The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Packing List
For a Kilimanjaro climb, you need layered clothing including waterproof and insulating jackets and pants, durable hiking boots, and warm socks. Key gear includes a 30-40L daypack, a large waterproof duffle bag for porters, a 4-season sleeping bag, trekking poles, and water bottles. Essential personal items are a first-aid kit, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and a camera with spare batteries.
You’ll need to pack carefully to ensure that you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable ascent of Kilimanjaro. To assist you, we have compiled a detailed Kilimanjaro Packing list.
From the warm, humid forest and lower slopes to the extremely cold summit zone with glaciers, ice, and snow, Kilimanjaro has five distinct temperature zones to explore on foot. Kilimanjaro can have sunny, windy, or rainy days, so it’s important to pack accordingly.
Tents, camp gear, food, and cooking facilities are all provided by us. During the day of hiking, you’ll use a smaller daypack and have a porter carry your larger duffel bag with all of your gear.
Kilimanjaro Packing/Climbing Gear List
To ensure safety and comfort during your Mount Kilimanjaro ascent, it is essential to have necessary equipment and provisions. We have compiled an exhaustive packing list for Kilimanjaro to assist you in your preparation for the ascent.
Trekking Kilimanjaro encompasses five primary temperature zones, ranging from the warm, humid forest and lower slopes to the frigid summit zone, characterised by glaciers, ice, and snow. One must be equipped for all weather conditions on Kilimanjaro: sunny, windy, and rainy.
We supply tents, camping gear, food, cooking amenities, and additional communal stuff. You will possess a duffel bag containing all your equipment, transported by the porters, while you will carry your own daypack throughout the trekking day.
Download your printable Kilimanjaro packing checklist here
Clothing (Essential):
- Summer shirts and shorts – for walking in the heat at the start of the trek
- Warm long-sleeved shirts – for when it gets cold
- Warm long walking trousers (not jeans!)
- Fleece jacket (one or more, and/or a down jacket) – for additional warmth; or a warm anorak/jacket which should not be too heavy
- Thermal underwears
- The good quality waterproof and windproof outer shell (Jacket & trousers)
- Cheap plastic poncho or (Rain jacket and rain pants)
- Hat – a warm hat and a sun hat (that has both a peak and shades the back of your neck)
- Wool Hat/Balaclava
- Gloves – 2 pairs; one pair of thin liners and another of warmer and waterproof outer gloves are more practical than mittens.
Footwear:
- Mountain boots – essential (good quality well worn in)
- Walking Shoes (another pair of lighter weight walking shoes/trainers for the start of the climb)
- Several pairs of warm, cushioned socks (so you always have a dry pair to change into)
- Crampons for the summit day. Please do carry a pair of your own crampons. Kindly note that they are a must-have for the summit of Margherita peak
Equipment (Essential):
- Good quality Sleeping bag (minimum rating of 4 seasons)
- Soft Bag / Holdall or Rucksack (framed or unframed) – large enough to hold your personal gear (limit 23Kg) on the mountain; this will be carried by a porter
- Days, Big enough for you to carry your daily water (3litres), lunch box, camera, wet weather clothing, and fleece jacket.
- External protective cover for rucksack & daysack (or pack all contents in plastic bags for waterproofing)
- Sunglasses (models with side shields are preferable).
- Lip salve
- Head Torch and a set of spare batteries (special batteries are not always available locally)
- 2nd / Back up the torch and spare batteries
- Water bottle(s) (strong) to hold 3 liters – which you will carry with you, daily)
- Water treatment tablets/iodine or quality filter (although water gets boiled for you by our staff and served as tea or coffee which can also be filled up in your water bottles)
- Spare plastic bags (to keep things as dry as possible)
- Wash kit plus a small towel
- Basic First Aid kit (for personal use) including paracetamol & dehydration sachets
- A few of your favorite sweets/’chewies’/dried fruit etc. (They are good motivators on the trek)
