Parking list

Sun hut & Warm Hut

If you are a light sleeper, we recommend taking earplugs.

Many people don’t like the taste of water, especially after iodine has been added. An energy drink supplement will mask the taste of iodine as well as provide you with additional energy during your climb. We recommend using an isotonic or hypotonic Octane solution.

Trekking up to 5-7 hours a day can result in painful and debilitating blisters. Treat blisters early and take immediate measures to reduce friction.

A basic insect repellant is important. Make sure to get a reliable brand that has a high Deet content – greater than 90%

Trekking towel (optional)- A medium lightweight trekking towel to dry your hair, face and hands after a rainy day’s trekking.

Camera- Bring a decent camera to capture the experience. Here is a great value SLR Camera, or if you want to go super light and capture awesome videos, we recommend taking a GoPro.

A good water bottle or hydration bladder is a must. To ensure you remain well hydrated and stave off the symptoms of altitude sickness you need to drink between 2-3 liters of water each day.

Water on Kilimanjaro is collected from mountain streams by porters during your trek. It is very important that you treat this water with iodine purification tablets to avoid getting an upset stomach.

A warm sleeping bag is an absolute must for Mount Kilimanjaro, regardless of the season you plan to trek.

Encountering rain on your Kilimanjaro trek is always a possibility, especially in the rainforest section of the hike.


These types of bags can fit comfortably inside a duffle, are waterproof and can easily double as a source separator, like the travel cubes mentioned above.

Purification Pills

Your 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 20kg when fully loaded

Gaiters are made of waterproof material that extends up from your boot to your calve muscle. They are used to keep unwanted materials out of your boots (mud, water, rocks etc.)

On summit night you will need to wear thermal socks.


Rag Wool is the best material for thermal socks. Some people go with a polypropylene liner to assist with the wicking process.

Flat seams. Bulky seams are prone to increases friction which results in blisters

Thick socks as they provide more cushion for the foot

Snug, not tight, fit

It is important that you bring good quality trekking socks. You should avoid cotton or cotton-blend socks as these a...

Each evening when you reach your camp, the first thing you are going to want to do is to take off your trekking boots, and not have to put them back on until the next day.

We recommend using trekking poles as a mandatory hiking accessory on Mount Kilimanjaro, as they offer better balance on trails and reduce stress on joints during ascents and descents.

Do not go for cotton inner gloves as these will restrict moisture transfer. You should also make sure that the gloves provide a good thermal lining and are lightweight.

We cannot stress the importance of having good outer gloves or mitts. Your hands will be the first to start fre...

Eye protection is so important on summit night. When the sun starts to rise, the rays bounce off the snow and can cause snow blindness in those without glasses

A headlamp is the best torch for night hiking as you can have your hands free at all times. You will use your headlamp on summit night (yes, you summit overnight, starting usually around midnight).

To protect your neck and face from blistering cold temperatures if the wind picks up, high Sun UV during the mid-afternoons at altitude, or indeed to cover your mouth and nose from dust, we recommend taking either a hiking balaclava or neck warmer.

A thermal beanie or headband is a must for summit night. You want to keep your head and ears warm. Make sure the beanie fits snug and is suitable for snowy conditions.

In addition to these items, we recommend taking with you a hard-shell jacket and some lightweight rain gear. In terms of the hard-shell jacket, we recommend the North Face Resolve (men, women) or similar.


For a quick rain cover, you might also want to bring a poncho that sits o...

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting an appropriate jacket:


Weight and warmth, Waterproofing & Versatility

For the colder stretches on the hike and for summit night, you should bring 1 mid-weight fleece jacket or parka top. This is your second layer, or insulation layer, and should be used in your layering system over your base layer, or indeed as a standalone that you wear over your trekk...

These are the hiking pants you’ll wear throughout your Kili trek. Normally they’d be your outer layer for your legs, but for summit night we suggest yet another layer

In terms of trekking shirts, we recommend 2 short sleeve shirts and 2 long sleeve shirts. Ideal fabric is a breathable, lightweight and quick-drying polyester, merino or nylon. Make sure that your shirts are not cotton.

As you approach the upper reaches of the mountain, you will need to wear a lightweight base layer (or next-to-skin layer) over your underwear.

Depending on the length of your trek, you should bring 4-5 pairs of sports underwear.

Clothing

There are three key characteristics to look for in a pair of trekking boots.


Fit, quality & use

The best way to break boots in is to wear them as often as possible before your hiking date.