What Bags Should I Bring for Kilimanjaro?

What Bags Should I Bring for Kilimanjaro?

For your Mount Kilimanjaro climb in Tanzania, we suggest having three types of bags:

Suitcase for KilimanjaroSuitcase or Large Travel Bag

Your first bag should be a suitcase or a large travel bag that you can check-in. This bag will be used to transport your belongings during your flight. Inside this bag, you can roll up your 90-liter duffel bag, which will be used later during the climb.

daypack for Kilimanjaro30-35-Liter Daypack

You will also need a 30-35-liter daypack. This bag will serve as your carry-on for the flight and will also be used as your day pack on the mountain. It should be spacious enough to hold your essential items during the climb.

duffel bag for Kilimanjaro70-90-Liter Duffel Bag

Another bag you should bring is a 70-90-liter duffel bag. This bag will be used to store items that you will need at the camp during your climb. The porters will carry this bag for you and it will be placed inside a large water-resistant bag. You can rent this duffel bag during the trip briefing.

By having these three bags – a suitcase, a daypack, and a duffel bag – you will be well-prepared for your Mount Kilimanjaro adventure in Tanzania.

Who will pick me up at JRO?

Once you grab your luggage in baggage claim at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), proceed to the parking lot. If you paid for a pickup, then just outside the doors, one of our drivers will be standing there with a sign for Kilimanjaro Sunrise. Go with him. If your bags did not arrive, let him know immediately so we can begin gathering temporary equipment and gear. Once your bags arrive, a porter will run them up the mountain to you. Please tip him.

If you did not pay for a pickup, head toward the parking lot to the right. Someone will most likely ask if you need a taxi, he is not a taxi driver. He will just take you to the taxi area. He will expect a tip of $1 USD.

 

Do I have to exchange currency into Tanzanian Shillings?

US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Tanzania. There is no need to exchange your US Dollars for Tanzanian Shillings while in Tanzania. However, by paying with US dollars you will experience slightly less buying power. Most merchants will round up to the nearest dollar when doing a currency conversion. For example, if a bottle of water is 1700 shillings and the current conversion is 1900 shillings to one US dollar. They will charge you one full dollar for the bottle of water.

Please note that your US dollars must be dated at least 2009 or newer. Many merchants will not accept US cash that is older than 2009. You can find out the date of your dollars by looking for the Series date on each bill.

They will not accept damaged or torn bills either, not even at the bank.

ATMs are not very plentiful in Tanzania so we suggest that you bring all the cash that you think you may need. Do not rely on being able to find an ATM while you are in Tanzania.

Large hotels and restaurants will take credit cards. However, many will impose a fee of up to 5% for using a credit card. Smaller merchants and street vendors do not accept credit cards.

Read more here: Do You Have to Exchange US Dollars to Tanzanian Shillings?

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is mandatory. It is a mandatory requirement to have travel insurance to participate on our climbs. Travel insurance should cover high-altitude trekking, medical and repatriation costs, and trip cancellation.

We will verify that you have the appropriate insurance prior to the climb. No refunds are given for clients turned away due to failure to obtain the proper coverage

World Nomads
World Nomad’s Explorer Policy provides travel insurance for many countries including the USA and most of Europe.

Read more here: Do I Need Insurance to Climb Kilimanjaro?

What medications and vaccinations do I need?

vaccinationThere are various recommended vaccinations for travel into Tanzania. However, there are no required vaccinations.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recommends the following vaccinations and medications: Malaria, Yellow Fever (required if entering Tanzania from an ‘infected area’), Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies. Additionally, the CDCP recommends routine vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), and polio, if you are not up-to-date.

You may also want to bring Diamox, an FDA-approved prescription medication used to prevent and treat altitude sickness. Consult with your health care professional. Keep in mind you may be more susceptible to sunburn if you take Diamox.

Though not required, we do recommend having a COVID vaccination.

It is prudent for every client to have a medical check-up to see if they have any medical conditions that put them at increased risk when trekking at a high altitude. The minimum age of participants on our climbs is 16 years old. All clients 65 years of age or older are required to bring a doctor’s certificate stating they are fit to climb Kilimanjaro.

