Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an extraordinary adventure, but preparation is key. One of the most common questions we receive as local guides is: what should I pack for Kilimanjaro? Having the right gear not only increases your comfort but also your chances of reaching the summit safely. In this guide, we share our expert Kilimanjaro packing list, built from years of guiding climbers through Tanzania’s highest peak.

Essential Gear for Your Kilimanjaro Climb

Below you’ll find a structured checklist, organized by category. Use this as your go-to reference and even print it to tick items off as you prepare.

Optional Comfort Items

What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag

Airlines occasionally misplace luggage, and while it usually arrives within a day or two, it’s smart to be prepared. We recommend packing a “Kilimanjaro essentials kit” in your carry-on so that even if your main duffel is delayed, you’ll be ready to start your trek without stress.

At JoyTrekking, if your checked bag doesn’t make it to Kilimanjaro Airport with you, don’t worry — it typically arrives on the next flight or within a day or two. Our team will arrange for someone to collect it from the airport and deliver it to you on the mountain, so you can continue your adventure without interruption.

Clothing Layers

Mount Kilimanjaro has five climate zones, from rainforest to arctic summit. Dressing in layers allows you to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

General Advice

It’s important to note that you will need 4 layers of clothing to wear on summit night. It is advisable that you do not wear these prior to summit night so that they are kept clean and dry (it is best to put them in a dry bag to ensure you’re not walking in wet clothes, if it rains heavily in the days running up to summit night).

Packing cubes are very useful (especially if they have a mesh top), so that you can keep items that you need regularly in one place and easily accessible. It also helps that they’re not loosely rolling around in your duffel bag so that you can find them easily.

Also to note is that the Porters are only able to carry 15kg (33lb) and your duffel bags will be weighed at the gate of Mount Kilimanjaro. If your bag weighs more, you will be asked to remove items. We abide by the rules set in place by KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) and we take their rules very seriously because we want our Porters to be as safe, provided for and treated fairly. A happy Porter means a happy client!

We know hiking gear can be a very expensive. Here are a few options available to you:

• You can purchase everything
• You can borrow equipment from friends and family
• You can rent in your home country (we have list of reputable companies in a few different countries – just get in touch with us and we’ll advise you)
• You can rent equipment in Tanzania from us!

Tips from Past Climbers

Here are some items/equipment and tips that past customers have shared with us that have made their climbs up Mount Kilimanjaro more enjoyable:

• Keep some wipes and hand sanitizer in daypack
• Have a few bags for dirty clothes and trash
• Have a shoe bag specifically for your camp shoes and use it at night time to place your hiking boots on so that they’re not getting the inside of your tent dirty
• Have wipes for cleaning yourself in the morning and when you get to camp
• Bring an empty pillow case to put next days clothes in to keep them warm and also to prepare for next day (and put them in your sleeping bag with you!)
• Blow-up pillow for a little bit of luxury (or use your down jacket)
• Hand warmers for summit night (also use them to keep your protein bars from freezing and put hot water in your 1l water bottle, turn it upside down and put it in a sock, then take a handwarmer and put it in between the sock and water bottle to keep it from freezing)
• Solar charger and/or power banks for your phones (you’ll want to take lots of photos and video of your adventure!)
• Wear moisture wicking leggings (ladies) if you feel comfortable in them, you don’t have to wear hiking pants every day
• Get some Injini toe liners if your toes rub together
• I wore a designated pair of socks to sleep in – the trail is very dusty so you won’t want to wear socks to bed that you’ve worn on the trail
• Speaking of the dusty trail, don’t bother wearing shorts, get some cough drops/throat lozenges (like Ricola) the dust gets in your throat and wear a neck gaiter so that you can pull it up over your mouth and nose when it gets really dusty
• A small microfiber cloth for cleaning yourself with the bowl of water you’re given and also for drying yourself
• Diamox (for altitude sickness) and Ibuprofen/Tylenol (for inflammation/muscle aches/headaches)
• You will most likely want to pee in the middle of the night. If you plan on peeing in a bottle in your tent, make sure the bottle is
  • water tight
  • can be stood up easily so you’re not worrying all night about it falling over and spilling over your belongings
  • you can pee into it easily in the dark
• Instead of using toilet paper for peeing (for the ladies) and bringing the tissue back with you to camp, wear a light panty liner (the ones without the wings as they may rub against your legs with all the walking you’re doing), the pad will soak up any pee and you won’t need toilet paper. And you won’t be tempted to litter the mountain (take enough to change two to three times a day)
• If you have long hair, braid it, you will be thankful since it won’t be washed for 8 days
• If you’re adding on a safari, do it first. It will help with jet lag and you won’t be too exhausted to enjoy it post trip
• There is internet on the mountain, but it’s not great. Make sure your phone is unlocked if you want to use eSim. Airalo is a good company to use
• When you’re feeling the start of a headache, as you go up in altitude, drink water (every time you feel the dull headache drink water)
• Bring dollars marked after 2010, bring a combination of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1. If you’re going to exchange them, you get a better rate if you exchange $100 and $50 bills
• Bring tissues and nasal spray for all the dust
• Get some “Openable Metal Curtain Rings with Clips” they’re handy for hanging stuff inside your tent, outside your tent and on your backpack as you walk if needed
• Handkerchief or bandanna tied on daypack for runny nose
• Vaseline or ointment for chaffed nose and hands
• Good ear plugs
• Socks designated just for sleeping
• Lip balm with sunscreen is a must
• Bring sunscreen on summit night, you’ll need it on your way down and don’t forget your sunglasses too!

Let us know in the comments below if you have any more tips for future climbers!

Packing well for Mount Kilimanjaro is about balancing essentials with comfort. With the right gear, you’ll be prepared for everything from humid rainforests to freezing summit nights. Our JoyTrekking team ensures you not only have the right equipment but also the guidance to use it effectively on your climb.

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