When preparing for a Mount Kilimanjaro expedition, having the right gear and equipment is crucial for your safety, comfort, and overall success. Proper packing for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb should be one of your top priorities when planning to climb the mountain. When choosing your mountain climbing equipment, make sure is of great quality and up to standard.
Normal daily temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro vary from anywhere between 20 degrees centigrade (20°C / 68°F) during the day and they can fall to -15 degrees centigrade (-15°C / 5°F) at night. The layering of your clothing is the best way to wear your gear in order to survive these fluctuating temperature conditions on the mountain.
Please make sure that you do not carry any plastic bags as they are forbidden in Tanzania and on the mountain in particular after Tanzania banned the use of plastic bags within the entire country. The better option, however, is the use of reusable ‘packing cubes’. Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed on the mountain either.
The luggage limit, including your sleeping bag for a porter to carry on the mountain, stands at a 15kg limit for each porter. If your bag overweighs this limit, you will have to leave some of your items at the hotel before you begin your climb.
Download the recommended Kilimanjaro gear checklist here.
Remember that the weather on Kilimanjaro can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to be prepared for various conditions. Pack lightweight, moisture-wicking, and easily layer-able clothing to ensure comfort during your ascent. Plan your gear and equipment well in advance to have a successful and enjoyable trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
You can use this packing list for Mount Kilimanjaro as a reference when shopping for your mountain climbing equipment.
The brands you see listed below can start as your base of selection in terms of quality.
Kilimanjaro Gear List
Kilimanjaro Gear ListGetting the correct clothing, gear and equipment is the most important thing. This is why we recommend that you pack accordingly by following this packing list for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing:
- Top Base Layer
- Bottom Base Layer
- 4-5 Pairs of Underwear
- 3-4 Short Sleeve
- 1 Insulated Trekking Pants
- 1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
- 1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
- 1 Insulated Winter Jacket
- 1 Polartec Fleece Jacket
- 1 Hard Shell Jacket
Daypack: All you will carry around the mountain is your 
Waterproof duffle bag: To accommodate all your main gear, an 80-90L duffle bag is the best option. Large rucksacks as large as (>65L) are also a good choice.
Sleeping bag: A 4-season or -20 Deg C sleeping bag that has a compression sack is the recommended choice. Mountain Hardwear or The North Face brands of sleeping bags have the best quality that we know of. There are 
Trekking poles: Trekking poles can cut down the stress on your joints by up to 20%. They are valuable for 
Water bladder/bottles: Capable of storing 3 litres of water. Options: 2 x 1.5-litre wide-mouth Nalgene bottles or 2-litre platypus + 1-litre water bottle. NB: Disposable plastic bottles are forbidden in Kilimanjaro
Warm beanie style hat: A knitted or fleeced beanie will keep you warm on the mountain. They are also comfortable to wear and will keep you warm under cold conditions. Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The recommended brands are the North Face, Berghaus, Columbia or any other good brand that will work for you.
Neck gaiter or scarf: To protect you from the dust on your Kilimanjaro trail, consider using a scarf or neck gaiters. Wearing a bandana will also help you in dusty situations. Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear is one of the best out there.
Sun hat: it is not always cold on the mountain, most of the time the sun can be scorching, we recommend a wide-brimmed hat to shield you from direct sun rays. One that has a neck cover could even be better especially if you will not be wearing a neck cover/gaiter.
Sunglasses: Choose a pair of sunglasses that will protect you from ultraviolet rays as the intensity of the sun could hit a high 4,500m or even over that. Julbo is a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will do the job
Headlamp/Head-torch: important for the much dreaded and dark summit night. It will come in handy for your frequent night journeys to the loo. Petzl makes one of the best and affordable headlamps
Lightweight Gloves: Lightweight gloves are recommended to wear when you are at the base of the mountain. For lower slopes, we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick-drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves
Warm gloves or mittens: For higher altitudes, cold nights and summiting, heavier and insulated gloves are a must. To keep you warm, you will need heavyweight and waterproof mittens and the North Face and Black Diamond brands are great at it.
Trekking boots: Make sure that you purchase well-fitting and comfortable, mid-weight hiking boots with good ankle support. Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell are great brands for manufacturing great mountaineering boots
Training shoes: Any brand of comfortable training shoes or sandals to wear on light hiking days or around camp.
Socks: 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. Make sure you bring 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Sock made of merino wool material is the best for mountain climbing. Brands made by Bridgedale or Smartwool are recommended.
Gaiters: Help avoid soil and gravel from entering your shoes which avoids your feet from getting blisters and feeling uncomfortable. Gaiters also keep your trousers clean in the event of 
Micro-spikes: not a must to have them but if you do, they will give you that extra advantage on icy conditions by giving you that extra traction and grip. Tranquil Kilimanjaro can rent some for you if you prefer
Thermal base layer: 1 x thermal base layer, the one made from merino wool material is recommended especially from Icebreaker brand
Short-sleeved shirt: 2 x lightweight, moisture absorbent short-sleeved shirts will be a good pick. Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus is the recommended and quality brand names.
Hardshell outer jacket: A hardshell outer jacket that is both waterproof and windproof is the best bet to protect you from the harsh mountaineering conditions of Kilimanjaro. A Hardshell outer jacket made of Goretex material is the 
Leggings: Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs made of Merino wool material are important for your climb. Be sure to check out the Icebreaker brand, they make really good quality leggings.
Trekking trousers/ Mountain Trekking Pants: (x1) Trekking trousers or trekking pants must be included in your mountain climbing packing list they should be of Light or medium weight. Bringing along, convertible trousers is a matter of choice. Recommended trekking trouser brands are Craghoppers and Columbia or any other great quality brand of your choice
Hardshell trousers: For an enjoyable and more comfortable climb, a good pair of waterproof and windproof hard-shell trousers will protect you. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’Teryx all make good outer trousers
