You never set your alarm for 1 a.m. but this time you do it with pleasure. When the alarm goes off, you’re already awake and bubbling with anticipation. It’s cold and pitch-black outside, not warm and cozy like your tent and sleeping bag. Wind can pick up here at 15,239 feet. You suit up, slurp some hot tea, click on your headlamp, and begin a sunrise ascent, hiking Kilimanjaro to the Roof of Africa.
Today will change you. Today is summit day.
Trust me: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is unlike any experience you’ve ever had. I say that with confidence because there’s (literally) nothing like it on the planet. Kilimanjaro’s highlights are many: tallest mountain in Africa, highest freestanding mountain in the world, glacier-hemmed calderas, seven official routes through five unique ecosystems in one climb.
All of this is what you get when saying, “yes” to climbing Kilimanjaro. You get adventure. You get challenge. And with jambokilitours you get camaraderie, dancing, delicious meals, world-class sunsets, and an indelible memory that will stick with you forever.
But make no mistake. The beloved Kilimanjaro is no cakewalk. This mountain is a serious undertaking, reaching to elevations few people on Earth ever dream of going. Our team of expert guides will make your expedition as safe as possible, but here are the most essential things you can pack to be as prepared as possible for reaching that summit.
Kilimanjaro Duffle Bag
The type of Kilimanjaro duffle bag you choose is important as it will hold all of your gear, including your sleeping bag.Your Kilimanjaro duffle bag will be carried by your porter who will transport your gear from one camp to the next. Porters carry bags on their head so it is important that the bag is soft and weighs no more than 15kg when fully loaded (we jambokilitours limit the weight to 15kg fully-loaded).
Key characteristics to look for in a duffle bag:
• Greater than 80 litre capacity
• Constructed from waterproof laminate material to ensure your gear stays dry. We recommend packing your gear into separate plastic bags or packing units (see below) to provide extra waterproofing and easy access to sorted gear
• A strong zipper system that is not susceptible to breaking and can be easily locked. Take a small lock to secure your bag
• A hand and shoulder strapping system to provide extra versatility
BEST DAYPACK
The Talon is definitely a leader in the lightweight market, providing versatility, high performance and quality design in a neat multi-purpose pack. The daypack also features a special compartment to put your hydration bladder.
UNDERWEAR
Depending on the length of your trek you should bring 4-5 pairs of sports underwear. Those made by Icebreaker are excellent. Alternatively any sporting brand underwear will work
For the ladies bring two pairs of sports bras, again we recommend Icebreaker sports bras.
Recommended Insulated Pants
For the upper reaches of your Kilimanjaro trek (>4,500 meters) the temperatures can get very cold, particularly at night. Warm trekking trousers are a must.Here are the key characteristics to look out for: Water resistant, sun protective, and fleece inner material with quick-drying polyester outer for warmth.Great winter trekking trousers include Craghoppers Kiwi Winter Trousers and Regatta Lined Hiking Trousers.Alternatively, some folk prefer to use a hard shell pair of trousers, similar to ski pants or salopettes.
Recommended Warm Jackets
In terms of a good and affordable down jacket we recommend warm and less weight jacket. It retails for a great price, is super-lightweight which makes it easy to travel with and really warm.Other brands that make great winter alpine jackets include: Arc’Teryx (see the Atom), Rab (see the Microlight) and Mountain Hardwear.
Trekking socks
It is important that you bring good quality trekking socks. You should avoid cotton or cotton-blend socks as these absorb and retain moisture, keeping your feet damp and making them susceptible to blistering.
We recommend 5 x Wool trekking socks as these are the best for wicking moisture away from the foot. The best trekking sock manufacturers include Point6, Smartwool and Bridgedale. All three brands manufacture their socks from really soft merino wool which is great for comfort and performance. If you are alergic to wool we would go for an acrylic or acrylic-blend alternative like those from Wigwam.#jambokilitours.com
TREKKING SHIRTS
In terms of trekking shirts we recommend 4 x short sleeve shirts and 2 x long sleeve shirts. Ideal fabric is a breathable, lightweight and quick-drying polyester, merino or nylon. Make sure that your shirts are not cotton.
