So you’ve just booked your trip to Kilimanjaro and now you are wondering what to pack? At Earth’s Edge we have over 13 years experience of leading hiking expeditions to some of the most stunning locations in the world! View our full list of expeditions here. Throughout the years we have fine-tuned the perfect Kilimanjaro packing list to ensure that you have everything you need without bringing extra/needless weight.
Wear your equipment in!
If you are buying new equipment for your Kilimanjaro trek, make sure to have it worn in before you go! The last thing you want are blisters on your feet on the highest mountain in Africa, or to discover that your new trekking pants are not as comfortable as they appeared in-store!
Get 15% OFF your hiking gear!
When you sign up for an expedition with us, you are entitled to a 15% discount voucher with our equipment partner, Great Outdoors. This voucher is valid until the day your expedition departs.
Download our full Kilimanjaro Packing List here.
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Footwear
- Walking boots (boots must be worn in before departure)
- Runners or sandals (to wear around the camp)
- Mid-weight hiking socks, at least 3 pairs!
- Lightweight liner socks
Clothing
- Underwear (Synthetic rather than cotton is advisable)
- Shorts (Knee length or below)
- Lightweight trousers
- Synthetic/Wool/Silk Long Johns (for night time and summit night)
- Waterproof trousers (make sure the trousers have zips to the knee at least)
- 2 long sleeve base layers (synthetic, wool or silk)
- 2 short sleeve base layers (synthetic, wool or silk)
- 2 mid-weight fleeces
- A fleece hat
- A buff
Jackets
- A down jacket (heavy weight with a hood, at least 600g)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof poncho
Preparing for the weather
- Sunglasses
- A sun hat with a wind brim
- Lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves
- A pair of down mits
Trekking Equipment
- Walking poles
- Rucksack (30-35 litres to carry equipment you need during the hike, such as snacks, lunch, jacket, camera and water)
- Duffel bag (90 litres, or large rucksack to carry your equipment. We recommend to use something strong as this is carried by the support team, and ensure to leave space while packing for carrying your Thermarest for the duration of the trek)
- Dry bags
- Water bottles (2 x 1-litre nalgenes and 2-litre water bladder) *Disposable plastic water bottles are illegal on the mountain.
Sleeping
- A warm sleeping bag (-15°C or lower)
- A sleeping bag liner (not essential but helps to keep your sleeping bag clean and adds an extra season)
Toiletries & Extras
- Sun cream (at least factor 30)
- SPF lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitisers
- Wet wipes
- Tooth brush
- Small towel for washing
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Clothes to wear after the hike
- Photocopy of travel insurance and passport
- Your vaccination booklet
- Diamox (if you have decided to take it, tablet form not capsules)
- Personal supply of water purification tablets such as iodine or chlorine
- Swimming togs
- Ear plugs
- A camera
- Hand warmer sachets
- Personal snacks (such as sweets, energy bars and chocolate)
Personal First Aid Kit
- Rehydration salts
- Plasters
- Compeed
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Buscopan
- Throat lozenges
- Nazal spray
- Decongestant such as Sudafed
- Antibiotics suitable to treat traveller’s diarrhoea
- Personal Medication (Malaria prophylaxis – consult with your GP)
- Any medication that you carry on a daily basis
- If you suffer from skin conditions, bring appropriate creams.
*For glasses/contact wearers we recommend both glasses and contact lenses. Daily disposable lenses rather than monthly.
