The Ultimate Lady's Kilimanjaro Packing List and Guide
There are many Kilimanjaro packing lists out there, although most seem to be written by men. Only 3% of guides and porters are women, but according to my very scientific study of people I saw during my safari (fun fact: safari = journey in Swahili) around 35-40% of paying climbers are female.
Here I’ve taken the fancy REI list, the list Leopard Tours sent, and my own mistakes and advice from friends who have also done it to make not only a packing list but also a guide to how to pack it, for ladies.
Tip 1: Borrow/rent/share
While I like REI and recommend doing some shopping there (see #8), you will blow your Kilimanjaro budget quickly if you buy all this stuff new. This is especially silly if you don’t plan on using an item again in the future. Find that outdoorsy friend of yours and borrow as much as you can. Most gear can also be rented from a small shop at the Marangu gate for $10-$25 per item, paid in USD. We rented hiking poles and rain pants for $10 each, and were happy with the quality of both. Some items, like a first aid kit, can be shared among members of your group, so coordinate your packing.
Support a local business by renting things you’ll never use again…except your boots!
Tip 2: Strategically load your Daypack
You will keep with you a small backpack, ideally with a waist strap to take some pressure off your shoulders. Inside will be the only stuff you will have access to during the hiking part of the day, and it should be only what you need for that hike. The most important is water. A bladder, while sounding unappealing, is great to be able to drink water without stopping or spilling all over yourself - it doesn’t need to be a fancy CamelBak, I used this cheap one which also came with the fashionable camo ‘magic bandana’ featured in my summit photos.
Do note however, for summiting you need to keep your water from freezing. You can either wear your Camelbak under your coats (but not this cheap one, since it doesn’t have straps), or have a bottle that closes well and you can keep upside down in a wool sock in your day pack. Plan to have 3 liters of water with you during the day - except for summiting, when it is dark and breaks are shorter, you have have a bit less. You will be stuffed full of food at meals, so just a small snack or two in the day pack should do it. I recommend dark chocolate, your favorite nuts, and for summiting Jolly Ranchers were a nice distraction. That said, I’m not a snacker and my brother ate a lot of beef jerky.
Here is what to keep in your daypack, in ziplock bags to keep from getting wet:
Water bottles and/or Camelbak/blaldder
Travel packs of tissues - for TP, tear in half to make them last longer and avoid clogging the toilet
Hand sanitizer - there is never soap in the bathrooms
Sunscreen - the highest SPF you can find, this is pretty much the closest you will ever be to the sun. Don’t forget to reapply!
2 chapsticks - also with high SPF. In case you lose one.
First aid kit (essentials for the day, rest in duffle)
Blister kit - I used this one, it worked on the way up but nothing could save me on the way down
Snacks (for the day, rest in duffle)
Hair things - it can be windy
Tampons and ziplock to put used ones in (for the day, rest in duffle) - if you haven’t followed my advice to not do this on your period!
$20 and $50 bills - you pay tips in USD to your crew either the afternoon after summiting or when you get to the bottom, depending on the tour company. If you roll in with just $100 bills, everyone will love you but you will also be broke. Bring a mix of $20s and $50s. Ask your company in advance how many people you will have and what the recommended rates are so you know how much to bring!
Passport and wallet and any other valuables (but you shouldn’t bring any other valuables!)
Camera/phone - in airplane mode to save battery
Waterproof jacket and pants (you will also wear these on top of everything for summiting)
Polarized sunglasses that wrap around - don’t mess around here, people can go temporarily snow blind!
Wide-brimmed hat with strap- now is not the time to look cool. No baseball caps, or Panama hats - your ears and neck will burn burn burn. Think Crocodile Dundee or if you are really awesome, one of these
Adjustable Hiking Poles - essential for summiting and ‘skiiing’ down the loose dirt
Tip 3: Wear ALL your clothes to summit
In your duffle will be whatever you aren’t currently wearing or need for the hike that day, carried by a porter who will run past you on the trail. The maximum weight is 15kg (about 30lbs), but you don’t need that much! Save a porter’s spine and pack light. You need a bag that won’t break, and they will likely put that into a bigger waterproof bag. I still like to organize my stuff in ziplock bags so they are easier to find. Make sure you can put all your pants and jackets on at once - layering for the summit is key.
Remaining stuff for the duffle bag (or to wear):
4-season sleeping bag - It is always cold at night! The huts have mattresses and pillows, but no bedding.
Headlamp with extra batteries to see while summiting in the dark
Broken-in waterproof boots
Sandals you can wear with socks for camp
3 pairs hiking socks - keep one pair clean for summiting
6 pairs quick-drying underwear - I have these, normally I would balk at the price but they were recommended by Mrs. Frugalwoods as being long-lasting and since my cheap Costco cotton ones are dying in the African heat, I gave them a try. So far they are still holding their form, and or comfy for everyday use.
2 comfortable sports bras - save one that can keep the girls from bouncing too much for the descent
1-2 short sleeve quick-drying t-shirts - I tried twice to rinse out my shirts, and neither time did they dry before we left the next morning...
1-2 long sleeve quick-drying t-shirts - instead of buying a hiking shirt, I used the cheap long-sleeve rashguard that I swim in, and it worked great. I prefer the long sleeve over short sleeve since it reduces the need for sunscreen- I’m only a few years away from going full burkini at the beach.
Quick-drying hiking pants
1 pair wool long underwear (top and bottom)
Fleece pants or sweatpants
Fleece jacket
Down jacket
Hand and Toe warmers
Warm hat
Inner and ski gloves
Scarf/neckwarmer
Lotion/aftersun cream - you will probably forget the cover/sunscreen somewhere
Deodorant
Towel or wipes - there are cold showers at the first 2 camps on the Marangu route- I saw one person use one. It is cold. Instead, I did a wet wipe shower in the room. Bring what makes sense for your cold tolerance.
Hairbrush
Dry shampoo - learn from my mistakes, brush your hair and THEN put on the dry shampoo
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Eye drops - coming down from the summit is dusty! If you wear contacts, you will need to have prescription sunglasses for the summit as you might go snow blind without them.
Earplugs - the camps can be noisy at night or in the morning which people clomping around in heavy boots
British plug adaptor and chargers - for solar power on Marangu route
Altitude drugs and your other meds - I took generic Diamox (Acetazolamide) and didn’t have any altitude sickness, although I know people who have taken it and still felt bad or didn’t take it and did fine. Your call. Also consider: pain killer, diarrhea meds, ORS, decongestant.
Things to do (Kindle, cards, paper and pen, etc) - you will have more downtime than you think! Bring things to occupy yourself and to do with your group.
Extra ziplock bags/trash bags for dirty clothes, etc.
Porters carry EVERYTHING up - even cooking gas!
Tip 4: Be prepared to be clean and relax when you get back down
Bring a bag with a lock to leave at the hotel or with the tour company. Don’t leave any valuables in it. You want to have at least: shampoo and conditioner (African hotels rarely have these), 2 clean outfits, bathing suit, bug spray, and flipflops to give your feet a break!
The Mount Meru Game Lodge is a lovely place to have a Kilimanjaro beer post-Kilimanjaro climb