What to Pack
Packing your Kilimanjaro kit is one of the most important steps on the way to a successful climb. We have compiled our packing guide so that even a complete novice could use it as a reference, though some recommendations might be obvious to seasoned mountain climbers. Most items mentioned in this article are absolutely necessary. Those regarded as comfort enhancers have been marked as “Optional”
Here are some tips for how to pack for climbing Kilimanjaro
Clothing for Kilimanjaro
On Kilimanjaro, you will be trekking through four different climate zones (rainforest, moorland, alpine meadows, and Arctic desert). At the lower altitude of the tropical rainforest, the weather is mostly humid and hot, while in the summit zone it is snowy, windy, and frosty. In addition, while the temperature is usually high during the day, it can drop to freezing at night.
You should be properly prepared for all of these conditions.
Jackets
You will need to have three types of jackets for this trip:
A fleece jacket is an insulation layer
Fleece jackets can be worn as a separate piece of clothing or over a trekking shirt. They are great to have at night when you are in the camp. A fleece jacket is a must-have – you will be using it on most of your Kilimanjaro days.
Polartec-200 fabric is recommended over all others for Kilimanjaro expeditions. The best brands of fleece jackets are: The North Face, Red Fox, Mountain Hardwear, and Patagonia. Hooded fleece jackets are better, as they provide extra warmth and comfort. We recommend taking 2-3 pieces for your trip.
The best brands of fleece jackets for expeditions to Kilimanjaro are The North Face, Red Fox, Mountain Hardwear, and Patagonia.
Warm jacket / Down jacket
A warm jacket is used in camps to keep you warm during chilly evenings and for the summiting part of your trip. It is an absolutely necessary element of your kit.
A warm jacket should not be too heavy or too light and it should be comfortable to wear at -15°C / (5°F). Make sure that your warm jacket is a hooded one.
Membrane Hard shell rain jacket (Gore-Tex or other)
A hard shell rain jacket will likely be necessary from the first day of your trip (especially on the Lemosho route, where you’ll be starting from 3,500 m/11,500 ft), and should always be packed into your backpack for easy access.
This jacket is meant to protect you against wind and drizzly rain before you reach the summit camp. On most of the Kilimanjaro days it would be your third layer, after thermal underwear and a fleece jacket.
Trousers
You will need several types of trousers for this trip.
Trekking pants
Trekking pants of good quality are usually enough for a Kilimanjaro expedition. If you prefer hiking in shorts, taking a pair of trousers is nevertheless needed for the higher elevation parts of Kilimanjaro and chilly evenings in the camps.
The membrane pants of rain pants
Membrane pants are needed for your Kilimanjaro adventure, and they are especially useful during the rainy season. When worn together with the trekking pants, they provide excellent protection against winds and rains, making your overall experience better.
Warm trousers or ski pants
Warm trousers or ski pants are another must-have item on your packing list. They are needed for the summit part of your hike, when the weather is particularly cold. These trousers should be water resistant, lined with fleece on the inside for warmth, and covered with good, hard shell insulation for protection against wind and rain. Ideally, you should be able to feel comfortable wearing these pants in temperatures under -15 CO/5°F. If you are not quite used to cold temperatures, you will also be especially happy to wear warm pants in the higher camps of Kilimanjaro.
Hiking underwear and shirts
You will need 5-6 pairs of underwear for your Kilimanjaro adventure. In addition to that, having 2-3 pairs of thermal underwear (base layer) is necessary for this trek – you’ll be wearing the first pair on your usual days, and the second one on the summit night. Also, sleeping in thermal underwear is more comfortable than without it.
The first set can be made of light synthetic fabric so that it dries faster. The one used for the summiting should contain warmer, more natural components, e.g. wool.
As far as shirts for Kilimanjaro expeditions are concerned, having 3-4 short-sleeved and 2 two long-sleeved shirts is necessary. Avoid cotton, as it is bad for wicking. Fabric should be light and ‘breathable’. Shirts made of the mixture of polyester and spandex or nylon are excellent.