What are the entry requirements for Tanzania?

passportTo gain entry into Tanzania, US citizens, and most other nationalities will need a passport and visa. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the intended length of stay.

Visas can be obtained prior to departure from the USA (recommended due to long wait times at JRO) or at your point of entry into Tanzania. The visa cost for US citizens is $100. More information can be found here: http://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76#visaForms

To obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport, you will need your passport, flight card (given to you on the plane), and US dollars. The visa cost for US citizens is $100 and $50 for most other nationalities.

Additionally, you will need a negative COVID test that is still within the 96-hour window of when you took the test. They will check this before you board the plane for Tanzania.

 

How do I train to climb Kilimanjaro?

We Achieving a reasonable degree of physical fitness should be a goal in your preparation. Being in good shape will increase your chances of having a safe climb, a successful summit, and an enjoyable experience.

The main reason that climbers fail to reach the summit is the inability to acclimatize to the high altitude. Short of going to high altitude, there is little that one can do to pre-acclimatize before the climb. Being physically fit does not guarantee that climbers can overcome altitude issues, but it does reduce the strenuousness of the climb on the body, which in turn, makes acclimatization more likely.

Ideally, your training should simulate actual conditions encountered on Kilimanjaro. Performing day hikes on local trails are the recommended form of training. The trails should include uphill and downhill sections, and you should wear the clothing, boots, and daypack (weighted) that you intend to climb in. Try to hike a few times a week, with a mixture of short hikes and hikes that last for several hours. Your hikes on the mountain will on average be between four to six hours but can be as little as two (easy days) and as high as 14 hours (summit day).

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If it is impractical for you to train outdoors, you may exercise at the local gym. The goals of the training program are to boost your aerobic fitness and increase your endurance. The staple of your training should be walking on a stair climber machine, supplemented with weight training for your legs.

We suggest a minimum of three days a week. Hike or exercise for shorter sessions during the weekdays and longer sessions on the weekends. Sometimes, try hiking on consecutive days. With proper training, you will develop the leg strength, endurance, and confidence necessary for Kilimanjaro.

Here is a sample Kilimanjaro training program.

How do I dress on Mount Kilimanjaro?

1. Use Layers of Clothing
The best way of regulating your core temperature is by using layers of clothing. At the most basic level, the layering system consists of three different layers. Each layer serves its own purpose. These layers include a base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer.

a) Base Layer – the base layer works by keeping your skin warm and dry. It also helps by wicking away moisture from the skin as it develops. This layer usually consists of a semi-snug-fitting shirt such as an Under Armour type shirt or a Nike Dry Fit shirt.
b) Mid Layer – the mid-layer is used to keep the warmth that your body naturally generates. This can be a fleece jacket or a soft-shell jacket. Depending on the weather outside, this layer can be thicker or thinner.
c) Outer Layer – the outer layer protects you from wind, cold, or sometimes rain. On Kilimanjaro, you will need to bring a full complement of rain gear – including a rain jacket and rain pants. Also, a warm down or synthetic jacket is essential. Lastly, clients should opt for a pair of gaiters and also get a rain cover for their day pack.

2. Protect Your Head and Face
Protect your head from wind, sun, and cold by wearing something on your head at all times while trekking. This can be a cap or wide-brimmed hat when it is warm, or a knit hat when it is cold. You may also want to get a balaclava or a scarf for your face to shield you from wind and dust.

3. Keep Your Extremities Warm
Your hands and feet happen to be one of the hardest parts of your body to keep warm, as the human body decreases the blood supply to your extremities when the body as a whole is cold. Climbers should bring warm, waterproof gloves and boots.

See more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3J_j8anuM

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What gear do I need to climb Kilimanjaro?

The appropriate gear and equipment are required to climb Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro treks have a wide range of temperatures so the best clothing is a lot of layers. Such clothing is easier to adjust as the temperature fluctuates and is more effective than a few thick items of clothing. Special attention should be made to the fabric of base and middle layers; these garments should be constructed of moisture-wicking material that effectively pulls sweat away from the body to keep you dry. Cotton is a very poor fabric for trekking and should not be worn.

Synthetic jackets, sleeping bags, duffel bags, and trekking poles are available for rent. For more information, please visit the rental gear page.

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