Kilimanjaro Packing List: What I Used and What I Would Leave at Home

Packing for Kilimanjaro is not only about preparing for cold weather. During a single climb, you pass through several climate zones, from the humid rainforest near Marangu Gate to freezing temperatures on summit night.

That means packing for rain, sun, wind and cold—while keeping everything within the weight limit set for the porters.

Our guides came to the hotel before the climb and checked every piece of equipment. Anything we did not need could remain safely at the hotel. The same worked in reverse: if something important was missing or unsuitable, there was still time to rent it before leaving for Marangu Gate.

Some things stayed in my duffel bag for most of the climb, while others became essential long before we reached Kibo Hut.

The porters carried our large duffel bags, while we carried only our daypacks. However, the duffel bag, sleeping bag and everything packed inside had to remain within the permitted weight limit. Your daypack still needs to hold several liters of water, snacks, rain protection and the extra layers you may need before reaching the next hut.

Still Choosing Your Kilimanjaro Climb?

Still Choosing Your Kilimanjaro Climb?

There are many Kilimanjaro operators and climbing packages available, so take some time to research the options before making a decision. Compare the number of acclimatization days, what equipment is included, park fees, hotel nights and the operator’s porter policy.

If you need a starting point, you can browse and compare current climbs here:

• Compare Kilimanjaro climbs on GetYourGuide
• Compare Kilimanjaro climbs on Viator

Here is everything I packed for Kilimanjaro—and a few things I would leave at home next time.

Travel Documents and Money

Valid passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your visa application and have at least one unused visa page. Check it early. A packing list will not help much if your passport expires before the trip.

Tanzanian visa

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to apply for an eVisa or obtain a visa on arrival. I recommend arranging it online before traveling. There are already enough things to think about before climbing Kilimanjaro. Standing in another queue and wondering whether all your documents are correct does not need to be one of them.

Apply only through the official Tanzania Immigration website, which also lists the nationalities eligible for a visa on arrival.

Flight information

This one sounds obvious, but double-check your flight dates, arrival times, time zones and whether the ticket shows a.m. or p.m. Trust me: when several flights, airport transfers and hotel bookings are involved, almost anything can happen.

Keep your return or onward ticket accessible as well, as Tanzania Immigration may request it when you enter the country.

eSIM or local SIM card

I like to have internet access whenever I travel. In recent years, I have mostly used eSIMs because I can arrange everything before departure without looking for a physical SIM card after landing.

The signal on Kilimanjaro is inconsistent and often weak, so do not expect to remain connected throughout the climb. Still, whenever the signal appeared, it was useful for sending a quick message home and letting our families know that everything was going according to plan.

Nomad eSIM currently offers prepaid eSIM plans for Tanzania. Check that your phone supports eSIMs and install yours before departure while you still have a reliable internet connection. If your phone is not compatible, you can purchase a local physical SIM card after arriving in Tanzania.

Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking

Your regular travel insurance may not cover trekking at 5,895 meters, mountain rescue or emergency evacuation. Read the altitude limits and exclusions carefully.

I am a member of an alpine club, and travel insurance is included in my membership. If you are also a member of an alpine or mountaineering club, check what your membership covers. Otherwise, choose travel insurance that specifically covers high-altitude trekking, rescue and emergency evacuation.

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Vaccination documents and Zanzibar insurance

Most travelers do not fly to Tanzania only to climb Kilimanjaro. They often combine the climb with a safari, Zanzibar or both.

Vaccination requirements depend on where you are traveling from and where you have recently spent time. For example, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including certain long airport transits. Check the requirements for your complete itinerary and speak to a travel doctor before departure.

If you are traveling to Zanzibar, you must also purchase Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound travel insurance. It can be arranged through the official Zanzibar insurance website.

If you are spending a few days in Zanzibar after the climb, you can also browse Zanzibar tours and activities here.

