At 5,896 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro stands as Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest standalone mountain. Offering majestic landscapes—from forests and savannas to desert terrain and snow-capped summit—its ascent is a dream for many trekkers. Ready to take on the challenge yourself? Then proper preparation is essential!

Because your gear is crucial for both comfort and expedition success, your equipment must be chosen with care. Good news—we've put together a complete checklist of all the gear you'll need for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Everything you need to discover "the roof of Africa" under the best possible conditions...

Backpacks and Luggage

For your backpacks and luggage, we recommend preparing:

• A 30 to 40-liter day pack: this is the backpack you'll carry every day during the trek. Choose a comfortable model with wide shoulder straps and an adjustable frame,
• A 60 to 80-liter travel pack (maximum 17kg): this should contain all your other belongings. It must be flexible, durable, and easy to transport (avoid rigid luggage or suitcases). You won't carry it—our team will handle it,
• A rain cover for your day pack: it should protect your pack from rain and dust (not mandatory, but recommended).

Clothing

Your attire will evolve based on weather conditions and as you climb higher. Of course, you'll need lightweight, short-sleeved clothing for the first days and warmer, more protective garments to fight off the altitude cold.

Here are the clothing items to bring for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:

• Thermal underwear for quick-drying (such as Carline brand),
• Thermal tights (such as Carline) or adapted leggings (avoid cotton, which dries slowly; choose Merino wool instead),
• 2 to 3 short-sleeved technical or Merino wool t-shirts,
• 2 to 3 long-sleeved technical or Merino wool t-shirts (including one with a turtleneck),
• A microfleece layer,
• A warm fleece jacket (Polartec or Windstopper type),
• A lightweight compressible down jacket (for the first days),
• A heavy compressible down jacket (for the final summit push),
• A waterproof and breathable jacket (Gore-tex type),
• A rain cape,
• A pair of shorts,
• Lightweight trekking pants (ideally with a zipper to convert them to shorts and save space),
• Heavy trekking pants (for the final summit push),
• A jogging suit (for camp evenings and nights),
• Rain pants or waterproof overtrousers,

Don't forget to pack accessories to protect yourself from sun and cold, such as:

• A hat, scarf, or baseball cap,
• A pair of glacier glasses (UV protection level 4),
• A knit hat or Windstopper balaclava,
• Lightweight gloves (leather or fleece),
• Heavy waterproof gloves (Gore-tex type),
• A winter hat,
• A scarf.

Hiking Boots and Socks

Wondering what boots and socks to bring for your Kilimanjaro trek? We recommend:

• Lightweight, well-ventilated hiking boots with good grip on various terrains (for the beginning and end of the trek and camp evenings),
• Trekking boots: these should be lightweight, waterproof, breathable, and feature an ankle-supporting collar,
• 2 to 3 pairs of lightweight sports socks (short),
• 2 to 3 pairs of hiking socks (tall),
• 2 pairs of wool socks for nights and the final push,
• A pair of gaiters.

Toiletries Kit

For your toiletries kit, stick to the bare essentials to avoid unnecessarily weighing down your backpack. Here are the essentials to pack:

• A toothbrush,
• Toothpaste,
• Biodegradable multi-purpose soap,
• Hand sanitizer,
• Wet wipes (for washing in difficult conditions),
• A microfiber towel,
• Sunscreen,
• A lip balm with sun protection,
• Tissues and/or toilet paper rolls,
• Ear plugs and a sleeping mask if you have trouble falling asleep,
• Feminine hygiene products.

First Aid Kit

While all our expeditions include an emergency first aid kit, we recommend preparing your own, especially if you take specific prescription medications. It should contain:

• An emergency blanket,
• Pain relievers,
• Anti-inflammatory medications (tablets and gel),
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics,
• Antispasmodic medication,
• Antidiarrheal medications,
• Intestinal antiseptic,
• Anti-nausea medication,
• Bandages and blister pads,
• Blister prevention patches,
• Gauze pads,
• Medical tape,
• Steri-strips,
• Non-adherent gauze,
• An antiseptic,
• Eye drops,
• Water purification tablets,
• Mosquito repellent,
• Your personal medications.

Also discover all our tips on staying healthy while traveling in Tanzanie.

Sleeping Gear

For nights at camp, you'll need sleeping gear including:

• A down or synthetic mummy-style sleeping bag rated for temperatures of -10 to -20°C,
• A self-inflating mattress (Thermarest type) to add comfort to the foam mattress we provide for the climb,
• A sleeping bag liner (if you want to rent your sleeping bag locally),
• A small inflatable pillow if you prefer more comfort when sleeping.

Accessories

To round out your packing, remember to bring a few hiking accessories and personal items, such as:

• A headlamp and spare batteries,
• Trekking poles (collapsible),
• A pocket knife (make sure to pack it in your checked luggage),
• A lighter,
• Trash bags to protect your belongings and dispose of waste (Note: it is strictly forbidden to import plastic bags into Tanzanie. Only large trash bags are permitted),
• A water bottle (or hydration bladder),
• Spare shoelaces,
• A needle and thread,
• An anti-theft pouch to keep on you at all times, containing your ID papers, cash, insurance certificates, and emergency assistance documents,
• A color photocopy of your passport in case of loss or theft (keep it separate from your anti-theft pouch),
• Padlocks to secure your bags,
• A camera and its charger (don't forget a waterproof pouch),
• A power bank,
• A deck of cards and/or a book for downtime.

Snacks and Nutritional Supplements

While meals are included during the climb, we recommend bringing snacks and nutritional supplements to avoid energy crashes:

• Crackers and biscuits,
• Dried fruits and trail mix,
• Chocolate bars,
• Cereal bars and energy bars...

Gear Provided for the Climb

The equipment provided by our company for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro includes:

• Tents and mattresses for camping,
• Shared camp equipment: dining tent, cooking tent, and kitchen equipment.
• Safety equipment: hyperbaric chambers, shared medical kit, oxygen bottles, oximeter, and communication devices.

Florine Dergelet