Tips
- The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds)
- Overweight or extra luggage may require an extra porter at additional cost.
- Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible)
- Wrap clothing in plastic bags.
- In the day pack, take along water, camera, binoculars, rain pants and jacket at a minimum. Add any other items you might need during the day because you may not see the porters until the end of your trek for that day.
Footwear
- Be sure to break in your boots before the hike.
- Trekking boots for hiking during the day, preferrably warm (leather), waterproof, and with ankle-support
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Gaitors
- Hiking socks for warmer conditions
- Wool socks for colder conditions
- Sock liners to wick away moisture
Clothing
You want your inner layer to be wicking -- no cotton. Next layer should be insulating and warm, and the top layer should be water proof but breathable. Kilimanjaro may be on the equator, but it gets cold up there!
- Shorts, for first and last day only
- Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- Short-sleeved or t-shirts, for first and last day only
- Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- Long underwear
- Fleece jacket or wool sweater
- Fleece pants
- Down jacket or good layering system
- Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
- Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
- Underwear
Cold Weather
- Warm mittens and/or gloves (waterproof)
- Wool or pile hat
- Balaclava or neck gaitor
Baggage
- Day pack, for you to carry
- Large waterproof duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
- Plastic bags
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (0 degrees F is recommended)
- Sleeping pad and repair kit
- Thermarest type sleeping pad
Other
- Water bottles (2+)
- You may want an insulated water bottle to keep it from freezing on the last day.
- Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
- Water filter, iodine purification tablets and/or pump type filter
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Bandana (around neck and used as towels)
- Money (small Tanzanian bills for trek and travelers cheques for rest of trip)
I was able to use American money in lieu of shillings
- Ski or trekking poles
- Headlamp
- Camera
- Video camera
- Batteries
- Bring double extra sets for headlamp and camera as cold weather shortens their life
- Binoculars
- Notebook, journal, pencil and pen
- Pocket knife
- Electricity adapter
- Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football
- Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides, porters, and other climbers
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season.
- Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
- Knee Brace
- Duct Tape
Toileries
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handi-wipes (moist toilettes for cleaning)
- Lotion
- Glasses, contacts, solution
- Mirror
- Fingernail Brush
Documents
- Passport (4 photocopies of first 2 pages of passport. Keep separate from passport. Used to obtain replacement. Leave one at home; give one to a traveling companion; two extra to aid in emergency replacement of missing passport.)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- Medical insurance
- Address book
- Vaccination records
- Airline tickets
- Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
- U.S. cash: $1s, $5s, $10s, $20s. Recently minted
- Maps, guidebooks
- Luggage Tags with Itinerary printed on back (in case bags get lost).
- Tanzanian shillings. For bottled water, hotel dinners, drinks, souvenirs, postcards, postage. (optional-but helpful)
First Aid
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
- Throat losenges
- Bandaids
- Moleskin
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Malaria pills
- Insect repellent
- Antiseptic cream
- Bandages and tape
- Diahrea medicine
- Diamox
- Antibiotics
- Antihistemines
- Prescription drugs
- Super Glue
- Fingernail Clippers
Gifts for Guides, Porters, Locals
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Shoes
- Any warm clothing
- Candy
- Nerf football, frisbees