Cash and bank cards

You will not need a credit card on the mountain but bring enough cash for tips. Tipping the guides, cook, waiter and porters is customary at the end of a Kilimanjaro climb.

Ask your operator how many crew members will accompany your group and what tipping system they recommend. Current guidelines usually calculate tips by role and per day for the entire climbing group—not as one fixed amount per traveler.

As a rough example, common group rates are approximately:

• Lead guide: US$20–25 per day
• Assistant guide: US$15–20 per day
• Cook: US$12–20 per day
• Porter: US$6–10 per day

There were two climbers and eight crew members in our group. For our five-day climb, we gave approximately €500 in total. The amount will vary depending on the length of the climb, number of climbers and size of the crew, so discuss it with your agency before arriving.

Copies of important documents

Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, visa, insurance policy, flight details and emergency contacts. Store them separately from the originals.

Bags and Sleeping Equipment

Duffel bag

Your main climbing equipment will be packed inside a duffel bag and carried by a porter. Choose a durable, highly water-resistant model that is easy to secure and carry with other equipment.

I recommend The North Face Base Camp Duffel, size M (71 L). Its shape and strong handles make it more practical for porters than a suitcase or structured travel backpack. However, even a water-resistant duffel should have an internal waterproof liner because Kilimanjaro rain can reach places you did not know existed.

My operator limited each climber’s duffel bag to 15 kilograms, including the sleeping bag. Many operators use a similar limit, but you should confirm the permitted weight directly with your agency before packing.

Try to remain below the maximum rather than treating 15 kilograms as a target. Porters already carry food, cooking equipment and other group supplies in addition to the climbers’ bags. If you genuinely need more equipment, ask your operator whether an additional porter can be hired.

A 30–35-liter daypack

A smaller backpack may look sufficient until you add several liters of water, snacks, an extra layer, sunscreen and full rain gear.

I carried my rain gear every day and never used it. It was also my least favorite thing to carry. Still, rain protection belongs to that annoying category of equipment that may remain untouched for the entire climb—but becomes more valuable than gold when the weather changes.

Choose a daypack with comfortable hip and shoulder straps, space for a hydration bladder and external attachments for trekking poles.

Rain cover for the daypack

This is essential. Keep it somewhere you can reach quickly without unpacking the entire bag.

A rain cover protects the outside, but it does not make the backpack completely waterproof. Use small waterproof bags or Ziploc bags for electronics, documents and dry clothing.

Sleeping bag

Bring or rent a sleeping bag designed for temperatures well below freezing. Check its comfort rating, not only the more impressive-looking extreme temperature printed on the label.

It was cold. It is cold. It will be cold. This is not the place to save money or choose the lightest option without checking how warm it actually is.

Small luggage lock

I brought one and never needed it. My belongings were safe with the porters, so I would leave it at home next time.

Pillow and pillowcase

On the Marangu Route, we slept in huts and pillows were provided. I did not need a camp pillow, but I recommend bringing your own lightweight pillowcase.

Facilities can differ, so confirm what is provided with your operator.

Clothing

Packing for five climate zones is not easy, but with good organization, it is manageable. After fitting everything into one duffel bag and living with only the essentials for several days, you may find yourself packing like a minimalist for every trip that follows.

Clothing for the Lower Slopes

Pack:

• Hiking pants
• Lightweight T-shirts
• A long-sleeved hiking shirt
• Underwear
• Moisture-wicking base layers
• Shorts, if you normally hike in them
• A rain jacket or poncho

For underwear, socks and base layers, merino wool is worth considering. It helps regulate temperature, remains warm when damp and does not develop odors as quickly as many synthetic materials.

That last point becomes important when you do not see a shower for almost a week.

Avoid cotton for your hiking layers. It absorbs moisture and dries slowly, increasing the risk of becoming cold.

