Quick answer: For Kilimanjaro you need good, broken-in hiking boots, warm layers for temperatures well below freezing, a 4-season sleeping bag, waterproof jacket and trousers, a headlamp, and a daypack for water and snacks. Porters carry your main bag (usually a 15 kg limit), so pack smart, not heavy.
Bags
- Soft duffel bag for the porters (waterproof, or lined with a dry bag)
- Daypack of 25 to 35 litres, with a rain cover, for what you carry yourself
- A few dry bags or zip bags to keep clothes dry
Clothing: think layers
You will walk from warm rainforest to arctic summit conditions in a few days, so layers are everything.
- Base layers: 2–3 moisture-wicking tops and thermal leggings. No cotton.
- Mid layers: a fleece and a light insulated jacket
- Warm jacket: a thick down or synthetic jacket for summit night
- Shell: waterproof, breathable jacket and trousers
- Hiking trousers (2 pairs) and maybe shorts for the lower slopes
- Warm hat, sun hat and buff or neck gaiter
- Gloves: thin liner gloves plus warm insulated gloves or mittens
- Socks: 4–5 pairs of good hiking socks, including thick ones for summit night
Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, worn in before the climb
- Comfortable camp shoes or sandals
- Gaiters for mud and scree
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag rated to around minus 10°C or colder
- Sleeping bag liner for extra warmth
- Inflatable pillow (optional, but worth it)
Gear
- Headlamp with spare batteries. You start summit night around midnight.
- Trekking poles, which help a lot on the descent
- Water bottles or a hydration bladder (3 litres or more). Insulate them on summit night so they don’t freeze.
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Power bank, kept warm inside your jacket
Health and hygiene
- Personal medication, plus any altitude medicine your doctor recommends (read our altitude sickness guide)
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Blister plasters, painkillers, rehydration salts
- Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet paper and a small towel
- Snacks you love, such as nuts, chocolate and energy bars, for summit day
Can I rent gear in Tanzania?
Yes. Sleeping bags, jackets, poles and gaiters can usually be rented in Arusha or Moshi. Let us know what you need when you book. Bring your own boots, though, because blisters from new boots can end a climb.
What not to bring
- Cotton clothing, which stays wet and cold
- Plastic carrier bags, which are banned in Tanzania
- Too many electronics
Next, read the best time to climb and what a climb costs, or browse our Kilimanjaro trekking routes. Doing a safari too? Here is our safari packing list.
