Porters do more than carry equipment. They lift our spirits and help us reach new heights. Join us in our annual week-long celebration dedicated to them and the incredible work they do.
Stories from our guests
Porters carry food, equipment and gear the crew needs to summit Kilimanjaro. Their strength and support inspire many; read the special stories and memories shared by Thomson guests below.
I am deeply grateful
I would not have summited without all of their efforts and I am deeply grateful for all of them.
READ MORE
Unlike any support system I've ever encountered
All of the porters were among the most positive, friendly individuals I've ever met.
READ MORE
Getting to know them was fun in itself
The highlights for me were practicing my Kiswahili with the guys.
READ MORE
I miss her to this day
She was so caring and willing to check us on even when she didn’t have to.
READ MORE
The highlight was spending time with the porters
Our camp was always distinguished by the roaring laughter.
READ MORE
The work of the porters is remarkable
He is a leader and encouraged his peers. Thomson is lucky to have him.
READ MORE
One of the highlights of my trek
My interactions with the Tanzanian guides and porters was one of the highlights of my trek.
READ MORE
They were my best friends
I have never met a nicer, friendlier, more knowledgeable or harder working group of guys.
READ MORE
He absolutely made a huge difference in my climb
On the hard hiking days, he met me on the trail to take my pack.
READ MORE
Simply outstanding in making sure we were comfortable
We are extremely grateful for all their kindness and caring.
READ MORE
I can't tell you how much this helped me succeed
I remember his sense of humor and upbeat disposition.
READ MORE
My porter story is simply one of gratitude
I am grateful for all of the porters who provided water for the entire crew.
READ MORE
The porters made my milestone birthday
I had ever anticipated a celebration so amazing at 15,213 feet.
READ MORE
I would not have made it to the summit without him
He also volunteered to carry my pack on summit day.
READ MORE
He was always there for support and encouragement
Without his help, there was absolutely no way I would have made it to the summit.
They all made our trip a pleasure
They were cheerful even at the end of each day – they sang, they danced and showed good humor.
READ MORE
He belted out songs all the way up the mountain
Your strength, respect and dedication made our journey we will never forget!
READ MORE
The porters are wonderful people who should be recognized
He was attentive to so many details to ensure my health and safety during the trek.
READ MORE
We could not have summited without you!
They started our day with a friendly wake up and warm mug of coffee.
READ MORE
I have never met such hardworking people in my life
We were thankful for each and every one of them.
We made it because of their expertise
They were supportive and made sure we were capable to keep going.
READ MORE
I am deeply grateful
I would not have summited without all of their efforts and I am deeply grateful for all of them.
READ MORE
Unlike any support system I've ever encountered
All of the porters were among the most positive, friendly individuals I've ever met.
READ MORE
Getting to know them was fun in itself
The highlights for me were practicing my Kiswahili with the guys.
READ MORE
I miss her to this day
She was so caring and willing to check us on even when she didn’t have to.
READ MORE
The highlight was spending time with the porters
Our camp was always distinguished by the roaring laughter.
READ MORE
The work of the porters is remarkable
He is a leader and encouraged his peers. Thomson is lucky to have him.
READ MORE
One of the highlights of my trek
My interactions with the Tanzanian guides and porters was one of the highlights of my trek.
READ MORE
They were my best friends
I have never met a nicer, friendlier, more knowledgeable or harder working group of guys.
READ MORE
He absolutely made a huge difference in my climb
On the hard hiking days, he met me on the trail to take my pack.
READ MORE
Simply outstanding in making sure we were comfortable
We are extremely grateful for all their kindness and caring.
READ MORE
I can't tell you how much this helped me succeed
I remember his sense of humor and upbeat disposition.
READ MORE
My porter story is simply one of gratitude
I am grateful for all of the porters who provided water for the entire crew.
READ MORE
The porters made my milestone birthday
I had ever anticipated a celebration so amazing at 15,213 feet.
READ MORE
I would not have made it to the summit without him
He also volunteered to carry my pack on summit day.
READ MORE
He was always there for support and encouragement
Without his help, there was absolutely no way I would have made it to the summit.
They all made our trip a pleasure
They were cheerful even at the end of each day – they sang, they danced and showed good humor.
READ MORE
He belted out songs all the way up the mountain
Your strength, respect and dedication made our journey we will never forget!
READ MORE
The porters are wonderful people who should be recognized
He was attentive to so many details to ensure my health and safety during the trek.
READ MORE
We could not have summited without you!
They started our day with a friendly wake up and warm mug of coffee.
READ MORE
I have never met such hardworking people in my life
We were thankful for each and every one of them.
We made it because of their expertise
They were supportive and made sure we were capable to keep going.
READ MOREThe hike would not have been as successful without Faustine and Innocent! They are the best!
- Annita Watson
We have become special friends and remain in touch. Jackson is a truly good man.
- Jeanne Robinson
They also made it fun, which is important on this kind of hike. Great memories!
- Kitty Deter
We truly appreciated all the hard work the porters did on our behalf… they provided us with so much
- Michael D. Johnson
From the first day, to the last day...our porters really took good care of us.
- Drake and Becky Evans
My personal porter was simply fantastic. He was my favorite part of the experience.
- Ronald Chamberlain
Abel was always there to encourage me, his encouragement played a major part in my summit success.
- Hally McCrea
If not for Aji, I never would've reached the my goal, the summit. He'll forever be forever my hero.
- Fabiola Simone
My porter, Paige, hiked for two days on his own to get my bag that was delayed at the airport!
- John White
Our porters were just amazing! Always cheerful and supportive when we needed extra encouragement.
