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It doesn’t sound wise to plan your Mt Kilimanjaro climb without making a list of Kilimanjaro climbing gear. Kilimanjaro is on the bucket list of every new and seasoned hiker. Towering at 19,341 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and one of the world’s seven summits.
This majestic mountain has five ecological zones, while adverse weather conditions and altitude sickness are the forerunners of most hikers. At high altitude, the weather is extremely cold, which requires proper clothing and hiking gear to survive.
If you are planning to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, then carefully choose the best Mt Kilimanjaro equipment to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
Organized trips, such as supported Kilimanjaro climbs, involve a large team, including guides and cooks, as well as porters who carry your main bag, as well as tents, kitchen equipment, food, fuel, tables and chairs, and the Kilimanjaro climber. equipment list. While this makes it easier for you to conserve energy and focus on successfully reaching the summit, it does mean that there is a weight limit that must be met. It’s also important to be aware of the porters’ well-being while climbing, so overpacking is key, and bags are top of a Kilimanjaro climber’s gear list.
Porters are not allowed to carry more than 20kg in total and this allowance needs to include space for their own belongings. So make sure your bag does not exceed the weight of 15kg.
The Chagga porters carry bags on their heads, so no hard cases, please.
We rent out the Highlander Lomond Bag which you can pick up in Moshi when you arrive. Note that these bags will go into another large sack which the porters carry, in order to protect your bag further from the elements
This is the bag you will carry every day on your back, so make sure it has room for essentials such as water bottles, spare layers, waterproofs, cameras, etc. We rent out the Vorlich 40L day pack which has its own rain cover and is perfect for a trip like this.
Make sure all your contents are wrapped in waterproof bags to keep them dry. Use them also to store used clothes during the trek. We have various sizes for rent.
We will put your main bag into additional waterproof sacks in case of rain but make sure you bring a cover for your day pack which we also rent out.
Bring one other bag or case to leave in the hotel with your travel clothes inside. Some people use this as their hold bag and then transfer the Kilimanjaro clothes and kit to a rented duffle when they arrive.
Make sure you pack a sleeping bag on your Kilimanjaro Mountaineer gear list. Choosing a sleeping bag and sleeping accessories depends on your personal needs and preferences.
3 Season sleeping bags are sufficient for the warmer months but if you get cold easily, especially during the colder months around October through the new year it’s better to upgrade to a 4 season sleeping bag or use a 3 season bag with a fleece liner. We rent out sleeping bags which are 4-season bags rated to minus 5C, which come with cotton liners to keep the bag clean.
Liners provide added warmth and a good fleece one will convert a 3-season bag to a 4-season bag. Silk is also warm and less bulky. We also recommend a cotton liner to keep your sleeping bag clean.
These are not required for Climbing Kilimanjaro Gear List, but are an option for those who desire extra insulation for their sleeping bag. The foam mattresses we provide do work, but obviously, an extra layer of insulation is that much warmer and more comfortable. Inflatable Thermarests or lightweight Exped mats are fine but they tend to slide over the mattress, so a closed-cell camping mat is actually the best.
Pillows are very useful and the soft ones are easily packed small, or else make a pillow out of your clothing.
You are likely to want to go to the toilet at night and wear something in the sleeping bag, but keep it lightweight and not too tight. Remember sleeping bags are designed to work best without wearing layers or socks, but a T-shirt and leggings or thermal bottoms will be fine to pack on your Kilimanjaro climb gear list. If you do get cold then put your day sack between the end of the sleeping bag and the tent wall, and wear a hat.
Because of Kilimanjaro’s altitude above sea level, the mountain creates its own microclimate above cloud level, which is cold and highly variable. You are always exposed to the elements and your body will experience quite a wide range of daily temperatures, from 18°C in the rainforest to minus 5°C at the summit, which can easily drop with the wind. Having the right clothing on your Kilimanjaro climbing gear list is essential, and the trick is to use a layer system that can be added or removed as conditions change. A slight change in clothing will be required each day, with warmer layers, gloves and a hat as you go higher.
Choose a breathable outer ‘shell’ layer like Goretex on your kilimanjaro climb gear list as this will help to wick out any moisture and keep you dry inside. Make sure it has a hood and that you can fit your other layers of fleece and lightweight down underneath comfortably.
A down jacket or a thick fleece is essential for summit night and for the evenings. If you take a lightweight down jacket then you will probably need a fleece jacket as well (plus the outer shell over the top). Remember that synthetic down remains warm if it’s damp or wet and is probably the better option.
You will need a mid-layer fleece or equivalent jumper for use over T-shirts and under the jacket. One or two will be enough.
Base layers or thermals are lightweight and add a vital warm layer on cold evenings and summit nights. Women bring leggings too which are also good for the first few days of walking.
Good quality walking trousers, preferably made of a quick dry material. Remember cotton does not dry quickly and jeans are not good for mountain hiking. Many trekking trousers have zips to convert into shorts or take a separate pair of shorts for the forest stage. One or two pairs will be enough.
Two or three trekking shirts or tops for the first few days, avoiding cotton. T-shirts and sports tops also work but will probably need a fleece layer on top for when you stop. Choose short or long-sleeved.
It’s best to have a clean pair every day. Cotton will get damp and uncomfortable so opt for synthetic or merino wool and remember a dry bag to keep used clothes inside your duffle. Merino is a natural fiber that is naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, insulates when wet, and dries fast. It is soft and comfortable against the skin and not too hot in warm temperatures. Synthetic (mix of nylon and spandex) is also soft, comfortable, breathable and fast drying, and cheaper than merino. Consider a fitted style like hipster or bikini briefs that won’t ride up or chafe. For men, the same principle applies, and best to avoid loose shorts which can bunch up.
