What you pack for your Kilimanjaro trek plays a crucial role in ensuring your health, comfort, and the success of your adventure. To help you prepare, we’ve created a detailed packing list outlining everything you’ll need and why it’s essential. Use this checklist as your guide for planning and packing for your unforgettable Kili journey!
On a Kilimanjaro trek, you’ll journey from the hot, humid rainforest to icy, glacier-filled heights. This incredible diversity means you’ll need hiking gear suited for multiple climates!
Packing for such an adventure can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Our detailed packing guide simplifies the process, ensuring you have everything you need for a successful climb. Follow our checklist, and you’ll be fully prepared to take on Kilimanjaro with confidence.
We begin with a packing checklist you can print and use while preparing for your trip. Following that, we provide detailed guidance and tips for each item to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Trekking poles | Sleeping bag |
Sleeping mat | Backpack |
Backpack rain cover | Dry bags |
Duffel bag | Hydration pack with hose |
Water bottles | Hiking boots |
Sneakers | Thermal long-sleeved vests |
Long johns | Fleece |
Sports underwear | Socks |
Winter jacket | Waterproof jacket |
Waterproof overpants | Hiking trousers |
Gaiters | Sunhat |
Warm hat | Balaclava or snood |
Head torch and spare batteries | Gloves or mittens |
Glove inners | Sunglasses |
Toilet roll | Tissues |
Toothbrush | Eco toothpaste |
Wet wipes | Small microfibre towel |
SPF lip balm | Moisturiser |
Sunscreen | First aid kit |
Insect repellent | Altitude meds |
Urinating device (for women) | Pee cloth (for women) |
Camera or cellphone | Powerbank |
Small binoculars | Passport |
Visa | Small pillow or pillowcase |
Hot water bottle | Snacks |
Electrolyte flavour sachets | Small game or book |
Journal and pen | Safety pins, gaffer tape and cable ties |
Universal adapter (if necessary) | Mini battery-operated lamp |
A sleeping bag liner is an excellent addition to your gear for hygiene and added warmth. Whether using your sleeping bag or a rented one, a liner helps keep it clean and offers an extra insulation at night. Thermal liners are especially beneficial in cold conditions.
Your backpack becomes an essential companion during a Kilimanjaro climb, so it needs to be comfortable and practical. It will carry everything you need during the day, including snacks, drinking water, a camera, and extra clothing layers.
When choosing a backpack, prioritize quality and functionality:
Prepare for your climb by doing training hikes with your backpack. This will allow you to test its comfort and get used to the weight of the items you’ll carry, such as water and other essentials. Practice carrying the whole load to ensure you’re ready for the trek’s demands.
While many outdoor backpacks come with a built-in rain cover, we strongly recommend packing one even if your backpack claims to be water-resistant. A fitted rain cover keeps your gear dry and prevents the hassle of carrying a wet, heavy pack on the mountain. A built-in rain cover isincrediblyy convenient, as it’s perfectly sized and impossible to leave behind.
Choose wisely, prepare thoroughly, and ensure your backpack works for you—it’s your lifeline on the trek!
Every Kilimanjaro trekker needs to carry 2–3 liters of water daily. While your mountain crew provides water for the entire trek, you are responsible for carrying your daily supply in suitable water vessels.
Staying hydrated is absolutely essential during your climb. The physical activity demands plenty of water, and proper hydration helps alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Many hiking backpacks are designed with built-in hydration packs, such as CamelBak water bladders. These packs include a drinking hose, allowing you to sip water easily without needing to reach for a bottle. Frequent sips are crucial—if you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!
On cold days, especially during the summit push, it’s important to insulate your hydration pack to prevent the water from freezing.
Pack about three long-sleeved thermal vests with excellent sweat-wicking properties for your Kilimanjaro trek. One vest should be saved specifically for summit day, as it is the longest hike of the journey, lasting 12 to 15 hours! Having a fresh, dry layer for this challenging day is essential.
Your thermal vests serve as your base layer, so choose breathable fabrics that allow moisture to escape and help regulate your body temperature. Avoid materials like cotton that take a long time to dry, as this can lead to chills when you stop moving.
Merino wool and bamboo are great natural fabric options, while synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or MicroModal are also good choices.
For your long johns, select comfortable, sweat-wicking fabrics, just like your thermal vests. These will sit against your skin all day and need to stay dry to help maintain your body temperature. Materials such as fleece are ideal for comfort and moisture control.
Your middle layer, worn over your base layer, should be comfortable and allow for easy movement. A thin fleece jacket or parka is an excellent choice for this layer.
