The Complete Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List
nPlanning to climb Kilimanjaro? You are in for a real adventure! We have completed many of the top-rated treks around the world, so read on for a complete packing list and our tips for reaching Uhuru Peak. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and reaching Uhuru Peak at the top is a challenging trek that can be completed by ascending various routes.nnThe seven summits are the highest mountains of each of the seven continents and climbing all seven is a significant climbing challenge to complete. Kilimanjaro is the seven summit mountain in Africa and is also the world’s highest free-standing mountain at an altitude of 5895m.n
Packing to Climb Kilimanjaro
nPacking for climbing Kilimanjaro is very dissimilar from packing for a long independent trek. Regardless of which company you use you will have porters carrying gear, food and water for the duration of the trek. The crew normally consists of several porters carrying tents, luggage and gear, a cook and guides.nnYou will only be carrying a daypack with things like snacks, a rain jacket, and a camera. You have the option to rent all gear mandatory for the trek from most operators and pay extra per item. Having your own gear is absolutely a safer option to make sure you have quality equipment that fits suitably to keep you comfortable, warm and dry; this is very important to make the trek further pleasant and will help you to get to the top.nnMost operators have all equipment required, so if you forget something you can always rent it upon arrival. Our trekking company gave us a checklist and before the trek our guide went through everything we packed with us.n
Kilimanjaro Checklist for Rent
nYou will have a bag with your clothes and equipment carried by a porter and a day pack that you will carry. Additional luggage can be left with the operator so it is best to have a separate suitcase or bag to leave belongings not essential on the trek.n
Packing your Daypack for the Kilimanjaro trek
nA small, good quality hiking daypack with a raincover is perfect. The Osprey Stratos 24 Hiking Backpack is a top quality light weight, relaxed daypack with a devoted cover, internal hydration sleeve to put up a hydration pack and add-ons for trekking poles and water bottles. The pack should have more than enough packing space to function as a daypack.n
Rain jacket
nPack a good worth wind and waterproof breathable hooded jacket – waterproof jacket ladies or (men’s model)nnRain poncho is a great light alternate to a rain jacket. A poncho that can fit over you with a pack, small, light will keep you and your pack dry.n
Water bottle
nYou will need enough water every day and carry a bottle in your daypack, the guides will provide you with water on the way to fill your bottle. Buy a Nalgene, most popular, top quality water bottle for years.nnA hydration bladder also works well to keep you hydrated, Wacoal, leak-proof bladder it is great that you do not have to stop or get help to reach your water and can just sip all the time on the way, just buy a quality bladder, if they leak it is a mess.n
Buff
nFantastic piece of clothing, the BUFF Multifunctional Headwear is great for sun protection;n
Thin gloves
nthin fleece gloves can be handy in the mornings if it is cold.n
Sunscreen
nPack waterproof/sweat proof sun protection, I always have this Banana Boat ultra sport in my pack.nnCap/hat –\a cap or hat for sun protection is very important.n
Sunglasses
nWe recommend sunglasses for hiking in the mountains with high UV protection and polarized lenses.n
Backpack
nYour main pack will be carried by a porter (unless you insist on carrying it), they tend to not wear the backpacks so a duffel bag is perfect, and precisely what this one was made for The North Face Base Camp Duffel.n
Hiking boots/shoes
nWear shoes that are contented, waterproof with good grip, still breathable and shoes I always go for well known, quality brands.nnShould you climb Mount Kilimanjaro in boots or shoes? I will recommend boots, but it is only really necessary for summit night. Many porters walk in sneakers, but for mere mortals proper trekking footwear is essential when it is cold, on summit night you will be walking in the dark on rocks, stones and maybe even snow. If you do not have mountaineering experience Just go for a higher cut for some ankle support. Wearing merino wool socks in waterproof hiking shoes, the temperature should not be a problem.nnOur favorite hiking boots is Salomon waterproof, Gortex boots. These shoes are amazing, very light and breathable.nnIf you prefer to walk in a low cut hiking shoe I can recommend – Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof durable, waterproof, comfortable, have good grip. Alya walked more than 3000 km in these great Merrel’s. Columbia Dakota Drifter is another good shoe that is a bit cheaper.n
Clothes to Pack for Climbing Kilimanjaro
nLayering is the term for wearing a couple of layers of clothing; this makes it easy to regulate for temperature changes. Many thin layers of breathable clothes will keep you warmer than one thick layer because air is stuck between the layers improving insulation and keeping you warm.nnWear three layers; base, middle and outer layer. Base layer (underwear) that wicks (draws moisture away) sweat off your skin a synthetic material that does not absorb moisture works well. Middle layer is for insulation: retaining body heat. The Outer layer (the shell) must be waterproof and windproof.n
Trekking pants
nQuick dry, light hiking pants or in the rainy season- warmer waterproof pants. Ladies pack trekking pants and yoga pants. Light and more relaxed.n
Insulating Later
nFleece – Important item. wear a fleece under the outer shell on cold days. Check these fleeces for women they come in so many different colors.nnThe North Face stretch down jacket – light to pack, very warm this is good to wear under a hard shell, rain jacket on summit night and in the camp at night. On high altitude hikes, the piece of clothing you can wear most often.n
Base Layer
nHiking shirt – The recommendation you do not wear cotton, cotton clothes get wet from sweating making it very cold. Alya wears breathable, moisture wicking, quick dry T-shirts, packing a long sleeve shirt and one short sleeve T-shirt.nnSport bras – they are great for hiking and outdoors, Alya says that she prefers sport bras over normal bras.nnThermal underwear – really recommend to pack it with, you can use thermals (men’s models) for sleeping and as an extra layer for hiking if it gets cold. I always take normal cotton socks for sleeping as well.n
Underwear – take two-three pairs with depending on hike duration.
nBasically, less is more. Of course, the important documents such as passport and visa must not be missing. During your ascent to Kilimanjaro, it is simply easier to climb with light luggage. In addition, there will be more space for travel souvenirs after your mountain expedition. We hope that we could help you with this Kilimanjaro packing list
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