Kilimanjaro Porters

The porters on Kilimanjaro are an incredible breed of men. The youngest porters on the mountain are about 18, which is the minimum legal age. At the other extreme, they usually stop working on the mountain at about 40, though occasionally they can be much older. They are, without doubt, amongst the hardest workers on Kilimanjaro. To see them traipsing up the mountain, water in one hand, cooker in another, rucksack on the back, and picnic table on the head, is staggering to behold. And though they are supposed to carry no more than 15kg, many, desperate for work in what is an over-supplied market, carry much, much more.

And that’s not all. At the end of the day’s walk, the average trekker spends his or her time at camp moaning about the hardships they are suffering. It’s a lamentation that is usually performed while cramming down mouthfuls of popcorn while clasping a steaming hot cup of tea.

Please note that however much money you lavish on them at the end, the porters’ reaction will always be the same. Simply put, porters are not above play-acting, in the same way that the sea is not above the clouds. On being given their gratuity all porters will grimace, sigh, tut, and shake their heads. They may then roll their eyes in disgust and stare at the money in their hand in disbelief.