What Gear Do I Need to Bring?

Kilimanjaro treks have a wide range of temperatures so the best clothing is a lot of thin layers. Such clothing is easier to adjust as the temperature fluctuates and is more effective than a few thick items of clothing. Special attention should be made to the fabric of base and middle layers; these garments should be constructed of moisture wicking material that effectively pull sweat away from the body to keep you dry. Cotton is a very poor fabric for trekking and should not be worn.

Porter loads are limited by our standards of porter treatment as well as by Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Each client should bring a maximum of 15kg (33lbs) of luggage for porters to carry onto Kilimanjaro, so please choose your gear sparingly. You will need to bring at least 2 bags. One should be a daypack which you will carry during your hike. The second bag can be a duffle bag or a backpack. This bag should be slightly larger, from 75L to 90L. Think of your first bag, your daypack as your carry on luggage. You will have access to this bag during the entire day as you hike. This daypack will weigh about 15lbs. It will contain your water, your lunch, snacks, raingear, camera and maybe an extra layer of clothing.

Your second bag is like a check-in bag. You will give this bag to a porter in the morning and he will carry it from campsite to campsite. You will not have access to this bag during the day. It will be waiting for you inside your tent when you arrive at your campsite. This bag will contain all your other clothing and toiletries. If it is a duffle bag, it does not need to be waterproof as the porters will put it inside another larger waterproof bag. If it is a backpack, it should have a rain cover because the porter will most likely wear it as a backpack as he carries it. Any items that are not needed for the climb at all can be safely stored in the hotel.

Kilimanjaro Gear List – The Complete Kilimanjaro Packing List

This below is complete and reliable kit for climbing Kilimanjaro and Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional.

Buying vs. Renting

Typically there are two types of trekker, those who are underprepared and those who are over prepared for the climb.

 If you forget to buy some of the gear you can always rent , ask for help from your tour guide operator.

Kilimanjaro Gear List

Here is a quick list of all the gear that you need to pack for your Kilimanjaro trek.

Clothing

• 4-5 Pairs of Underwear

• Top and Bottom Base Layer 

• 3-4 Short Sleeve and 1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts

• 1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers

• 1 Polartec Fleece Jacket 

• 1 Insulated Winter Jacket 

• 1 Insulated Trekking Pants

• 1 Hard Shell Jacket 

• Lightweight Rain Gear

Headgear

• Sun Hat, ideally with a neck cover

• Warm Beanie or Fleece Headband

• Bandana or Neck Gaiter 

• Headlamp

• Sunglasses

Hands and Walking

• Lightweight Inner Gloves

• Warm Outer Gloves / Mitts 

• Adjustable Trekking Poles 

Footwear

• Mid-weight Hiking Boots 

• Camp Trainers / Trekking Sandals

• 4-5 Pairs of Trekking Socks 

• 1 Pair of Warm / Thick Trekking Socks

 

Bags and Daypack 

• 80-90L Waterproof Duffle Bag 

• 20-30L Daypack

• Daypack Rain Cover

• Travel Bag Organisers (Optional)

Sleeping Accessories 

• 4-Season Sleeping Bag 

• Insulated Sleeping Mat

• Inflatable Pillow (optional)

General Accessories

• Large Volume Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder 

• Water Purification Tablets

• Baby Wipes

• Sweat Resistant Sun Cream

• Blister Plasters

• Insect Repellant

• General Medications (Paracetamol, Imodium)

• Pee Bottle (optional)

Technology

• Camera

• GoPro (optional)

• Solar Backpack Charger (optional)

• Spare Batteries and Camera Memory Card

• Kindle with BackLight (optional)

Other accessories

• Energy Bars

• Energy Drink Supplement

• Zip Lock Bags for Important Possessions (Passport, Money etc.)

• Trekking Towel

• Toiletries, including one roll of toilet paper

• Passport, Visa, Insurance, Yellow Fever Card (if applicable)

• Small Lock for your Duffle Bag.

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What is the Weather on Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is big enough to have its own weather pattern.