High-Altitude and Summit-Night Clothing

Pack:

• Thermal leggings (or two)
• One or two thermal long-sleeved tops
• A fleece or insulated middle layer
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Waterproof and windproof pants
• Warm down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Thin glove liners
• Warm hat
• Balaclava
• Neck gaiter
• Thermal or merino-blend socks
• Gaiters

I had two thermal tops and two pairs of thermal leggings, and I wore both layers on summit night.

When choosing an insulated jacket, consider its fill power, the amount of insulation and its construction—not only how thick it looks.

Bring genuinely warm gloves. I carried a regular pair and a second, much warmer pair. The warmer your hands remain, the more grateful you will be.

I also recommend gaiters for summit night. They help keep dust, scree and small stones out of your boots.

Footwear

Broken-in hiking boots

Wear water-resistant hiking boots that you have already tested on several long hikes.

Never start Kilimanjaro in brand-new boots. They may look excellent, and you may think the occasion deserves them, but your feet will probably respond with blisters.

Buy the boots early, take them hiking and make sure they work for you. Kilimanjaro is primarily a long trek, so most climbers do not need rigid technical mountaineering boots. Your operator can advise you if seasonal conditions require something different.

Lightweight shoes for the huts

Your feet will be grateful when you remove your hiking boots at the end of the day. Bring lightweight shoes with enough room for thick socks, as your feet may swell during the climb.

Hiking socks

Pack several pairs of hiking socks, preferably merino or a merino blend.

Thin liner socks can be worn under hiking socks to reduce friction, but they are optional if your usual sock-and-boot combination already works well.

Essential Hiking Equipment

Trekking poles

Choose lightweight, collapsible trekking poles. Carbon poles weigh less, while aluminum models are usually less expensive and can be more resistant to sudden impact.

They can reduce stress on the knees and other lower-body joints, improve balance and make long descents more comfortable. Use them before Kilimanjaro so that you already know how to adjust and walk with them.

Headlamp and spare batteries

Bring a reliable headlamp with a strong beam. You will need both hands free on summit night, so a regular flashlight is not a good substitute.

Keep the spare batteries warm and easily accessible.

Sunglasses and sun hat

Bring good-quality sunglasses with UV protection and a sun hat with a brim. The air may feel cold, but UV exposure increases with altitude.

Water bottle and thermal flask

Carry enough containers for the amount of water required by your operator. Include at least one bottle that is not dependent on a tube, as hydration-bladder tubes can freeze on summit night.

A thermal flask is useful for keeping tea or another warm drink hot at higher elevations.

Hydration bladder

Choose a backpack with a dedicated bladder compartment and an opening for the drinking tube. Add an insulated tube cover, but do not rely on it completely during summit night. Drink regularly and blow the remaining water back into the reservoir after each sip to help prevent freezing.

I had one thermal flask and a 3 L hydration bladder.

I brought water purification tablets but did not use them.

Power bank

Wrap your power bank in clothing and keep it as warm as possible. Batteries lose power faster in low temperatures.

Power bank

Wrap your power bank in clothing and keep it as warm as possible, as batteries lose power faster in low temperatures.

I brought one but did not use it. We had access to electricity in the huts on the Marangu Route, so I charged my phone there. I also used my phone only for taking photos.

On summit night, I kept it turned off and switched it on only after reaching Uhuru Peak.

Personal and Hygiene Items

Pack travel-size versions of:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Biodegradable soap or washing product
• Toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Quick-dry towel
• SPF 50+ sunscreen
• Lip balm with SPF
• Hand sanitizer
• Menstrual products
• Small waste bags

Bring your own toilet paper. You can thank me later.

Wet wipes become the closest thing to showering on Kilimanjaro. I recommend at least two packs: one in your daypack and one in the duffel bag as a reserve.

Apply sunscreen several times during the day. It may feel cold, but the UV radiation is still strong.

Carry all used wipes and personal waste back down the mountain. “Biodegradable” does not mean that something should be left beside the trail. At our camps, there were waste bins inside the toilets.

I took the Marangu Route, so at times it felt almost like a luxury trip.