Bags & Backpacks for hiking
High-quality bags are necessary for your Kilimanjaro trip. In short, you will need two types of bags: a daypack that you’ll be carrying yourself and a duffle bag that will be taken care of by a porter.
Daypack
Your daypack will carry your daily essentials, such as: sunglasses, sunscreen, rain poncho, flashlight, flask with water and snacks. It is also the right place to put your gadgets, for example: your camera and smartphone.
Your daypack should be as light as possible. Moreover, make sure that your daypack fits your back comfortably.
While choosing a backpack, please pay attention to the following:
- Your Kilimanjaro backpack should have a rain cover. Rain can start quickly, and it will be necessary to protect the contents.
- It should have side pockets for trekking poles, a water flask (bottle), and other items that you deem useful to have in easy access.
- A good backpack should also have a hip belt, which helps reduce weight pressure.
- Ideally, a daypack should be compatible with a camel bag/hydration bladder.
The best hiking daypacks are produced by Black Diamond.
Duffle bag
Typically, porters carry duffel bags on their heads, making it necessary to choose soft models for their comfort. The total distance covered by a porter with your duffle on his head will be around 40-60 km. Some Kilimanjaro trekking routes, such as the Northern Circuit, are longer than the others, so the load on porters increases proportionately.
Your fully loaded duffle bag should weigh up to 15 kg according to Kilimanjaro National Park regulations.
- Have a minimum of 90-120 liter capacity. Otherwise, you won’t be able to fit in the entire Kilimanjaro kit.
- It should be made of waterproof materials.
Along with a duffle bag, we recommend taking several large dry bags and packing your gear inside separately. This approach will provide extra protection and will keep all your gear dry in case of heavy rains (sometimes the water can leak through the zippers straight inside to your duffle bag).
Dry bag (Optional)
Since rain is not rare on Kilimanjaro, taking a dry bag is a good idea. Putting it inside your duffle bag or backpack can help you keep all your Kilimanjaro gear dry and fit for use. If you decide to take one, make sure that it is large enough to fit a sleeping bag and all other gear.
Water flask
A water flask is an absolute must. Unlike some poor-quality hydration bladders, it will not freeze at night. You are required to drink at least 3-4 liters of water every day, so a flask is one of the key items for this trip.
You should have 1-2 water flasks (one liter each) for your Kilimanjaro trip.
Apart from having a water flask, it is also recommended to have a thermos for hot tea/coffee. Though the guides normally carry one thermos each for the hikers to have a hot drink on the way, taking your own means extra supply, which will be never superfluous on Kilimanjaro. More tea or coffee means more energy, which you will surely need.
Camel bag / Hydration bladder (Optional)
A hydration bladder (or “camel bag”) is highly recommended for this trip.
If your daypack is compatible with a hydration bladder, having one will surely add comfort to your trek. You should be very cautious and choose only high-quality models. Make sure that the pipe is insulated, otherwise, it might freeze on the summit night.
High-quality hydration bladders retail at USD 30 and more, but this is a good investment. 1.5 and 2-liter variations will be perfect for your trip.
Footwear
Choosing your hiking boots and/or sneakers is a task of supreme importance. A wrong choice here can result in broken toenails, corns and blisters.
For this trip you will need high-quality hiking boots, trekking sneakers (optional) and trekking socks.
Hiking boots
Ideally, your hiking boots should meet the following criteria:
- Boots should have good ankle support. To avoid getting injured make sure to choose a robust model with sufficient ankle support.
- Boots should be of medium weight. Avoid buying boots that feel very heavy, it will affect your comfort and make your feet quickly tired.
Of course, your boots should be waterproof to keep your feet dry all the way up to the top. It is especially important in the summit area if you climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season. Wearing high-quality trekking socks will provide extra protection, so it is always recommended to have a pair.
