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Tipping is NOT mandatory BUT common practice and traditionally provided for a good service to the hard working mountain crew. It is common to tip your mountain crew after climbing the Rwenzori M.
The decision on how much you tip your crew should be based on the quality of service that you received – not if you reached the summit or not – as this cannot be guaranteed. Make your decision based on how well the guides, cooks and porters served you while you were on the mountain. The recommended tipping amounts are as follows:
PER CLIMBER is 20 USD/day for your main guide, 15 USD/day for assistant guides, 12 USD/day for your chef and 8 USD/day for each porter.
Uganda Horizon Safaris – Supporting Your Mountain Crew Fairly
Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains is an unforgettable adventure — a journey through equatorial rainforest, alpine meadows, and up to the glaciers of Margherita Peak. But your success on the trail is never a solo achievement. Behind every climber is a dedicated team of guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters who work tirelessly to make your trek safe, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Tipping is the most common way to show appreciation for their hard work. In Uganda, tips are not included in trek prices, and your crew relies on them as a key part of their income. This guide will help you understand how much to tip, when to tip, and how to distribute tips fairly during your Rwenzori expedition with Uganda Horizon Safaris.
Acknowledges exceptional service – Your crew carries heavy loads, prepares meals, sets up camp, and guides you safely through challenging terrain.
Supports local livelihoods – Tipping directly benefits Ugandan mountain communities.
Encourages professionalism – Fair tips motivate crews to maintain high standards of service for future trekkers.
Tipping amounts can vary depending on group size, trek length, and service level, but these are the general guidelines for the Rwenzoris based on East African trekking standards:
Per Day, Per Group (not per person):
Lead Guide – USD $20 per person per day
Assistant Guide – USD $15 per person per day
Cook – USD $12 per person per day
Porter – USD $8 per person per day
Example for a 7-Day Rwenzori Trek (per group):
Lead Guide: $140
Assistant Guide: $105
Cook: $84
Each Porter: $49
The best time to give tips is at the end of your trek, during the farewell ceremony when the entire team is present. This is usually after descending to the trailhead before your transfer back to the hotel.
This allows you to:
Thank the crew personally.
Ensure all team members receive their share directly.
Maintain transparency in distribution.
We will explain all details about the Tipping Ceremony in your briefing before your hike. On your first day on the mountain, your guide will introduce your team by name and create a tipping form for all crew members. The tipping ceremony will then take place after the summit attempt and before leaving the Rwenzori Mountains. The Main Guide will assemble the entire crew so that you can distribute your tipping and your team can say a word of thanks to all guests. Each crew member signs our tipping form in front of you to make sure that each individual received the correct tipping amount. You will also sign the form to confirm the amount. We review the form after every climb to enforce fair and proper distribution.
Prepare cash in advance – Bring USD notes in good condition (no tears or damage) or Ugandan shillings.
Pool tips as a group – If traveling with others, agree on total amounts together.
Present tips during the farewell ceremony – Share a few words of appreciation to thank the team.
Be fair and transparent – Avoid giving only to one crew member and expecting them to share without agreement.
While cash tips are most important, you can also support your crew by:
Donating used trekking gear or clothing.
Sharing photos or videos from the trek.
Leaving positive reviews for Uganda Horizon Safaris mentioning crew members by name.
Tipping is voluntary but strongly encouraged for trekking crews.
Amounts listed here are guidelines, and you can adjust depending on your satisfaction with the service.
Even small tips are appreciated — they go directly to the people who made your trek possible.
Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m) – Africa’s third-highest mountain.
Trek through five distinct vegetation zones in one expedition.
See rare plants like giant lobelias and groundsels.
Experience glaciers on the equator.
Meet the welcoming Bakonzo mountain communities.
Many guests extend their Rwenzori experience with Uganda Horizon Safaris adventures:
Wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel.
Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains is as much about the people as it is about the peaks. Your crew works behind the scenes to make your adventure possible, and tipping is your chance to show gratitude in a meaningful way.
At Uganda Horizon Safaris, we believe that fair tipping is part of responsible travel. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only reward hard work but also contribute directly to the well-being of the mountain communities who make the Rwenzoris such a special place to explore.
Contact us today to plan your Rwenzori adventure — and meet the team you’ll be proud to thank at the summit’s end.