- Brenda Dunn
My personal porter reminded me to drink water at every break. I am so thankful for his kindness.
- Sawsan Arbid
I could see Thomson’s porters were better equipped than porters from other companies.
- Regina Anctil
I can’t begin to tell you how hard they work. I felt like a wimp as they ran by with the baggage!
- Leah Harwin
The porters were genuinely proud of our accomplishments each day and proud to work for Thomson.
- Karen Capaldi
I would've NEVER made it to the top without their support! I'll never forget their kindness.
- Nicole Cicogna
THANK YOU MESSAGES
Watch video messages from our guests to their porters and personal porters. We couldn’t do it without you. From everyone at Thomson Safaris, thank you!
Ready to meet the porters? Book a trek today!
Meet the Porters
Learn about who they are, what they do and what YOU can do to support them.
Go Behind-the-Scenes of Porter Life on Kilimanjaro
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what your porters do before, during and after your trek to ensure your summit success.
Read more
INFOGRAPHIC: 225 Reasons Why You Can’t Climb Kili Without a Porter
Each trek is different, but on average, it takes about 225 pounds of total luggage per trekker to get to Kilimanjaro’s peak and back.
Read more
What do Kilimanjaro's Porters Do?
Together, porters carry equipment and supplies up Kilimanjaro and give climbers the support they need to reach the summit. Without them, getting to the Roof of Africa would be nearly impossible.
Read more
Our Partnership
Thomson sets “the premier standard for ethical treatment of Kilimanjaro porters,” according to KPAP. What does that mean? Let’s talk about the specifics: pay, equipment and accountability.
Read more
Kilimanjaro’s Porter Protectors
Thomson Safaris was one of the original Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP) members, and our collaboration with KPAP has changed the way that Kili operators treat their staff.
Read more
Who Are They?
What brought them to Kilimanjaro? Who inspires them to climb a mountain for a living? Each person has a story – here are just a few delivered in their words.
Read more
Should You Hire a Personal Porter on Kilimanjaro?
Should you hire a personal porter on Kilimanjaro? Whether you’re a trekking veteran or making your first-ever hike to the Kilimanjaro summit, here’s the breakdown.
Read more
What Goes Into a Kilimanjaro Trek?
Porters carry not only trekkers’ luggage, they carry the sleeping, dining, and toilet tents; the chairs trekkers rest on in camp; the gear needed to cook up meals, and the food that goes into them. Let's do the math.
Read more
Behind-the-Scenes of Meal Planning and Preparation
How do the Thomson porters deliver nutritious (and delicious) meals to the trekkers? Take a look at the behind the scenes operations: from the garden to dining tent.
Read more
The People of Kilimanjaro
Find out the history of the cultures around the mountain. Over time, clans came together under the umbrella of Chagga identity and members of many cultures from all over Tanzania live and work on the mountain.
Read more
Outfitting Porters
As innovators on the mountain, Thomson was the first company to outfit porters in all-weather uniforms. It has proven to be a great improvement and has made severe weather conditions much more tolerable.
Read more
Go Behind-the-Scenes of Porter Life on Kilimanjaro
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what your porters do before, during and after your trek to ensure your summit success.
Read more
INFOGRAPHIC: 225 Reasons Why You Can’t Climb Kili Without a Porter
Each trek is different, but on average, it takes about 225 pounds of total luggage per trekker to get to Kilimanjaro’s peak and back.
Read more
What do Kilimanjaro's Porters Do?
Together, porters carry equipment and supplies up Kilimanjaro and give climbers the support they need to reach the summit. Without them, getting to the Roof of Africa would be nearly impossible.
Read more
Our Partnership
Thomson sets “the premier standard for ethical treatment of Kilimanjaro porters,” according to KPAP. What does that mean? Let’s talk about the specifics: pay, equipment and accountability.
Read more
Kilimanjaro’s Porter Protectors
Thomson Safaris was one of the original Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP) members, and our collaboration with KPAP has changed the way that Kili operators treat their staff.
Read more
Who Are They?
What brought them to Kilimanjaro? Who inspires them to climb a mountain for a living? Each person has a story – here are just a few delivered in their words.
Read more
Should You Hire a Personal Porter on Kilimanjaro?
Should you hire a personal porter on Kilimanjaro? Whether you’re a trekking veteran or making your first-ever hike to the Kilimanjaro summit, here’s the breakdown.
Read more
What Goes Into a Kilimanjaro Trek?
Porters carry not only trekkers’ luggage, they carry the sleeping, dining, and toilet tents; the chairs trekkers rest on in camp; the gear needed to cook up meals, and the food that goes into them. Let's do the math.
Read more
Behind-the-Scenes of Meal Planning and Preparation
How do the Thomson porters deliver nutritious (and delicious) meals to the trekkers? Take a look at the behind the scenes operations: from the garden to dining tent.
Read more
The People of Kilimanjaro
Find out the history of the cultures around the mountain. Over time, clans came together under the umbrella of Chagga identity and members of many cultures from all over Tanzania live and work on the mountain.
Read more
Outfitting Porters
As innovators on the mountain, Thomson was the first company to outfit porters in all-weather uniforms. It has proven to be a great improvement and has made severe weather conditions much more tolerable.
Read moreDonate to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Porter Videos
Setting up camps, cheering on trekkers, singing, dancing and more - watch the videos below to find out why our guests love the porters so much.
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Program and Thomson Safaris
Thomson is a leading member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), which establishes and monitors porter ethics to improve porter treatment industry-wide. The porters Thomson works with receive some of the highest compensation packages in Tanzania.