How much are you allowed to bring?
The Kilimanjaro National Park enforces a maximum carrying weight of 25kg per porter. This includes 5kg for the porter’s personal gear and 5kg for company gear (such as tents, food, and cooking equipment). As a result, the load allocated for the trekker should not exceed 15kg. This weight includes any equipment or clothing rented from us, as well as any special requests for additional or specific food or clothing. If the weight exceeds 15kg, additional porters can be arranged at USD 10 per porter per day for the duration of the trek.
Please note that we provide sleeping mats to all our climbers, so there is no need to bring one yourself.
Please also note that plastic bags are no longer allowed in Tanzania. Attempting to bring them into the country could result in a heavy fine. While this may be inconvenient, as plastic bags are useful for organizing and waterproofing items in your rucksack, alternatives are available. Reusable bags, particularly zip-lock bags, are permitted and a great substitute. Consider packing these instead.
Basic Equipment
Duffle bag/ rucksacks
This is for carrying your main gear and normally will be carried by a porter. We recommend 60Liters – 80Liters water proof duffel bag/rucksacks
Daypack
You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles will reduce your joint pain. We recommend adjustable trekking poles.
Water bladder/bottles
Highly recommended with a capacity to carry 3 liters of water. Alternatively, you can bring two bottles 1.5L each. We would also recommend bringing an extra 1L bottle in addition to your water bladder.
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.
Sun glass
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)
Hands and Feet 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 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night.
Gaiters
We recommend this to keep your trousers clean from 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.
Upper Body Wear
Thermal base layer
2 thermal base layers, ideally made from merino wool. One to wear on summit night and one to sleep in each night
Short sleeved shirt
2 lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts are sufficient.
Long sleeved 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 real recommended.
Lower Body Wear
Leggings
2 Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs.
Trekking trousers
1 or 2 medium weight trekking trousers is recommended.
Sleeping bag
Choose the warm sleeping bag that will keep you warm during the night.
Hard shell trousers
Wind proof will protect yourself from the elements
Toiletries And Other Stuffs
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 or any other..
Extra bag and padlock
For your extra luggage that will remain at hotel
Packing cubes
Useful for keeping items organized within your duffle bag
Camera and spare batteries for pictures
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, most clients like to bring candy from their home countries too.
Towel
lightweight, quick-dry
Portable power bank and extra one if possible
Rental Equipment
We can rent out a lot of (good quality) essential clothing and equipment. If there is anything you know you need, let us know as soon as possible (together, where necessary, with your size – small, medium, large, XL and XXL) and we will put the items aside for you. Rental equipment costs:
Summit jacket $5 per day
Sleeping bag $5 per day
Head-torch $1 per day
Large kit bag $5 per day
Gloves $2 per day
Walking poles $2 per day
Waterproof jacket/trousers $2/$2 per day
Daypack $3 per day