If you’re headed on a bucket list trek to Kilimanjaro and are wondering what to bring, this guide will help! From warm clothing to helpful medications, this is a simple packing list for Kilimanjaro.
The trek to Kilimanjaro is an incredible experience that is sure to challenge you and leave you in awe. There are a few different routes to reach the peak, but no matter which you pick, you’ll be hiking for several days and going with a guide.
Personally, I went on a 7-day trek on the Machame Route with Shiri Adventures in 2024. Check out my list of things to know before hiking Kilimanjaro to get a better idea of what to expect on this journey.
What to Pack for Kilimanjaro
Clothing
You’ll need to be prepared for all kinds of weather during your Kilimanjaro trek - rain, freezing temps and warmer days. Here is the clothing you should bring:
- Day to day hiking clothes. Make sure to avoid cotton. I love hiking in the REI trailmade pants and the Sahara Shade Hoodie.
- Warm baselayers. You’ll want a bottom and top. Smartwool is a great brand for this.
- Hiking socks. You may want to wear two pairs during the summit. My favorite socks are from Darn Tough.
- A raincoat that also serves as a windbreaker. I love my Outdoor Research jacket. Rain pants are nice to have on hand too.
- A warm coat for the summit.
- A fleece mid-layer.
- A warm hat and gloves.
- A sun hat.
- A buff or neck gaiter. You’ll want to cover your face if it’s super windy during your summit.
- Hiking boots. Your hiking shoes come down to your personal preference, some prefer trailrunners and others prefer boots. I personally love my Keens hiking boots.
- An extra, lightweight pair of shoes to wear around camp.
- Undergarments and clothing you’ll be comfortable sleeping in.
Sleeping
Your guide company will provide the sleeping necessities or offer to rent them to you. We rented sleeping bags from our company, while they provided the tent and extra blankets. However, I recommend bringing:
- A sleeping pad. I love this one from REI.
- A pillow. I use an inflatable one to save space.
- A sleeping liner for a thin layer between you and the sleeping bag.
Other Hiking Gear
Here are some items that I highly recommend having on hand:
- Trekking poles. Coming downhill from the summit is extremely steep and poles are a huge help to your knees.
- A portable phone charger. Service is unreliable throughout the trek, but you’ll want to be able to take photos at the summit! I love this charger because it’s super lightweight.
- Sunscreen.
- A raincover for your daypack.
Medications
Altitude sickness is the number one reason why some people don’t make it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. If you’re coming from a low elevation, Diamox can make a huge difference in helping you avoid altitude sickness. In the United States, you’ll need a prescription from a doctor for Diamox.
Other medications you’ll want to have on hand:
- A pain medication, such as Ibuprofen or tylenol.
- A medication for stomach issues. I also had this prescribed by a doctor.
A Backpack and Duffle
You’ll need two different bags for your trek - a day pack to carry your things for each day, and a duffle bag to give to your porter.
- A hiking day pack. This really only needs to hold your water, snacks and layers for each day, so it doesn’t need to be huge. I recommend taking a bag that is between 20 and 40 liters.
- A duffle that you will give to the porters. This will carry your additional items for the trek, such as clothing for other days, toiletries, etc. It’s recommended that the duffle be between 70 and 110 liters. I love this duffle from REI because it packs down small and has been durable through many uses so far.
Toiletries
This will vary depending on what you want/need to feel comfortable on a multi-day hiking trip with no showers. But here are a few things I recommend bringing:
- Hand sanitizer.
- Wipes. I like to take a “wipe shower” everyday with Wilderness Wipes.
- A toothbrush and toothpaste (I love using toothpaste tablets, they take up less space and reduce your waste). Moisturizer
- Nail clippers. You definitely will want short toenails for the steep downhill trek.
Nice to Have
- Playing cards or a book for your downtime.
- Additional snacks (although you’ll be fed well!)
- Heated socks and/or handwarmers for the summit.
A Few Tips for Climbing Kilimanjaro
- Don’t underestimate how cold and windy the summit will be. It was one of the coldest hikes I’ve ever done, and our guides said it wasn’t even bad. However, the weather was nice the rest of my trek, besides a little rain. Come prepared for anything! For context, I went in August/September.
- Budget extra money for tipping your porters, guides and chefs. In most cases, they all go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience and make it to the summit!
- Going down is worse than going up (in my opinion, at least). Be prepared for your knees to suffer, and make sure to trim your toenails.
To learn more, read my list of 19 things to know before climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you prepare for the experience of a lifetime - climbing Mt Kilimanjaro! This Kilimanjaro packing list is great to have on hand, so that you’ll be prepared and ready for the days full of hiking, mind-blowing views and the summit of the 2nd tallest mountain in the world.
For more bucket list hikes and adventures around the world, check out these guides:
- Things To Know Before Hiking Kilimanjaro
- The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia
- The Best Things To Do in Madeira, Portugal
- A Guide to Visiting Banff in May
- The Ultimate Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip
- The Best Things To Do in Yellowstone National Park
Thanks for Reading!
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