Kilimanjaro Packing List
In order to be safe and comfortable throughout your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to bring important gear and supplies with you. We have put together a comprehensive Kilimanjaro Packing list to help you prepare for your climb. Trekking Kilimanjaro involves five main climate zones, from the warm, humid forest and lower slopes, to the bitterly cold summit zone, with glaciers, ice, and snow. You need to be prepared for all Kilimanjaro weather conditions: sunny, windy, and rainy.
We provide tents, the camp equipment, food, cooking facilities, and other shared items. You’ll have a duffel bag with all your kit, carried by the porters; and carry your own daypack during the trekking day.
KILIMANJARO GEAR LIST
- Top Base Layer
- Bottom Base Layer
- 4-5 Pairs of Underwear
- 3-4 Short Sleeve
- 1 Insulated Trekking Pants
- 1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
- 1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
- 1 Insulated Winter Jacket
- 1 Polartec Fleece Jacket
- 1 Hard Shell Jacket
Basic Equipments
Daypack Bag
In your daypack, take water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants and jacket as a minimum. Add any other items you might need during the day because you won’t have access to your main luggage until the end of your trek for the day. Recommendations
Waterproof duffle bag
To carry your main gear we recommend using a 80-90L duffle bag. Large rucksacks (>65L) can also work. Recommendations
Sleeping bag
You will need a 4-season or -20 Deg C sleeping bag and compression sack. We recommend Mountain Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags. You can hire sleeping bags at Migration Venture Africa. Recommendations
Trekking poles
Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond trekking poles. Recommendations
Water bladder / bottles
Capacity to carry 3 litres of water. Options: 2 x 1.5 litre wide mouth nalgene bottles or 2 litre platypus + 1 litre water bottle. Note that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro. Recommendations
Neck gaiter or scarf
It can get dusty on Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear. Recommendations
HEAD
Warm beanie style hat
Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The North Face, Berghaus and Columbia all make good outdoor beanies. Recommendations
Sun hat
Preferably go for a hat that is wide-brimmed for protection, and has a neck cover if you aren’t going to be wearing a neck gaiter. Recommendation
Headlamp
You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps. Recommendation
Warm beanie style hat
Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The North Face, Berghaus and Columbia all make good outdoor beanies. Recommendations
Sunglasses
Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice.
HANDS AND FEETS
Warm gloves or mittens
For the cold nights and for the summit push we recommend heavyweight, insulated, preferably water resistant gloves. The North Face and Black Diamond are recommended brands. Recommendations.
Lightweight Gloves
For lower slopes we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves.
Trekking boots
We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell.
Training shoes
To wear around camp after a day’s trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals. Recommendations
Socks
3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks. Recommendations
Gaiters
Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions. Recommendations.
UPPER BODY
Thermal base layer
1 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. Recommended brand is Icebreaker. Recommendations
Short sleeved shirt
2 x lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts. Recommend brands include Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus.Recommendations.
Long sleeve shirt
Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts.
Fleece or soft shell jacket
A mid-weight polartec fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces. Recommendations
Insulated jacket
A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab, Arc’Teryx and Mountain Handwear. Recommendations.
Hard shell outer jacket
A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Gore-Tex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Handwear. Recommendations.
LOWER BODY
Leggings
Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommend brand is Icebreaker. Recommendations.
Trekking trousers
Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Crag hoppers and Columbia. Recommendations.
Hard shell trousers
To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Gore-Tex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’teryx all make good outer trousers. Recommendations.
OTHERS
Power Bank, Solar Charger
In the mountains, there is no electricity, so we will use a solar charger and power bank to charge electronic devices such as phones and cameras. Recommendations.
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 Go-Pro camera with spare batteries to capture the most fantastic moments of your adventure
Sun and lip screen
High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Ideally travel size
Personal snacks
Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good shout. Isotonic drink powder to mix in with your water improves flavour and helps replace electrolytes
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
Staying clean on Kilimanjaro is a challenge. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help
In the mountains, there is no electricity, so we will use a solar charger and power bank to charge electronic devices such as phones and cameras. Recommendations.
It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. Develop your fitness and get your body in shape for your Kilimanjaro summit expedition.
MENTAL PREPARATION
It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be topmost in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remain in a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possibly encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group. Your mental stamina will, without a doubt, make the really difficult sections, like from Kibo to Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to complete. Remember if you are properly equipped, you have taken everything as indicated on the Packing List, you are physically prepared and have all the knowledge gained from guide – you will be mentally confident for the physical part of Kilimanjaro.
ADEQUATE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.
ON THE MOUNTAIN
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