Kilimanjaro Packing Guide
What to Bring on Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Map Adventure Safari supplies the shared gear, including tents and meals, but your personal clothing and equipment are up to you. Our recommended packing list follows.
We at Map Adventure Safari suggest wearing one full hiking outfit on the flight: a long-sleeved shirt, hiking pants, boots, underwear and socks. Many things can be rented or replaced once you arrive in Tanzania, but a few cannot.
Mount Kilimanjaro packing list
Warm hat (pile or wool): Choose one that covers your ears; a balaclava works very well.
Sun hat: A visor-style hat with a solid brim is a must against the equatorial sun.
Balaclava: Extra protection for your face. Optional.
Sunglasses: These are vital for protecting your eyes in the tropics and at high altitude. Bring a quality pair, ideally with an IREX protection rating of 100, and either add detachable side shields or carry glacier glasses.
Sunscreen: Pack plenty of sunblock rated SPF 15 or higher. Unless you've spent time in the equatorial sun, you'll likely underestimate how much you need, so bring a lot. Sunscreen is hard to come by in Tanzania.
Lip Balm: SPF 15 or higher.
Bandanas: Worn around the neck, they shield you from the sun. They also serve as lens cloths, washcloths and more, and they dry very fast.
Long-sleeved shirts: Bring two that you won't mind getting dirty on the mountain. Synthetic fabric is best, and avoid cotton on summit day.
T-shirt: One lightweight shirt is a handy extra, ideally a synthetic, moisture-wicking one.
Upper body layers: We suggest three warm layers for the climb, all in wool, synthetic or pile, and all sized so they fit comfortably over one another while insulating well. A good combination is a long underwear top, a sweater, and a pile jacket or heavy wool shirt. Cotton insulates poorly and is completely useless once damp.
Rain jacket: Afternoon showers are common in East Africa, especially up on the mountain. Bring a good Gore-Tex or waterproof nylon parka that has been "seam sealed".
Wind shirt: (optional if you have Gore-Tex rain gear) A non-waterproof nylon wind shell with enough room to fit comfortably over all your upper body layers. Gore-Tex works well for both the wind shirt and the raincoat.
Poncho: (Optional) A quick, convenient cover for you and your rucksack, though it protects poorly in windy rain.
Gloves or mittens: Wool or pile. A pair of heavy mittens plus a light pair of gloves is a good setup.
Mitten shells: One pair to wear over your mittens, for the winds you may meet in the crater and on the way to the summit.
Quick-dry hiking shorts: 1 pair, useful for walking at the lower elevations of the mountain.
Long underwear bottoms: One pair, in wool or synthetic.
Wool, bunting or pile pants: One pair, loose-fitting and comfortable. You'll wear these over the long johns.
Rain pants: Bring a good pair of Gore-Tex or waterproof nylon pants that have been "seam sealed".
Wind pants: (optional if you have Gore-Tex rain pants.) One pair, which get plenty of use on the mountain against the wind. Choose breathable nylon with enough room to fit comfortably over your wool or pile pants.
Tights: Lycra ones are best. They're comfortable for hiking, ward off nettle stings, keep you warm on cool, misty days, dry quickly and prevent sunburn.
Underwear: Enough for the length of the trek.
Thin socks: Two pairs of synthetic socks to wear beneath heavy wool socks, which helps prevent blisters and keeps your feet dry.
Thick socks: Six pairs of heavy wool or synthetic socks, worn with your hiking boots for warmth.
Hiking boots: One pair of medium-weight boots, roomy enough to be comfortable over a one-liner sock plus one heavy wool or synthetic sock.
Gaiters: One pair, high or low, in breathable material, to keep dirt and snow out of your boots.
Tennis shoes: For wearing around camp after a day on the trail.
Sleeping bag and stuff sack: Nighttime temperatures on the mountain can fall to zero degrees Fahrenheit, so bring a warm bag.
Sleeping pad: A closed-cell foam camping mattress will do, but an inflatable Thermal Rest type is more comfortable.
