Your Kilimanjaro Packing List With 20 Things You Shouldn’t Forget

Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro can be one of the most exciting things to do. While it takes a lot of preparation to start the climb and reach the summit, it is common to forget a thing or two when packing. Knowing the most important gear and supplies to carry makes the climb both safe and comfortable. In this article, we have compiled the ultimate Kilimanjaro packing list to make your climb both exciting and a success.

Hiking Bags and Backpacks

Your Kilimanjaro packing list should start with high-quality bags in which you will be carrying all the items needed for the hike. You will need to carry a daypack that you will be carrying yourself during the hike and a duffle bag handled by a porter.

Hiking Daypack 

During your Kilimanjaro hike, you need a daypack to carry your daily essentials. The necessary ones include sunglasses, a rain poncho, sunscreen, a flask with water, a flashlight, and snacks. You can also put your gadgets like smartphones and cameras on the daypack for easier access. 

Since you will be carrying the daypack up the mountain, it should be as light as possible. You can find a good hiking daypack from brands like Black Diamond. The bag should fit on your back comfortably and within the weight you are comfortable hiking with. Essentially, you should test the back on smaller hikes before Kilimanjaro to make sure you are comfortable carrying it. Some of the important considerations when choosing a daypack bag include:

• A rain cover that protects the contents from the occasional drizzling rain 
• A hip belt that helps reduce the weight pressure on your body
• Side pockets for carrying a water flask or bottle, trekking poles, and other items that require quick access
• Compatibility with a hydration bladder or camel bag

Duffle Bag

When choosing a duffle bag, find a model that is soft and comfortable. Porters on Mount Kilimanjaro usually carry their bags on their heads, and the total distance covered could be between 40 and 60 kilometers.  Some of the routes like the Northern Circuit are way longer, which increases the load on the porters. 

Once fully loaded, your duffle bag should weigh not more than 15kgs and be made of waterproof materials as per Kilimanjaro National Park regulations. You can also include several large dry bags in your duffle bag to keep your gear dry in case of heavy rainfall. Additional items for the bags include:

• Travel Bag Organisations (Optional): A travel bag organiser can be a useful item in keeping items in your duffle bag in order. For instance, you can easily separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones. It also makes it easier to prevent wet and dry clothes from mixing up. 
• Hydration Bladder/Camel Bag (Optional): A small bag or hydration bladder can come in handy during a Kilimanjaro climb. When making a choice, make sure that your pipe is insulated and that your daypack bag is compatible. 
• Water Flask: Your Kilimanjaro packing list must include a water flask. This is way better than some of the poor-quality hydration ballers you may find in the market. The water flask will not be free at night and will keep you hydrated as you climb the mountain. Ideally, you should drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water every day of the hike. Carrying 1 or 2 water flasks for your Kilimanjaro trip should be sufficient. 

Clothing for Kilimanjaro Climb

The majority of your list includes the clothing items you carry for the trip. Essentially, your climb up Kilimanjaro will include trekking through four different climatic zones. You will be going through a rainforest, and the moorland before getting to alpine meadows and the Arctic desert at the summit. Your Kilimanjaro packing list needs to include appropriate clothing options for the various conditions. 

At the base of the mountain, the lower altitude of the tropical rainforest includes hot and humid weather. On the summit zone, you get the exact opposite with the snowy, windy, and frosty weather providing rather hostile conditions. As you gain elevation, the temperature can change from high during the day to freezing cold at night. To stay flexible with these weather conditions, include these jackets in your Kilimanjaro packing list:

Jackets

To keep yourself warm and protected during your Kilimanjaro climb, you will need three types of jackets:

• Fleece Jacket: For your insulation, pack a fleece jacket. You can comfortably wear it as a trekking shirt or a separate piece of clothing. Being one of the most worn clothing items during the hike, a fleece is useful at night while at the camp as it provides warmth, especially if it is hooded. Be sure to pack 2 or 3 pieces of fleece jackets for your Kilimanjaro trip.
• Down/Warm Jacket: You will need a warm jacket for the chilly evenings at the camps and the summiting part of the Kilimanjaro trip. Choose a hooded down jacket that is comfortable to wear at -15°C / (5°F) that is neither too heavy nor too light. You also need to check the waterproof capacity of the jacket to protect you against minor precipitation during the climb.
• Membrane Hard Shell Rain Jacket: Another important clothing item to add to your Kilimanjaro packing list is a hard shell rain jacket, such as Gore-Tex. The jacket will come in handy when the weather becomes windy or drizzling rain as you get closer to the summit camp. 

Trousers/Pants

For a successful hike on the mountain, you will need to add several types of trousers (pants) to your Kilimanjaro packing list:

• Trekking Pants: Adding quality trekking pants will make your Kilimanjaro expedition easier. Even if you prefer hiking in shorts, a pair of trousers is necessary as you get to higher elevation parts of the mounting. The chilly evenings in the camps also become easier when wearing pants.
  
• Membrane Pants: Membrane pants are particularly useful for rainy conditions. Wearing them with treating pants provides you with added protection against rains and winds, making the overall experience in extreme weather easier. 
  
