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Who are We

Mount Kilimanjaro porters’ society is a Non-governmental organization founded in 2005 and officially registered under the Societies Act No.24 of 2002 of the United Republic of Tanzania with certification 13296. The organization is currently working with porters who climb mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro and has a total of 18,000 members.

Porters are the backbone of the trekking world. The society is located in East Africa in the Kilimanjaro region. In the quest to advance Sustainable Tourism Development in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro Porters’ Society (MKPS) since it’s establishment in 2005 has sustainably advocated, impacted, and continues to impact thousands of lives in Tanzania, for the porters, being a member of MKPS has immeasurable benefits with a significant number of Porters support their families and earn their livelihoods.MKPS porters have been at the frontline in revolutionizing their working conditions creating a dignified, fair, and decent work environment for them.

Vision

The organization’s vision is to promote the welfare and rights of porters climbing Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro and to ensure fair payment and work conditions.

Our Mission

MKPS raises public awareness regarding the proper treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro by ensure fair and ethical treatment of their porters, by providing/giving climbing gear free of charge, and offers educational classes to empower and motivate porters and mountain crew.
Whether you are a climber, local tour operator, travel agent, charity group, porter, cook or guide, the MKPS needs your assistance to advocate for and safeguard the fair and ethical treatment of all porters.

Our Core values of MKPS & Our Ethics

As an ethical organization, obeys and promotes the rules and regulations as provided by the laws of Tanzania and never at any time has MKPS been sued or questioned by the authorities for not keeping and upholding the law set forth by the state.According to rule 7 of the Mountains National Parks Regulations of 2003 a tour operator and its guides shall only hire or employ porters who are honest, disciplined and trustworthy and who are members of a registered Porter’s association holding valid identity cards issued by the registered porters Association.

MKPS takes responsibility in ensuring quality climbing gear for the porters as well as training support and mentorship to all Porter under our society whenever needed

The Mount Kilimanjaro porters’ society abides to the rules and regulations set forth as follows;

  • The society provides proper wages to its porters as per minimum wages set by the Labor Institutions Wage Order of 2013 GN No. 196 of the United Republic of Tanzania. Porters are paid more than the set standard wages.
  • It provides three meals a day to the working porters.
  • It provides proper climbing gear (clothing )to its porters including but not limited to technical clothing that is a prerequisite when trekking in high altitude conditions which includes water and wind resistant jackets, pants, gloves, base layers, socks, hats, sunglasses and proper footwear.
  • The society also provides proper shelter as porters are given access to tents or provided with sleeping quarters, sleeping bags and mats.
  • In collaboration with Tour company a proper tipping policy is being observed as there are tipping guidelines and sheets filled by the visitors. This ensures that full transparency is observed and the tip is being shared to the group as suggested by the visitor.
  • Loads are restricted to reasonable weight limits, which are measured in park gates and confirmed by the Kilimanjaro National park authority when they reach the respective gate/entry point. As per rule 12 of the Mountains National Parks Regulations of 2003 which limits the luggage to weigh between 18-25 Kilograms

All the aforementioned corresponds to rule 5 of the Mountains National Parks Regulations of 2003 which provides that each tour operator and his guide shall make sure that all climbers have all necessary, suitable and adequate climbing gears and adequate foodstuff.The society exists as a shield for porters who are registered under it with the goal of improving the living and working conditions of these porters.