Bring multiple pairs of sports underwear for comfort during your trek. Opt for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics instead of cotton. Avoid wearing new underwear, as you want to be sure it’s comfortable after hours of movement.
Bring several pairs of socks, including three types:
A high-quality winter jacket is essential for your Kilimanjaro climb. The first few days are warm, so you can keep it in your duffel bag, but once you reach the moorland zone, you’ll need it, especially in the alpine desert zone. It’s also invaluable in the evenings at camp.
Down is the best filler for a winter jacket due to its lightweight, compressible, and insulating properties. This is the material we use in Great Image Expedition winter jackets.
As you ascend Kilimanjaro, a warm hat, like a beanie, is essential. Not only will it keep you warm during the climb, but you can also wear it while sleeping to prevent heat from escaping through your head.
For summit day, a thermal balaclava is highly recommended to keep your head, ears, and neck warm. Alternatively, a scarf or a thick snood is a great option, as it stays securely in place without slipping off or fluttering in the wind.
A head torch is an invaluable tool during your Kilimanjaro climb. It helps you navigate the camp in the dark, especially when leaving for the summit at midnight. You’ll also use it in the evenings, so don’t forget to bring spare batteries – they’re essential!
Interested in a full moon climb? The moonlight might guide your way to the summit!
Winter gloves (or ski gloves) are a must to keep your hands warm during the climb. For summit day, mittens are a great option since they keep all your fingers together for added warmth. However, if you prefer fingered gloves, make sure they’re high-quality and well-insulated to keep your hands comfortable while still allowing for some dexterity.
For summit day, one pair of gloves isn’t enough. Bring along some glove liners, or inners, to keep your hands and fingers from turning into icicles.
Polarized sunglasses or ski glasses are a must— and not just to look cool in photos!
When you reach the Arctic zone on summit day, you’ll encounter snow and glaciers. The sun’s rays reflect off the snow, which can lead to snow blindness— a temporary but painful condition caused by overexposure to UV light. To avoid this, make sure your sunglasses provide full protection.
If you tend to lose your glasses easily, consider bringing a sunglasses cord or even ski goggles for extra security.
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Here are a few additional items you might want to consider adding to your Kilimanjaro packing list. While not essential, they can certainly enhance your climbing experience.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
Small pillow | It’s important to set yourself for as good sleep as possible |
Pillow case | This could be stuffed with clothes and then you don’t even need a pillow |
Hot water bottle | Your crew will fill this for you at night |
Favourite snacks | These offer a physical but also emotional boost when you’re flagging |
Electrolyte flavour sachets* | For adding to your drinking water |
Playing cards or other games | There’s time in the evenings for this |
Book or e-reader | Ditto |
Journal and pen | You won’t remember all the details unless you write them down! |
Safety pins, gaffer tape and cable ties | In case a zip breaks, a jacket rips, etc. |
Plug adapter (and converter too if necessary) | Can be stored at the hotel during your climb |
Mini battery-operated lamp | Can sit flush on the ground to cast light all about your tent |
* The mountain crew uses water-purifying tablets to ensure the water they provide is safe to drink. While the water is safe, the tablets can affect the taste. Some climbers prefer to add flavor sachets to improve the taste, and adding electrolytes to your water is also a great idea for staying hydrated and energized.
Our top priority is ensuring you stay warm, safe, and healthy throughout your climb. We’re so committed to your well-being that we include the following essential equipment in all of our Kilimanjaro packages at no additional cost:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
Sleeping tent | We provide clients with high-quality, four-season mountain tents. Each tent sleeps two people, so please note that you’ll be sharing your tent with one other person (unless you request a single supplement). |
Great Image Expedition toilet | We supply our climbers with a private toilet that’s housed in a little tent. This is more hygienic than using the communal ablutions. There’s one toilet tent for every eight climbers. |
Sleeping bag | You need a sleeping bag that can handle below-freezing conditions. We provide each client with a season four sleeping bag for use on the trip. |
A sleeping mat | We provide you with a padded mat for the trip. This affords you a comfy, more insulated sleeping spot. |
We also provide clients with the following items, but please note the rental fees attached to each:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
Down jacket | We supply high-quality down jackets that can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). These red-and-black branded jackets can be rented from Great Image Expedition for US$65 for the duration of the climb. We highly recommend these to ensure you stay warm enough! |
Trekking poles | We can rent you high-quality, collapsible trekking poles for US$20 for the trip. |
We recommend you use our equipment for the above items as they adhere to our Kilimanjaro safety guidelines. But do, of course, feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
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