• Warm Trousers/Ski Pants: Another must-have item in your Kilimanjaro packing list is warm trousers or ski pants. These are particularly needed at the last bit of the hike when summiting the mountain and the weather is extremely cold. Make sure that your ski pants are water-resistant. It helps to line them with fleece on the inside for added warmth and is covered with good hard shell insulation. As you go for that last part of the ascent, you should feel comfortable and warm wearing these parts in temperatures under -15 CO/5°F.

Hiking Shirts and Underwear

For your entire Kilimanjaro expedition, you will need about 5 to 7 pairs of underwear and 2 or 3 pairs of thermal underwear. You will wear the first pair on your usual days ascending the mountain and the second one on the summit night. It is also more comfortable to sleep in thermal underwear than normal ones or none. 

The choice of material is also important. For the first set of your underwear, it can be made of light synthetic fabric that will dry faster. On the other hand, the second pair for summiting Kilimanjaro should be of warmer material such as wool. 

As for the shirts, include 2 long-sleeved shirts and 3 or 4 short-sleeved ones in your Kilimanjaro packing list. Choose shirts made of light and breathable materials. The best options include polyester, nylon, or spandex.

Footwear

This is the most important item in the Kilimanjaro packing list. After all, you will be spending most of your time trekking up or down the mountain. Your list should include:

• Hiking Boots: The boost you choose to hike Kilimanjaro should have good ankle support and be of medium weight. They also need to be waterproof to protect your feet from moisture. Make sure to wear the boots severally or go for a local area four to six hours hike to test them before the start of the expedition. 
• Trekking Socks: Choose woolen socks from brands like Bridgedale that are fast and effective. Do not pack any cotton socks, however, as they will retain sweat and easily give you blisters. 
• Sneakers (Optional): Sneakers can come in handy when you arrive at the camps and want to take off your hiking boots and let your feet rest. They are also great to wear when exploring the camp surroundings or walking from sleeping tents to the dining areas. 
• Thermal Socks (Optional): These may also prove to be a valuable item during your expedition. Just make sure they are wool and not made of cotton.
• Gaiters (Optional): During the rainy seasons, gaiters can be a good-to-have item. They help in preventing snow, mud, and pebbles from getting inside the boots. 

Headgear 

When it comes to headgear, some are mandatory and others optional. The goal is to keep you protected as much as possible. Consider the following headgear in your Kilimanjaro packing list:

• Beanie: Choose a beanie that is warm enough for the low temperatures and snowy conditions of the mountain’s summit. 
• Sunhat: Make sure it has a neck cover to protect your face and neck from overheating and sunburns. 
• Headlamp: A headlamp is a necessity when hiking Kilimanjaro. You will need it to move around camp to find your tent, anytime you need to go to the bathroom at night, and at the summit night. Make sure it has a light output of at least 90-100 lumens and pack extra batteries with at least 30 hours of life. 
• Sunglasses: Choose sunglasses that provide good UV protection as the UV radiation at the summit is relatively higher. Since the snow at the summit reflects sunlight more, putting on sunglasses is a must to protect your eyes from snow blindness. 
• Neck Warmer (Optional): Helps protect the neck and face in extreme cold conditions, and can be used to fight dust as well. 
• Balaclava (Optional): If you are more susceptible to cold temperatures, you may carry a woolen balaclava to protect your forehead, cheeks, neck, and chin from wind on the summit night.

Gloves

During your Kilimanjaro expedition, you will need two types of gloves. Light inner gloves keep your hands warm from the second day of the hike. Second, you will need outer warm gloves or mittens for the summit night. Again, choose gloves made of good-quality materials like wool or synthetics, and don’t carry any cotton gloves.

Sleeping Bag 

Sleeping bags are an essential item for the tip as they help you keep warm at night. Since the huts or the campsites are not heated, a sleeping bag allows you to adjust to the desired temperature and stay warm. You may also include a sleeping bag liner and an inflatable pillow for more comfort. You can also opt for rent the sleeping bag once here in Tanzania. Speak to your tour consultant for more details.

Trekking Poles

With the average hiking leg on Mountain Kilimanjaro being 7 to 10 kilometres which takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, trekking poles are a must-have. They will give you the much-needed support as you gain elevation and deal with rugged and rocky terrain in some sections. You can also opt for rent the trekking poles once here in Tanzania. Speak to your tour consultant for more details.

Gadgets

A few gadgets may prove to be useful during your expedition. Consider carrying a camera, power banks, MP3 players, and an eBook for reading before bedtime. A smartwatch or altimeter is another worthy addition to track your activity. 

Personal and Medical Items

Additional items that may carry include wet wipes for personal hygiene, a lip screen and sunscreen for the face, and personal medication that you may require. Other items that may come in handy include insect repellent, contractor bags (trash compactor), water purification tools, a toiletry bag, feminine hygiene products, a pee bottle, and a pee funnel (for women). 

Book Your Mountain Kilimanjaro Expedition with Us

If hiking Kilimanjaro is one of the items on your bucket list, book an expedition with Bobby Tours. We will help you prepare for the tour including a more extensive PDF checklist of what to bring and how to prepare for the climb. We will also guide you on how to hire some of the gear and equipment, ensuring you save on your trip. Get in touch with us today for any inquiries and guidance on how to book and prepare for your trip. 

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