Fleece gloves, preferably with a waterproof outer, and thin inner gloves are both essential on kilimanjaro climb gear list for climbing Kilimanjaro, but on summit night a pair of mitts are best for keeping hands warm. We rent out waterproof gloves and fleece gloves.
Half of our body heat is lost through our head, so it is essential to keep your head warm when trekking Kilimanjaro. On the flip side, there is also the risk of sunstroke and sunburn due to the intense UV radiation at high altitudes.
The Buff® is ubiquitous on treks and climbs and is very useful to protect the face from sun and dust and wind. They can be made of stretchy thin material or fleece. You can use a scarf or snood equally well.
Eye protection is vital, as the UV rays are particularly strong even in clouds. UV400 sunglasses are a must and try to take a pair that have side protection. Be careful of prescription glasses that change color, they normally do not provide enough UV protection and the lenses often aren’t big enough to prevent the rays from getting into the eyes.
One of the biggest risks of climbing Kilimanjaro is exposure to the sun and possible heat stroke through the top of the head. A sun hat must be worn at all times if it’s sunny and if it has a brim all the better to protect the back of your neck.
When the weather turns cold you’ll need to keep the heat in your body with a warm thermal hat. Make sure it covers your ears and isn’t too tight.
Optional for music fans who like to zone out to their favorite album or doze off to podcasts at night, but also very useful against the noises of other hikers who snore.
You can wear contact lenses on Kilimanjaro without any problem, the altitude and low pressure will not affect the fit of your lenses. The biggest issue is hygiene and handling the lenses in a tent, and also dryness of the eye caused by the wind and dry air. Dailies are easier but take saline drops as well as your usual cleaning liquids, and your glasses.
Foot care is important for climbing. Proper care and preparation will save you from pain and blisters, so trim your nails and keep your feet clean and dry before you go. The loose powder is also very good, but don’t forget to wash it off at the end of the day. Take some bubble wrap just in case and change your socks every day.
Leather boots are best, make sure they are well covered in dubbin to keep the water out. Fabric boots will get wet if it rains heavily but the Goretex-lined ones will stay dry in a shower. Boots should have proper ankle support and a stiff midsole so the boot doesn’t bend too much. You can read more about boots in our trekking boot guide. Remember also that your feet will swell at altitude and after days of walking so check first that you have some space for movement at home with your summit socks on.
The terrain is quite unforgiving on Kilimanjaro so do bring spare bootlaces. Also if your feet do get damp then one option is to put in a spare dry footbed the next morning.
Trekking socks for the early days will be fine – one pair per day for the first 5 days- but for the summit night a woolen mix is warmest, but check they fit comfortably in your boot with no tightness. Socks can be long or short.
Change out of boots when you get to camp and let them air out. Bring a pair of camp shoes such as trainers or lightweight walking shoes or sandals. You will also use these for toilet visits at night.
Make sure you have a bottle as you’ll need to stay hydrated. Platypus or camelbacks are fine too, but the tubes may freeze on summit day and must be insulated. Note that disposable plastic bottles are now illegal on Kilimanjaro and will attract a fine from the Rangers.
On summit night you will want a hot drink to keep warm and hydrated. The guides carry large thermos flasks but you may want to bring a half-liter or one-liter flask of your own. We rent these out.
These are very useful on the first day in the forest if it is raining hard and too hot to wear waterproofs, and on the second day if there is no wind. Higher up on windless sunny days, they are again useful. We rent out large-good quality umbrellas.
These are very useful but especially for the descent which is on loose scree. Anyone worried about their knees should take a pair, preferably with suspension. We rent out poles from Moshi.
Ideal for those who have poor circulation or get cold easily. The charcoal ones that react with oxygen don’t work as well because of the high altitude and lack of oxygen in the air, but they are certainly useful for your hands inside your mitts on summit night.
Lightweight and dries quickly. Optional.
We do provide toilet rolls but you may wish to include your ownas well on your kilimanjaro climb gear list. If you do then please bring recycled toilet paper and keep it in a plastic bag.
There are almost no mosquitos on Kilimanjaro due to the height above sea level. However, there are mosquitos in Tanzania so repellent sprays are recommended for when you first arrive and finish descending on your Gear for Climbing Kilimanjaro.
There will be time to relax in the evenings, so include a book or kindle, a deck of cards, or a small games on your Kilimanjaro climb gear list.
The best padlocks are protected by a security code rather than a key.
Look for the type G plug adaptor to use in the hotel in Tanzania.
Don’t forget a photocopied version (and also a photo on your phone) in case of loss/theft.
This is only needed for entering Tanzania if you are coming from or via a country where there is yellow fever, for example, if you visited Kenya beforehand.
Keep a paper copy as well as a digital copy in case you can’t access your phone.
Make sure you include cash on your Kilimanjaro climb gear list as well as credit cards. The hotel takes cards for paying your bar bills, and in the town, you will spend mostly Tanzanian shillings. You can change sterling or euros but US dollars are most common.
Keep a paper copy because airport security like to see it when you enter the airport on the way home.
Wild and Nature Safaris is a Tanzanian-owned safari company created from our love for adventure, nature, and our beautiful country. We are based in East Africa and we offer unforgettable safaris to Tanzania’s top destinations — including the famous Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.
