Gear & Packing List
Everything you need to bring — and what we provide — for a safe and comfortable Kilimanjaro climb.
What We Provide
You don’t need to buy everything. Team Raha provides the following equipment on every trek:
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4-season mountain tents — waterproof, windproof, and spacious for two climbers
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Sleeping mats — insulated foam mats for comfort and warmth
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Dining tent & camp chairs — a comfortable dining setup at every camp
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Climbing & safety gear — walking poles, emergency oxygen, and full medical kits carried by your guides
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Full meal service — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks prepared fresh by our mountain chef
Essential Clothing
Kilimanjaro takes you through five climate zones — from tropical rainforest to arctic summit conditions. Layering is everything: you will peel layers off during the day and pile them back on at night.
Base Layers
- Moisture-wicking long-sleeve tops (2–3)
- Moisture-wicking leggings / long underwear (2)
- Thermal underwear set (top + bottom)
Mid Layers
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Insulated down or synthetic jacket (essential for summit night)
- Hiking pants (2 pairs — zip-off recommended)
- Fleece or softshell pants (for cold camp evenings)
Outer Layers
- Waterproof rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Waterproof rain pants
- Warm insulated summit jacket (we can arrange a rental)
Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots — must be broken in before your trek. This is the single most important piece of gear on the mountain.
- Camp shoes / sandals — to relax in at camp after a long day of hiking
- Hiking socks — merino wool or synthetic (4–5 pairs)
- Liner socks — optional, but great for preventing blisters
- Gaiters — recommended in the rainy seasons to keep mud and water out
Headwear & Accessories
- Warm beanie — for cold mornings and summit night
- Sun hat or cap — UV protection is critical at altitude
- Balaclava or buff — essential wind protection for summit night
- Sunglasses — UV400, polarized (snow blindness is real above 4,000 m)
- Headlamp — with spare batteries (summit night starts at midnight)
Equipment
- Daypack (30–35L) — for water, snacks, camera, rain gear, and extra layers during the day’s hike
- Duffel bag (80–100L) — carried by our porters (max 15 kg weight limit)
- Sleeping bag — rated to −15°C (5°F) or colder — we can arrange a quality rental in Moshi
- Trekking poles — highly recommended, especially on the descent (we provide these)
- Water bottles or hydration bladder — at least 3 litres total capacity
- Headlamp — plus spare batteries
Health & Toiletries
- Personal first-aid kit — plasters, antiseptic, and pain relievers
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ — the sun is intense at altitude
- Lip balm with SPF — lips burn fast above the clouds
- Hand sanitizer — for moments between handwashing opportunities
- Personal medications — bring enough for the trip, plus a few extras
- Altitude sickness medication — consult your doctor (e.g. Diamox / Acetazolamide)
- Wet wipes — your best friend on a multi-day trek
- Earplugs — for shared sleeping arrangements and lively camp nights
What NOT to Bring
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Jeans or cotton clothing — cotton absorbs moisture and takes forever to dry
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Bulky books or heavy extras — your daypack will be heavy enough
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Expensive jewelry or irreplaceable electronics — you would hate to lose them on the mountain
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Large amounts of cash — small notes for tips and souvenirs are all you need
Ready to Pack?
Once you book, we’ll send you a detailed, personalized gear list based on your route and the season — and our team in Moshi has quality rental gear available at fair prices.