Mount Kilimanjaro packing list
Mount Kilimanjaro packing list : Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa which is found in the northern part of Tanzania. With the right packing list, you will be set for your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro during your safari to Tanzania. It will also ensure that your hike is a success and you have everything you may need during your hike on the mountain.
What to bring with you for the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro also depends on the time of the year of your visit to Tanzania. There are two seasons in Tanzania such as the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season is considered the best time for the hikes on the mountain and it is during the months of June to October. Rain is received around March to May and also in December which is a time when it is the wet season and there are fewer hikers on the mountain.
Some of the items include sleeping equipment, clothing, footwear, head gear, items of personal nature, repair kits, gadgets like cameras, trekking poles, gaiters, gloves, ponchos among others. During hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro, the equipment can also be rented or bought.
The clothing which is recommended for hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro includes warm clothing, gloves and hats. Layering is also recommended during the hikes since it gets cold and the weather changes. The clothes to pack include insulated trekking pants, hiking trousers, winter jackets, fleece jackets, long sleeved shirts, gaiter or scarf, warm beanie, sun hat, warm gloves, light weight gloves among others.
Hikers are also advised to avoid cotton clothes since it doesn’t allow the moisture to escape. Jeans are also good for hikes so avoid wearing them or packing them for your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro. Wet clothes are also to be avoided during the hikes. It is also very important to be informed about the weather changes during the hikes on the mountain since the weather changes and you will need the right clothing suitable for the weather.
A team of guides, porters and cooks go along with the hikers during their adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro. Each of them plays an important role in making the hike a success for instance the porters help with the luggage as well as equipment needed during the hike. These porters however also have a limit of what they carry and it is recommended that hikers avoid over packing during their hikes in order to increase their chances of making it to the summit and back from the top of the mountain.
Porters carry about 20 kilograms of luggage which also includes their personal items which they will use during their hike on Mount Kilimanjaro. You can discuss with the tour operator organizing for you the hike so that they advise you as you plan for the safari and inform you about the necessary items and what to bring with you for the hike.
The type of bags which are recommended for a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro are waterproof bags which can keep the belongings safe even with the weather changes. You also need a day bag which you can use to carry your cameras and items you need daily when on the hike.
During your hiking adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro there are different campsites where you will spend the nights as you make your way to the summit. Different routes are used during these hikes and they include the Marangu route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Shira route, Umbwe route and Rongai route. Marangu route is the only route which has hut accommodation at Horombo hut, Kibo hut and Mandara hut.
Items you will need when spending the nights on Mount Kilimanjaro include sleeping bags, sleeping mats, travel pillow among others. These items can also be rented and are also provided by tour operators at a discounted fee for hikers.
Gadgets are also another item to carry along with you during your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro and they include cameras and extra batteries, binoculars, a UK type plug adapter and also a power bank.
The footwear which is recommended for hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro includes hiking shoes, extra shoe laces, socks and an extra pair of shoes to wear when at the camp or in the evenings after a hike. Having the right foot wear which is comfortable also contributes to the success of a hike on the mountain.
Keeping your head warm during the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro is also very important and choosing the right head gear to bring with you for your hike such as a scarf, wide brimmed sun hat, insulated hat, is also of importance.
Apart from the clothing and other necessities mentioned about, don’t forget personal items and toiletries when packing for your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro such as toothpaste and tooth brushes, shampoo, hair brushes, towels, sunscreen, wipes, tampons among others.
Travel documents are also among the items to carry along with you for your safari to Tanzania and they include entry visas, a valid passport and also a yellow fever card. Other items to bring with you for the hike include dollars which you can use for transactions before or after the hike and also for tips and also a credit card.
Another important thing to note is tipping of the different service providers during the hike such as the guides, porters and cooks. These tips are a form of appreciation of the services given to you during your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Visit Tanzania and enjoy a hiking adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro in the northern part of the country.
