Kilimanjaro packing list: what to take up the mountain
You're packing for rainforest and arctic conditions on the same trip. That's the whole reason this list is so long!
The things people most often get wrong
- Boots that aren't broken in. This is the most common avoidable problem on the mountain. Wear them for weeks before you go, on hills, with the socks you'll actually use.
- Not enough warm layers for summit night. A down jacket isn't optional. It goes over everything else you own, at one in the morning, well below freezing.
- Cotton. It soaks up sweat, and then it holds the cold. Stick to synthetic or merino for anything against your skin.
- Batteries. The cold drains them. Keep spare head-torch batteries in an inside pocket, not in your pack.
Layers, from the skin out
Base layers in merino or synthetic. A fleece or light down mid-layer. A waterproof and windproof shell, top and bottom. And a proper insulated jacket for summit night. Add a warm hat, a sun hat, liner gloves and thick outer gloves.
Sleeping
A four-season sleeping bag, rated comfortably below freezing, not just right at it. You can usually hire these in Moshi or Arusha, which makes a lot more sense than buying one for a single trip.
Feet
Waterproof walking boots with ankle support, broken in. Several pairs of thick socks. Gaiters for the scree. And camp shoes for the evenings, because getting your boots off matters more than you'd think.
Bags
A duffel for the porter, which has a weight limit, so check yours. Plus a daypack of 25 to 35 litres that you carry yourself, with water, snacks, your camera and whichever layer you're about to need.
Small things that matter
Very high-factor sun cream and lip balm, because the UV at altitude is severe. Sunglasses with proper protection. Trekking poles, which save your knees on the way down more than they help on the way up. A water bladder and a bottle, because a bladder tube freezes on summit night, and a bottle carried upside down doesn't. Rehydration salts. And any personal medication, in its original packaging.
What to leave behind
Cotton jeans, a hard suitcase, and most of the gadgets. And don't plan on flying a drone: they're not allowed in the national park without a permit.
Porters carry your duffel, and the weight limit is there to protect them. Have a look at tipping for what's customary on a climb. On Kilimanjaro, it's the most important money you'll spend on the whole trip.