Kilimanjaro Crew

A typical Abakombe Kilimanjaro team includes a lead guide — with an assistant guide on longer routes or larger groups — a dedicated cook, and a team of porters, with the exact number scaling to route, group size and how much communal equipment needs to be carried.

Your guide is your main point of contact throughout the climb: setting the pace, checking on your health, and making decisions about the route and summit attempt (see our safety guide for how this works in practice). The cook prepares meals at each camp — see our food and drinks guide — and porters go ahead each day to set up camp before the climbing group arrives.

Tipping the crew at the end of the climb is customary and appreciated — we'll give you clear, specific guidance on typical amounts once you book. Contact us with any questions about crew size for your specific group.