
Below are lists of the various items of kit and equipment you will need for the various expeditions and events we run.
Kit for expeditions and events
- B2 or B3 Mountaineering boots*
- Crampons*
- Ice Axe*
- Helmet*
- Rucksack 30- 50 Litre
- Rucksack liner- to keep things dry
- Hat & or balaclava
- Mitts & gloves
- Head torch
- Snow/ ski goggles
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over trousers or salopettes
- Gaiters
- Walking socks
- Thermals both legs and top
- Trousers
- Fleece/mid layer tops x2
- Synthetic/ down jacket
- Vacuum Flask (metal)
- Water bottle
- Lunch and spare food/ snacks for the day
- Trekking poles
- Whistle and Watch
- Blister kit/ small first aid kit
- Bivvy bag
Click here to download the list as a PDF document
Baggage and Sleeping
- Large Rucksack or Holdall, 70-90 litres capacity (for kit carried by porter)
- Small rucksack or holdall to keep at the hotel when you are on the trek
- Daysack, 20-35 litres (for personal use on mountain; ready-access items)
- Waterproof rucksack liner or waterproof rucksack cover
- Sleeping Bag (comfort- minus 10 degrees Centigrade rating or colder)
- Sleeping mat (closed cell foam or self-inflating)
- Sleeping bag liner (added warmth, optional)
Mountain Clothing
- Sweat-wicking T-shirts / vests a mixture of long sleeve and short sleeve x4
- Fleece X2
- Insulated down jacket or similar x1
- Down mittens or similar- properly warm ones e.g. ski gloves
- Second pair of thinner mittens/ gloves
- Thermal trousers for summit night/ sleeping.
- Walking trousers x2
- Underwear x3? ... I’m sure you’ll work out how much you need
- Shorts (but not too short if that makes sense)... be aware of local customs and traditions
- Very good quality hiking socks x3 or 4 (also optional liner socks)
- Breathable lightweight waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
- Walking boots, sturdy and worn-in
- Spare boot laces
- Gaiters (optional)
- Balaclava (optional)
- Buff (optional)
- Goretex Mountain Cap or Woollen Hat
- Wide brimmed sun hat to protect face, ears and neck
- Trainers- that you could walk in if your boots become uncomfortable
- Sandals/ sliders- for relaxing around in during the expedition
Travel Clothing
- I suggest bringing a full set of trekking clothing in your hand baggage in case your bag ends up in a different place than you on the way out.
- Swimming costume
- Towel
Hygiene
- Toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
- Small Flat packed Wet Ones, travel wipes, or similar for personal hygiene on the mountain.
- Kleenex tissues in plastic travel pouches or toilet paper
- Hairbrush / comb (optional)
- Sanitary products
- Lip salve with UV protection
- Vaseline, to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
- Hand sanitiser
Health Related Items
- Malaria tablets (if you choose to take these. Seek advice from your GP. Note that some anti-malarial courses need to commence several weeks before departure)
- Diamox/ Acetazolamide (optional)
- Factor 30+ sun cream
- Sun barrier cream white / blue for nose and ears- there’s not much between us and the sun at 5000m
- Insect repellent (prevention is better than cure!)
Accessories
- Sunglasses with UV-filter lenses
- High energy snacks (Cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts)
- Water bottles 1 litre & water bladder (2 litres carrying capacity)- don’t just have a water bladder
- Pee bottle 1 litre (for night time)
- Stuff sacks or plastic bags to keep items dry and free from dust
- Watch with alarm
- Lightweight quick dry towel
Documents
- Passport (with additional 6 months’ validity after proposed expedition return date)
- Tanzanian Entry Visa.
- Hard copy of Air Travel Documents
- Cash in US dollars in denominations of $10 and $20 and $1 (tipping allowance and local purchases, taxis, meals, etc)
- Credit Card (recommended for eventualities only)
- Travel Insurance Documents
- Vaccination Certificates – Yellow fever is not required when entering directly from the UK. But if your flight stops in a country like Kenya, you may well need the certificate. You can get a yellow fever vaccination but be aware of the side effects both short term and long term from this vaccination.
Other things to be brought/ considered (optional)
- A good paperback book- hopefully one that we can swap with each other or a Kindle
- Small notebook and pen/ pencil to record your trip
- Uno cards/ playing cards
- Digital Camera and spare memory cards & batteries
- Power bank to charge electrical items
- Nice snacks that you cannot get out there e.g. chocolate/ Haribo
- Spare Contact Lenses and fluid, if worn
- Head torch with spare batteries and bulb for summit night & tent admin
- Optional but recommended: hydration aids (portable electrolyte replacement tablets)
- Water Purification Tablets / Iodine drops
- Ear Plugs and blindfold (to aid sleep on afternoon before summit night)
- Walking poles (optional)
- Mobile phone. There is signal reception on most parts of the mountain. It is a good idea to unlock your phone before you come out so that a local sim card can be used
Personal Small First Aid Kit to be carried by each person
- Pain killers (Ibuprofen & Paracetamol)
- Diamox (Acetazolamide) if you choose to use this- check out the web and make your decision
- Zinc oxide tape and small scissors.
- Plasters
- Compeed blister pads
- Loperamide Diahorrea Tablets
- Any medication you normally use
- Dioralyte sachets or similar rehydration packs
- Medical gloves x2 pairs minimum
- Lip balm
Suggested reading- prior to departure or on the mountain
- Kilimanjaro to the roof of Africa: Salkeld and Breashears
- The Shadow of Kilimanjaro: on foot across East Africa: Rick Ridgeway
- In the Mist of Kilimanjaro: David Western
- Blood sisters: Barbara Keating
Suggested viewing
- The Lion King
- Blood Diamond
- Constant Gardner
Bags and Packing
- 60-70 Litre Rucksack
- Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
- Walking boots or good fitting trainers
- Walking socks x2 pairs
- Underwear
- Thermal top or T shirt x2
- Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
- Thermal bottoms/ leggings
- Mid layer fleece/ jumper
- Warm Jacket/ additional layer
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Trousers
- Wooly hat/ sun hat
- Gloves
- Plastic mug/ bowl plate
- Spoon fork knife
- Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
- Pot scourer to clean your stove
- Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
- Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
- Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
- Sun cream
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Watch (at least 1 per tent)
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
- Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
- Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
- Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma
Bags and Packing
- 60-70 Litre Rucksack
- Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
- Walking boots or good fitting trainers
- Walking socks x2 pairs
- Underwear
- Thermal top or T shirt x2
- Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
- Thermal bottoms/ leggings
- Mid layer fleece/ jumper
- Warm Jacket/ additional layer
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Trousers
- Wooly hat/ sun hat
- Gloves
- Plastic mug/ bowl plate
- Spoon fork knife
- Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
- Pot scourer to clean your stove
- Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
- Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
- Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
- Sun cream
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Watch (at least 1 per tent)
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
- Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
- Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
- Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma
Bags and Packing
- 60-70 Litre Rucksack
- Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
- Walking boots or good fitting trainers
- Walking socks x2 pairs
- Underwear
- Thermal top or T shirt x2
- Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
- Thermal bottoms/ leggings
- Mid layer fleece/ jumper
- Warm Jacket/ additional layer
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Trousers
- Wooly hat/ sun hat
- Gloves
- Plastic mug/ bowl plate
- Spoon fork knife
- Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
- Pot scourer to clean your stove
- Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
- Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
- Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
- Sun cream
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Watch (at least 1 per tent)
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
- Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
- Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
- Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma