Kilimanjaro Gear List

1. Basic mountain climbing equipment

Day bag – This day pack has to be carried by you throughout the day while you walk up the mountains. A size of 30-40 L should be sufficient to carry your essentials for the day.

Waterproof duffle bag- It will carry all your equipment. An 80-90 L duffle bag is recommended.

Sleeping bag- A 4-season sleeping bag and a sleeping mat for extra insulation will be enough for you. Additionally, you may get an inflatable pillow.

Trekking poles- Absolutely necessary for trekking. They are great because they reduce the impact on joints. 3- Section, collapsible trekking poles are preferred.

Hydration Bladder - Should have a capacity of holding about 3-4 liters of water.

Neck gaiter or scarf- Bring a neck gaiter or bandana to avoid dust during the dry climate of Kilimanjaro.

Travel Tip: Don’t worry about lifting that heavy duffle bag. We will get you, porters, to carry them for you.

2. Climb-appropriate Clothing

• Clothes should lightweight, breathable, and hand-washable. They should also be dried quite easily.
• Layer them- Basically, for hiking, visitors are suggested to wear 3 layers of clothes.

For the base layer- Choose merino wool fabric or a combination of merino and synthetic. The function is to absorb sweat from the body.

Mid-layer- The mid-layer retains body heat simultaneously allowing sweat to get vaporized.

Outer layer- They are used to shed you from wind and rain while adding heat in cold conditions.

So, based on the above factors, we have designed a perfect Kilimanjaro clothing list for you. Take a look!

Clothing List

• 1 × Thermal base layer
• 3-4 × Short-sleeved shirt
• 1-2 ×long sleeved shirt
• Fleece or soft shell Jacket
• Insulated Winter Jacket
• Hard shell outer jacket
• Thermal leggings
• 1-2 pairs of Trekking trousers
• Hard shell trousers
• 1 wind shell jacket/ Rain Jacket

3. Head Gear- Cover it to avoid Cold.

Warm hat- A beanie-style hat or Fleece Headband will keep you warm during the chilly cold weather.

Sun hat – A wide-brimmed hat with a neck cover will avoid sunburns and overheating.

Headlamp- It is needed when you need good light while going for late-night toilet journeys and the summit night.

Travel Tip: Sunglasses are important for protection against the UV rays of the sun which are very intense above 4500 meters above sea level

4. Hand Gear

Mittens- You need warm gloves or mittens during cold nights. It should be water-resistant and insulated.

Lightweight gloves- A pair of lightweight gloves which are quick-drying is needed for the lower slopes.

Travel Tip- The rule is heavy-weight warm gloves for the summit push and lightweight gloves for lower slopes.

5. Shoes and Socks

Trekking boots- The most important equipment in the trek. They should be mid-weight with good ankle support.

Training shoes- Bring them to walk around the camp after trekking for the entire day.

Gaiters- Only needed during rains to protect you from mud, snow, or pebbles from getting inside the boots.

Socks- 4-5 pairs of high-quality mid-weight to heavy-weight hiking socks are needed for the trek. New socks are preferred as they offer more warmth and padding. Woolen socks are great as they ensure fast wicking.

Travel Tip - Mid-weight trekking boots are the way to go. If you buy a new pair, get acquainted with them before the start of the trip.

6. Other Essentials

• Plug adapter
• Power Bank
• Camera and batteries
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Snacks
• Ear plugs
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
• Pee bottle
• Personal medication

On the last note, regular climbers out there can buy all the necessary equipment mentioned in the Kilimanjaro Gear List as a one-time investment. For the rest, renting is also an option. This gives the option of saving money along with making your bag light.