Keep this list short. You can have a spa vacation later; on Kilimanjaro, you need only the essentials.

Personal First-Aid Kit

Pack:

• Your regular medication
• Blister plasters
• Small bandages
• Antiseptic wipes or cream
• Your usual painkiller
• Your usual medication for headache, nausea or diarrhea
• Any altitude medication prescribed by a doctor

Small travel first-aid kits are easy to buy, but check the contents rather than assuming they contain everything you need.

The guides carried group first-aid equipment, but I still kept my personal supplies in my daypack.

I prepared my personal medical kit together with my mother, who is a doctor. That gave me advice based on my health and the medication I normally use, but it does not make the same list suitable for everyone.

Snacks and Optional Extras

Energy snacks

Choose snacks you genuinely enjoy eating. Nuts and dried fruit are practical and provide plenty of energy, but do not pack only the “healthy” options.

I did exactly that—and then spent some lunch breaks craving ordinary sugary chocolate. Luckily, my friend had brought some.

Pack a combination of:

• Nuts
• Dried fruit
• Energy bars
• Chocolate or sweets
• Salty snacks

Don’t overpack snacks. You will have three meals a day, and your appetite may decrease as you climb higher. That is why nuts and dried fruit are useful: they contain plenty of energy without taking up much space.

Electrolytes and drink powders

At altitude, you need to drink regularly even when plain water becomes unappealing. Electrolyte tablets or drink powders in several flavors can make that easier.

Choose lightweight tubes or individual sachets instead of large containers.

Camera or phone

I used only my phone, so I did not need spare camera batteries or memory cards. Bring them only if you are carrying a separate camera.

Notebook, pencil and cards

A notebook sounded like a good idea, but I did not write anything during the climb. If you want one, choose a small notebook with a lightweight cover.

A deck of cards may be more useful during a quiet evening at the dining space.

Ziploc bags

Use them to protect electronics, documents, chargers and small items from water and dust. They are also useful for separating dirty or wet clothing, but reusable waterproof pouches are a better long-term option.

Things I Did Not Need

I did not carry or use eye drops.

I brought insect repellent, but I would leave it at the hotel next time rather than carry it up Kilimanjaro. It may still be useful before and after the climb, especially if your trip includes lower elevations, a safari or Zanzibar.

Earplugs and a sleep mask

The huts on the Marangu Route have shared sleeping areas, so earplugs and a sleep mask may help if you are sensitive to noise or light.

I did not need either because I was lucky enough to share the hut only with my friend. With a larger group—or a talented snorer nearby—I might have felt differently.

Ask Before You Buy Everything

If you are unsure about an item, ask your tour operator before buying it. They know what is provided, what can be rented and what is suitable for the expected conditions.

Do not panic if you arrive without one piece of equipment. The guides normally check your gear before the trek, and missing items such as sleeping bags, trekking poles, jackets or other climbing equipment can often be rented locally. At the same time, anything unnecessary can usually be left safely at your hotel until you return.

This equipment check was one of the most useful parts of our preparation. It meant that the final decisions were made by people who knew the mountain—not by an online packing list.

And don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

Remember, this is not a race. Try to relax and enjoy nature and the whole experience.

There is an inexplicable sense of calm in the simplicity of these days. You wake up, the sun rises, you get ready, walk through untouched nature, watch the sun go down, then lie down and sleep. You begin to understand what really matters in life, and the desire to find that feeling again grows stronger with time.

Nature calls you back to it.

The mountain will still be there. Reaching the summit matters, but coming back down safely matters more. Kilimanjaro is not technically difficult, yet the altitude should never be underestimated. Listen to your body, be honest with your guide and turn back if necessary. The summit is never worth risking your health.

You can also read about my climb to Uhuru Peak and the lessons I learned on Kilimanjaro.

P.S. Don’t forget your thermal pajamas. Kilimanjaro does not become warmer just because you are asleep.