Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List
What to bring for your Kilimanjaro Summit
Mount 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:
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately. This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
- 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 Equipment’s
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 |
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 |
Daypack: Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 15kg) .You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey daypacks.
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 from our team in Tanzania.
Waterproof duffle bag: To carry your main gear we recommend using a 80-90L duffle bag. Large rucksacks (>65L) can also work.
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.
Head
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. |
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 |
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.
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
Hands and Feet
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.
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.
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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
Lightweight Gloves:For lower slopes we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves.
Gaiters: Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions.
Upper Body
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. 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 Hardwear. |
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.
Hard shell outer jacket: A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear. |
Short sleeved shirt: 2 x lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts. Recommend brands include Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus.
Thermal base layer: 1 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. Recommended brand is Icebreaker.
Legs
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Leggings:Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommend brand is Icebreaker.
Trekking trousers:Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Craghoppers and Columbia.
Hard shell trousers:To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’Teryx all make good outer trousers.Get in Touch
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