Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List
During a day on Kilimanjaro the temperatures can easily range from the high 20’s (centigrade) right down at night to -15c. To cope with this huge range in temperature your clothing and kit strategy needs to be based around combining lots of thin layers that you build up and take off as the weather demands. Kilimanjaro National Park operates an absolutely strict limit of 15kg per porter for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag. This is more than sufficient for your needs on the mountain. Your bag will be weighed before you leave the hotel to start the climb and if it is overweight you will have to take items out and leave them at the hotel.
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What to Wear and Carry
How do you dress to hike through Kilimanjaro’s five climate zones? From the humid, equatorial heat of the rainforest (high of 70-90 degrees) to the peak’s icy drifts (low of -10 degrees), this mountain will require quite a few wardrobe changes.
You will not just change outfits from zone to zone either. Kilimanjaro creates its own weather, and conditions often change within a matter of hours. You will shed layers under the intense midday sun and bundle up when the temperature plummets past sunset. In between, you may experience everything from biting wind to rain and mist to pleasant, mild atmosphere.
Preparing for it all takes some thought. After all, you can only pack so much due to the 33- pound luggage weight needed on the hike.
Note that, if you don’t have all you need, still you should not get worried. We have all Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear for rent and it will suit all your needs.
HEAD WEAR
- Warm winter hat
- Neck gaiter or scarf – We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana as it can get dust on Kilimanjaro
- Sun hat – Choose a hat that is wide-brimmed for protection
- Sunglass – Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high.
- Headlamp – You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. We also recommend having extra batteries (AAA batteries)
UPPER BODY
- Thermal base layer – 1 thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool.
- Short-sleeved shirt: 2 lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts are sufficient.
- Long sleeve shirt – 2 or 3 light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt.
- Fleece or soft shell jacket – A mid-weight fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro
- Insulated jacket – A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push.
- Hard shell outer jacket – A windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements
- Poncho – As Kilimanjaro, weather is unpredictable then poncho is recommended.
- Leggings – 2 Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs
- Trekking trousers: 1 medium weight trekking trousers is recommended.
- Hard shell trousers – Wind proof will protect yourself from the elements
HAND AND FOOT WEAR
- Lightweight Gloves – We recommend this for the lowers slope
- Warm gloves or mittens – For the cold nights and for the summit we recommend heavyweight gloves
- Trekking boots – We recommends using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. We also recommend it to be waterproof
- Gym shoes/sandals – To wear around camp after a day’s trek.
- Socks – We recommend bringing 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing one x thick thermal socks for summit night.
- Gaiters – We recommend this to keep your trousers clean from getting wet and muddy or dusty conditions.
- Micro-spikes/crampon – Not always required, but there are special periods when the mountain receives an excessive amount of ice near the summit.
TOILETRIES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES
- Sun and lip screen – High sun protection factor sunscreen and lip protection balm is recommended
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
- Personal medicines and medical kit – Recommend bringing Paracetamol and Imodium at a minimum
- Extra bag – For your extra luggage that will remain at hotel
- Packing cubes: Useful for keeping items organized within your duffle bag
- Camera and spare batteries
- Plug Adapter – A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the trek. We recommend adapter type G.
- Personal snacks: Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good for Kilimanjaro.
- Towel – lightweight, quick-dry
- Portable power bank and extra one if possible