KILIMANJARO PACKING LIST

  • While head guides carry first aid kits, we recommend that each person has their own first aid kit with essentials such as paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines, topical antibiotic, bandages, blister packs, ankle brace and prescription medicines.

  • Hiking Boots are going to be one of the most important factors for the comfort of your climb. The trails are stony, steep, and strenuous, so boots should be sturdy, mid-height to provide ankle stability, and well broken in. When buying your boots, do cater for the fact that you may be wearing more than one pair of socks on the mountain. You should also make sure that you have some wiggle room for your toes. This is especially important as you will appreciate the comfort during the descent. In fact, when trying out the boots, wear two pairs of socks and make sure that you walk up and down an incline to spot potential problems with your boots.

  • You’ll thank us for this tip!

  • Allow at least 1 clean pair for each day or at your personal discretion.

  • Ideal fabric is a breathable, lightweight and quick drying polyester, merino or nylon.

  • Ideally with zippers to covert to shorts.

  • Best to have ~500-700 grams.

  • Best to have a breathable hood.

  • Water resistant and fleece inner material and quick-drying polyester outer for warmth.

  • Outer gloves are thicker, waterproof and provide the shell protection needed to prevent freezing hands.

  • Rated to 0 degrees.

  • Please bring a spare bulb and extra batteries.

  • Especially useful for summit night.

  • 30+ SPF

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste, floss, hand and face cleansers, wet ones and tissues.

Weight

You will need to take 2 bags for your hike. 1 day pack you keep with you and one gear bag the porters carry, available when you arrive at camp each day. You will not have access to the gear bags carried by porters until you reach the camp/hut each evening. As Kilimanjaro can be rainy, please carry waterproof jacket and pants in your day pack.

We recommend carrying the following items in your day pack:

  • rain gear, 2 - 3 litres of water, camera, lunch, extra fleece jacket, passport, sunscreen, hat and money.

Because of weight restrictions on Mt Kilimanjaro, each climber’s gear bag carried by the porters must weigh no more than 15 kg’s. We recommend packing your sleeping bag and clothing inside waterproof bags in case of heavy downpours.

Items for hire

The items below are available for rent in Tanzania.

  • Shower tent

  • Sleeping bag (0 degree Fahrenheit)

  • Duffel bag

  • Rucksack (large backpack)

  • Rucksack cover/rain cover

  • Down Jacket

  • Rain Jacket

  • Ski Jacket

  • Walking sticks (pair)

  • Fleece Jacket

  • Rain Trousers

  • Poncho

  • Head lamp

  • Gaiters

  • Ski trousers

  • Waterproof gloves

*All equipment rental is subject to demand and the availability of rental equipment or specific sizes cannot be guaranteed. To avoid disappointment, it is strongly recommended that all your rental equipment is booked in advance of your planned trip. Please give us as much notice as possible on items you need to rent as we have limited quantities of some items.

The following are included in the climb price:

  • Mountaineering sleeping tents

  • Mattresses and pillows

  • A dining tent

  • Tables and chairs

What to wear

It can get cold pretty fast, on the first night of your climb, it will be chilly. A fleece jacket and knit hat will be required to keep you warm. You’ll be spending the night before summit at an altitude of around 4,600 – 4,700m with overnight temperatures well below freezing.You will wake up around midnight to prepare for the summit attempt, that means you will be hiking in the cold, and possibly windy, darkness for at least 6 hours. Most people seem to do well with four layers on top – thermals, fleece jacket, down jacket, hardshell waterproof jacket and three layers on bottom – thermals, fleece pants, rain pants.

Luggage Information

Sometimes luggage is delayed by airlines. It is recommended to take a change of clothing, wear walking shoes (if applicable) on the plane and any essential medication in your hand luggage.