Due to Tanzania’s proximity to the equator (between 1 and 11.45 degrees latitude south of the Equator and 29.20 and 40.35 degrees longitudes east), this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. The local Weather conditions on Kilimanjaro can be somewhat unpredictable to say the very least. Rainfall varies from 2100 mm per year in the rainforest belt to less than 120 mm per year in the summit zone. Similarly, daily temperature changes are unexpected when compared to normal weather cycles, and are largely dependent on Altitude

Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (27°C to 32°C). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones. At the summit, Uhuru Peak, the night time temperatures can range between 0°F to -15F (-18°C to -26°C). This make Kilimanjaro weather very dynamic and you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (27°C to 32°C). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones. At the summit, Uhuru Peak, the night time temperatures can range between 0°F to -15F (-18°C to -26°C). This make Kilimanjaro weather very dynamic and you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

NB: Provided that February through May is long rain season mountaineers climb this mountain to the top without any problem so long as they have all required climbing gears.

Weather Conditions near the base of the mountain tend to be tropical to semi-temperate and are relatively stable all year round. The lower plains are hot and dry with average temperatures of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As one heads away from the Lower Plains towards the Rain Forest, conditions become increasingly warm and humid.

Mount Kilimanjaro is divided into five distinct zones: Cultivated farmlands on the lowest levels, next is the rainforest zone, followed by heath and moorland with alpine vegetation, and just before the barren, snowy summit is lunar-like desert. The climate and animal life is dependent on the zone.

Training for Kilimanjaro Climbing

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and hiking to the peak is a challenge that should not be underestimated. With all the information you could possibly gather, added to being physically prepared, one’s chances of reaching the summit is substantially increased. Stamina and mental determination to a great extent, will determine whether or not you will be successful in you quest to conquer the Roof of Africa. Being physically prepared for the trek will also greatly contribute to the level of your perseverance, confidence and personal enjoyment.

Have a minimum of 8 days on the mountain

 Pick a minimum of 8 days climbing Kilimanjaro. If you are signing up to a group trip with random people you need a minimum of 8 days on the mountain. Really everyone should have a minimum of 8 days on the mountain. Any less and you will  run the high risk of getting AMS (high altitude sickness). Your chances of success go down drastically if you spend less days on Kilimanjaro. Having the best acclimatization should be your number one concern.

Build the right training program

You need to be building up your preparation 3 to 6 months ahead of your climb. If you do not have access to hills and mountains you need to really focus on how you are going to get the strength and conditioning for the climb.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is in fact just one long hike. The best way to prepare for a long hike is to do a few yourself.

We recommend doing at least two long distance hikes (over 5 hours). If you can do back to back days that would be even better.Doing a few practices hikes as part of your training to climb Kilimanjaro has a few benefits:

• You get to experience what a 5 hour hike on difficult terrain feels like, going up and down (for most people going down is often more grueling as your knees and joints can take a battering)

• You get to wear in your boots. There is nothing worse than arriving in Kilimanjaro with unworn-in boots. This can seriously stymie your summit attempt as you will get blisters and sore feet early on in your hike.

Having the wrong gear can ruin your trip

Make sure you have the right clothing. Having the right sleeping bag and air mattress is really important on Kilimanjaro. You will need to be getting as much sleep as possible.It is really important to be as comfortable as possible. You need the right layers, down jacket, gloves, trekking boots, backpacks and smaller key items.

Mental Stamina

So often the thing that gets climbers to the top of Kilimanjaro is there mental stamina. There will be times during the summit night that you will want to give up and go back down.

There are activities to train your mental stamina. Most require some form of pushing your body to the extreme, or to what you think your limits are, and then pushing through to accomplish your goal.

We recommend long distance running, particularly marathons, but half marathons can do the same thing if you are not accustomed to running long distance.

Strength Training

Aerobic training (also known as cardio) uses oxygen to adequately meet the energy demands of exercise via aerobic metabolism. The types of exercise that use aerobic metabolism are generally light-to-moderate intensity activities like long distance jogging, swimming, cycling and walking.

In addition to aerobic exercise you should also be doing light strength training, particularly for your legs, core and upper body.

In terms of your legs we suggest the following exercises:

• Lunges

• Squats

• Front and Reverse Leg-curls (thigh muscles and hamstrings)

• Step aerobics.