CLOTHING: THINK WATERPROOF AND WINDPROOF
Multifunctional layers – On the ascent you will climb several thousand vertical feet over five ecosystems . Because of this, temperatures and canopy cover will fluctuate, so the most important things to pack are layers that breathe, wick moisture, and can be slapped on and off with ease.
RAIN AND WIND GEARS–
If you could invest in one single piece of gear for Kilimanjaro, make it a feather-down jacket or a Gortex/Wind stopper raincoat. Nothing compares to down for warmth, and cutting wind and rain is absolutely necessary for this climb. Stay dry. Stay happy.
HATS AND GLOVES –
You will use a cap, a beanie, and your gloves every single day of your trek, promise. Look out for your extremities, as heat escapes through your head and hands if the rest of your body is clothed. Again, wool, Wind stopper, and fleece are all great options.
Buff/Scarf –
This is the most underrated piece of gear I took on my Kilimanjaro trek, it was a buff. These are multipurpose head wraps and it can be used for shielding sun, added warmth around your ears, and also a handkerchief. Scarves do the trick too, and are typically warmer.
Hiking Shoes/Gaiters –
There’s a lot of reviews about footwear when approaching Kili. The first thing you mustn’t do is compromise comfort. Choose a pair you know and love. Second, that old clunky trekking boot might be overbuilt and unnecessary for this climb. ‘Jambokili” robust team of porters and guides will be carrying the bulk of your gear for you, so ankle-support is less of a concern because there won’t be fifty pounds/25kg on your back. That said, depending on the more aggressive footwear might be advisable. For the majority of the routes a modest hiking shoe will do the trick.
TECHNOLOGY: BRING BACKUPS
Headlamp
This is an essential piece of hands-free gear you’ll use a thousand different ways: getting to the loo in the middle of the night; rifling through your bag for that favorite pair of polka-dotted hiking socks; scribbling notes in your journal. Oh, and summit day starts at night! We recommend also to come with extra batter for the summit.
Sunglasses
For most of the trek, you will be above tree line and have little canopy cover to shelter your skin from the sun. At these elevations the sun is exponentially more intense and dangerous. Grab a pair (or two) of polarized shades to reduce the glare and pack sunblock and chapstick, too. Here’s one dermatologist’s experience on Kilimanjaro: (View More)
Camera
Digital, phone, film. Whatever strikes your fancy, you’re going to want to capture this experience (duh), so bring backup memory cards, batteries, and bags to keep them all dry. (Insider tip: keep electronics in your sleeping bag at night. The cold can drain batteries!)
Batteries – One thing you won’t find in Tanzania is a reliable battery. Pack extras for your headlamp and your devices (and consider a power pack for extended battery life). Also, I found lithium batteries to perform poorly in cold environment
Other Essentials:
WATER BOTTLES
With every thousand feet of elevation you gain, the air gets thinner and your body demands more water to function. Hydration is absolutely essential for a successful summit, and you’ll be asked to carry multiple liters at all times. Better to bring your own vessels. We also recommended to come with camelback for comfortability drinking while your walking can be either one bottle and camelback but make sure that not less than 3 litters.
Plastic bags –
No matter what gear you choose, if it all ends up wet then it’s no good. Make sure you arrive with your pack lined in waterproof materials. Find upscale solutions at your outdoor store. Zip lock bags and garbage bags work, too.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are all-stars, especially for the Kilimanjaro summit day. They come in handy during technical terrain, ascents, and descent, while models (like BD Z-distance) are ultralight.
Journal – Your experience up Kilimanjaro will take you to new heights, and you’ll want to capture every moment, every song, every nuance. Pack a notepad and pen; you’ll be happy you did.
brilliant synthetic sleeping bag called the Lamina. As far as synthetic bags go the Lamina provides excellent performance for an affordable price. The welded lamina construction reduces cold spots and the nylon shell repels water.There are six variations in temperature rating but we only recommend two for Kilimanjaro, the -30 or -15. See options here.
REMEMBER.
Think warm. Think dry. Plan for multipurpose and multilayered but also simple. Kilimanjaro is a nontechnical walk, but it’s also a strenuous ascent and must be taken seriously. With these dozen items, you’ll be well positioned to wake up on that alarm clock on summit day and reach up to the Roof of Africa. Now, lace up and let’s go.
JAMBOKILI TOURS supports responsible and sustainable tourism and is a proud member of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project).
