Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List | What to Pack for Mount Kilimanjaro

Here is my complete Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List. This is everything that I needed to make it to the summit.

I climbed Kilimanjaro at the end of June and it was colder than I had expected. At night I was wearing as much clothing as I could. Luckily it was warmer during the day.

When it comes to clothing, it’s all about layers. On the first day of the climb, I wore leggings, a tank, and a long sleeve shirt. By the time I was climbing the summit four days later I was wearing leggings, sweatpants, ski pants, a tee-shirt, two long sleeve shirts, a sweatshirt, a jacket, and a rain jacket/windbreaker. Yes, I wore three layers on bottom and six layers on top and that is normal and necessary.

I recommend packing a base layer for each day, but then re-wearing your additional layers. Your other layers won’t really get very dirty, especially since I was almost always wearing a jacket on top, and I thought it was best to bring as little clothing to the mountain as possible.

During the climb, I would carry my day bag. This had rain gear, an extra sweatshirt, my camera, snacks, water, and other essentials. The porters carried my duffle bag with the rest of my stuff.

Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List:

My Gear

Headlamp

This is absolutely necessary for the summit day since you start hiking when it is still dark out. A headlamp is also needed to find your way around camp in the dark.

Waterproof Hiking Boots

Bring waterproof hiking boots that you have broken in. You want them to be waterproof so that you feet stay dry as you walk through puddles and in case it rains.

Sneakers

It can be nice to give your feet a break from the hiking boots. I wore sneaks around camp and for some of the easier parts of the hike.

Water Bottles

You need two 1-liter refillable water bottles.

Camera

I brought my smaller camera since I wanted my bag to be as lightweight as possible. You can’t pack a heavy camera and get a porter to carry it because the porters do not hike with you.

Phone

To take photos and listen to music.

Mobile Charger

There is no power on the mountain, so I needed to use this to keep my phone charged.

Sunglasses

It’s bright and the sun is strong when you are above the clouds.

Hand and Foot Warmers (I didn’t have these but I wish I did)

I would have put these in my sleeping bag to help me warm up at night.

Gear That I Rented

Sleeping Bag

Find the warmest one you can.

Hiking Poles

These are very helpful when you are exhausted and going down the mountain.

A Waterproof Day Bag

This is the bag that I carried while we were hiking.

A Waterproof Duffle

This is the bag that the porters carried for me.

Clothing

Leggings

I wore leggings every day, and I slept in them. Pajamas aren’t really necessary because you need to wear several layers to sleep.

Sweatpants

When it was cold, I wore sweatpants over the leggings.

Tank Tops and Tees that Wick Sweat

You want a base layer that will not get sweaty because if you get sweaty you might get cold.

Long Sleeve Shirts

To wear over your base layer.

Sweatshirts

It’s cold and you will need at least two of these to wear during the climb.

A Light Jacket

I wore a light quilted jacket and it was just the right weight.

A Rain Jacket/Windbreaker

It’s cold, windy, and often rainy on the mountain. You really want to bring a jacket that will keep you dry and warm. I wore my Barbour rain jacket as my top layer when I made it to the summit.