What to Pack in Your Daypack for Kilimanjaro

When packing your daypack for Kilimanjaro, the general rule is to carry only what you’ll reasonably need for the day. For example, you won’t need cold weather gear in the rainforest or a sun hat on summit night. Each day, our guides will provide updates on the expected weather conditions and inform you of any specific items you'll need to stay safe and comfortable during the trek.
Below is a list of essentials to pack in your Kilimanjaro backpack, along with a few optional extras:

Essentials

➢ Warm hat – a knitted or fleece hat is a must, particularly for the cold summit night on Kilimanjaro.
➢ Sun hat – vital for keeping your head cool and protecting your face from sunburn.
➢ Soft shell jacket or fleece – you will need a good quality fleece or soft-shell jacket as your second layer for the colder sections of the climb.
➢ Waterproof jacket – essential for protecting you against any wind or rain while on the mountain.
➢ Gloves – you will need a pair of lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves and a pair of heavy weight, insulated, water resistant gloves
➢ Waterproof trousers – though it’s true that you may spend days on the mountain without seeing any rain, when it does, you’ll be glad you carried a pair of waterproof trousers.
➢ Water – you need to stay well hydrated and should drink between 2-3 litres of water per day. At Pamoja Kilimanjaro , we ask everyone to carry 3 litres of water every day either in a water bottle or hydration bladder like the Platypus Hydration Bladder.
➢ Suncream and UV protection – at higher altitudes the sun’s rays are intensified and even on a cloudy day they can penetrate through and burn you. To avoid sunburn, you should apply SPF 30 or higher to your nose, face and ears at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
➢ Snacks – as you’ll be burning an extra 2,000 or more calories a day, it’s important to carry plenty of small snacks with you to eat between meals. Chocolate, nuts and seeds, biscuits, savoury snacks and boiled sweets are a good choice but avoid anything with honey or syrup as they are likely to freeze solid above 5,000m.
➢ Hand sanitiser – since washing hands might not be an option on the mountain.
➢ Personal medication and basic first aid kit – we suggest taking paracetamol for headaches, Imodium for diarrhoea and an appropriate antihistamine for vomiting or nausea. We would also strongly recommend bringing some plasters and insect repellent.
➢ Phone, battery pack and charger – so your phone doesn’t run out of juice while on the trail.
➢ Rain cover – to save your personal items getting wet, you’ll need to bring a rain cover for your daypack.

Other stuff

➢ Buff or neck gaiter – not only will they protect your neck from the freezing wind, but also from the blistering sun and they are incredibly useful in dusty weather as it can be wrapped around your nose and mouth for protection.
➢ Trekking poles – optional, but recommended for the summit.
➢ Camera and spare batteries – with its incredible scenery and views, bringing a camera is a must on any Kilimanjaro packing list (the smaller the better).
➢ Pee bottle – a practical solution if you get caught short and need a wee between camps. Check out Shewee and Peebol on Amazon.
➢ Toilet paper – it’s a good idea to carry a roll of toilet paper and some hygienic wet wipes to clean up with if the need to go to the toilet between camps arises (make sure to pack some disposable plastic bags to collect any waste and dispose of this at your next camp stop.)