Equipment for hiking Kilimanjaro
Getting the right Equipment for hiking Kilimanjaro will make a dent in your budget.
But there is no way around it, you need good gear for Kilimanjaro. Being cold, wet, and miserable does not increase your summit chances. Trust me on that one.
Equipment for hiking Kilimanjaro below has all the essential gear that you need for your Kilimanjaro climb.
It tells you why you need it and a bit about the different options you have when buying equipment specifically for your Kilimanjaro climb.
Tents on Kilimanjaro need to be able to take a beating, so if you have to take your own, make sure it is one that is meant for such conditions (extended bad weather, strong winds and very rocky ground). You cannot afford to have any leaks or tears, zips that don’t keep the wind out etc.
Thermal sleeping mat. This will be also provided by Enclose Africa Vacations (You don’t need this on the Marangu route. You still need a good sleeping bag, though…)
The good sleeping bag that’s rated for at least -10°C/four seasons. Down sleeping bags are great. They are light, pack down small and definitely keep you warm at night, Enclose Africa Holidays will provide sleeping bags, since the real warm ones don’t come cheap and most people will not need theirs again after this trek.
The sleeping bag liner can help with temperatures.
Trekking boots, the most important piece of equipment for Kilimanjaro is a pair of good Goretex trekking boots. Some people recommend leather, but leather is much heavier and the weight on your feet makes a big difference in the amount of energy you expend when walking.
The boots need to be absolutely waterproof and breathable, very comfortable, and well worn in!!! The very last things you need are blisters or sore feet!
If you buy new boots, make sure they are big enough to accommodate the extra pair(s) of socks you’ll be wearing during summit night. If boots are too tight it hinders circulation and your feet freeze… Also, make sure boots are high enough. You will need ankle support, especially on the descent from the summit.
Thermal socks (two pairs) and thinner/normal socks. If your feet tend to sweat you need a fresh pair (or freshly rinsed and dried pair) every day. Salt means grit and abrasion. Make sure you always wear dry socks. Keeping your feet in good condition is essential!
Good Rain protection is also essential equipment on Kilimanjaro. Once your gear is wet you have no hope of drying it again, and there is a very good chance that you’ll get rained on the first day or two.
This outermost layer should be high quality and breathable, and big enough to go over all your other clothes on summit night (when it will keep the wind off and add warmth).
A down jacket is a wonderful piece of equipment for hiking Kilimanjaro. Not only during summit night but also to sit around at dinner time when your body doesn’t generate heat through movement. (I find the evenings in camp by far the coldest part of everything…)
Fleeces are great because they give a lot of warmth for little weight. Two or even three thinner ones are preferable over one single thick fleece, not only because you can better adjust your clothing to the temperatures. The main reason is that the air between clothing layers provides better insulation than the clothes. Wearing many layers is the key to staying warm on Kilimanjaro.
Trekking pants, Enclose Africa Vacations recommend to have some quality trekking pants. Two pairs are enough. Make sure your pants are big enough to comfortably wear over several thermal under layers. Don’t take heavy pants like jeans or similar. They offer no benefit, they only add weight and they will never dry if they get damp or wet.
Thermal under layers have two functions. They insulate against cold and they draw moisture away from the body (they are breathable or “wicking”). But beware, that wicking effect only works if ALL the layers you wear do it. Most good fleeces are breathable and your rainwear also should be.
You also need gloves and a wooly hat, and maybe something to cover your ears if the hat doesn’t.
The Hat, we recommend a nice, cozy, wooly hat. get a balaclava. You probably won’t want to wear it so much around camp, but it will protect your face if you get a windy summit night. (And you can use it when you rob the bank to fund the whole trip.)
Good gloves are very important. Your fingers don’t move or do anything on the way up, and since they’ll likely be clutching your walking poles they are very exposed to the elements. A thermal pair underneath and a water and windproof pair over the top would be ideal.
Some people say hand warmers aren’t needed, others say they are essential. You know what kind of person you are. Do you tend to get cold hands or feet easily? Do take hand warmers! The little oxygen activated sachets are cheap, take up no room, and weigh nothing. The good ones stay warm for 12 to 16 hours and they are bliss to have. Yes, you can use them while clutching walking poles. Just shove them inside your gloves.
Sunscreen Enclose Africa Vacations recommend you to have the best sunscreen money can buy and start using it from day one. Don’t underestimate the power of the sun at altitude. Even 2000 m or 7000 ft is enough altitude to make a serious difference in the amount of damaging UV rays that reach your skin.
Lips! Also, get something for your lips! Lips do not have pigmentation to protect them from the sun, and the wind, dust, and dry air will also punish them.
Sunglasses And get some very good sunglasses, especially for the summit day. You don’t want to become snow blind. Wrap around glasses or glasses with side protection is best, not only to keep out as much harmful radiation as possible but also to protect your eyes from wind and dust.
Sun hat Take a sun hat or cap for the first days. You’ll need it for the rest of your stay in Tanzania anyway.
Toiletries don’t go overboard! Toothbrush, toothpaste, a little soap, deodorant, and a mini towel are all the toiletries you’ll have use for. Talking of towels, don’t take the beach towel you brought for Zanzibar up on the mountain. Once it’s wet it won’t dry again. The ultralight travel towels really come into their own on Kilimanjaro. Take enough toilet paper! And girls, the altitude can play havoc with your monthly cycle, so bring whatever you need, just in case.
Walking poles are must-have equipment on Kilimanjaro, especially for the way down. If you’ve never used poles before, get used to them on the way up, so they will protect your knees on the way down.
A head torch is essential during summit night and also comes in handy around camp. Take enough batteries and keep them warm on summit night as batteries like to die in the cold.
Water bottles most people carry water bottles for about three liters. Two liters is the absolute minimum. You will be able to refill your bottles during the day and in the evenings. The only exception is the summit attempt when your water has to last you to the peak and back down to camp.