Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world. In the early 1990s, only about 1,000 people climbed the mountain each year. By 2025, that number had grown to over 60,000. This rapid increase brings great opportunities for local communities but also puts serious pressure on the mountain’s fragile environment.
At Kilisherpas Travel, we believe that protecting Kilimanjaro is just as important as helping our guests reach the summit. That is why, in 2023, we joined the Leave No Trace organisation a global leader in responsible outdoor ethics.
What is Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace promotes seven core principles that help minimise human impact on nature:
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors
These principles perfectly match our values as a Travelife-certified tour operator committed to sustainable tourism in Tanzania.
How We Apply Leave No Trace on Kilimanjaro
Our commitment goes far beyond words. Here’s what we do in practice:
Keeping the mountain clean — Every Kilimanjaro expedition includes dedicated trash bins at camps and a porter responsible for ensuring no waste is left behind. We also collect litter left by other groups along the trails.
Annual cleanups — In 2025 alone, our teams removed over 500 kilograms of trash (mostly plastic bottles and snack wrappers) from the slopes during special cleanup climbs.
Training our team — In 2026, we are launching Kilisherpas Academy, which will train our guides and porters on Leave No Trace principles alongside medical and safety skills.
Supporting porters — We follow fair practices through our membership in the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project, ensuring our crew is well-equipped and respected.
Thanks to these efforts — and the growing awareness among climbers — Kilimanjaro is noticeably cleaner today than it was five or six years ago.
Supporting Leave No Trace Worldwide
Leave No Trace is a non-profit organisation that works to protect natural areas around the world. Since 2022, we have supported them by donating one full Kilimanjaro expedition every year for their charity auctions. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the organisation to fund their global conservation work.
In 2025, we are increasing our support to help expand their important mission even further.
Our Broader Conservation Efforts
As part of our sustainability commitment, Kilisherpas Travel also
Runs tree-planting programmes.
Supports wildlife veterinary care and research
Funds the Serengeti de-snaring project
Works closely with Tanzania National Parks
We believe that responsible tourism can help preserve Tanzania’s natural treasures for future generations.
Ready to climb Kilimanjaro the responsible way?
When you book your Kilimanjaro trek with Kilisherpas Travel, you join a team that truly cares about protecting the mountain. Every step you take with us helps leave Kilimanjaro cleaner and healthier.
Contact us today to plan your responsible Kilimanjaro adventure.