It is critically important to break in your boots before the start of your Kilimanjaro trip. You should take at least two long hikes to get them ready.
Trekking socks
Trekking socks are a must on hikes like this. Do not pack cotton socks, as they will retain sweat and give you blisters.
Thermal socks (Optional)
Thermal socks are optional, but highly recommended, especially for climbs during the summer months. There are a lot of brands available on the market. The ones with flat seams, not made of cotton, will suit perfectly! Wool is a great alternative.
Gaiters (Optional)
The use of gaiters on Kilimanjaro is not mandatory, but during the rainy season they are absolutely indispensable to prevent mud, snow or pebbles from getting inside the boots.
Headgear
Like other trekking equipment categories, Kilimanjaro headgear has both mandatory and optional items.
Sun hat
A sun hat is a must-have on your packing list. Ideally, it should also have a neck cover. This headgear will protect your face from sunburns and overheating.
Beanie
Taking a beanie is necessary for this trip.
At higher elevations, you’ll start feeling cold, so to keep your head and ears warm, you will need a good beanie. It should be warm enough for the low temperatures and snowy conditions of the summit area.
Balaclava (Optional)
Balaclava is a handy solution for hikers who are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures. A woolen balaclava will protect your chin, nose, cheeks and forehead from wind on the summit night. It is unlikely that you will be using it anywhere else.
Neck warmer (Optional)
Many climbers find neck warmers very useful as they provide good protection to your neck and face if it gets very cold. It’s also a good solution against dust.
Sunglasses
When it comes to sunglasses, there are some key points to pay attention to. Firstly, sunglasses should provide good UV protection. At the elevation of 6,000 m above the sea level UV radiation is much higher than at sea level.
Secondly, when choosing sunglasses, you should remember that snow in the summit area reflects light, thus putting extra strain on your eyes. Once near the summit, you should put your sunglasses on even if it is cloudy. Otherwise, you might develop a condition known as snow-blindness. It is very dangerous and may cause permanent damage to your vision. Thus, make sure to choose a high-quality, mountain model with 3 or, better, 4 levels of UV protection.
Headlamp
You can not hike Mount Kilimanjaro without a headlamp.
Firstly, you’ll need it for moving around the camp after sunset when finding your tent can become quite a task. Besides, if you decide to go to the bathroom at night without a headlamp on you could stumble upon the tent ropes.
Secondly, a headlamp will be necessary during the summit. Normally, hikers start at midnight aiming to reach Uhuru Peak by sunrise. So a headlamp will be a great help to see the path.
Please pay attention to the following points while choosing a headlamp for your trip:
- Check the quality of light. The brighter your headlamp, the more suitable it is for the trek. Optimally, the light output should be higher than 90-100 lumens, and the beam distance should be at least 40-50 m.
- Buy good batteries. Ideally, the active mode should be around 30 hours. Otherwise, do not forget to take spare batteries.
- Finally, your headlamp should not be too heavy. Since it is worn on the head, it should be relatively light. Thus, do not consider anything above 120 g.
- Avoid buying headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Their battery life is much shorter, and, most importantly, there are no power outlets on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are a highly recommended item on your Kilimanjaro packing list, not only because it is a matter of comfort, but also because of health concerns.
Good trekking poles are exactly what you need to minimize the impact of a lengthy hike on your knees and joints.
Gloves
You will need two types of gloves for this adventure – light inner gloves and warmer outer gloves for the summit night. Both types of gloves are essential for your Kilimanjaro trip.
Lightweight gloves are meant to keep your hands warm starting from the second day of your expedition. Most hikers wear them till the summit camp and then put on their outer gloves. Inner gloves should be made of good-quality materials, the best options being wool, polartec or synthetics. Avoid buying cotton gloves – they are not suitable for Kilimanjaro because of their poor wicking capacity.
