Overview

Mount Kilimanjaro is a unique travel experience and a once in a lifetime adventure for tens of thousands of climbers every year. Those who have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro know that porters are the backbone of the trek. Although critical to making the journey, porters often are ill-equipped, poorly paid, and have improper working conditions. The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) raises public awareness regarding the proper treatment of porters on Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as assists climbing companies with implementing procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment of their porters.

AKP has joined KPAP in their efforts to improve working conditions for more than 7,000 porters climbing with Partner for Responsible Travel companies. Since 2003, KPAP has been  improving the working conditions of the porters by: lending climbing gear to porters and other mountain crew free of charge, for use while climbing; offering free classes for the benefit of the porters and mountain crew in English, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Money Management, and Porters Rights; and educating the public on the porter working conditions and providing Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment.