What kind of gear do I have to put on my Kilimanjaro packing list?
In the following we are checking the Kilimanjaro packing list because if you decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro things are getting serious. Besides the question of How to prepare? you will have to start thinking about your equipment. What kind of shoes? Which food? Which sleeping bag? What else is there to be taken care of?
Efficiency is the key: ‘less is more’. Every gram counts because it has to be carried up to almost 6.000m (well… during your Kilimanjaro climb most of the luggage will be carried by the essential porters but keep in mind that their capacity is limited as well). Unfortunately there won’t be “The Default Kilimanjaro packing list” because everyone has different requirements like medication or other needs.
General stuff to put on your packing list
First of all you’ll need your passport, your vaccination status, insurance and some money/your Visa card. Because without passport or vaccination status you won’t be able to enter Tanzania. Additionally travel insurance is a must-have in case of an emergency.
And I recommend about 500 US-$ in cash because you will be able to pay with US-$ almost everywhere. During my stay in Tanzania I didn’t pay in the local currency (Tanzanian Shillings) once. Even the tips after your climb are given in US-$.
During your arrival you probably don’t want to wear your climbing clothes. And you definitely don’t want to wear your used climbing clothes during departure. Therefore you’ll need a set of comfortable clothes for the journey and your stay at the hotel. Comfortable trainers are also highly recommended. Also for the camps during the climb because getting out of your hiking boots in the evening is a real blessing.
Equipment to choose for Mount Kilimanjaro
For your ascent you will need slightly more: first, well worn-in hiking boots and two backpacks. One daily backpack (ca. 30 – 45 litres) which you will carry on your own during the whole ascent and one trekking backpack (60 – 80 litres) which will be carried for you by the porters. Regarding the hiking boots there is no need for the newest high-end model. Crampons aren’t needed. They have to be worn-in and fit you well. But you shouldn’t use the cheapest model either as the material is exposed to crushed stone during the ascent and especially during the descent. And you definitely don’t want your hiking boots give up half way down (or up).
Regarding clothing the “onion principle” has proofed to be the way to go because at the bottom of the mountain temperatures can go up to 30°C whereas at the summit temperatures can decrease to -20 °C. During my own summit night I wore seven layers and it was neither too cold nor too warm:
- long thermal undershirt
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 pullover
- 1 down jacket
- 1 windbreaker jacket
While you climb Mount Kilimanjaro the risk for high altitude sickness increases with every step you take. In addition to acclimatising during your trek, walking pole, pole (Swahili for slowly, slowly) and drinking a whole lot of water has been proofed to be efficient prophylaxis. I drank around 4 litres per day. Instead of carrying several bottles I would recommend a water bladder because a water bladder can be put into your backpack and you’ll be able to drink while walking. Especially when reaching higher altitudes putting your backpack down and on again can be quite exhausting.
A warming sleeping bag will be essential for the night and definitely needs to be put on your packing list. If you’re shopping for sleeping bags you will stumble upon different information regarding temperatures. I recommend the comfort temperature as benchmark. It should be at least -15°C. Ask your agency if you can rent sleeping bags as they can cost a fortune.
What exactly has to be packed for Mount Kilimanjaro?
In addition to worn in hiking boots, clothes and all the other stuff I just mentioned everybody has to decide individually what additional items are useful and/or needed during the trip. For example:
- powerbank (for your smartphone, smartwatch, etc.)
- a book
- notepad and a pen
- energy bars and snacks, because your appetite will drop dramatically while increasing altitude – especially during summit night a handful of energy bars can turn out to be a real life saver.
I like to provide my personal packing list in the following and hopefully for someone it will come in handy:
| Amount | What should I take? |
|---|---|
| In general | |
| 1x | backing pack (30-45 litres) for your daily treks |
| 1x | big travel bag or big backing pack (60 – 80 litres) |
| 1x | passport + 1 copy, tickets |
| 1x | travel insurance which will take you home in case of an emergency |
| money, Visa card | |
| Arrival/departure | |
| 1x | comfortable trainers |
| 3x | comfortable clothes for arrival, departure and staying at the hotel |
| clothing + sleeping | |
| 1x | hiking boots (comfortable, worn in!) |
| 3x | hiking socks (recommended: merino wool) |
| 3x | underpants (short und 1x long for summit night) |
| 2x | breathable t-shirts (short) |
| 1x | breathable shirt (long) |
| 1x | pair of breathable pants |
| 2x | warm cap |
| 1x | wind- and waterproof gloves (especially for summit night) |
| 1x | light gloves |
| 1x | wind- and waterproof pants |
| 1x | wind- and waterproof jacket |
| 1x | down jacket |
| 1x | sleeping bag (comfort temperature at least -15 °C) |
| 1x | sleeping mat |
| 1x | trekking poles |
| Other / important items | |
| 1x | toiletry bags + content |
| div. | regular und blister pads |
| 1x | soap |
| 1x | small towel |
| 1x | sun lotion (at least sun protection factor 50) |
| 1x | sun glasses |
| div. | individual snacks (energy bars, nuts, etc.) |
| 2x | headlamp + backup batteries |
| 1x | water bottle (recommended: water bladder) |
| 1x | iPod, etc. |
| 1x | notepad + pen |
| 1x | vaccination status |
| 1x | smartphone + charging cable |
| 1x | smartwatch + charging cable |