Mittens
You will also need warm gloves or mittens for the summit night. They should be warm and waterproof, while comfortable to use. Mittens are better – the summit usually takes around eight hours, and all the time you will be holding trekking poles in your hands. Because of that, it is imperative to keep them warm at -15C/ 5F (lowest temperature in the summit zone).
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro
No matter which season you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will be necessary in any camp and on all routes. Though some may think that it is warm in huts on the Marangu route, the fact is that they are not heated, making it your responsibility to keep warm at night.
Your sleeping bag should be warm. To begin with, your sleeping has three temperature levels.
“Comfort level” means the temperature at which you can sleep in your sleeping bag comfortably with only your thermal underwear on.
“Limit level” stands for the temperature when you can use your sleeping bag while wearing some layers of extra clothes. Sleeping bags should not be used in conditions beyond that temperature limit.
“Extreme level” means the temperature when a sleeping bag can be used as an emergency measure to save a climber from hypothermia until the emergency services arrive.
It is very cold in the upper camps of Kilimanjaro at night. Thus, the comfort level of your sleeping bag should be at least -10°C / 14°F. If you can get a sleeping bag warmer than that, you won’t regret it! No one has ever complained that it was too hot in his or her sleeping bag.Ideally, your sleeping bag should have a hood to cover your head for better sleep at night.
Inflatable pillow (Optional)
An inflatable pillow will be of great use for those who like reading in a tent. At the same time, however, you may put your backpack or some clothes under your head to make an improvised pillow.
Personal & Medical items
Wet wipes (Optional)
Wet wipes will help maintain personal hygiene if you decided to climb Kilimanjaro without hiring a personal portable shower. Take two packs – put a small one into your daypack to use on the way, and a larger one will go to the duffel bag to be used for the evening hygiene.
Don’t forget about sun cream. Without it, the open parts of your hands and face will easily get sunburnt.
Even though the guides will have a medical kit with everything needed for common conditions such as nausea, headache, stomachache, etc., you should bring any personal medication you may require. Remember that some of the pills that you can easily buy in your home countries might be unavailable in Tanzania.
Gadgets (Optional)
Some of the gadgets that will be useful on your Kilimanjaro trip are:
Camera
The scenery opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is truly spectacular! Taking great pictures is one of the main reasons people sign up for this trip. You may take a smartphone with a power bank or a GoPro camera with spare batteries to capture the most fantastic moments of your adventure.
Power banks
As said above, If you are taking any gadgets with you, taking a power bank is a must. There are no power outlets on Kilimanjaro and it is the only way to keep your smartphone, e-reader or other devices charged.
E-book
For those who like to read before going to sleep, it is a must-have item on the packing list.
Mp3 Player
This is what will make your Kilimanjaro adventure truly great, especially on the summit night. Your favorite songs will certainly keep up your spirits and make the moments on top of Africa even more wonderful.
Gear and equipment to hire/Optional
If Kilimanjaro is not your first mountaineering experience of summits above 5,000 m, then you probably already have most of the equipment needed. Yet, for many, Kilimanjaro is their first big climb. Therefore, you should seriously consider hiring some of the items on the spot as not to spend a fortune on equipment.
Buying the whole Kilimanjaro kit is likely to cost you more than a thousand dollars, increasing the overall budget of your adventure. Hiring everything that you need for the hike will cost around USD 250-300. If Kilimanjaro is your once-in-a-lifetime venture and you are not sure whether you are going to continue climbing, then hiring will be a cost-saving solution.
Remember, however, to choose an appropriate luggage tariff when buying air tickets, as the whole kit is likely to weigh 15-17 kg. Therefore, even if you are arriving with your gear, hiring some of the heaviest items (such as a sleeping bag, down jacket, or trekking poles) may be a good idea, especially if you have a trip to Zanzibar or a safari after the hike. Most local airlines operating Zanzibar flights have a 15 kg luggage limit, which will surely not be enough to pack all your hiking and usual travel luggage.